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M.S.S.A. Frederick Chapter - Angler Of The Year
http://www.mssafrederick.com

Contest Regulations

PURPOSE

To recognize a Chapter member's outstanding abilities as an angler and their participation in Chapter activities.

GOALS

To promote fellowship, interest in MSSA Frederick Chapter functions, and to give recognition to MSSA Frederick Chapter members who have displayed outstanding abilities during the season.

ELIGIBILITY

All MSSA Frederick Chapter members in good standing.

ENTRY

Submission of an entry form, payment of the entry fee, and upon verification by the Rules Committee of an applicant's MSSA Frederick Chapter membership in good standing.

CLASSES/DIVISION

A. ADULT
B. JUNIOR (under 15)

CONTEST AREAS

There are three contest areas: [1] Chesapeake Bay, [2] Atlantic Ocean and [3] both bay and ocean. Angler must register for either area, or both areas, for consideration.

ENTRY FEE(S)

Chesapeake Bay $10.00 Atlantic Ocean $10.00 Both $15.00

REQUIREMENTS TO WIN

1. Accumulation of the highest point score (see chart below); and,

2. Attended and participated in a minimum of 5 chapter functions: (i) any Frederick Chapter meeting; (ii) Frederick Chapter Flounder Tournament; (iii) Frederick Chapter Spring Striped Bass Tournament; (iv) Frederick Chapter Chincoteague Trip; (v) Frederick Chapter Chesapeake Bay overnight trip; (vi) North Carolina King Mackerel roundup trip.

WINNER

To the Frederick Chapter Angler who accumulates the most points and meets the minimum requirements beginning January 1, 2004 through November 30, 2004. Tie scores will be broken by the Angler who submitted their catch reports first, and thereafter by the Angler who attended the most Frederick Chapter meetings. 2004 Anglers of the Year will be announced at the Frederick Chapter January 2005 Dinner meeting.

PRIZES

Winner receives a trophy recognizing the Angler's skill which will be engraved on a trophy to be kept at the Chapter. Another trophy will be presented to the Angler to take home.

RULES:

Acceptance of Catch Reports

No catch reports will be allowed prior to the date of an Angler's submission of an entry form and payment of the entry fee. Verification by the Rules Committee of an applicant's MSSA Frederick Chapter membership may be performed after the date of the catch report, however, the catch report(s) will be held until verification of membership is completed by the Rules Committee.

Point Accumulation ( see point chart )

Anglers accumulate points by submits of a catch report. Bonus points may be earned if the fish caught on the catch report was landed when the Angler was a registered participant in a MSSA or Frederick Chapter) sponsored event. If an Angler has previously submitted a catch report and later desires to substitute the catch with a later caught fish, the Angler may substitute the fish (the "Mulligan fish") via submission of the new catch report along with a $5.00 substitution fee.

Requirements for Qualifying Catch Entry

Entries may be submitted at any time during the tournament year.
Fish must be a caught on rod and reel and caught by legal methods during a legally open season by a (legally) licensed Angler.
The catch must be weighed on scales and verified by an independent third party. Catch Report slips must include: date of weigh-in, species of fish, location of weigh-in, Angler's name, signature of weigh master. Photo of fish and Angler are encouraged.
It is the responsibility of the Angler to fill out completely and accurately the official Frederick Chapter Fishing Tournament catch report.
Fish which are caught from pay to fish areas are not eligible for consideration.
The Rules committee reserves the right to investigate the methods used in catching the fish and the accuracy of measuring and weighing. It also reserves the right to reject any catch report.
Angler's caught submitting a "false" report shall be immediately disqualified for the entire season and all monies paid to the Rules Committee shall be forfeited.
Fish that have been snagged, shot, gaffed, speared, or mutilated are not eligible. Fish, which have been frozen or scaled, are not eligible.
The Rules Committee reserves the right to refuse any application that is not complete.
The decision of the Rules Committee will be final.

Angling Regulations

The following acts will disqualify a catch:

From the time that a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook and fight the fish without the aid of any other person, except as provided in these regulations.

If a rod holder is used and a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, the angler must remove the rod from the holder as quickly as possible. The intent of this rule is that the Angler shall strike and hook the fish with the rod in hand.
Use of a rod belt, waist gimbal, or fighting chair are permitted.
When angling from a boat, once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader.
One or more gaffer (or netter) may be used in addition to persons holding the leader.
The angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is weighed.
The act of persons other than the Angler in touching any part of the rod, reel, or line (including the double line) either bodily or with any device, from the time a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, until the fish is either landed or released, or in giving any aid other than that allowed in the rules and regulations shall disqualify the catch. If an obstacle to the passage of the line through the rod guides has to be removed from the line, then the obstacle (whether chum, float line, rubber band, or other material) shall be held and cut free. Under no circumstances should the line be held or touched by anyone other than the angler during this process.
Resting the rod in a rod holder, on the gunwale of the boat, or any other object while playing the fish is prohibited.
Handlining or using a handline or rope attached in any manner to the Angler's line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish is prohibited.
Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish (including sharks and halibuts) at any stage of the catch prior to the leader touching the rod tip.
Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to possess.
Attaching the angler's line or leader to part of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish while the fish is being fought.

Point Accumulation Calculation/Formula

Each eligible species of fish caught shall be worth so many points based upon the weight of the fish when compared to Maryland State Records (the ratio of your catch to the Maryland State Record). Only one fish per species may be used by the Angler towards their point accumulation.

EXAMPLE:
A 40 pound Rockfish (Striped Bass) caught during the Spring Tournament. Angler is registered in the Frederick Chapter Tournament. [40 / 68 (Md State record) = .5882 x 100 x 3 = 176 points (rounded down)].