U.S. Open Pier Fishing Tournament

Eligibility

Each angler will receive two rod bands and a wrist band which must be displayed in a manner which will make it easily identifiable during competition hours. Bands will identify the angler, entry number, pier assignment and is color-coded for the category entered.
Two-rod limit per angler. An anchor rod is not counted.
Anglers are not permitted to touch any other angler's rods for the purpose of landing a fish.
This is a sporting event. all fish must be taken on a rod and reel. No electric reels will be allowed. No snagging of fish.
A pier will be assigned based on angler preference and availability. The assignment will be given during registration and will be your official pier for the next two tournament fishing days. After fishing begins you may change piers however you will be responsible for the additional pier pass payable to that pier. Tournament participants will not be allowed to use their yearly passes.
Information entered on the registration form is official and any changes must be initialed by participant.
The tournament committee reserves the right to refuse an entry into the tournament.
Employees of the piers may participate in this contest.

Registration

Category III participants are limited to the first 80 anglers. Category III must pre-register by mail only. Registration forms for Category III must be postmarked May 2, 2005 or later. You will be notified of pier assignment. The accepted Category III anglers must arrive at the assigned pier at 5:45 am each day. At this time the pier will draw numbers for your fishing location on the pier.
Category III participants will automatically be registered in Category I & II also. After Category III reaches the first 80 anglers the tournament will automatically register the angler in the Category I & II divisions but will refund angler $10 for Category III.
Category II participants will be automatically registered in Category I.
Category I & II can pre-register by mail or in person:
May 2nd-June 3rd at The Chamber Office, 4841 Long Beach Road, SE, Southport, NC 28461. June 3rd, 3pm-7pm at The Chamber Office.
All anglers must pick up their wrist bands at Chamber Office, on June 3 between 3pm-7pm. Anglers who are pre-registered but can not pick up their wrist bands at this time can pick them up at their assigned pier.

Competition

The tournament competition hours are:
Saturday, June 4th from 6am to 7pm
Sunday, June 5th from 6am to 1pm
No lines, including anchor rods in the water before 6am
The tournament competition locations are:
Long Beach Pier
Ocean Crest Pier

Weigh-In and Verification

Each pier will have a weigh-in station. You must use the weigh-in station at the pier which you are fishing. Fish must be weighed and measured on the pier scale and witnessed by tournament official.
Scales will be open on Saturday, June 4th from 6am to 7pm and Sunday, June 5th from 6am to 1pm.
Fish to be entered must be caught with rod, reel, and hook. Mutilated fish will be refused.
Fish must be weighed before leaving pier property and within 2 hours of being caught. Tails and fins of entered fish will be snipped.
Anglers must follow existing pier rules. Anglers are encouraged to read these rules.
Fish entered must meet N.C. Marine Fisheries size minimums & bag limits. Fish remain property of angler.
All weigh-in scales are certified prior to tournament; weights stand.
A signed, sworn affidavit will be required of each individual who places a fish in competition for tournament prizes.
You must be registered in the Category that corresponds to the fish to win a prize.
Those wishing to weigh fish for competition must be in the weigh-in line on Saturday by 7pm and Sunday by 1pm.
All protests concerning the determination of tournament prize winners shall be made to the tournament Protest Committee and shall be accompanied by $50 cash. All protests shall be made no later than one hour after the last fish has been weighed. In the event that the Protest Committee upholds protest, the $50 cash deposit will be returned. In the event that protest is not upheld, the $50 cash deposit becomes the property of the U.S. Open Pier Fishing Tournament. Decisions made be the Protest Committee shall be final.
Anglers are eligible for one primary prize. A single angler can win multiple categories by entering the largest fish for each category, provided the angler is entered in that category.
In the event that two fish are the same weight, the winner shall be determined by the earliest weigh-in time.
All prize winners may be subject to a polygraph test.
Anglers must be courteous and cooperate with other anglers.
Awards Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 5th at 3pm at Middleton Park. You do not have to be present to win.

Cancellation and Refunds

There will be NO REFUNDS.
If there are no fish caught in Category III, the $4.50 portion of the entry fee for that Category will be awarded through a drawing of those entered in category III. No trophy or additional recognition will be awarded. All remaining prize money will be divided on a 60/40 split. 60% to Category II and 40% to Category I. Same rule applies to remaining categories.
If a pre-registered angler, due to unavoidable circumstances, finds it impossible to participate in the U.S. Open Pier Fishing Tournament and notifies the tournament committee by 6am on Friday, June 3rd, the angler may be issued a rain check good for the amount of the tournament entry fee that year.
Primary prizes are based upon entries. If the number of entries is lower or higher the prizes will be adjusted from $5 of entry fee minus 10% administration fee, Category III - 40%, Category II - 40% and Category I - 20%; 1st place 50%, 2nd place 30% and 3rd place 20%.
In the event that questions or situations arise the directors shall determine all solutions, and their decisions shall be final.
No participant aggrieved by any ruling of the Rules Committee or any tournament official shall recover from the U.S. Open Pier Fishing Tournament, its officers, directors, sponsors, owners and employees in any forum a sum exceeding his registration fee.