RALLY@GUNTERSVILLE '09 RULES

The primary objective of this event is to create an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie among fisherpersons from around the Nation. Many of the participants have conversed with other anglers via the Internet and the Bass Fishing Home Page. This event will allow everyone to put faces with names and create many long time, cross-country contacts and friendships. A low key fishing competition is planned to allow maximum opportunity for all participants to meet new friends and enjoy the fishing on Guntersville Lake.

The organized fishing will consist of two days (Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27). Each day will be a separate competition, divided into a "Morning" and "Afternoon" session and there will be an overall competition (Day 1 and Day 2 combined weight).

In order to maximize interaction of participants, everyone will be paired by drawing for each half day of fishing. Participants should complete the registration form as a "boater" or "non-boater" so that pairings may be planned in advance. Under special circumstances and with prior arrangements, participants may fish with pre-determined partners.

General Rules

  1. ORGANIZED FISHING FORMAT: This event is designed as an individual angler, "total event weight" activity. Anglers will be allowed to weigh in three (3) largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass with a minimum length of fifteen (15) inches in each of the daily fishing periods for an overall possible total of nine (9) bass. 

Anglers are required to participate in the draw pairings (except those fishing with a family member) to allow participants to get to know as many people as possible in a couple of days. Pairings for each fishing session will be posted in the registration and/or weigh-in area.

  1. TOURNAMENT HOURS: Saturday, Sep 26th and Sunday, Sep 27th

Saturday Morning Fishing:
6:15AM until 11:30AM
Morning weigh-in will be at 11:30AM

Saturday Afternoon Fishing:
1:00 PM until 5:00 PM
Afternoon weigh-in will be at 5:00PM

Sunday Morning Fishing:
6:15 AM until 12:00 PM
Morning weigh-in will be at 12:00PM

No fishing between 11:30 and 1:00 to allow time for partner switch and lunch. You are allowed to travel to your afternoon fishing area, during this time.  

  1. AWARDS: Trophies will be given for:
    • Top Big Fish for the Rally
    • Top 10% of the field
  2.  No anglers under the age of sixteen (16) will be allowed to participate in the Rally.
  3. WEIGH-IN: Conservation of the Guntersville Lake fishery is a goal in this event.

Anglers are encouraged to maintain their catch in good condition for release after weigh-in. Plastic weigh-in bags will be available adjacent to the weigh-in scales and must be used to weigh fish.

All fish entered in this event must be caught during the event hours listed above to be eligible for awards. Anglers must personally weigh-in their own fish. No angler should allow fish caught by them to be weighed by another participant. Fish must be weighed and released in the morning or afternoon session in which they were caught. This will allow the fish to be returned with less stress, then keeping the fish in the livewell all day.

No participant should have more than 3 fish in his possession at a time. When a third keeper fish is caught, a fish must be culled before the participant resumes fishing.

All State, Federal, and local lake regulations shall apply at all times. Guntersville Lake has a 15" minimum size limit, fish less than 15 inches must be immediately returned to the lake.

6.      CARRY A MEASURING DEVICE IN YOUR BOAT The Official Measuring Board for this event will be the "Golden Rule". Please exercise care in your handling and measurement of all fish. Participants should also be sure they have a valid Alabama Fishing License.   

  1. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork rind. (NO LIVE BAIT ALLOWED). Only one rod may be used at any one time. All fish must be caught alive and in a conventional manner. No trolling with big motor.
  2. SAFETY: All contestants MUST wear a Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver anytime the boat is on plane. All boats must be equipped with an ignition kill switch and must be attached to the boat operator while the combustion engine is operating. In the event of inclement weather, participants should use good judgment in determination of safe conditions for all activities. Safety should be a goal of all participants.

4.      Consumption of alcoholic beverages during fishing hours is prohibited.

  1. Participants take full responsibility for themselves and their equipment. The RALLY@GUNTERSVILLE serves only to make anglers aware of opportunities to participate in activities with other attendees. Each party participates in any activity at their own risk without warranty, representations, or liability by the RALLY@GUNTERSVILLE, its organizers, directors, sponsors, boating partner, or the Bass Fishing Home Page.
  2. All applications for participation in the RALLY@GUNTERSVILLE and the determination of awards shall be subject to the approval of the Organizing Committee whose decision thereon is final.