Rules - Xtreme Kingfish Tournament Series

1. Participation

Participation is open only to Tournament members of XKTS. Any person participating in a Tournament under the age of majority must also have the signature of their parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form.
New members may join at the beginning of a Tournament without any Late Fees or penalties.
The term/title "Captain" refers to the person XKTS has contact with in regards to the team.
All team members must have in their possession a valid fishing license and must follow all applicable federal, state and local regulations and laws. Any violation of such regulations and laws may result in disqualification from the Tournament.
Each competitor must provide a signed liability release form before the start of each Sector season. A Release Form will be provided by XKTS on its’ website and at the first of that Series Tournament’s Captain’s Meeting.
Entry may be made by mail, phone or on the Internet at XKTS.com; do not fill out an entry form by more than one method.
Each Sector Series Tournament will be limited to 200 total boats each per Tournament in the Single Engine and Open Class. The Elite Series will be limited to 75 boats per Tournament.
Entry fees (minus the deposit amount) may be transferred or refunded if XKTS is notified prior to the balance deadline date. Deposits for confirmed entries may not be transferred or refunded at any time. Late entries, along with Late Fees, will be taken on-site for Tournaments with less than a full field of Tournament entries.
Teams are limited to a minimum of a Captain and one team member and a maximum of a Captain and up to five team members. This applies to the Single Engine and Open Series only. Only two substitutions will be permitted in the 2009/2010 XKTS. Substitutions must be submitted to the XKTS Tournament Director before a Tournament starts and must receive and be able to provide written approval from XKTS to the XKTS Tournament Director. In the event the Team Captain is unable to compete, the team will be allowed to designate an alternate Captain. At least two team members must be on board during competition hours. Only the Team Captain and registered team members are allowed on board during competition. All awards will be paid to the Team Captain.

2. Registration and Captain's Meeting

For all Tournaments and Elite Events, teams may enter either by phone, the internet or at the Captain’s Meeting. A $50 Late Fee for Single Engine and Open Class will be assessed with proceeds being donated to Special Olympics. A $100 Late Fee for the Elite Class will be assessed with proceeds being donated to Special Olympics.
XKTS will provide each team a boat number, takeoff location, takeoff time and check-in time prior to the start of the Tournament. There will be a Captains’ Meeting prior to the every Tournament.
All entries are not reimbursable after the official conclusion of the Captain’s meeting.

3. Sportsmanship

All Team Captains and team members are required to follow the highest level of standards in regards to sportsmanship, Elite courtesy, promotion of conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, XKTS, Special Olympics, all sponsors, and the sport of fishing and XKTS efforts to promote the sport. Examples of conduct not complying with those standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the official 2009/2010 rules.
Abuse of alcohol, use of mind altering substances, etc.
Any words, conduct or actions (including and not limited to discussion forums and internet sites) reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with the Tournament rules.
In case of any conduct not complying with these standards, the Captain/team member may result in disqualification, probation, suspension, with forfeiture of fees and points for that Tournament and/or Series year.

4. Personal and Boating Safety

PRIORITY ONE Rule

All boats shall have some type of PLB, EPIRB or any other device deemed able to transmit a signal of location in an emergency so authorities can assist ASAP. It shall be the Captains responsibility to educate all team members were the unit is located and how to operate the unit.

Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each team member is required to have a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (Type 1 suggested) on board for each team member, as well as safety equipment deemed appropriate by the U.S.C.G. per vessel size.
All Tournaments are "Captain's Choice." The team Captain has the discretion to determine whether the team's craft is seaworthy for the existing conditions.
The safety and conduct of the crew is the Captain's responsibility.
The Tournament will start under a U.S. Coast Guard "Small Craft Advisory." At the discretion of the XKTS Tournament Director, Tournament days may be shortened, postponed or days may be canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

5. Boat Assistance

Once check-out has started no boat shall come in contact with land, pleasure or Tournament boat(s), and/or any structure(s). Any boat seen passing, throwing, launching, floating, and/or zip-lining any objects will be disqualified for the Tournament and forfeit any and all entry fees and points that have been earned in said Tournament.
Personal/emergency assistance may be needed at times, i.e.: mechanical failure, tow-in, flooding, fire, sinking or medical emergencies, etc. The Captain/team/boat assisting will not be disqualified as long as they notify another boat, another Tournament participant, and/or the XKTS Tournament Director.
Fail to report a team may lead to disqualification from that Tournament and forfeiture of any fees paid for said Tournament.
The assisting boat(s) will not be disqualified, but will still be required to meet all Check-in/Weigh-in deadlines.
Captains must keep a safe distance from one another when fishing and assure they are not congregating.
Any team upon protest of this matter is kept confidential. And if a team being protested is found in violation(s) and found guilty, the Captain/team/boat may be disqualified resulting in the forfeiture of all fees and points from said Tournament.
All boats must come in under there own power.

6. Boarding a Vessel:

Any government, U.S.G.C., Law Enforcement, F.W.C., Port Security and/or XKTS Officials may board registered Tournament vessels without penalty to the team at any time during a Tournament. However, receipt of a warning, violation or citation(s) from any government enforcement official during Tournament hours, it is the Captain’s responsibility to report to Tournament Headquarters with their citation(s) after completing that day’s fishing. Disciplinary action may be warranted on the severity of the citation(s), i.e.: Manatee Zone, No-Wake Zone, BUI, reckless operation of a vessel.
Registration, proof of insurance, any other boat ownership information and Tournament registration information, etc. should be kept in a safe, dry place on that vessel.

7. Boat Regulations for Single Engine, Open and Elite Classes

All boats must be a minimum of 21 feet in length, be seaworthy and have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment.
A fixed-mount VHF radio is mandatory for all Tournament vessels.
At the start of each event, XKTS reserves the right, at random, to board and inspect a boat(s) for fishing licenses, fish bags, storage lockers, etc.
XKTS reserves the right to board any boat entered into the Tournament at any time.

8. Open Class Team Rules

Open Class Entry Fee is $350.00, with a non-refundable deposit of $175.00, per Tournament.
The Open Class consists of a boat with a water line greater than 21 feet. The Class will be based on twin, triple or quadruple engines with horsepower no greater than the boat manufacturers’ specifications. Deposit for all Tournaments events will need to be made no later than 60 days after each Sector Series’ dates are announced, to insure a spot, but before 30 days prior to the first Sector Series’ Tournament that your team will be competing in. The balance is due prior to 7 days before each Tournament start date
A discount will be given to any team paying their full Sector Series’ fees in advance of the first Tournament in that Sector(s) that your team is competing in.
If any team competes in more than one Sector, a discount will be given if all Sector Series’ fees are paid in full, in advance of the first Tournament in the Sector(s) that the team is competing in.
Points will not carry over with the Captain/team/boat to other Sectors.
Late fees for late registration for any/all Tournaments will be applied and donated to Special Olympics. Special exception will be given only under extreme circumstances, as deemed appropriate by XKTS. Special exception will be given under certain circumstances. XKTS directors will have the final decision.

9. Single Engine Team Rules

Single Engine Open Class Entry Fee is $350.00, with a non-refundable deposit of $175.00, per Tournament.
Single Engine Class is based on any size boat or vessel with a single engine.
Single Engine Class will check-out 15 minutes before the Elite and Open Classes to insure safety and in an effort to level the playing field due to the Open and Elite Class horsepower advantage and larger boat sizes.
Single engine teams can place in both Open and Single Engine Class in same Tournament.
Deposit for all Tournaments must be made no later than 60 days after each Sector Series’ dates are announced, to insure a spot, but before 30 days prior to the first Sector Series’ Tournament that your team will be competing in. The balance is due prior to 7 days before each Tournament start date.
A discount will be given to any team paying their full Sector Series’ fees in advance of the first Tournament in that Sector(s) that your team is competing in.
If any team competes in more than one Sector, a discount will be given if all Sector Series’ Fees are paid in full, in advance of the first Tournament in the Sector(s) that the team is competing in.
Points will not carry over with the Captain/team/boat to other Sectors.
Late fees for late registration for any/all Tournaments will be applied and donated to Special Olympics. Special exception will be given only under extreme circumstances, as deemed appropriate by XKTS.

10. Elite Team Rules

Elite Class Entry Fee is $1,500.00 with a non-refundable deposit of $750.00, per Tournament.
Elite Teams must in ALL XKTS Elite Tournaments throughout the state of Florida. One Elite Tournament will be held in each Sector during the 2009/2010 Series.
A deposit for all Series Tournaments must be made no later than 60 days after each Sector Series’ dates are announced, to insure a spot, but before 30 days prior to the first Elite Series’ Tournament required by XKTS Rules. The balance is due prior to 7 days before each Tournament start date.
Elite teams will not be allowed to compete in any Open or Single Engine Class Sector Tournament(s). The only exception allowed is if no Elite event is being held in conjunction with that Tournament.
Any Elite Team fishing as an Open Class contender in an event which does not have a Elite event must abide by the Open Class Rules. (See Above)
You will be required to declare your Class on your Membership Application at the beginning of the 2009/2010 Series.
A discount will be given to any team paying their full Elite Series’ Fees in advance of the first Tournament in that Sector(s) that your team is competing in.
Points will not carry over with the Captain/team/boat to other XKTS Sectors.
Late fees for late registration for any/all Tournaments will be applied and donated to Special Olympics. Special exception will be given only under extreme circumstances, as deemed appropriate by XKTS. XKTS Directors will have the final decision.
Elite teams must compete in ALL Elite Tournaments and will consist of up to six team members and two alternate members.
The Captain and two team members shall stay with that team for the whole Tournament Series.
Teams will be allowed to make only 2 team member changes for the Series. This is an endurance Series for boat, equipment and team mates and the Captain, to be crowned the best.
Teams will not be allowed to change boats, unless it is sold or because of mechanical problems. With prior written approval from XKTS a team may use another boat to compete. This exemption will only apply twice in any one Series, per Series calendar year.
Written proof will be required from the Captain, i.e.: an invoice or receipt of sale Series registered boat.
A percentage of Elite Teams will compete among their competition in the Xtreme Elite Championship.

11. Junior Angler

Anyone under the age of 18 will and can be considered a Junior Anglers, eighteen (18th) birthday must not fall prior to Championship tournament of that calendar year in order to be eligible for compete as a Junior Angler and Junior Angler of the year.

12. Permitted Fishing Locations

Boats must stay within the boundaries set forth for each Tournament during Tournament hours, if there are any implied. At this time, XKTS will not use a “boundaries” limitation rule, but boats must not fish in areas designated as "off limits" or "no fishing" by local, state or federal officials. Any boat/team found in violation of this rule will be subject to disqualified from the Tournament and forfeit any and all fees and points that have been earned in said Tournament.
Team members must leave and return to the official check-in point by boat. The boat must remain in the water during the Tournament day. No Tournament boat may be loaded on the trailer before the weigh-in, except with the permission of the XKTS Tournament Director.

13. Pre-fishing

There will be no “official” pre-fishing period or off-limits period prior to the Captain's Meeting for XKTS Tournaments.
XKTS strongly discourages teams from pre-fishing.

14. Target Specifications

All Kingfish (Scomberomorus cavalla) must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner.
Any boat found possessing king mackerel in weighable condition prior to the start of the Tournament will be subject to disqualification from the Tournament and forfeit any and all fees and points associated with said Tournament.
Size limits will comply with prevailing regulations, but in no case will a Tournament species measure less than 30 inches to the fork.
All Kingfish submitted for weigh-in must be caught during the Tournament day and be in a fresh and edible condition. All hooks shall be removed prior to weigh-in.
No mutilated fish may be weighed. Mutilation is defined as any damage that impairs the fish's fighting ability. All decisions regarding mutilation will be made by XKTS Tournament Officials.
Kingfish to be weighed must be presented by a team member of the boat's crew in a fish bag.
All Kingfish presented for weigh-in will become the property of XKTS.

15. Fishing Tackle/Gear

Fishing tackle/gear consisting of rod, reels, hooks and line must be conventional products on the market today. They may not be power driven, which includes any means of power by electronic or hydraulic driven motors or any other means as to give an unfair advantage over the competing field. This does not include power reels for teasers/kites or downriggers.
Members with medically proven physical limitation will be exempt from the above rule. XKTS reserves the right to require written documentation if the limitation is in question.
No more than eight lines may be in the water at any one time.
A gaff must not exceed 12’ in length and must be a single hook. No other means besides hand landing shall be used to land a fish, i.e.: flying gaff, etc.
Bait can be taken by hook or net.
No steel lines will be allowed.
Fishing reels and rods must not exceed 30/40lb.Class by manufactures specifications or IGFA rules.
Two speed reels will not be allowed.
Fishing line must not exceed 30lb. test. By Manufactures spec’s or IGFA rules.
Leaders, of any sort, made for the sport may be used without length or strength restrictions.
XKTS reserves the right to board and inspect any vessel and disqualify a team if any items found on that team’s boat could be considered an advantage over other teams competing. Any and all items considered in violation will be turned over to the XKTS Tournament Director and become the property of XKTS. Items confiscated will be kept for evidence until after the Tournament has concluded. A team found in violation(s) will be able to protest to XKTS Directors. Based on the severity of the violation(s), the penalty can range from a warning, to disqualification from a Tournament, suspension or expulsion for XKTS.

16. Aggregate/Scoring/ Point Standings for Single Engine, Open and Elite Class’

In an effort to reduce the mortality and protect the population of Kingfish, scoring in qualifying events will be determined by the weight of each team's largest fish caught during each day of competition for a tournament aggregate total.
A point system will be designed and implemented in the near future. For the XKTS Championship, final standings will be determined after a Sector has been completed.
The XKTS Championship field of entrants will be based on a percentage of total boats that place in each Sector. Each Class will have there own Series.
Points will be awarded to the winning team of each Sector Tournament, followed by a decreasing point valve system.
Points will be awarded to teams which finish a Tournament and based on a loyalty performance bonus for fishing in a Tournament Sector Series.
In Sector events, all tied positions will be resolved by dividing the prize money equally among the tied positions.
A percentage, as yet to be determined, of Captains and their team in Single Engine, Open and Elite Series members after the last Tournament will be eligible and invited to the 2009/2010 Xtreme Single Engine, Open and Elite Kingfish Championship. This Champions Tournament will be for a championship in each class. Ties in each Class will be broken by the team time weigh-in. All Tournaments, including the championship, will be a one-day or a two-day events (Friday, Saturday or Sunday).

17. Late Penalty

There will be only one official check-in point in the afternoon. Failure to check-in at the check-in point at the designated time will be penalized.
The penalty will be 1 pound per minute and deducted from the total weight of their weighable catch.
Any team/boat late to check-in by 15 minutes or more will be disqualified from that day’s fishing.

18. Boat/Motor or Other Product Contingency Awards

Each team eligible for contingency awards must provide boat/motor and or products serial numbers to XKTS at the time of entry and a copy of the title/registration or warranty card prior to competition.
In order to receive contingency awards, the qualifying boat/motor or products must be used in each day of competition.
It is the responsibility of the Team Captain to notify XKTS of any changes in ownership.
The decision of boat, motor or product companies will be final in all matters regarding contingency eligibility.

19. Logo usage and internet streaming/ broadcasting coverage

During all events, teams may wear or display any logos of their choice with the exception of distasteful content deemed by XKTS. This includes logos on outwear, boats, trailers, etc.
XKTS may, at its sole discretion, place a camera operator on a Tournament boat on any day of competition, for broadcasting and promotional purposes, etc.

20. Insurance

Liability insurance, with coverage in reasonable amounts, is recommended of all contestants in XKTS.

21. Communication

During Tournament hours, registered teams may not obtain or receive assistance from any other registered Tournament entrants or other person(s), i.e.: cell phone, satellite phone, text messaging and any other means that might give a team an unfair advantage over the field. XKTS considers only team members that are on registered Tournament boats as competitors.
The use of mobile communication devices to communicate with other Tournament entrants during Tournament hours is not permitted.
Boats shall not come together, except in an emergency situation. In the case of an emergency, the Tournament director must be notified, as soon as it is feasible, by radio or other means (the official XKTS radio channel, assigned at the Captain's meeting) or cellular phone numbers.

22. Protests

Interpretation of these rules will be left exclusively to the XKTS Board of Directors.
Board of Directors decisions are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.
Protests must be made in writing within 30 minutes of the official check-in time of the final day of each Tournament day. Written protests must be given to a Tournament official.
A $200.00 Protest Fee will be required to file a single protest. If the protest is ruled in that team’s favor, the deposit will be refunded. Otherwise, the deposit becomes property of XKTS for administrative costs.

23. Polygraph

Each team agrees to submit, by signature on the official Tournament entry form, to a polygraph examination to be administered at a time/date determined by the XKTS Tournament Director upon the close of competition in each Tournament and to abide by its conclusion.
Teams asked to submit to testing will be randomly chosen among those who place in that day’s fishing.
Failure to pass the examination will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any and all fees and points associated with said Tournament.
Determination of the meaning of the results will be made solely by XKTS.

24. Captions

The captions shown at the beginning of each rule are only intended to facilitate the reader’s 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