Tournament Rules

Tournament Rules

  1. All tournament contestants must leave and return from the weigh-in site.  Trailering may be allowed any time there is a lake wind advisory forecasted to occur during tournament hours.  This decision will be made the morning of the tournament by Committee staff.  If trailering, you must leave your truck and boat in the parking lot and wait for your boat number to be called at blast off, then proceed to your truck and boat. Do not drive your vehicle down to the T dock to wait on your number.
  2. Each contestant must check in and be given their weigh in tag by the designated check in time. No exceptions. Note: your boat does not have to be in the water prior to check in.
  3. The official launch procedure will be by boat position, with numbers called from the end of the T dock in a flight system.  For 2-day tournaments, blast-off order will reversed for day 2.
  4. Prior to weigh-in, all fishermen must check in at the T dock by their designated check-in time. Anglers must weigh-in with their designated flight using their own weigh-in bags. If you do not have a weigh in bag, you may come to the scales and request one.  A flight sign (with flight number) posted at the weigh in station will signify that flight is open, and you may come to the scales when your flight is posted.  Tournament director will reserve the right to allow an angler to weigh in early, but only under special circumstances. You must have a valid reason, and we will not allow this option to be abused.
  5. You may not load your boat until after you have weighed in. Exception: If you are one of the anglers who have to come in early to set up the weigh in (we do not expect these workers to leave their boats in the water unattended for the entire weigh in.) 
  6. A polygraph test will be given after all committee sponsored tournaments and must be passed.  The “committee” will determine who takes the polygraph test. 
  7. The use of cellular telephones, two-way radios, or any other type of electronic communication equipment or devices used to communicate between tournaments contestants shall be prohibited for all Clark Hill Committee sponsored events.  However, this equipment may be used in the event of emergencies to summon help. 
  8. If fishing individually and your boat breaks down or you encounter a medical emergency, contestants are authorized to flag down another tournament contestant to have them bring their fish to weigh-in.  Contestants do not have to leave their boat stranded.  If fishing with a partner, the boater or non-boater will carry the fish to weigh-in.  Under no circumstances can a contestant change boats. New for 2022: if fishing individually, and you choose to leave your boat and come back with another contestant, you may continue fishing, but must weigh in with the boater’s flight. 
  9. Creel limit for all committee sponsored tournaments is 5 black bass/large mouth, small mouth or spots), 12 inches or longer.  Bringing more than a creel limit to the weigh-in station will cause the contestant(s) to be disqualified.  You shall not have in the live well more than a tournament limit at any time. Dead fish do not count in the live well limit. 
  10. Short bass (less than 12 inches) found in the contestant’s catch at the inspection station will cost the contestant the short fish plus their big fish.  If two (2) short fish are found, the contestant will be disqualified.  For fish other than largemouth, smallmouth and/or spotted bass brought to the weigh station, the short rule applies. 
  11. All fish turned in at the weigh station become property of the Clark Hill Committee.  All live fish will be released.  One mountable fish may be kept by the contestant provided they notify tournament officials at the weigh station. 
  12. Only one rod per fisherman may be used at a time.  Others may be rigged for use.  Only casting, spin-casting, and spinning reels may be used.
  13. Only artificial lures or bait may be used.  No live or prepared bait is allowed. 
  14. Trolling or wading is not permitted. 
  15. During tournament hours, contestants will not fish within fifty (50) yards of an anchored boat.  An anchored boat is defined as having your trolling motor up and your anchor out or “power poles” down.   
  16. All fishing must be done from your boat.  Leaving your boat to land a fish is prohibited.  Fishing from the bank is not allowed.  Exception: you may leave your boat in the case of an emergency. Examples are severe weather, urgent bathroom break, or sudden illness. Otherwise, contact the Tournament Director or a Committee officer.
  17. All contestant boats must be equipped with engine Kill Switches.
  18. Life jackets and kill switches must be worn by contestants anytime the boat is on plane.
  19. Aerated live wells are required in all committee sponsored tournaments. 
  20. Late penalty is one (1) pound per minute.  Contestant(s) are disqualified after fifteen (15) minutes.  Time keeper will be the tournament director. 
  21. All ties will be decided by the big fish in contestant’s catch.   (If the weight for big fish is the same, the tie will be decided by total number of fish weighed in).  The contestant must declare and identify their big fish to the weigh-in station official.  Only one big fish per contestant(s) will count towards that day’s big fish prize.
  22. All complaints and/or protests must be made to the tournament director within fifteen (15) minutes after the conclusion of the weigh-in.   The tournament committee will settle all disputes.  Their decision is final.  
  23. Alcoholic beverages will not be consumed during tournament hours and not until the scales are officially closed. 
  24. Good sportsmanship is expected by all contestants.  Disorderly conduct will be reason for disqualification. 
  25. The penalty of two (2) ounces (0.12 lb.) will be deducted for each dead fish. 
  26. The Blue Crying Board is the official measuring board. 
  27. Hole-sitting is considered to be un-sportsman like conduct and is subject to disqualification. 
  28. All contestants must abide by Georgia State fishing and boating regulation. 
  29. Parking will be prohibited on the entire ramp area, to include the top of the ramp area near the trees and edge near the weigh-in facility.  The ramp area needs to remain clear to allow for spectators to view the weigh-ins and allow vehicles to launch and recover their boats.  Failure to abide by the rule will result in disqualification for the event currently being fished, plus the next Clark Hill Committee scheduled tournament. 

Section 2 – Local Top Six Tournament

  1. The Local Top Six Tournament usually held the third Friday and Saturday in March. 
  2. The lake will be off-limits to all contestants from Monday thru Thursday, beginning at midnight on the Sunday night prior to day 1 of the Top Six tournament.  Note: No tournament contestant may receive any information from a non-participant of the Top Six tournament that may give them an advantage in their performance in this tournament.
  3. Hours for the Local Top Six Tournament will be safe light to 4:00 PM on Friday and safe light to 3:00 PM on Saturday. 
  4. Entry fee will be determined by the “committee” total including Big Fish. Two Big Fish pots to be paid – one for each day; club pay-out is also included.  Payback to be determined by the “committee”. 
  5. There will be a pre-meeting the week before the tournament where club representatives will be required to turn in the names of those fishing and the entry fee ($560.00) for this tournament.  Date of meeting TBD. 
  6. The drawing for the Local Top Six Tournament will be held Tuesday night prior to the actual tournament. 
  7. Each club can send up to a maximum of six members to participate in the Local Top Six Tournament.  Members can be a combination of boaters and non-boaters with one stipulation: any non-boater fishing the Local Top Six Tournament will be paired with a member of their club.  Therefore, no club can submit more non-boaters than boaters.  It will be the responsibility of the club submitting non-boaters to determine with whom these individuals will be paired. 
  8. Required rosters will be turned in at a time set by the committee.  Committee clubs must have been a member of the Mr. Clark Hill Committee at least six (6) months prior to the Local Top Six Tournament in order to be eligible to enter and fish this event.  Contestants must be an active member of the club there are representing and must have fished three (3) tournaments with that club.  It is the club’s responsibility to ensure that this rule is completely satisfied. 
  9. Blast-off for the second day of the tournament will be in reverse order.  The last boat drawn for the first day of the tournament will be the starting boat for the second day. 
  10. The 1st and 2nd place finishers of the previous Mr. Clark Hill Tournament will be allowed to fish the Local Top Six along with the six (6) members of their club. These individuals will fish at no additional charge except for the big fish pot. 

Section 3 – The Clark Hill Memorial Tournament

  1. The Clark Hill Memorial Tournament is usually held on the second Saturday in May. 
  2. Hours for The Clark Hill Memorial Tournament will be safe light to 3:00 PM.
  3. The pre-registration and drawing for The Clark Hill Memorial Tournament will be held the Thursday night prior to the actual tournament from 5:30-7:00 PM, with boat position drawing at 7:00 PM.   
  4. Entry fee for this tournament will be determined by the “committee”.  If a team signs up late, (late being defined as after the drawing has concluded) they will be assessed an additional $25.00 fee.
  5. Payback for The Clark Hill Memorial Tournament shall be determined by the “committee”.    
  6. There is NO off-limits period for this tournament. 

Section 4 – Mr. Clark Hill Tournament

  1.  The Mr. Clark Hill Tournament is usually held the first Friday and Saturday in October. 
  2. The lake will be off-limits to all contestants from Monday thru Thursday, beginning at midnight on the Sunday night prior to day 1 of the Mr. Clark Hill tournament.  Note: No tournament contestant may receive any information from a non-participant of the Mr. Clark Hill tournament that may give them an advantage in their performance in this tournament.
  3. Hours for the Mr. Clark Hill Tournament will be safe light to 4:00 PM on Friday and safe light to 3:00 PM on Saturday.
  4. Entry fee will be determined by the “committee” total including Big Fish. Entry fee includes up to fifteen club members and an additional $20 for each member over 15. 
  5. Payback amount for Mr. Clark Hill Tournament will be determined by the “committee”.  One Big Fish pot to be paid each day. 
  6. There will be a pre-meeting the week before the tournament where club representatives will be required to turn in the names of those fishing, club rosters, current standings, number of tournaments each member of a club has fished and the entry fee ($460.00) for this tournament.  Date of meeting TBD.  In order to be eligible to fish the Mr. Clark Hill Tournament, members must have fished at least three club tournaments in the club which they are members as of the date the rosters and standings are turned in.   
  7. The drawing for the Mr. Clark Hill Tournament will be held the Tuesday night prior to the actual tournament at a location to be determined. 
  8. Blast off positions for the second day of the tournament will be in reverse order.  The last boat drawn for the first day of the tournament will be the starting boat for the second day. 
  9. The Mr. Clark Hill Tournament will be considered an individual event with the following exception:  Non-boaters are allowed to participate.  However, any non-boater fishing this tournament will be paired with a member of their club.  It is the responsibility of the club submitting non-boaters to determine with whom those individuals will be paired.  The committee will determine final pairings should an issue/conflict develop.
  10. Starting in 2019: In order to qualify to fish the MCH tournament, you must fish one of the two open team tournaments (Tommy Shaw or Clark Hill Memorial). Note: In lieu of actively fishing one of the two Open Team Tournaments, in order to qualify to participate in the Mr. Clark Hill Tournament, a member has the option to pay the entire entry fee of $140 to one of these two open team tournaments. The member must enter one of these two tournaments as if he/she was going to fish it. This entry fee will be allocated to the pot for the tournament he/she enters. The entry fee will not carry over to the Mr. Clark Hill pot.

Section 5 – The Tommy Shaw Memorial Tournament

  1. The Tommy Shaw Memorial Tournament will usually be held on the 1st Saturday in April. This date may change either forward or backward, if there is a conflict of dates with the Georgia BASS Chapter (GBCF) Federation Top Six Tournament.
  2. Hours for the Tommy Shaw Memorial Tournament will be safe light until 3:00 PM.
  3. The pre-registration and drawing for the Tommy Shaw Memorial Tournament will be held the Thursday night prior to the actual tournament from 5:30-7:00 PM, with boat position drawing at 7:00 PM.
  4. Entry fee for this tournament will be determined by the “committee”.  If a team signs up late, (late being defined as after the drawing has concluded) they will be assessed an additional $25.00 fee.
  5. Payback for The Tommy Shaw Memorial Tournament shall be determined by the “committee”.   
  6. There is NO off-limits period for this tournament.

Section 6 – The Winter and Summer Individual Tournaments

  1. Starting in 2020: CHC will hold two additional individual one-day tournaments.  These two new tournaments along with Top Six and Mr. Clark Hill will account for the four individual tournaments that will decide the ultimate AOY champion. You must fish all four tournaments to be in the running for this title as there will not be no tournaments dropped.
  2. These two additional tournaments will be funded by the anglers solely and not by the committee clubs.
  3. Committee dues must be paid to be eligible.
  4. One will be scheduled in January and one in June. The officers & board members will set the dates for each at the November board meeting.
  5. Hours for both tournaments will be safe light until 3:00 PM.
  6. There will be no pre-registration site. Signups for the two tournaments will be done online only on our website: (www.chcfishing.com), and you must sign up by midnight on the Wednesday prior to the tournament. No late signups at the ramp.
  7. Once registration has closed, we will allow one day for all of the email notifications to come in, and have a computer draw that Thursday evening. Boat positions will be posted on the Committee facebook page by noon on Friday.
  8. Entry fee for this tournament will be determined by the “committee” and will be 100% payback of entry fees.  Payback shall be determined by the “committee”.   
  9. To maintain consistency with the other two qualifying tournaments (Top Six & Mr. Clark Hill), the lake will be off-limits to all contestants from Monday thru Friday, beginning at midnight on the Sunday night prior to the day of the Individual tournament.  Note: No tournament contestant may receive any information from a non-participant of the Individual tournament that may give them an advantage in their performance in this tournament.

ARTICLE VIII

The Noel Brown Angler of the Year Award

The Angler of the Year race was set up as a way to increase tournament participation as well as recognize the accomplishments of the best anglers in the “Committee”.  The Top Six, Mr. Clark Hill, Winter Individual, and Summer Individual tournaments will be the qualifying tournaments.  All four tournaments will count with no drop.  The point system is simple; anglers receive points based on their place finishes in each tournament.  For example, if an angler finishes in first place, he gets one point; second place gets 2 points, etc.  If an angler zeros or does not weigh in, he gets one point higher than the last place weighed-in.  If the angler does not fish the tournament, he gets one point higher than the total field.  At the end of the year, the angler with the lowest accumulative points total is declared the Noel Brown Angler of the Year and is awarded $1500.00. 

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

  1.  The Constitution and By-laws may only be amended at the annual Mr. Clark Hill Committee Organizational meeting. This meeting will be held on the 2nd Monday following the Mr. Clark Hill Tournament.  All proposals and rule changes must be submitted at the regularly scheduled meeting held the last Monday night in August.  All proposed rule changes must be in writing with sufficient handouts to be given to each club’s representatives. 
  2. No rule changes are allowed after the annual organizational meeting. 
  3. In the case of a tie vote, the rule/amendment will not change. 
  4. A simple majority vote of members present is required to amend the Constitution and By-laws. 

ARTICLE X

  1.  The effective date of this Constitution and By-laws shall be January 1, 2022. 
  2. Any procedure not defined in this document shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.