Dropshot
Well-known member
<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt"><font face="Calibri">CFF Tournament Trail 2016 Rules and Format</font></span>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** 2016 CFF Tournament Trail</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 12 Tournaments</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 8 Day Tournaments</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 4 Night Tournaments</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 6 Tournament participation required for Classic qualification </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** Administrative Fee</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">A one-time fee of $10 will be charged to ALL participants before they fish their first tournament of the year. This fee will be used to purchase equipment, scales, door prizes, and other items needed to ensure the smooth operation of the tournament trail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>No one is excluded from paying this fee before fishing. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Example: Patrick and Jerry pay their $10 each before fishing their first tournament. If Tyler shows up to fish with Jerry during the third tournament, then Tyler must also pay the $10 fee.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">**Tournament Entry Fee</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">The entry fee for each tournament is $40. $5 from each entry is used towards the “Big Fish” reward. Fisherman under the age of 18 must fish with an adult, as well as have a waiver form signed by a legal guardian in order to participate.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">**Angler Eligibility to Participate</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>* 200 CFF Posts PER BOAT are required to fish the CFF Tournament Trail</font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">* Qualified Member – A qualified member is designated as any active CFF member who has accumulated a minimum of 200 posts in any category at time of sign-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An active member is one who contributes to the forum on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Qualified Team - Any team consisting of a minimum of 200 posts in any combination between the two participating anglers. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Exception - "One-pass Rule" </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Each team participating in any 2016 CFF Tournament Trail Event, shall have a total of 200 CFF posts and a minimum of one (1) CFF member who is active on the forum, in any combination between the two anglers. This can consist of one member with 200 posts and a guest with 0 posts. Additionally, any CFF member lacking 200 posts ("NON-Qualified member" will be allowed to participate by using one free pass. This means that a member with less than 200 posts may fish one tournament with another non-qualified member or guest. Both non-qualified members and the guest will have used their free passes. The "non-qualified members" will be encouraged to enjoy the fun and fellowship and contribute back to CFF by posting and the guest will be encouraged to join and contribute. Any new members (non-qualified) should print their user profile and present it with their driver’s license at sign-in to verify their qualifications. In addition, anglers wishing to participate should verify that they post counts can be viewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">NOTE: THE FREE PASS RULE WILL BE WAIVED AFTER THE 2ND TOURNAMENT. NO MORE FREE PASSES WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER THAT POINT***</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">**Tournament Registration</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* All sign-ups will take place under the CFF Tournament Trail Forum. A sign-up deadline will be posted as well, and normally will be 7pm on Thursday evening the week of a tournament, or on Wednesday evening for a Friday night tournament. Anyone who does not sign up online before the sign-up deadline will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>NO EXCEPTIONS!</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* All day tournaments will start at safe-light and weigh in at 2:00pm EST unless otherwise stated on the sign-up thread. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">*It will be the responsibility of the CFF Tournament Committee to post any ramp changes no later than 7pm on the Tuesday before the scheduled tournament.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* No live bait, trolling, or locking through will be allowed at any CFF Tournament Trail tournaments.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Official Tournament Deadline and blast-off order will be pre-determined before blast-off. Blast-off will be organized and numbers will be distributed at registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Additionally, weigh-in instructions will be given at sign-in, prior to departure. Any team wishing to weigh fish, are required to return to the designated dock/ramp prior to deadline. For safety reasons, a two minute grace period may be invoked for some ramps. CFF Tournament Committee members will be present to assist in this process. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Sign-in for tournaments will close 15 minutes before scheduled blast-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Late sign-in will not be allowed.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* The CFF Tournament Committee member who performs the blast off process (thus being the last boat out) will be rewarded with being the first boat out at the next tournament.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Weigh In – All fish must be presented for weigh-in in a water-filled bag or container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fish not presented in a water-filled bag or container will not be weighed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tournament committee reserves the right to measure any fish being weighed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Anglers should strive to not stand in line with their fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please observe good conservation.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Weigh-In Interference – The tournament committee asks that all anglers be mindful of the process for weighing-in and registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This process is not always an easy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With that said, all participants not on the tournament committee should remain in front of the scale area with the exception of the team weighing-in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We also ask all anglers to be courteous and respectful at the registration table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Anglers who do not adhere to this request will be subject to disqualification with no refund of entry fees.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Big Fish Payout – For the 2015 Trail, we will be reverting back to a big fish payout for each of the largest Largemouth Bass, Kentucky (Spotted) Bass and Smallmouth Bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In case only 1 or 2 of the 3 species are weighed in, the big fish pot will be adjusted to reflect.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Waiver Form - A waiver form must be signed before participating each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This form specifies additional information and guidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you fish and do not sign a waiver form, you are subject to disqualification.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">* Fishing Report – In exchange for participation in the CFF Tournament Trail, each boat is <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">expected[/b] to provide a fishing report under the CFF Fishing Reports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Boats that participate and place are required to post a fishing report, or risk participation in future tournaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fishing reports are the life-blood of the forum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Dead Fish – A 16 ounce penalty will be issued for weighing in a dead fish. Only 1 dead fish will be allowed per boat. If a boat possesses more than 1 dead fish, they will only be allowed to weigh their LIVE fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dead fish will be deemed ineligible for participation in the big fish award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dead fish can be disqualified at the discretion of the tournament committee based on condition of fish.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** POINTS </font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Points will be earned by points equivalent to each boats overall finish, as determined by each team's total weight. We will utilize a points system starting at 100 points, and decreasing a single point for every declining place finished.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Example:</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">1st Place – 100 Points</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">2nd Place – 99 Points</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">3rd Place – 98 Points</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">4th Place – 97 Points</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">5th Place – 96 Points, etc</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* A one point bonus will be added to the team(s) weighing in the largest of three species of bass. A single point will be given for the overall largest largemouth bass, spotted bass, and/or largest smallmouth bass. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Teams that fish a tournament, but fail to weigh a fish will receive 20 points.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Example – You and your partner weigh in 10 lbs., good for third place in a tournament, and are worth 97 points. Points are kept INDIVIDUALLY throughout the year, but you will earn points at each event, based on the TOTAL TEAM POINTS. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">In the next event, Joe and John fish with different partners. Joe and his partner finish in first place (100 points) while John and his partner finish in 10th place (90 points). For those 2 events, Joe has a combined total of 197 points and John has a total of 187 points. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* The best of 12 tournaments will define your points for the Championship. With 12 total tournaments, you are allowed to drop your three lowest scores.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">* A year-end point’s champion (Angler of the Year) will be crowned at the Classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In addition to bragging rights, the Angler of the Year winner will have all entry fees waived for the 2016 CFF Tournament Trail. The winner must participate in the Classic to receive his recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Only anglers who have participated in 5 or more tournaments will be eligible to participate in CFF #12.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** AGE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CFF TOURNAMENT TRAIL</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">*Anglers of all ages are welcome to participate in the CFF Tournament Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, at least one participating member of a team must be a minimum of 18 years of age on the date of the tournament to be fished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In addition, any boat operator under 18 years of age will need to present the following before entry will be permitted:</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">a. TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Card (Tennessee residents) or proof of completing a NASBLA course (non-Tennessee residents) before entry will be permitted.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">b. Proof of insurance on watercraft. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">c. CFF Waiver form signed by their parent or legal guardian to be eligible to fish.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">** 2016 CFF CLASSIC<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* The 2016 CFF Classic will be a two day tournament.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Day one will be held on Nickajack Lake, while day two will be held on Chickamauga Lake. Ramps will be determined and posted later in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is subject to change based on scheduling, etc. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* The year end Classic will have double entry fees ($80), which will result in a double pay scale. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* To qualify, an angler must fish a minimum of 6 out of the 12 regular season events. CFF Alias' cannot be shared in qualifying for the CFF Classic.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Both anglers have to qualify to fish the Classic </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* The Classic will have a five-fish limit per day.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* There will be a Classic Champion, an AOY and a Big Fish Champion recognized at the conclusion of the Classic.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** BASS SPECIES</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 12" Spotted bass - 15" Largemouth - 18" Smallmouth (The only exception is Guntersville Lake, where limit for smallmouth bass is 15"</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Brown is Brown. There are some smallmouth that contain a tooth patch, but a brown fish is a smallmouth </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* A spot qualifies as being green, and has a tooth patch. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* A fish in question will be voted on at the weigh-in by CFF Tournament Committee members. The decision of the CFF Committee members will be final. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** SAFETY</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Participants are encouraged to abide by all state and federal regulations and take all necessary precautions to provide for their safety. At the discretion of the tournament committee, any event may be postponed, shortened, or cancelled due to unsafe conditions including weather. It remains the decision of the participants, as to whether conditions are safe and suitable. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">* Tournament blastoff will be performed by a member of the CFF Tournament Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Blastoff may be by single boat, or by flight based on several factors, including number of participants, weather, visibility, ramp, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ANY angler/boat found violating the blastoff routing may be subject to disqualification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** DISTANCE</font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* 50 yard rule when competing in a CFF tournament. Unless waived over, stay outside a judgment distance of 50 yards. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* As usual, please exercise safety, good sportsmanship and most of all, have fun fishing!</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">** PROTESTS[/b] </font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* Any protest shall be submitted to any tournament committee member within 5 minutes after “last call” at weigh in. </font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">* In case of a protest, statements will be taken from parties in dispute and a <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">FINAL RULING[/b] handed down by the tournament committee.</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font face="Calibri" size="3">** FUN </font>[/b]</p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt"><font face="Calibri" size="3">*The most important rule of CFF is to have fun. Enjoy fellowship with fellow anglers who enjoy the same passion as you do!</font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font>