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Catfish Nation Goal

It will be the goal of all Catfish Nation Chapters to run a quality catfish tournament trail. Open
to all who enjoy fishing for catfish members & non members, and at the same time offer the
highest possible payout. While uniting Catfish angler all around the country into one big family
of anglers who love and enjoy the outdoors. And by teaching others as well to respect and enjoy
all that is there for us to enjoy in the great outdoors.

Membership
1. The cost of a Catfish Nation membership if you wish to become a member will be $25.00 per
person Annually and will start in the month your payment is made.
2. All your Children 16 years of age and under can join for free under your paid membership.
4. Membership is subject to approval by chapter officers & Catfish Nation Headquarters .
5. Membership is purchased with the understanding that all chapter rules will be obeyed at all
time.

Tournament Entry Fee's & Payout
1. All tournaments will have a $40.00 entry fee with an 80% payback of entry fees. The 20% will
go to point winners to be awarded at the chapter championship. Points will be awarded to any
member placing in the tournament money at any chapter tournament.
2. All entry fees must be paid prior to the start of the tournament.
3. Only cash will be accepted at the tournament site .
4. No credit will be extended to any team.
5. Chapter Championship tournaments will be one day tournaments and will be the same as a
season tournament with $40.00 & $10.00.

Chapter Tournament Awards
Certificates will awarded from Catfish Nation Headquarters to all members that have placed in
the money at any chapter tournament .

Angler Of The Year
1. All tournament will be run on a 100 point system with 100 points for 1st , 99 for 2nd ,98 for 3rd
etc.... Point are awarded to paid members only
2. The angler or team with the highest point total at the end of the season will be awarded
Angler of the year . .
3. If it is won by a team they will split that place prizes.

Teams
1. A limit of no more than 4 anglers per boat. [this will be for all chapters] as our goal is to draw
more anglers into the sport. This will let Dad or Mom have the kid/kids along to enjoy the
tournament fun as well. The rod limit per boat will keep all teams fishing at the same level. Rod
limits will be set by each chapter for their state limit. Limits will be set based on a 2 angler
teams , if your state has a 3 rod per person limit then you team limit will be 6 rods. Chapters
where no limit is set by law we will fish with no more than 10 rods per team.
2. Non-members may fish in the tournament but will not be awarded tournament point.
3. Non- members may join the same day of the tournament after the tournament has ended and
will be awarded points for that tournament. But must join the day at the tournament to be
awarded points for that tournament.

Pre-Fishing
1. Pre-fishing will be allowed in tournaments BUT MUST STOP 12 hours before the start time
of any tournament.
2. Anglers maybe on the water to catch bait for the tournaments only with in The 12 hours
before that tournament set start time.

Guides
1. Guides are welcome to fish any tournament on a body of water in which they guide. But may
not have fished that body of water in the last 12 hours

Protest
1. All protest must be brought to the Chapter President or Vice President in writing before the
tournament payout is awarded with a $50.00 protest fee. This money will stay with the chapter

LOGO
The Catfish Nation and it's Logo are the property of Tim Hagan /Catfish Nation and are
copyrighted. No unauthorized use of the Catfish Nation name and or Logo is allowed without
written consent from Tim Hagan

* Alcoholic Beverages*
1. NO Alcoholic beverages may be consumed during tournament hours.
2. NO Alcoholic beverages may be in the possession of any team during tournament hours.
3. No Possession and Consumption of illegal drugs will be allowed.

Tackle
1. A limit of 10 rods per boat where no limits are set by the state, Chapter with tournaments on
river or lakes with rod limits will set their rod limit based on a 2 angler per team.
2. All tackle must meet state laws to be used in that chapters tournaments.
3. Any bait maybe used unless it is restricted by law.
4. No Stringers maybe used at any time for any Tournament fish. You must have a live well or
decoy bag . This must be able to handle the amount of fish for that tournament( if a tournament
is on a place that can bring 50 lbs of fish all live wells or decoy bag must handle them) or that
boat may not fish in that tournament. THIS IS A MUST

Weigh in Procedures
1. Each team will take off in the order they have paid their entry fees. This can be done at any
tournament, You may paid for the next tournament at any tournament.
2. Once a tournament has started it will end at the scheduled time.
2. A members of each team must check in with a tournament official before the tournament
deadline. If it’s 4:00 YOU ARE LATE AT 4:01
3. Fish must be moved from the boat to the scale in plastic tubs. Each Chapter will have them at
the tournament for you to use.
4. Not more that two teams maybe at the scales with fish at the same time.
5. Any catfish over 12" maybe weighed in Channel, Blue, Flathead etc...
6. No dead fish will be weighed in at any tournament. All fish must swim away on their own
before the tournament payout is ready to be counted as alive fish. A officer will be where the fish
are returned to see that all fish swim away. All fish will be put back into to water at the boat
ramp or weigh in site.
7. ALL FISH must be caught on rod & reel within tournament hours and from the body of water
set for that tournament or feeder creeks for the body of water.
8. The number of fish or kind of catfish for a tournament may very. Always check to know what
tournament you are fishing. Total weight, target weight etc…

Boat & Bank Fishing
1. All Boats must meet State boats regulations to enter a tournament
2. All boats will be checked by a tournament official
3. ALL BOATS MUST HAVE A WORKING LIVE WELL OR DECOY BAG TO HANDLE
FISH FOR THAT TOURNAMENT to enter that tournament.
4. Life vest must be worn at take off
5. Bank fishing will be allowed in some tournaments check with your chapter first before you
enter to fish. Bank fishing most be done from the weigh in site, angler may walk to there fishing
spots only. You may not drive to a fishing spot to fish.
6. Boat anglers must fish from there boat at all times.
7. Boats need to be 100 yards apart when fishing at all times on big rivers. 50 yards apart on
smaller rivers.
8. No Trailering of boats will be allowed at any time in any Catfish Nation Tournament on a
river. Some chapters may allow trailering on smaller lakes check with the chapter first
9. All anglers must sign a waiver in order to fish in any Catfish Nation tournament.