Championship 2023

November 4, 2023

Port Sulphur, Louisiana

First Place: Cash (TBD) plus a 2023 Old Town Bigwater PDL

Second Place: Cash (TBD)

Third Place: Cash (TBD)

Fourth Place: Cash (TBD)

Fifth Place: Cash (TBD)

Limited only to those anglers who have qualified for the Championship Tournament

EVENT INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL RULES

BOUNDARIES: This is a shotgun launch from Port Sulphur behind the High School on Civic Drive.  Anglers are allowed to fish any waters they can access by kayak from this launch.    

PRE-FISHING BAN (this includes bank fishing and scouting the area by boat, kayak, etc. regardless of whether you actually fish): There is a pre-fishing ban prior to the tournament starting October 23, 2023 through midnight on November 2, i.e., all anglers can start pre-fishing at 12:01 a.m. on November 3. The ban is for all waters within a ten (10) mile radius of the Port Sulphur Launch regardless of your launch location. Anglers will be allowed to pre-fish the day before the tournament. We encourage all anglers pre-fishing on November 3, 2023 to participate in catch and release, especially with redfish. If anyone is caught pre-fishing during the banned period, they will be immediately disqualified from fishing in the Championship Tournament.

START TIME: The official shotgun launch time is 6:00 AM. DO NOT leave prior to the shotgun launch horn/announcement. You may launch and stage in the immediate area of the launch to clear boat ramps but DO NOT venture forth and do not cast before shotgun launch. You may launch later than 6:00 AM. You must be present at 6:00 AM.  REMINDER: Be courteous, DO NOT BLOCK LAUNCHES.

OBJECT: The heaviest stringer of up to 2 slot redfish (16″ to less than 27″) and up to 6 speckled trout (12″ or over)  wins. In other words, you can weigh in up to a TOTAL of 8 fish, but you CAN also weigh in less than 8 fish so long as they fall into these categories. The heaviest total weight will win. A slot Redfish will be measured with a closed mouth and a pinched tail; the longest point of the pinched tail shall touch the 16″ mark at a minimum length and shall NOT touch the 27″ mark at a maximum length.

WEIGH-IN: The weigh-in will begin at 2:00 PM at the Port Sulphur Launch. The weigh-in line will be cut off at 3:00 PM sharp. Upon your arrival at the weigh-in site, SIGN IN ASAP. Sign in time is a tie breaker in the event of a tie. Sign-in will begin by 2:00 PM and will end promptly at 3:00 PM (3:00:00). Any angler not signed in by 3:00 PM (3:00:00) will not be allowed to have their catch weighed. There will be no proxy sign-ins, a participant must appear in person and physically sign-in.

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee is $70.00 per participant with five places being awarded. $60.00 of the entry fee goes to the championship pot payouts.  $5.00 from each entry goes to pay out big fish for Stud Redfish and Mule Trout, respectively. The first place winner automatically qualifies for entry into the BCKFC 2024 Championship Tournament; subject to payment for entry to two Championship Series tournaments and entry for the Championship Tournament.

STUD REDFISH: Every registration includes an automatic entry into the STUD REDFISH category.  $5.00 from each registration is allotted to STUD REDFISH. Redfish must be a slot Redfish (slot defined above) at the time of weigh-in. Winner is determined by weight.    

MULE TROUT: Every registration includes an automatic entry into the MULE TROUT category.  $5.00 from each registration is allotted to MULE TROUT. Winner is determined by weight.    

KAYAK/WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS:

-Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, or pole.

-Vessel that the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and canoes. NO soloskiffs or vessels marketed as skiffs allowed.

-No “homemade” kayaks, sailboats, johnboats, pirogues, coracles, rowboats, dinghies, skiffs, float tubes, inflatable rafts or rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac), pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft or similar.

-Catamaran style personal fishing vessels complying with all other regulations will be eligible.

-The use of a manual or motorized anchor system is permitted.

-Mother shipping, tethering, holding or any transportation coordination with a non-competitor is strictly prohibited.

-Contestants are allowed to wade fish or fish off the bank but ONLY as long as the angler remains within 100’ of their LAUNCHED paddle craft. Launched means your kayak is partly in fishable water, not a parking lot puddle.

MOTOR ELIGIBILITY:

-Anglers who are age 60 or older at the time of event are allowed the use of an electric motor. The Tournament Director must be notified ahead of time if you plan to use a motor. Angler will be required to submit proof of age, kayak and motor type, and registration numbers to be eligible.

-Anglers who have a physical disability and can provide proof of disability may also request a waiver to use an electric motor.  The Tournament Director must be notified ahead of time if you plan to use a motor and a waiver must be requested from the board.

-Electric Motor Propelled kayaks must meet the following requirements to be approved:

-Electric motor must be attached to the kayak in a safe manner for operation.

-An electric motor used to propel a watercraft may not exceed the lesser of (a.) manufacturer’s labeled Maximum HP/Thrust Capacity, (b.) 3 HP, or (c.) 155 foot-pound thrust.

-Competitors must comply with all boating regulations pertaining to motorized kayak/electric-propulsion watercraft registration, use, and operating restrictions for the designated fishing area.

-No more than one electric motor may be attached to a kayak regardless of combined horsepower/thrust/power rating.

-Motors with dual props operated by a single power source are permissible as long as the unit is manufactured and sold as a single unit.

-Vessel must be 9’ minimum and shorter than 18’.

-Vessel that the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks, Standup paddleboards (SUP) and Canoes. NO soloskiffs or vessels marketed at skiffs allowed.

-Other watercraft specifically approved as exceptions in advance of competition by the BCKFC Board

-Catamaran style personal fishing vessels complying with all other regulations will be eligible.

-No “Homemade” Kayaks, Sailboats, Jon boats, pirogues, coracles, rowboats, dinghies, skiffs, float tubes, inflatable rafts, or rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac), pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft, or similar.

-Mothershipping, tethering/holding, or any transportation coordination with competitors or non-competitors is strictly prohibited.

-By officially entering, contestants agree to submit their kayak to an inspection by BCKFC personnel.

PRIVATE LAUNCHES & PRIVATE FISHING AREAS: Fishing behind gated areas of the marsh is not allowed unless the angler has arranged for all other participants to also fish the area that day AND has made that possibility known to all by posting appropriate information on our forums at least one week in advance.

WATER COURTESY / ENCROACHMENT: Do your best not to disturb someone else’s fishing area, by encroachment, or noise. If you come upon an angler in an egress area, as quietly as you can, ask which side he or she would like you to cross at. A good rule of thumb is that if you can both cast to a common point you’re too close. Respect others and use the golden rule.

PROTESTS: All protests must be made in writing and delivered to a tournament official within 30 minutes of the official end of the weigh-in. The tournament director is the final authority in all considerations.

CHEATING/FOUL PLAY: All anglers are encouraged to report violations.  Cheating and contest fraud in a fishing tournament is a crime in the state of Louisiana.  BCKFC will enforce a zero tolerance policy with regard to cheating.  

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: All participants, by signing up, agree to take a polygraph examination if requested. Any participant can be asked to submit to a polygraph examination. No explanation shall be required from the hosts of the tournament as to why a specific individual is asked to submit to a polygraph examination. Refusal to submit to or failure of a polygraph examination will result in disqualification from the tournament, forfeiture of any and all prizes / awards, and potential banishment from all future BCKFC events.  No refunds for tournament fees will be granted for person(s) refusing to submit to or failing a polygraph examination.  

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE: A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue are part of the entry form.  It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities.  Please DO NOT let your competitive nature push you into doing dangerous things. You must agree to the Waiver to participate. The Waiver is in the online registration page linked below.  BE SAFE, BE SEEN, AND WEAR YOUR PFD! Safety flag, bright colored clothing, and 360° light are highly recommended.

DEPTH FINDERS: Depth finders / fish finders are allowed.

BAITS: Only artificial baits are allowed. Commercially produced scented baits and attractants are also allowed. No live or dead bait. Chumming is not allowed.  All fish must be caught using hook, line, rod, and reel. No trot lines, set lines, yo-yo’s, gill nets, hoop nets, drop lines, etc. are allowed.

COMMUNICATION: Cell or electronic communication “to and from” non-tournament anglers during tournament hours will not be allowed except if it is not fishing related (Example: your wife, work, etc.).

PFD REQUIREMENT: You must properly wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while in your kayak during all BCKFC events.  Failure to comply with this rule during competition could result in disqualification from the tournament. Disqualification will be determined by the Tournament Director based on investigation of any specific incident.

RULE CHANGES: Interpretation of rules is exclusively left to the Tournament Directors and BCKFC Officers. The decisions of this group are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.  Please do your part in not providing a reason to place them in a position where they must make rulings, decisions, etc.  Keep it simple, keep it clean, and when in doubt…do the right thing.  

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older and who has qualified for the Championship Tournament.  Minors are eligible to participate with a parent or legal guardian.  That parent or guardian, not BCKFC, is responsible for the safety and well-being of that minor.  All participants represent that they are physically and mentally competent and fit and able to participate.  By entering, all participants agree to assume ALL risks of personal injury, death, and damage to or loss of property and further agree to indemnify and hold BCFKC, its officers, members, agents, and sponsors harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action resulting directly or indirectly from participation.

LEGAL FISH: All competitors must check in with legal fish as per LDWF regulations to be eligible for awards and prizes. All fish presented at time of weigh in must meet BCKFC tournament size requirements. Any fish presented to weigh-master that does not meet minimum/maximum size requirements will not be accepted as a tournament entry. A replacement fish will be allowed but has to be in your physical possession. You are not allowed to leave your position at the weigh table. If a second fish is presented and does not meet minimum/maximum tournament size requirements it will result in an immediate disqualification of the angler from the tournament. All gross negligence of the minimum/maximum tournament size limits will result in an immediate disqualification and the BCKFC weigh-master and Tournament Director will have final decision. Any attempt to enter fraudulent catch, exchanging catches, tampering with catch, or to hamper or threaten any official of the tournament will result in immediate disqualification. Only authorized persons will be allowed in the sign-in and weigh-in stations.  In the event of a tie, the angler who submits his fish first wins.  

ANGLER OF THE YEAR SERIES:  Anglers participating in the Angler of the Year series are awarded points at the Championship just as any qualifying event.  Additionally, the Championship can count as an angler’s lowest tournament and can be dropped when computing AOY.  1^st place for AOY is a NuCanoe Unlimited.  We will also pay places 2-5.  Prizes TBA.  

RAFFLE:  Each angler registering for the championship will be given one free entry into the drawing for an Old Town Kayak.  Every angler will also be given the opportunity to purchase additional raffle tickets at $5 a piece. 

CHAMPIONSHIP T-SHIRT:  Each angler registering for the championship will be given a limited edition custom made Championship T-Shirt. 

DRONE/UAS USAGE: Tournament participants are not allowed to use unmanned aircraft systems (drones) during the tournament day to scout for fish, spy on other anglers, or any other means that may be viewed as benefiting/advancing their fishing.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN, WE WILL BE CONTACTING EACH QUALIFIED ANGLER INDIVIDUALLY WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO SIGN UP.