Florida Sportsman Kayak Challenge 2016

Join us for a bass fishing tournament at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds just west of Ft. Pierce on January 23rd, 2016 for the Florida Sportsman Kayak Challenge. In years past we have always used our tournaments and bashes to benefit a local or organization. This year we will be use the Kayak Challenge to benefit the Snook & Gamefish Foundation, http://www.snookfoundation.org/.

Anglers will compete on the East pond at the fairgrounds which is well stocked with big largemouth bass. They will use their DOA freshwater fishing kit (received at Captain's Meeting) to catch bass during the 3 hour fishing tournament. Anglers will have to make tough choices with their limited time to fish.

Anglers will have the opportunity to win excellent prizes at each hour, 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm, plus overall grand prizes winners.

* Captain's meeting: January 23rd, 2016 at 9:00am. Meet at the St. Lucie Fairgrounds where the Kayak village will be set up

* Lines In: Fishing will commence at 10:30am and will last until 1:30 pm * Participation: Each angler must register through http://www.ianglertournament.com/node/775

* Rules: A list of tournament rules can be found below, or at the bottom of http://www.ianglertournament.com/node/775 .

* Cost: $35 per angler- each angler will get a kit of DOA freshwater lures and hooks, as well as, a Florida Sportsman Kayak Challenge t-shirt.

* Location: St. Lucie Fairgrounds, west of Ft. Peirce, FL. 15601 W. Midway Rd., Ft. Pierce, FL 34945

* Target Species: Largemouth Bass

* Measuring Fish: Any bass that is 14” or larger needs to be brought to the Florida Sportsman Kayak Village to be measured by a committee member as well as recorded on the iAngler app. Fish will be measured in order of First Come, First serve basis. If the bass is not 14” anglers should record them while out on the water.

* Fish Handling- All fish should be handled with care and respect. Please do not keep the fish out of the water if you do not have to. Quick measurements and healthy releases are a must.

* Prizes: All prizes will be announced at 3:00pm at the Kayak Village (must be present to win)

o Grand Prize for Longest bass caught- Old Town Predator XL kayak

o Grand Prize for aggregate length of bass caught- Old Town Predator XL kayak

o Hourly prizes at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm- Engel Cooler/Dry Box

oOne Conservation prize will be delivered for the smallest bass

Tournament Rules

1. WEATHER: The decision to fish is solely the captain's choice. All anglers fish at their own discretion and risk. If the Tournament rules committee determines it is unsafe to fish, all prizes will still be awarded by raffle tickets at the Kayak Village (must be present to win). No entry refunds.

2. All anglers must be registered and prepaid to fish the Kayak Challenge tournament. Pre-registered anglers will receive a Florida Sportsman Kayak Challenge 2016 t-shirt.

3. The Captain's Meeting will be held at 9:00 am at the Florida Sportsman Kayak Village. Coming from the north, take either Florida's Turnpike or I-95 to SR 70, Okeechobee Rd. Head West until you reach Midway Road, turn left and enter the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds. Take a right onto Peacock Road and enter at the gate. Directions will be posted to reach the Kayak Village from there. Coming from the South, take I-95 to Midway Road. Follow Midway Road West towards Okeechobee. The entracnce to the St. Lucie Fairgrounds will be on your left. Take a right onto Peacock Road and enter at the gate. Directions will be posted to reach the Kayak Village from there.

4. Tournament hours of fishing are 10:30 am through 1:30 pm.

5. All fish must be caught on rod and reel (no electric reels). No line test restrictions. Anglers may only use artificial baits that will be provided by DOA Lures for use in the Florida Sportsman Kayak Challenge. Each angler is limited to one rod in use at a time.

6. All state and federal recreational fishing rules governing weight, size, bag limits and licensing must be observed.

7. Boundaries are within the East pond of the St. Lucie fairgrounds.

8.Weigh-in will be at the Florida Sportsman Kayak Village on the Western end of the east pond.

9. All fish will be taken into account through the iAngler App to count number of fish each angler catches. If the bass is to be measured for the Big Bass it must 14 inches or larger. If you have a fish you wish to be recorded for the Big Bass of the hour, you will have to paddle it to the Kayak Village. The fish will be recorded by length for the tournament. Your time of arrival to scales will determine the order of fish that will be measured by a committee member.

10. In the event of a tie for any prize during the tournament, the tie breaker will be based on time fish was brought to scale. For Largest bass caught the winner will be who brought the bass to scale first. For Most bass caught the first angler to have weighed their last fish will be the winner.

11. Prizes will be awarded each hour of the tournament at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30 pm. No angler may win more than one hourly prize. Grand prizes for the tournament will be held for largest bass overall, and the most bass caught overall at the end of the tournament. The grand prizes will be awarded to separate anglers.

12. Florida Sportsman Magazine, its Sponsors, vendors, or members of the committee are NOT responsible for any incidence/accidents that may occur during this event.

13. By registering for this event you agree that you have read and understand these rules.