Texas Boat World, Marine Outlet, Gary's Marine and Central Texas Marine & Tackle are proud to host this year's annual military
appreciation event. Fishin’ For Freedom , in honor of our soldiers and their families who have
given so much for Freedom. These two days of fishing and family fun will take place
in the heart of Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA).
The fishing tournament will feature the largest family event within a 65-mile radius of the Central Texas of Bell County’s 239,000 residents. Our information indicates there are no major events competing with our audience on this weekend.
The Fishin For Freedom foundation is a non profit organization. This year a large portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the programs which directly affect the morale and welfare of our soldiers.
community. Fishin’ For Freedom will offer fun for the entire family and expects a draw of at least 10,000
Fishing For Freedom
Entry Rules
RULE CHANGES/POLYGRAPH: Interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament directors. In the event of a rule violation, the tournament directors may impose such sanctions, as deemed appropriate, including but not limited to, disqualification and/or forfeiture of prizes. The decision of the tournament directors shall be final in all matters. Protests for any rule infraction must be made in writing within 30 minutes of the official check-in time. All contestants are subject to a random polygraph examination. Failure to submit or pass this examination will result in immediate disqualification.
PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to all individuals who are 18 years of age or older, however each team must consist of at least one Active Duty Service Member or Retired Veteran. Teams will be paired by a drawing of boater and Non boater. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is the responsibility of the competitor. Any competitor answering yes to the question: "Will you enter as a boater?" will be expected to make that boat available for the tournament. DURING THE TOURNAMENT, NO COMPETITOR MAY OPERATE A BOAT UNLESS THAT CONTESTANT HAS DOCUMENTED PROOF OF A MINIMUM OF $100,000 BOATING LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THAT PARTICULAR BOAT. PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE WITH THE BOAT BEING USED AND MUST COVER THE COMPETITOR USING THAT BOAT. RANDOM CHECKS WILL BE CONDUCTED. EACH POLICY MUST SHOW $100,000 LIABILITY INSURANCE AND VALID EXPIRATION DATE. Anglers must sign the release of liability form and present their entry form to the tournament director prior to the tournament. Tournament officials reserve the right to choose for any reason not to accept the application for entrance of any individual. Any person entering a tournament who is under 18 years of age must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the entry form.
PROFESSIONALS/GUIDES: May take a soldier fishing and compete in the event.
PRACTICE/OFF-LIMITS/PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: There will be no official practice period before the tournament. Tournament director shall establish tournament waters at the tournament briefing and define any OFF-LIMITS areas including locking from established tournament waters. Fishing on tournament waters is not permitted: within 25 yards of a marina gas pump or within 25 yards of anothers competitor's boat anchored or not. Competitors invoking the 25-yard rule must hold boats steady. Any competitor who allows any other competitor to fish within 25 yards of their boat has suspended the 25-yard rule and opens the water to all competitors. Any water within tournament boundaries posted Off-Limits or No Fishing by state or federal agencies will be OFF-LIMITS.
REGISTRATION: Contestants register through Texas Boat World, 303 W. Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights, Texas, 76548 (254) 699-9151, Marine Outlet Temple Texas 800-880-1807, Gary’s Marine Gatesville Texas 254-865-521, Tightlines Killeen Texas 254-690-3474, Registration is limited to the first 500 boater and non-boater entry forms for non-shore fishing tournament. All registrations must be received by 2 October 2008.
SAFETY: Safe boating conduct will be observed at all times. During the official practice and competition, each competitor is required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved chest-type life preserver (PFD). This preserver must be worn any time the combustion engine is in gear. This preserver must be strapped, snapped, or zippered securely and maintained in the condition until the combustion engine is shut off. The boat operator must have a safety-stop switch attached to his/her person when the combustion engine is in gear. During tournament hours, extreme caution must be exercised by boat operator. Weather and water turbulence, as well as congestion, can be extremely hazardous and extreme caution should be exercised at all times. Violation of either the PFD or safety-stop switch portion of this rule will result in disqualification. Also, any time the combustion engine is operating and in gear, there must be a driver in the driver's seat in full control of the boat.
SPORTSMANSHIP: All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. All contestants must adhere to all State, Federal and local laws governing water activities. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or other stimulates or depressants shall be allowed in the boats during the competition, or when in the weigh-in area. Each contestant must keep the waters clean and bring trash to the dock for disposal.
TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures may be used. No "Live Bait" or "prepared bait" will be permitted during competition, with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc. Only one rod and reel combination may be used at one time. No fly rods or rods over 8 feet are allowed. Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner. All angling must be done from the boat and anglers must stay on tournament waters during tournament hours. Anglers are not permitted to leave the boat to land a fish or leave the boat to gain access to secluded waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament day. Each boat must have a properly aerated or re-circulated livewell to maintain a live limit catch of bass by both contestants. Competitors must leave and return to official checkpoint by boat. Both competitors must remain in the boat at all times except in case of dire emergency. In such an emergency, competitors may be removed from their boat to: A BOAT OPERATED BY ANOTHER COMPETITOR, A RESCUE BOAT DESIGNATED BY THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, OR TO DISLODGE THEIR BOAT FROM A HAZARD. Partners must remain together at all times, in sight of each other and each other's catch, under the conditions cited above, in order for their catch of that day to be scored in the tournament. Citizen band radios, marine radios, and cellular phones are allowed in the boat for emergency use only. Any transmission of information via any communicative device concerning any aspect of fishing is prohibited during tournament hours.
OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT : There will be only one official point for check-out/send-off in the morning and check-in in the afternoon, as designated by the tournament director. Competitors not at the checkpoint at the designated time will be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute, deducted from their total weight for the day. Any competitor more than 15 minutes late for send-off or check-in will be disqualified for the day. Official start and weigh-in times will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting. Our best effort will be given to allow at least 6 hours fishing time. In the case of adverse weather conditions, the tournament director will open as they deem necessary for safety.
SCORING: The total weight of each team's catch will determine tournament standings and placement. Only largemouth, spotted, red eye, or smallmouth bass will be weighed. The creel limit shall be five (5). At no time shall a competitor have in his/her possession more than the tournament limit. Culling must be done immediately upon catching a sixth fish. Minimum length will be 14 inches (measured on a flat board). A penalty of 1 pound will be deducted from the total weight for each short fish and a penalty of 4 ounces (.25 pounds) will be deducted from the total weight for each dead fish. A contestant who presents more fish than the tournament limit will be disqualified immediately. Mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered fish will be grounds for immediate disqualification. No regurgitated baitfish will be weighed. Fish will not be on a stringer at any time. All fish presented at the weigh-in become the property of tournament officials. All live fish will be returned to the lake and the tournament director will dispose of any dead fish.
Optional Big Bass Pot: $20 per boat. One place paid for each 50 entrees. Pay back example 150 entrees: 70% 20% 10%,
Proudly presents
Fishing for Freedom 2008
October 4th 2008 @ BLORA, Belton Lake
Official Entry Form
NAME: ___________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________
CITY:_________________________ STATE:________________ ZIP:____________
HOME / BUSINESS #:___________________ CELL #: _________________
AGE: _______ DOB:__________
EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________
ENTERING AS (CHECK ONLY ONE) BOATER NON-BOATER
IF BOATER, COMPLETE INSURANCE COVERAGE/REGISTRATION INFORMATION ON BOAT BEING USED IN TOURNAMETN:
COMPANY: ____________________________AGENT: _____________________
POLICY#: __________________________ STATE REGISTRATION #: ____________
By my signature on this form, I certify that I have read, understand and accept the rules concerning this tournament to include my agreement to accept the decision of the contest officials as final. I waive, indemnify, hold harmless, and release all officials, sponsors or anyone working with this tournament of any and all claims of personal injury, death, lost or stolen property, and accidents and / or damage incurred in connection with my participation in this tournament. I understand that this includes any action arising from negligence of the said releases or otherwise to the fullest extent allowed by the law. I further give permission for any quotes, pictures or videos bearing my likeness to be used without compensation on my behalf.
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________ DATE: _______________
All entries must be received by October 1ST 2008, at one of the following Locations:
Texas Boat World: Cliff Brown @ 254-699-9151
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Marine Outlet: Rick Smith Phone @ 254-773-9931
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Gary's Marine: Gary / Pat Wendeborn @ 254-865-5211
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Central Texas Marine & Tackle @ 254-296-2628
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