MUSKIE FISHING EVENTS

Team Fishing Circuit – Muskie Classic – 2023  RULES
Rules Preface: Any penalty or decision of, assessed to an angler will result in a ruling for the entire team and
the entire team will be subject to penalties.
Each contestant agrees to these rules by signing the registration form.

1. INTERPRETATION & ENFORCEMENT
Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit.
Decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.
Each contestant agrees to report any rule violation to the tournament director immediately upon discovery of the violation. Failure to report violations by captain or co-angler may be cause for disqualification.
Any violation of a tournament rule may result in loss of fish for the entire day and/or leading to disqualification from the entire tournament and potential ineligibility to participate in future Team Fishing Circuit tournaments, cash, and prizes.
Protests and/or alleged rule violations are to be made to the tournament director in writing by the witness within 15 minutes of the check-in time. Team Fishing Circuit reserves the right to consider rule violations reported or discovered after a tournament has ended and assess penalties for future events, including denying entry to compete. Any rule violation will or may result in state penalties.
A random number of anglers will be subject to polygraphs.

2. PAYBACK & PARTICIPATION
Payback is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament. Winnings will be split evenly between the teammates and paid via check for all places except for Big Muskie. See Payment Schedule for Big Muskie optional pot. It will also be requested that you deposit/cash the winning check within 30 days.
All cash paybacks once determined by the officials are paid in US currency. W9’s are required at boat check on CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP Day. Nonresidents of the United States see Rule 21.
If a second check needs to be issued to any winner because something has happened to it, there will be a $40 charge to the angler for processing an additional check.
The big fish winners must be present on the final day or forfeit the win.
Any person under the age of 18 entering our tournaments must also have the signature of a parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form.
Teams will enter as partners. You select your co-angler and register together at the time of entry.
Any person’s participation in any tournament is at the sole discretion of the Team Fishing Circuit officials.
Any person who, in the judgment of the tournament director, is disabled or handicapped as to unfairly hinder his or her pro or co-angler partner or compromise his or her safety or the safety of other competitors or the boating public may not be eligible to participate.
All contestants must have a valid fishing license for the waters they fish. Failure to provide proof of a valid fishing license when requested by the tournament director will result in disqualification of the event.

3. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
If desired the $2,000 entry fee can be paid in full with one payment. You will indicate on your online registration form whether you want to pay by deposit, and then final payment or pay in full. Deposit/Down Payment option ends June 1, 2023.
Optional Big Muskie Pot: Big Muskie will be an additional $100.00, which will be paid back at a 100% and must be paid in cash at dock meeting. Big Muskie money will be split into two paydays, big fish for the first 3 days total will earn 50% of the pot, balance of Big Muskie money will be paid for the biggest fish caught on the final day. BIG FISH IS DECIDED BY INCHES IN LENGTH. Any ties will result in a 50/50 split. Must be present at the Awards Ceremony.

4. REGISTRATION:
Once the registration is received you will be e-mailed a link, to the e-mail provided on your form. You will have 12 hours from receipt of the email to pay the $500.00 down payment of the entry. Down payments of $500.00 made to Cast Productions LLC, Team Fishing Circuit or Simply Fishing Muskie Classic are NON-REFUNDABLE, under any circumstances, providing the event is held. Deposit/Down Payment option ends June 1, 2023.
Please NOTE, these transactions are non-refundable payments unless for some unseen reason the event is canceled. At which point, a $2,000.00 Check will be refunded. This is for folks that paid by ACH or CREDIT CARD. Those that paid by Credit Card will NOT be refunded the credit card service fees.
You will select at the time of registration, to pay by ACH or Credit Card. It’s important to note, once your payment method is chosen, it will remain as such, i.e., deposit by credit card, requires final payment by credit card.
If paying by Credit Card, you will pay $520. If paying by ACH, your checking account will be charged only the amount desired.
Final payment is due by July 1, 2023, in the amount of $1,560 if by credit card. A link for final payment will be in your initial deposit email. If you do not receive the email link, it is your responsibility to contact us at 952-999-0784. If by ACH, the final payment due by July 1, 2023, will be $1,500.00. ACH payments are made by a bank to bank transfer and we never see the actual transaction, we only receive an alert that indicates the payment has been made. There are no service fees if paid by ACH. If you choose to pay in full by Credit Card when you register the payment will be $2080.
In the case that the tournament does not receive a good amount of entries determined by Team Fishing Circuit, the teams will be refunded their entry fee by check, regardless if paid by ACH or Credit Card. Again, Service fees when paying by Credit Card cannot be refunded.
Click on Register Here on the bottom of page or choose Register from the menu.

5. INFORMATION SHARING
NO INFORMATION can be received or exchanged after the off-limits period of the lake, which is 12:01am on event start date, and continuing THROUGH the entire event, unless a written exception is given to a team that doesn’t qualify to SIMPLY FISHING CLASSIC World Championship.
The sharing of tournament winnings with non-contestants in exchange for information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters is strictly prohibited and will be reason for disqualification of the team from the entire tournament.
NO LIVE SCOPE, Garmin Panoptix, Mega Live, Active Target or similar electronics will be allowed during the actual tournament hours. Side Imaging, Down Imaging and 2D sonar will be allowed.
LIVE SCOPE or similar electronics will be allowed during PRE-FISH ONLY, NO EXCEPTIONS. ONCE THE LAKE IS OFF LIMITS ACCORDING TO RULES, SO ARE THE AFOREMENTIONED DEVICES.

6. OFF-LIMITS, PRACTICE & COMPETITION
6.1.
Contestants/Event Anglers may not solicit and/or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except their registered co-angler for this event beyond 12:01 AM September 7th, 2023.
6.2
Fishing hours will be from 7 AM to 4 PM on days 1, 2 & 3 (Qualifying Days). Lines in at 7 AM after starting your app, lines OUT at 4 PM, the app will cease to record after 4 PM. Fish will be scored between these periods ONLY.
ALL TEAMS MUST RETURN TO HEADQUARTERS WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF LINES OUT. This will be discussed at dock meeting or in your acceptance package.
Classic final, 50% of field with highest points, will be 7 AM to 3 PM (app will close at 3 PM), awards will start after all information is compiled. Lines in and out rule is also applied on the final day.
Anglers will be allowed to depart the headquarters site 30 minutes prior to LINES IN. On day one, departure of boat 1 through boat 70 will be based on the time we received your entry. On day two and three, the order will be randomly drawn. All boats will be staged in front of the Landing headquarters and will be eased out in an orderly fashion (discussed at dock meeting). On the final day, boats will ease out in order of standing, i.e., point leaders first. There WILL BE A 30 MINUTE TRAVEL TIME ON THE FINAL DAY, JUST AS IN DAYS 1, 2 & 3.
6.3
During competition and practice days, contestants may not place brush or other physical fish attractors, including chum of any kind, into tournament waters.
During competition days, and practice days of the Simply Fishing Muskie Classic, contestants may not follow a non-contestant’s boat for the purpose of locating staged or marked spots, and, or participate in the placing of markers, brush and or other fish attractors by non-contestants including the practice of “hole sitting” by anyone.
6.4
REQUIRED DOCK MEETING will be held at 7:00pm on September 6, 2023 at 3096 Vermillion Dr., Cook MN 55723. Big Muskie cash payment due.

7. LAUNCHING
All teams must have a boat check each tournament day. Teams will be released by tournament officials based on safe light or safe weather conditions. All entrants will proceed in an orderly ease out manner. Expected tournament hours will be 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day except final day (7:00 AM to 3:00 PM). Any delays will be the decision of the tournament director.
First in to register with confirmed payment, will be sent out in that order on day 1 only. All other days will be released due to random draw.
Boat check-in time will be given in your acknowledgment letter sent 1 week prior to event. Times will typically be 5:30am depending on calendar and weather. Your boat must be checked in on time, prior to any fishing.

8. HOURS OF COMPETITION
Tournament fishing hours will run for 9 consecutive hours. All measuring will CEASE at the end of the 9th hour. There will be 3 Qualifying days where the FishDonkey app will be active only during those hours. Points will be accumulated during those 3 days and up to 50% of the field will go to the Championship based off their teams’ points. Championship day, you will start back at Zero.
Championship day, points start back at Zero and you will be fishing for 8 consecutive hours.
It will be the responsibility of the boat owner & co angler to know ALL of the rules. In this situation, there are NO EXCEPTIONS.

9. SPORTSMANSHIP
Un-sportsman-like conduct will not be tolerated; any violation of any angling laws and/or state laws in general will result in disqualification without refund.
The tournament official’s decision will be final. Common sense should BE THE RULE.
All teams on Championship Day are asked to stay until the end of the Award Ceremony to support your fellow anglers, the sport, and the event. All teams must refrain from consuming any mind-altering substances up until the Award Ceremony as Polygraph examiners are unable to test those that have consumed these items and not being able to be polygraphed will forfeit your winnings. If you have not placed in the top 15 or big muskie, you still need to refrain from consuming mind-altering substances as if a winning team does not pass a polygraph, others may be asked to have one.

10. BOAT & HORSEPOWER SPECIFICATIONS
All boats must be propeller-driven, a minimum of 16 feet in length and have a rear deck (with a seat if requested). No jet type propulsion.
All boats must be equipped with wheel steering or tiller steering.
Each boat must have all required United States. Coast Guard safety equipment.
Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will be 300 horsepower, with the exception of those considered as walleye boats, and will not exceed the horsepower capacity set forth on the “BIA Maximum Capacities” placard located on the craft, generally in the driver cockpit area.
HP rating. All boats must conform to the BIA standard for the make and model being used at the time of the event. Your BIA plate is located near the control area of the boat, generally found close to your shifter.

11. INSURANCE
Liability insurance with coverage of not less than $100,000 per occurrence is required of all contestants in Team Fishing Circuit tournaments. Proof of insurance must be with the boat being used and must cover all passengers on the boat. Random checks will be conducted. Failure to provide proof of insurance when requested by the tournament director may result in disqualification.

12. LURE PRESENTATIONS
Artificial lures only. No live, dead, or prepared bait is allowed.
Fishing is defined as having a lure attached to a line and a rod and reel with the rod in hand.
All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner during tournament hours.
All lures must adhere to state regulations.
Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits.
Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time.
Trolling as a method of fishing is permitted. Trolling is defined as operating the combustion engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve.
All fish caught MUST be hooked inside the mouth.

13. MUSKIE SPECIES
Approved species will be muskie including hybrids.
ALL fish must be released immediately after measuring is recorded.
Miss handling fish WILL result in disqualification.
ALL muskies must be caught ALIVE during the approved tournament hours on your scheduled fishing day.
This is an unlimited catch event. 36” minimum to score. See chart at end of rules.

14. TOURNAMENT DELAYS
It is at the discretion of the Tournament Director to postpone or cancel an event due to adverse weather. In such case, the teams affected will be moved to the next day or fish at a rescheduled event time and date.

15. TIE BREAKING
In the event of a tie, for any position, the cash prizes for that position and the next position will be combined and distributed equally among the tied teams. Trophies will be decided with a coin, flip by the boat owners.
In the event of a tie on a qualifying day, the decision will be made by the earliest catch.

16. ILLEGAL CONTRABANS
No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs may be consumed or in possession of any competitor or boat during the tournament hours.

17. ANGLER SAFE SPACE
No fishing allowed within 100 feet of another boat. Trolling will be restricted to 200 feet of another boat. The decision of such a violation will be decided by the officials occupying the team boats and the tournament director. Decisions of this infraction will be FINAL and result in a disqualification of the offending team.

18. PROTESTS
ALL decisions of the Tournament Officials are final. Protests will be allowed up to 15 minutes after the closing seconds of the event. A $400.00 cash deposit must be paid and will be refunded if the protest stands.

19. FUEL / ONWATER NEEDS
Competitors may obtain fuel and/or repairs from marinas, however, they WILL NOT LEAVE THEIR BOAT AS A RESULT.

20. DISQUALIFICATION
Any team disqualified for any reason will not receive a refund of entry fees.

21. TAXES
All State, Local, Federal, and/or other taxes, or other fees for prizes awarded become the sole responsibility of the winner. All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings and all winners must submit an IRS Form W-9 to Team Fishing Circuit to claim prize.
CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit will hold NO liability or responsibility in ANY case regarding taxes or claiming income for the purpose of tax filing.
Nonresidents of the United States:
Team Fishing Circuit is obligated to withhold 30% of cash winnings for $1200 and greater for non-us residents.

22. FISHDONKEY APP
All qualifying fish will be video recorded via the FishDonkey app. This is a user-friendly, secure app. Team Captain and Partner will sign up in the app on their SMARPHONE as a Team and pay at that time through the app, Cost is $10 once you receive your acknowledgment letter 1 week prior to tournament. Teams will still be boat checked prior to departure by Team Fishing Circuit.
When the Muskie is safely netted and the hooks have been removed,
-Your partner will place your certified Bump Board in a safe and non-obstructed area
-Start the recording NOW on the Fishdonkey app
-Partner then puts the fish on the Bump Board
-Video nose to tail, slow and steady, so measurements can be identified by the tournament officials. Videos are 30 seconds, so if the video ends, simply click the video button again to begin recording. Repeat this process as necessary to capture the entire measuring process.
-While the fish is still on the bump board, quickly take a still picture through the app. We need to see the full fish from nose to tail, full frame, as close as possible.
-Now it is time for your partner to return the fish to the water. At this point, the Angler can lift the fish properly while you video the process of the angler holding and releasing their fish. This video will become very useful in television, please no PROFANITY!
-Record the fish as it swims away. We know this process can take more than 30 seconds so please refer to restarting the video if it stops.
-Type in the length of the fish
-Once complete, you hit Submit, and then you are ready to go back to fishing!
This entire process MUST be followed completely, or the fish will not be included in the team’s score. No EXCEPTIONS!

Teams have 30 seconds to record the video. If you run out of time, teams can save it and make a second video, 3rd video, and so on. All videos will need to be submitted for that fish to score. There is NO uploading of videos or pictures from your phone without the use of the app, everything is done through the app. You will be able to see your ranking throughout the day. Teams in areas with bad service will be uploaded when they get in an area with better service.
Teams will register on the app called FishDonkey and when teams enter their first name in the app, they will add both of anglers’ last names. First name will be the Team Captains Last Name and the Last name, will be the partners Last Name. Example: Johnson/Anderson
Watch videos on the Muskie Scoring page to learn more on our website.
A week prior to the tournament, you will receive instructions as well. Those that qualify for the Classic Championship Day will need to select that tournament that evening so you are ready to go in the morning. Check out Muskie Scoring on our website.

23. PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES
Personal floatation devices must be always worn while the combustion engine is running and kill switch must be attached to the driver.

24. MEASURING MUSKIE
ALL MUSKIES WILL BE MEASURED TO THE NEAREST 1/4”. Starting at 36”, legally caught muskies will earn 4 points per inch thereafter.
EXAMPLE, a 36” muskie is valued at 36 points, a 36.25” is 37 points, a 40” muskie is 52 points and a 50” muskie is 91 points.
All Muskie MUST be a minimum of 36” to qualify and must be released ALIVE, dead fish will not score in event.
Please be aware that fish cannot be kept under any circumstances under 54 inches and all fish are to be immediately released.

25. EMERGENCY SITUATION
In case of an emergency, call 911 but if able, also contact us at 952-999-0784.

26. POLYGRAPH
NO SOLICITING of information beginning at 12:01am, the day of event start date and through the duration of the event. Anglers are subject to a polygraph test. Sharing of event fishing locations during the event is prohibited. Polygraph/Lie Detector exams will be administered at each event randomly. Each Participant who fishes Team Fishing Circuit events also agrees to submit to a polygraph examination following the competition upon a request from the Tournament Director. The polygraph examination will be conducted at a time and location determined by the Tournament Director. Failure to pass a polygraph examination, as determined by the examination administrator, will result in disqualification, loss of cash and prizes. Information related to any potential fraud will be shared with appropriate law enforcement authorities for determination of whether any state or federal offenses have been committed regarding any prize winnings for these tournaments.

27. NETS
Handheld nets WILL be REQUIRED with a strong preference for rubber coated close mesh net material.

28. RODS
Only one rod per angler can be in use at any given time.

29. LONG LINING
No Long Lining aloud. This is a practice generally used by bass anglers however, it appears muskie anglers have adapted their version. If you’re a long liner, you know it.

30. LOCKING
There are NO locks to be aware of on these waters.

31. TROLLING
TROLLING with combustion engine or trolling motor will be allowed, safe distance from another angler is 200 feet.

32. PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
All materials derived from the event become the sole property of CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit and/or Simply Fishing.

33. QUESTIONS
If you have any questions speak up BEFORE the tournament.

34. COVENANT NOT TO SUE & WAIVER OF SUBROGATION
I agree that I will not sue CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit, and or/ SIMPLY FISHING, or any parties related to the event, et al for damages on account of any negligence causing injury, death, or damage I suffer or cause whether known now or which may develop in the future. In the event a claim is made against CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit et al on account of my negligence, actions, or omissions, I expressly agree to indemnify and hold CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit et al harmless from any liability whatsoever, including court costs and attorney’s fee, arising with respect to such actions. I understand that by signing my entry form and entering said events I am waiving my rights to sue CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit, et al I am also waiving the rights of recovery from CAST PRODUCTIONS LLC dba Team Fishing Circuit, et al of my insurance carrier for any claims they may pay on my behalf.

35. CAPTIONS
The captions at the beginning of each paragraph are intended to facilitate convenience in referring to the various rules. The captions are not part of the substance of the paragraph and should not be used in construction of any paragraph or of this overall set of rules.

Event Cancelled

POINTS
Inches” = # of Points
36” 36 points
36.25” 37 points
36.5” 38 points
36.75” 39 points
37” 40 points
37.25” 41 points
37.5” 42 points
37.75” 43 points
38” 44 points
38.25” 45 points
38.5” 46 points
38.75” 47 points
39” 48 points
39.25” 49 points
39.5” 50 points
39.75” 51 points
40” 52 points
40.25” 53 points
40.5” 54 points
40.75” 55 points
41” 56 points
41.25” 57 points
41.5” 58 points
41.75” 59 points
42” 60 points
42.25” 61 points
42.5” 62 points
42.75” 63 points
43” 64 points
43.25” 65 points
43.5” 66 points
43.75” 67 points
44.25” 68 points
44.5” 69 points
44.75” 70 points
45” 71 points
45.25” 72 points
45.5” 73 points
45.75” 74 points
46” 75 points
46.25” 76 points
46.5” 77 points
46.75” 78 points
47” 79 points
47.25” 80 points
47.5” 81 points
47.75” 82 points
48” 83 points
48.25” 84 points
48.5” 85 points
48.75” 86 points
49” 87 points
49.25” 88 points
49.5” 89 points
49.75” 90 points
50” 91 points
50.25” 92 points
50.5” 93 points
50.75” 94 points
51” 95 points
51.25” 96 points
51.5” 97 points
51.75” 98 points
52” 99 points
52.25” 100 points
52.5” 101 points
52.75” 102 points
53” 103 points
53.25” 104 points
53.5” 105 points
53.75” 106 points
54.25” 107 points
54.5” 108 points
54.75” 109 points
55” 110 points
55.25” 112 points
55.5” 113 points
55.75” 114 points
56” 115 points
56.25” 116 points
56.5” 117 points
56.75” 118 points
57” 119 points
57.25” 120 points
57.5” 121 points
57.75” 122 points
58” 123 points
58.25” 124 points
58.5” 125 points
58.75” 126 points
59” 127 points
59.25” 128 points
59.5” 129 points
59.75” 130 points
60″ – CONGRATS, YOU JUST SET THE WORLD RECORD