The Offshore Division has been organized to permit fishing enthusiasts to compete for Cash Awards that will be presented for the heaviest Wahoo, King Mackerel, Snapper (other than Red Snapper), Grouper and Amberjack caught and surrendered to the Tournament. Participants also receive a welcome and entertainment package and are invited to enjoy all Tournament festival activities. The Offshore Division is open only to recreational Boats may not be chartered for the purpose of participating in the Offshore Division.

UPDATE: Big Game and Offshore Division boats may depart from Home Port. High fuel prices result in cost saving rule changes.

Click for Printable Rules (PDF format)

Entry Fee:
$1,060 (including sales tax)

Fishing Days: October 4 and 5, 2008

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 on a Boat.

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

Boat
A fishing vessel registered for use in Tournament.

Cash Awards
Awards for which Anglers are eligible to compete according to Rules.

Category
Each eligible species of fish in each 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.

Dates and Times
Tournament dates are October 3 through October 5.

Disqualification
Violation of Rules may, at the sole determination of Rules Committee, result in disqualification and forfeiture of Cash and Optional Awards and all Fees paid to Foundation or Tournament.

Division
A division of competition, by way of example, Big Game, Offshore. 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.

Fees
Entry Fee, Angler Fee and Crew Fee.

Fishing Days
October 4 and 5

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

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

Host Marina
A marina located on the Grand Lagoon at Panama City Beach, Florida, that has contracted with Foundation to provide the location and headquarters for Tournament and to implement the policies and programs of Foundation.

Junior Angler
An Angler who has not yet reached the fifteenth anniversary of their birth.

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

Optional Awards
Cash awards paid to the winner of the Optional Award competition.

Optional Fee
An optional Entry Fee paid by a Registered Angler.

Participant
Registered Angler, Anglers and Crew.

Registered Angler
Individual registering a Boat for participation in Tournament. Unless otherwise provided in Rules, Registered Participant shall be responsible for the actions of Crew and Anglers who take part in Tournament as a result of their registration of a Boat.

Registration Fee
The fee paid to Foundation to register a 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 Registered Angler and present to weigh-master that includes an itemization of all fish to be weighed.

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.

III. SPORTSMANSHIP AND LIABILITY

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, 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 constitute a completed Tournament. In the event of inclement weather, Tournament will be completed on the first day Tournament Committee declares acceptable for competition. Foundation reserves the right to reschedule Tournament in event of recognized emergency.

V. ENTRY AND ANGLER FEES

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

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

3. Checks and Money Orders - Should be made to the credit of Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc.

4. Payment of Fees - Registered Participants may register and pay Fees: in any of 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.

VI. ELIGIBLE FISH AND FEES

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

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 Registration - Except as otherwise provided herein, no Boat shall be qualified to take part in Tournament until and unless the Registered Angler completes the check-in process and provides Tournament with all information and payments required by Tournament.

3. Check-in - Regardless of when payment of fees and registration has occurred, Registered Angler or an individual designated and authorized by Registered Angler must check-in on October 3 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Treasure Ship Restaurant.

VIII. ANGLERS MEETING

An Anglers Meeting will be held on October 3 at 6 p.m. at the Treasure Ship Restaurant. Attendance at this meeting by the Registered Participant, or an individual designated by Registered Participant, 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:

X. CASH AWARDS

1. Distribution - Cash Awards shall be equal to the aggregate of eighty percent (80%) of all Entry Fees paid, plus fifty percent (50%) of all Angler Fees paid.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Cash Awards and distributed according to the following percentages:

5. 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 Anglers Meeting.

5. 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 weigh master shall be final.

6. Crew - May not be Anglers.

7. 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.

8. Departure -Boats may depart from the St. Andrew's pass or any approved home port at anytime after 7:30 p.m. on October 4, 2008.

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

10. Government rules. Registered Anglers are responsible for the enforcement of government rules and regulations which may apply to the conduct of Participants during Tournament.

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

12. Minimum Size and Weight - Federal and State laws shall determine minimum weight and size, except that Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo shall not be less than 20 pounds. Tournament reserves the right to refuse to weigh a fish that Angler agrees is not in competition for a Cash or Optional Award.

13. 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 fish was caught.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Raft up or Exchanges - Following the initiation of fishing hours, Boats shall not be permitted to congregate, raft-up, or in any way be in such proximity to another Boat as to permit the exchange of equipment, supplies, fish or other materials.

17. Return and Landfall - Boats with fish to weigh must report by radio or telephone to the weigh-in dock, or a designated Tournament Official, prior to making landfall.

18. Radio and telephone - Official Division telephone numbers and radio channels will be announced at the Anglers Meeting.

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

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

21. 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.

22. Tags - No fish will be weighed that is not accompanied by a properly completed weigh-in tag.

23. 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.

24. Weigh-in Reports - Registered Anglers shall be responsible for the completion of a Weigh-in Report that shall be presented to the weigh-master.

XII. OPTIONAL ENTRY FEE AND OPTIONAL AWARDS

1. Award Division - Each Optional Award category shall be divided into first, second and third place according to the following proportions: First Place 60%, Second Place 25% and Third Place 15%.

2. Categories of Fee and Awards - Registered Anglers may pay an Optional Entry Fee in one or more of the following Categories: Each Eligible Fish $750, $500 and $250 categories.

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. Optional Entry Fees may be paid at Tournament Headquarters on October 3 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Optional Fee payments will be accepted only in United States Currency, by Cashier’s Check or approved credit card.

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

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

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

8. Rulings - made by the Tournament Committee shall be final in all disputes regarding Optional Rules.

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

10. Winners - The winner of an 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. 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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