The intention of this tournament is to promote overall good fellowship and to promote fishing in Virginia, as well as to benefit the local charities of HOFNOD (Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs), The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center.

Official Rules and Regulations:
1.) This is a team tournament and there is no limit to the number of anglers/team members per entry, however, there must be at least 2 team members per entry. All anglers/team members must be registered in writing with the tournament prior to 10:00pm, January 7th, 2009, unless the tournament chooses to extend the time. Each team shall designate in writing a team captain, and only the team captain or designee shall be authorized to sign the entry registration form and score sheets. This is a team tournament format, not a boat tournament, and each team shall submit a team name with their entry. Any boat may enter all eligible days so long as it enters as a different team name each day. This is a one day tournament, however, you may fish three days if you pay three entry fees and enter under a different team name on each of the three days. Tournament entry fee is $499.00. If your registration and payment is received before December 28, 2008, each team is eligible for 1 of 2-$5,000 in cash raffles. All entry fees and additional skill level entries must be received/paid no later than 10:00pm, January 7, 2009 to be eligible for prizes and awards (unless the time is extended by the tournament). The entry fee includes five banquet tickets and five breakfast tickets from Waterman’s Surfside Grille at 5th & Atlantic Avenue.

2.) Each team is eligible to weigh-in their three (3) largest Striped Bass/Rockfish (Morone Saxatillis) that measures over 28” fork length and shall be awarded 1 point per pound. All boats must display a tournament issued flag as high as possible on the starboard side of the vessel. Boats will be patrolling the 3 mile line and the Chesapeake Bay/Ocean line otherwise known as the “Territorial Sea Line.” Any boat not displaying a tournament issued flag will be automatically disqualified. No more than 8 rods may be fished at the same time.

3.) ASA RULES PORTION: To qualify for ASA awards and points, you must check in at the ASA booth during the Captains Meeting on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009. For the tournament you will still need to check in at the tournament registration table. ASA will count points for 1 fish from the day of your choice during the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout. You are not limited to one day of fishing. For example, if an ASA team decides to fish 2 days, the team can pick the best day’s points to count towad the team’s ASA points. Points from those fish will count toward the special ASA awards to be presented at the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout. Those same points will also count toward your ASA Angler of the Year standings. You may weigh up to 3 fish per day to count towards your Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout tournament totals. All ASA fish must be weighed in at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. MARS is not responsible for ASA scoring or provided prizes.

4.) The tournament reserves the right to refuse entry to any person or team.

5.) Checkout and Check-In: All boats may depart from any Virginia port, but must return for weigh-in at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet or Long Bay Pointe Marina at Lynnhaven Inlet. The official tournament channel is Channel 78.

6.) Fishing Hours & Boundaries : Lines in at 8:00am and lines out at 2:00pm. The Northern boundary is Wachapreague sea buoy and the Southern boundary is the sea buoy at Oregon Inlet. Only fish caught between 8:00am and 2:00pm will be eligible for weigh-in. You may not be in illegal waters during tournament hours. If you get a late start, or decide to go in early and are running in or out of the bay, you must contact the tournament director at 757.319.5194.

7.) Weigh-In Procedure: The procedure for weigh-in is critical - please read carefully! The official weigh stations (Virginia Beach Fishing Center and Long Bay Pointe Marina) will be open at 1:00pm on January 8th, 9th and 10th, 2008, and will remain open until all eligible teams have weighed in. An eligible team is described as a team in line at the scales by 5pm. You may NOT drive your fish in. We will only weigh your fish one time. Only the designated team captain will be permitted to accompany the team’s fish to the official scale, and must sign the scorecard. Fish will be checked for freshness and subject to inspection of stomach contents.

There will be a sign at the fuel dock at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center labeled “Drop Off” and “Pick Up.” Quickly and safely drop off your “Team Captain” or his designee with your three heaviest fish. We will imediately shove you off. You may then proceed to the pick up area around the West side of the fuel dock, or you may pick up your team captain by car. Please follow Rudee Inlet Protocol. At Long Bay Pointe, you may leave your boat at the floating dock, but please remove it as soon as you have weighed in. Efficiency is very important!

8.) Inlet Protocol: To enable prudent and safe passage for all boats within the boundaries of both inlets, all tournament boats shall abide by the posted speed/no wake regulations and Rules of the Road. Any boat observed for violating this rule and operating in a reckless or unsportsmanlike manner may be penalized (10) ten points from their total score, or all points, if deemed appropriate by the rules committee. All tournament boats that weigh in at Rudee Inlet must proceed West towards Owl’s Creek/Marine Science Museum, as per diagram provided (Diagram to be displayed and distributed at the Captain’s Meeting and also available on the tournament website), until further instructed to proceed to weigh station. The tournament may announce on the tournament channel that you may proceed directly to the weigh station.

9.) After the tournament begins, two or more boats congregating (close enough to pass fish) or touch land or a dock other than weigh-in dock will be disqualified. The only exception is in the case of a lifethreatening emergency.

10.) Scoring: One (1) point per pound. In case of a tie, the fish that are weighed first shall be deemed the winner.

11.) All fish submitted for weigh-in become the property of the tournament, and must be in suitable condition for human consumption. Please ice your fish properly. - Donated fish will be utilized for tournament banquet, and the remainder will be processed and donated to a selected charity. The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia gladly accepts additional donated fish at the dock.

12.) This is a rod and reel tournament only. The tackle is unlimited, and live bait may be used only if you are entered in the live bait division. Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage.

13.) Mutilated/Injured Fish: IGFA rules shall apply. The decision of the tournament rules committee shall be final.

14.) Registration and Captain’s Meeting: Registration will be between 3:00 and 10:00 pm, January 7th, 2009. Please arrive early to beat the crowds. The Captain’s Meeting will be at 7:30pm. Location: Surfside Inn, 12th Street and Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Tel: 757.428.1183

15.) Mechanical Breakdown: Your boat’s condition and efficiency are equally as important as your fishing skills. All boats/teams are responsible for getting their fish to the weigh station aboard their own boat, even if it is towed. (All ASA boats must make weigh-in on their own power to qualify for ASA points and prizes).

16.) Weather : The tournament does not provide a weather committee and it is a Captain’s choice tournament. All team captains, members, boat owners and all other participants are responsible to determine that their craft is sea-worthy, and are advised and encouraged to be familiar with the current local weather conditions and forecasts to determine if conditions permit the safety of the boat, crew, anglers and guests to proceed to depart to sea and return in a safe and prudent manner. The tournament reserves the right to cancel the tournament. If all three days are cancelled, the tournament director reserves the right to hold the tournament on Sunday, January 11th, 2009. The tournament will determine by 5pm, Saturday, January 10th, if Sunday, January 11th will be fished. For updated messages, please call 757.319.5146. If one of the three eligible days of fishing is declared fishable, it shall constitute the tournament. In the event that all 3 days are cancelled and Sunday is declared a fishing day, and the same has entered more than one day, and can find another boat to use, they must let the tournament know which team is fishing on what boat. You must call the tournament phone for specific instructions. In the above scenario, the team can split up and use two boats.

17.) Cash Awards: Prize money awards checks will only be paid out upon proof of identification including social security number or Taxpayer ID number. A 1099 will be issued for all prize money to the person or company to whom the check is made payable. The ‘09 Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout will payout a guaranteed CASH prize of $100,000 plus calcuttas based on 250 teams being registered. The payout will be distributed between the two divisions (artificial bait and live bait) according to the percentage of participation in each division. (For example: If there are 250 teams entered and 200 are artificial bait and 50 are live bait teams the payout would be distributed as follows. Out of the $100,000 jackpot - $10,000 Early Bird Payout = $90,000 to distribute. Live Bait Distribution = $18,000 and Artificial = $72,000. If less than 20% choose to enter the tournament in either category (live or artificial bait), then the tournament may opt to choose the format in favor of the most popular category the following year (2010).

If you didn’t catch it in the above example, yes - this year’s Early Bird Raffle will consist of 2-$5,000 raffles so enter by December 28, 2008 for a chance at the Early Bird Raffles - which will be drawn at the Captain’s meeting Wednesday, January 7th. A team representative must be present to win. If no registered team member is present within 5 minutes of their team’s number being drawn, the tournament will keep drawing until a winner is selected.

If you pre-register you still have the option to change your category to live bait or artificial the night of the Captain’s meeting. There will be $100,000 max cash payout (less $10,000 early entry raffle) based on 250 teams. In the event that there are less than 250 teams, the cash payout will be at a rate of $275 per team. The cash payout will go as follows: 1st Place: 50%, 2nd Place: 20%, 3rd Place: 12%, 4th Place: 8%, 5th Place: 6%, 6th Place: 3%, 7th Place: 1%.

In the event of a natural disaster, or act of God, or no eligible fish are weighed in, or the tournament cancels all eligible days of fishing due to adverse weather conditions, the tournament will have a drawing from the registered tournament team numbers to award the Guaranteed First Place Prize. For example: If there are 60 teams entered, the prize money will be raffled off at the rate of $275 per team entered, minus the $10,000 Early Bird Raffle, at a payout the same as the tournament (1st Place: 50%, 2nd Place: 20%, 3rd Place: 12%, 4th Place: 8%, 5th Place: 6%, 6th Place: 3%, 7th Place: 1%). For example, if there are 60 teams entered, the prize money shall be awarded in the following manner. 60 teams x $275 = $16,500 - $10,000 for the Early Bird Raffle. 1st Place=$3,250 , 2nd Place = $1,300, 3rd Place = $780, 4th Place = $520, 5th Place - $390, 6th Place = $195, and 7th Place = $65. There will not be a split between two divisions should this occur. The drawing will be held at 9:00pm at the banquet at Waterman’s Surfside Grille on January 10, 2009. A team representative must be present to win. If no registered team member is present within 5 minutes of their team’s number being drawn, the tournament will keep drawing until a winner is selected.

The ASA will present a $5000 cash prize to the top ASA member boat competing in the Mid-Atlantic rockfish Shootout. The top ASA boat in the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout must have been a boat participant in the ASA 2008 National Tournament on December 13th 2008 and a 2009 ASA member boat in good standing. All ASA boats will receive 2009 Angler of the Year points for their largest fish recorded at weigh-in. A bonus of 2 pounds will be added to the ASA points total for a live release judged in accordance to the ASA 2009 rules by the ASA weigh master. These bonus points will not count toward the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout tournament points and payouts.

18). Additional Skil Levels : There will be four optional skill levels based on a progressive method, you must enter level 1 to be eligible for level 2, Level 2 to be eligible for Level 3, and so on: $100 - Winner take all. *Not mandatory to enter levels 1&2 Level 1: $250.00, Pays: 50% 1st place / 30% 2nd place / 20% 3rd place Level 2: $500.00, Pays: 50% 1st place / 30% 2nd place / 20% 3rd place Level 3: $1,000, Pays: 50% 1st place / 30% 2nd place / 20% 3rd place Additional skill levels will be paid out according to divisions entered. For example, when you enter live bait additional skill levels the money paid goes directly to the Live Bait Additional Skill Levels Payout. In the event that only (2) teams score points in each level, then the basis shall be 65% 1st place and 35% for 2nd place and if only (1) team scores, it shall be a 100% to the winner basis. *The tournament will retain 10% of additional skill levels to be applied to tournament expenses and charity donations.

19.) Cancelation Policy: All additional skill level monies will be refunded 100% if the tournament is declared unfishable or canceled. There is no refund on paid entries.

20.) LAY DAY FORMS: You must declare what day your team chooses to fish at the Captain’s meeting. If you change the day that you have selected to fish, you must submit a lay day form by 8am at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center on the day that you declared that you were going to fish. A duplicate of the form will be provided for you. No exceptions!

21.) Polygraph Tests : All registered participants (Team captain, boat captain, mate, anglers and guests) of any eligible tournament prize monies or awards agree to submit to a polygraph examination if requested to do so by the Tournament, Tournament Rules Committee or Official Weigh Masters. Failure to submit to a polygraph test by any member aforementioned will result in disqualification of any or all awards to the team or team member. You must have a valid phone number for us to contact you between 3pm and 6pm on Saturday, January 10th, to let you know if you must submit to a polygraph. If we request that you be polygraphed and you are unavailable, you must, at your own expense and by January 17, 2009, submit to a professional polygraph in order to receive the prize money. The results of the tests will be final.

22.) Federal and State Regulations: The weight and/or length of the eligible fish submitted for weigh-in are subject to State and Virginia and/or Federal laws. All tournament boats must possess current and valid Virginia Saltwater Fishing Licenses and any other permits as required by applicable law at time of weigh-in. Any team without valid permitting and/or in violation of State and/or Federal law may have their fish disqualified at time of weigh-in.

23.) Protests: Protests must be submitted in writing and presented to the Tournament Rules Committee (contact the tournament at 757/319-5146) accompanied with a fee of $250.00 (refundable if protest is upheld) prior to 6:00pm of that day’s fishing. The Tournament Rules Committee (to be announced at the Captain’s Meeting) at their discretion may utilize polygraph tests. By virtue of signing the Tournament entry form all participants agree to the final decision of the Tournament Rules Committee. It is understood that the spirit intended of the tournament is to be enjoyable and in good fellowship for all participants.

24.) Waiver /Disclaimer : It is expressly understood that participants in this tournament enter at their own risk, and that the Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout, Tournament Directors, Officers, Tournament Sponsors, Committees and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of said tournament, shall be exempt from any liability whatsoever for liable, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, vessel and equipment, companions and guests, boat captains, mates, crew members, which may occur during or in conjunction with this tournament. By signing the official tournament registration form, the boat owner, captain and mate(s), anglers and guests, consent that the tournament may use without payment or restriction any photographs, video footage, in which he or she may appear for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to resale, advertising, commercial or promotional material.

25.) Venue : It is expressly understood that all participants consent and agree that the City of Virginia Beach General District Courts shall be the sole venue for litigation arising out of participation in the Tournament.