TOURNAMENT RULES
2025 Catfish Chasers Elite Rules
- All federal and state regulations must be followed.
- Teams can consist of up to 3 persons.
- You may have one alternate team member in an event in regards to the points race.
- PFD must be worn at take off.
- Pre fishing must end 12 hrs. prior to the start of the event. Bait catching will be allowed
- We will send boats in groups of 10 at takeoff in the order or registration. Groups will be approximately 20 seconds apart.
- Trailering will be allowed if possible and allowed by law. Trailers will be released in the same groups as registration numbers the same as if you were on the water.
- All fishing must be done from a boat.
- Any legal bait may be used.
- 3 rod maximum per fisherman (with appropriate permit) with a max of 6 rods total may be in the water at any given time. Unless state law dictates less. More rods may be in the boat.
- Rod and Reel only. No set lines are permitted. No snagged fish will be allowed. No shocking devices are allowed.
- No chumming or fishing known chummed holes will be allowed.
- Livewell checks will take place prior to launch.
- Livewell must be adequate size for the fisheries fish health
- 5 fish limit, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, or flatheads of legal size will be allowed.
- No more than 5 fish can be in your livewell once you boat leaves the water.
- All fish must be alive and have the ability to swim free on there own power. Any dead or obviously dying fish will result in disqualification.
- NO STRINGERS or BASKETS will be allowed.
- 50 yards distance between event boats is required.
- No fishing allowed within 50 Yds of any marina, fuel pumps or public launch ramp.
- You must use all lights required by law when they are required to be used throughout any event.
- Tournament hours — Day event 7AM -4PM Night events 7PM – 8AM
- Check in chips must be on the chip board prior to the end of the event. No weight will be recorded for late arrivals.
- No sharing information with other competitors via phones or social media.
- Unsportsmanlike activities will not be tolerated.
- Any disputes must be presented in writing to the tournament director 30 min prior to weigh-in. All decisions made by the tournament directors are final.
- All competitors are subject to polygraph examination at the discretion of the tournament directors. Refusal or failure of a requested polygraph test will result in forfeiture of any and all winnings for that event.
- Events will be limited to 51 teams.
- Total weight ties will be broken using the big fish weight.
Big fish ties will be broken with total weight.
If ties still exist a coin flip will determine higher finish. - NO REFUNDS will be given except in extreme situations and determined by the tournament directors.
If there is a waiting list for an event we can replace your team with paid entry. Then return of your entry fees with be permitted. - Select events may require a mandatory pre-tournament meeting to fulfill sponsorship obligations.
**Prize fund will be prorated accordingly with anything less than 51 teams. **