The Charter Boat Division has been organized to permit charter boats, their crews and anglers to compete for Cash Awards that will be presented for the heaviest Wahoo, King Mackerel, Snapper (other than Red Snapper), Grouper and Amberjack. Participants also receive a welcome and entertainment package and are invited to enjoy all Tournament festival activities.

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I. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

The following terms and definitions are incorporated in and made a part of the rules of the 2008 Grand Lagoon National:

Angler
A person registered to compete as an Angler.

Angler Fee
A fee paid to Foundation to register an Angler.

Boat
A boat which has a Federal reef permit or equivalent which is hired by a Registered Participant to serve as a fishing vessel in Tournament.

Captain
Captain of a Registered Boat.

Cash Awards
Monetary awards for which Anglers are eligible to compete.

Category
Each species of fish eligible for competition in a Division is a Category.

Class
A subdivision of a Category, by way of example ... first place, second place and third place.

Crew
Any person employed or otherwise compensated to provide a service on a Boat during Fishing Hours.

Dates and Times
Tournament dates are October 3 through October 5, 2008. Time shown is Central Daylight Savings Time.

Disqualification
Removal of a Boat or Participant from competition in Tournament as a result of a violation of Rules and consequential forfeiture of Cash and Optional Awards and all Fees paid to Foundation or Tournament.

Division
A defined field of competition, by way of example: Big Game, Charter Boat. Tournament shall consist of eight Divisions. Each Division shall be organized and operated as a separate and independent Tournament.

Eligible Fish
Fish eligible for Cash Awards and Optional Awards.

Entry Fee
The fee paid to Foundation to register a Boat.

Fees
Entry Fee, Angler Fee, Jackpot Fee and Crew Fee.

Fishing Days
October 4 and 5, 2008

Fishing Hours
The hours during Dates and Times when Boats are permitted to fish during Tournament.

Foundation
Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation.

Host Marina
A marina that has contracted with Foundation to provide the location for Tournament and to implement the policies and programs of Foundation.

Optional Awards
Cash awards paid to Jackpot Participants

Optional Fee
The optional fee paid by a Registered Angler on behalf of Anglers or Crew on a Boat to compete for Optional Awards.

Optional Participant
An Angler eligible to compete for Optional Awards as a consequence of the payment of an Optional Jackpot Fee.

Participant
Registered Participants, Crew or Anglers.

Registered Angler
The Angler responsible for registering all other Anglers who participate on a Boat and who, by the act of paying Anglers Fees, accepts responsibility for the actions of all Anglers who take part in Tournament as a result of registration of that Boat.

Rules
The rules governing the Tournament.

Rules Committee
A creation of Foundation that is the sole authority of interpretation and enforcement of Rules.

Tag
An identification tag attached to a fish surrendered to the Tournament that contains the name of the Boat from which a fish was caught, the name of the Angler who caught the fish and the species of fish.

Tournament
2008 Grand Lagoon National

Tournament Committee
A creation of Foundation charged with organizing and managing Tournament.

Weigh-in Report
A report prepared by the Captain of a Boat that includes an itemization of all fish to be surrendered to Tournament.

II. SPIRIT OF THE TOURNAMENT

Rules have been adopted to create a level playing field upon which Participants may compete fairly for the honors and awards bestowed by Tournament. Participants are permitted to compete in Tournament in reliance of their reputation for integrity. It is the intent of Foundation that Tournament activities demonstrate respect for the resources of the Gulf of Mexico.

Grand Lagoon National is committed to fair competition, good sportsmanship and the conservation of our natural resources.

III. SPORTSMANSHIP, LIABILITY AND PAYMENT OF CASH AND OPTIONAL AWARDS

Poor sportsmanship is grounds for Disqualification from this and all future tournaments sponsored, in whole or in part, by Foundation. Registered Participants, on behalf of their invitees, associates, employees, agents and guests, accept the following conditions:

1. Participants enter at their own risk.

2. Foundation, Tournament Committee members, Rules Committee members and all persons directly and indirectly connected with the operation of Tournament shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, harm or injury suffered by a Participant, Boat owner, vessel or equipment which may occur during Tournament.

3. All cash awards will be paid by check issued by Foundation and mailed to the winner Angler announced at the awards ceremony. Checks shall be mailed during the week of October 6 and shall be in the amount specified by the Rules; adjusted, if required, to comply with IRS regulations.

IV. COMPLETED TOURNAMENT

One day of fishing by one-half of Boats constitutes a completed Tournament.

V. ENTRY AND ANGLER FEES

1. One Division Only - No Boat may compete in more than one Division. Angler may not complete in more than one Division on any Fishing Day.

2. Entry Approval - All entries are subject to approval of the Tournament Committee.

3. Entry Fee - A fee paid by the owner or Captain of a Charter Boat approved for participation in Tournament.

4. Angler Fees - A fee paid by Registered Angler.

5. Checks for Fees - should be made to the credit of Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc.

6. Payment of Entry Fees - may be made in the following manners:

a) Before September 29, by completing the on-line registration form at the Tournament’s website www.grandlagoonnational.com and sending payment by personal or company check to: Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc., 1120 West Beach Drive, Panama City, Fl 32401..

b) After September 28, by registering at Tournament and making payment by cash or approved credit card.

c) Credit card charges subject to a 3.5% factoring fee.

d) Fees subject to 6 % sales tax.

e) Taxes - Entry and Angler Fees are subject to 6% sales tax.

VI. Eligible Fish and Fees

The following fish are eligible for Cash Awards and Optional Awards:

Entry fee includes welcome and entertainment packages for Crew. A minimum of four (4) Angler Fees must be paid per Boat for each Fishing Day.

VII. TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION AND FISHING DAYS

1. Angler Registration - All Anglers must be registered. No fish will be weighed in the name of a person not registered as an Angler or Registered Participant.

2. Complete Angler Registration - No Angler shall be qualified to take part in Tournament until and unless the Registered Participant completes the check-in process and provides Tournament with all information and Angler Fees required by Tournament.

3. Complete Boat Registration - No Boat shall be qualified to take part in Tournament until and unless the Captain completes the check-in process and provides Tournament with all information and Boat Fees required by Tournament.

4. Check-in - Regardless of when payment of fees and registration has occurred, Captain or an individual designated and authorized by Captain must check-in at Tournament Headquarters, or such location as determined by Tournament Committee on October 3 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Treasure Ship Restaurant

VIII. CAPTAINS MEETING

A Captains Meeting will be held on October 3 at 6 p.m. at the Treasure Ship Restaurant. Attendance at this meeting by the Captain or an individual designated by Captain is mandatory.

IX. SCALES OPEN

Tournament scales will be open at the Treasure Island Marina for the purpose of weighing competitive fish at the following hours:

October 4 - 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
October 5 - 3 p.m.–9 p.m.

X. CASH AWARDS

1. Cash Awards - Shall be distributed based on the competitive overall results of a completed Tournament

2. Distribution - Cash Awards shall be equal to the aggregate of eighty percent (85%) of Angler Fees.

3. Open Class or Category - In the event no fish are weighed in for a given Class, the Cash Award assigned to that Class shall be added equally to Cash Awards of the other fish in the same Category. In the event no fish are caught in a given Category, the Cash Award assigned to that Category shall be added to the Cash Awards of fish caught in all other Categories of that Division in an equal manner.

4. Tie by Weight - In the event that fish of identical weight are weighed in the same Category, the first fish weighed shall be determined to be the larger fish.

5. Payout - Based on the total Cash Awards available the payout shall be divided equally to each eligible fish and apportioned according to the following percentages:

6. Junior Angler Awards shall be prizes, but not cash prizes.

XI. FISHING AND WEIGH-IN RULES

1. Angler at Weigh-in - Angler must accompany their fish to weigh-in scale.

2. Boarding - Tournament reserves the right to board and inspect Boats.

3. Cast nets: Cast nets can be used only for catching bait.

4. Change in Rules - Rules may be changed, altered or modified by Rules Committee at any time prior to the conclusion of the Captains Meeting.

5. Captain Verification - Captains shall verify that each fish entered on Weigh-in Report was caught according to Rules by the Angler whose name appears on the Weigh-in Report.

6. Condition of Fish - Only whole, undamaged fish which are fresh and in edible condition shall be qualified to be weighed. Tournament reserves the right to reject any fish due to poor condition or mutilation. The decision of the weighmaster shall be final.

7. Crew - May not be Anglers.

8. Equipment - All fish must be caught with rod and reel, hook and line. Electric reels, deck reels, winches, traps, bicycle rigs, cables, harpoons, long lines and entangling devices are not permitted.

9. Departure - Boats may depart any time after 8 p.m. on October 4 and 5. Boats assigned to a neighboring marina by the Tournament must check in with Tournament Headquarters prior to departure.

10. Deck Lights - On October 4, Boats shall transit Grand Lagoon with their deck lights on until they have reached buoy #9 in the pass to the Gulf of Mexico.

11. Fish as Property - All fish surrendered to the Tournament for the purpose of being weighed shall become the property of the Foundation.

12. Government Rules. Captains are responsible for the enforcement of government rules and regulations which may apply to the conduct of Participants during Tournament.

13. Hours of Fishing - Shall not be restricted, except by weigh-in Rules.

14. Lines - Only six lines per Boat shall be in the water during Fishing Hours.

15. Minimum Size and Weight - Federal and State laws shall determine minimum weight and size. Tournament reserve the right to refuse to weigh a fish that Angles agrees is not in competition for a Cash or Jackpot Award.

16. Polygraphs - At the sole discretion of the Rules Committee, winning Anglers shall be subject to submitting to and successfully passing a polygraph test and signing an affidavit attesting to the circumstances under which their prize fish was caught.

17. Protests - All protests must be presented in writing to the Rules Committee and accompanied by a check made to the credit of Foundation in the amount of $250 within one hour of the close of scales. Resolution of all protests will be declared at the Awards ceremony.

18. Publication - All Participants consent and authorize Foundation and Tournament Sponsors to use and reproduce names, voices and photographs taken or recorded in conjunction with Tournament activities for promotional and information purposes.

19. Return and Landfall - Boats with fish to weigh must report by radio or telephone to Tournament Headquarters, prior to making landfall.

20. Radio and Telephone - Official Division telephone numbers and radio channels will be announced at the Captains Meetings.

21. Safety - Boats must meet all US Coast Guard and Florida safety standards and regulations. Captains must be familiar with all applicable government boating regulations.

22. Same Boat - All fish to be weighed must be brought to the weigh-in dock on the Boat upon which the fish was caught.

23. Scale Closing - Boats having fish to weigh in must be inside Grand Lagoon waters; specifically, at a location parallel to the entrance to the Bay Point channel by the designated closing hour for the scales.

24. Tags - No fish will be weighed which is not accompanied by a properly completed Tag.

25. Weigh-Master - Reserve the right not to weigh a fish that Angler agrees is not in contention for a Cash Award or Jackpot Award.

26. Weigh-in procedures - Boats shall follow the instructions of Tournament officials when approaching the weigh-in dock and take a designated place in any waiting line that may form. Boats shall vacate the weigh-in dock at the instruction of Tournament officials.

27. Weigh-in Reports - Captains shall be responsible for the completion of a Weigh-in Report to be turned in to Weigh-master.

XII. OPTIONAL JACKPOT FEE AND JACKPOT AWARDS

1. Registered Angler - Optional Entry Fees will be accepted only in the name of a Registered Angler.

2. Optional Fee – Applies to the fishing activity of Anglers for a specific fishing Day only. Optional Jackpot Fees are daily fees.

3. Division - All Optional Award payments shall be by check made to the Registered Angler. Foundation accepts no responsibility for the division of Optional Awards between Anglers, Crew or any other party.

4. Tax - Optional Entry Fees are subject to 6% Florida and local sales tax.

5. Distribution – Ninety-five percent (95%) of all Optional Fees paid will be distributed in the form of Optional Awards.

6. Categories of Fee and Awards – Optional Fees may be paid in one or more of the following Categories:

Each Eligible Fish - $500, $250 and $100 categories
Crew Award (largest Eligible Fish) - $100 and $150 categories.

7. Award Division – Optional Awards shall be distributed based on Tournament fishing results with Optional Awards for each Optional Award Category divided into first, second and third place according to the following proportions: First Place 60%, Second Place 25% and Third Place 15%.

8. Crew Awards - 100% of the Optional Award paid in the Crew will be paid to the Captain of the Boat upon which the Optional Angler has caught the heaviest Eligible Fish on the Fishing Day subject to the Optional Award.

9. No Fish - In the event that no fish is weighed in by a Optional Angler in a Category eligible for a Optional Award, 95% of all Optional Fees paid for that Category shall be returned to the Registered Angler who paid Optional Fee for that Category.

10. Winners - The winner of a Optional Award will be the Optional Angler credited with the “win” according to Tournament Rules. Notwithstanding this rule, payment of the Optional Award will be made to the Registered Angler of the Boat upon which the “winning” Angler competed.

11. Rulings - Rules Committee rulings shall be final in all disputes regarding Optional Rules.

12. Winner (Grand Champion) – Registered Participant shall be eligible to compete for the Grand Champion Optional Cash Award – winner take all – according to Rules published by Tournament and made available during Registration Hours at Tournament Headquarters.

XIII. OTHER AWARDS

Tournament is not responsible for awards, invitations or prizes offered or presented by third parties.

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