Strategic Digital Solutions Corp, (DBA “CAST”) expects strict adherence to the following rules by all contestants. Additionally, CAST suggests that co-anglers share fuel expenses with their boater partner to help offset the high cost of boat operation. CAST is a catch and release tournament. All catches must be released immediately after photo and recording of size is taken. CAST discourages sharing a partner’s phone number with anyone without the partner’s consent. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. CAST recommends the use of EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons. All competitors must enable location tracking on their mobile device. The below rules and regulations only apply to Cast Sponsored Tournaments. Anglers that are fishing NON Cast tournaments hosted on the platform, are required to follow all the rules and regulations listed by that tournament, which may differ from Cast.  

• 2022 Cast Rules & Regulations for Tournaments & Challenges:
  1. INTERPRETATION & ENFORCEMENT • These rules will remain unchanged during 2023. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to CAST. Decisions by CAST are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Each contestant agrees to report any rule violation to the CAST immediately upon discovery of the violation. Failure to report violations (boater, co-angler, or kayaker) may be cause for disqualification. The violation of a tournament rule may result in, but is not limited to, inches or weight loss, the loss of inches or weight up to a particular time in the tournament day and disqualification from the entire tournament or challenge. Protests and/or alleged rule violations are to be documented in writing by the witness immediately, and emailing tournament@castapp.fish. CAST 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.

  2. PAYOUTS & PARTICIPATION • For Cast tournaments, payouts is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament. Tournament registration will close 5 days before each tournament. Once the registration closes, we will email competitors the winning payout amounts for the top 20 boaters and top 20 anglers, or top 20 kayakers. There are no refunds if a competitor cancels after the registration deadline. Participation for tournaments or challenges is only open to 18 years of age or older (19 in Alabama and Nebraska). Any person’s participation in any tournament or challenge is at the sole discretion of CAST. Any person who is disabled or handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his or her boater 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. CAST may request proof of license by email. Failure to provide proof of a valid fishing license within a reasonable amount of time when requested by CAST will result in disqualification for that day and any preceding days in which the license was required for the tournament, or disqualifications from challenges.

  BOATER & CO-ANGLER (TOURNAMENTS ONLY): Boaters will have the option to opt in or out of having a co-anger. CAST highly recommends a co-angler. When opting for a co-angler, the boater will receive 20% off the entry fee. A co-angler and boater may net each other’s catches. When registering, co-anglers will have the option to search and select an available boater. The co-angler can also elect to be auto assigned a boater, based on the body of water they choose to fish. If no boaters are available, the co-angler will be waitlisted. Waitlisted co-anglers will be paired, in numerical order, as boaters become available. Boaters and co-anglers will be notified by email when paired, with contact information. When registering for our tournament, you are giving consent to allow CAST to provide your contact info to the paired boater or co-angler.

  Published payouts for each tournament are based on 230 boater and 230 co-angler entries, or 230 kayakers. Registrations received after a tournament has reached 230 boaters and 230 co-anglers will be placed on a waiting list. Those anglers placed on the waiting list and not accepted into the tournament will receive a full refund after the tournament and will maintain Wild Card eligibility. CONFIRMED ENTRIES ARE CONTINGENT UPON COMPLETE ENTRY FEE BEING PAID BY THE ENTRY DEADLINE DATE. Entry fees may be transferred or refunded if CAST is notified before the registration deadline. Entry fees will not be transferred or refunded after the registration deadline. Each refunded entry fee is subject to a $10 service charge.

  3. PURCHASING OF INFORMATION • The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters or fishing challenges, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available sources) and the hiring of fishing guide services is not permitted after the entry deadline for each tournament or fishing challenge. The sharing of tournament winnings with non-contestants in exchange for information about locating or catching fish on tournament or challenges waters is strictly prohibited and will be cause for disqualification from the entire tournament. The purchasing of, or bartering for, fishing locations from another contestant is strictly prohibited and will be cause for both contestants to be disqualified from the entire tournament and/or challenge.

  5. OFF-LIMITS, PRACTICE & COMPETITION • There is no practice period or off-limits period prior to each tournament. Contestants may not enter tournament waters to locate fish or potential fishing waters or sightsee within 24 hours of a tournament (This does not apply to fishing challenges). Once competition is under way, contestants may not solicit and/or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except boaters and co-anglers confirmed in the tournament and through publicly available sources (quasi-public websites, blogs and/or social media pages, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Periscope, set up for the specific purpose of sharing information with individuals or a small group of individuals are not publicly available sources). Contestants are prohibited from placing brush or other physical fish attractors, including chum of any kind, in tournament or challenges waters. During competition days, boaters may not follow a non-contestant’s boat or participate in the placing of markers, brush or other fish attractors by non-contestants or the practice of “hole sitting” by anyone.

  No contestant may be on tournament waters within 24 hours of a tournament, and no person may be on tournament waters to locate fish or gain fishing information on a contestant’s behalf. At no time during regional practice or on tournament days shall a contestant consult with a non-contestant on or off tournament waters. Flights over tournament waters, including drones, for the express purpose of locating fish or fishing locations are not permitted beginning with the start of the regional off-limits period, extending through practice and competition days. Boaters who opt out of having a co-angler, may have someone on board to help record and livestream the tournament. However, boaters can not have someone net their catches, unless it’s an assigned co-angler.

  6. PAIRINGS • All contestants must contact their assigned boater or co-angler at least 48 hours prior to a tournament. Partners should advise each other of their respective lodging and phone numbers and establish a meeting time and place for the following morning’s takeoff. If the number of co-anglers exceeds the number of boaters, excess co-anglers may choose to change to boater status or have their entry transferred or refunded with no service charge.

  7. SAFETY • Safe boating must be always observed for boaters and kayakers. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is running or at all times on a kayak, from the start and end of the tournament and/or challenge. All boats must be equipped with a factory-installed emergency ignition-shutoff device that must be securely attached to the driver’s body with a standard-length, factory tether whenever the combustion engine is running. Boaters and co-anglers may fish and charge batteries using an onboard charger by letting the combustion engine idle in neutral only if the boat is equipped with a certified and functioning wireless ignition-shutoff device and everyone in the boat is wearing a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. All persons must be seated and a driver must be behind the steering wheel in full control of the boat whenever it is on plane or the combustion engine is running and in gear. At the discretion of CAST, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. Competitors may leave their boat and seek shelter in bad weather or when danger is imminent. They must, however, stay within sight of each other. Contestants involved in boating accidents and/or safety incidents may be required to complete a BoatUS Foundation boating safety course before participating in another CAST tournament or challenge. A free course for each state is available at boatus.org.

  8. SPORTSMANSHIP • All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to CAST, CAST’s sponsors, the sport of fishing and CAST’s efforts to promote the sport. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules.
  • Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during registration or tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure.
  • Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances.
  • Conviction of a felony within the past 36 months.
  • Suspension/disqualification, probation or ban from any tournament or fishing organization.
  • Boat operation in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner.
  • Violation of a posted no-wake area.
  • Publicly criticizing or questioning the integrity of CAST, including but not limited to CAST rules, policies and procedures.
  • Dissemination of disparaging content or content that one should reasonably know would harm the reputation of CAST or CAST sponsors.
  • Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the rules and regulations.
  In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, CAST shall have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee, to disqualify a contestant or impose any penalty outlined in paragraph 1.

  9. BOAT OPERATION • Boaters will fish from the front deck of the boat only. Co-anglers will fish from the back deck or seating area of the boat only. Boaters will have complete control of boat operation and waters to be fished. For safety concerns in rough water or swift current, in the event of an outboard or trolling motor breakdown or during an emergency, co-anglers may operate the trolling motor or the outboard but may not fish anytime from the front deck. Boaters may not request that the co-angler not fish. Any boater that, in the judgment CAST, operates the boat in such a manner that unfairly handicaps his/her co-angler and any co-angler who unfairly handicaps his/her boater may be disqualified for that day. Contestants may not use mobile communication devices, including but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CBs, etc., to communicate with anyone about locating or catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours. Mobile communication devices may be used during tournament hours to communicate with lockmasters about locking, communicate with CAST, or emergency situations. Boaters may use smart phones and/or tablets during tournament hours for GPS, mapping, weather, power generation, barge traffic updates, tidal charts, personal fishing notes and related data. At no time during tournament hours may contestants read or discuss social media posts from other contestants. Co-anglers are not allowed to record GPS waypoints or use any type of handheld GPS during any competition day. Contestants are expected to compete every day for which they are qualified; failure to do so may result in ineligibility to compete in future CAST tournaments. If a special circumstance arises that inhibits a contestant’s ability to compete, CAST may allow the contestant to withdraw from competition and maintain the weight caught to that point. Depending on the need to maintain an equal number of boaters and co-anglers (i.e. day 2 tournament), the next highest contestant in the tournament standings may be invited to continue competition.

  10. BOAT & HORSEPOWER REGULATION • All boats must be propeller-driven and have a rear deck area for co-angler to fish. Bass boats, center console boats, and pontoon boats are recommended types of boats for freshwater tournaments. All boats must be equipped with wheel steering; no other steering device will be permitted. No barges or similarly cumbersome craft will be permitted. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. A livewell is not required, as all CAST tournaments are catch and release. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in freshwater tournaments competition will be 250 horsepower, not to exceed the horsepower capacity set forth on the “Maximum Capacities” placard described below. Each boat must have a clearly legible “Maximum Capacities” (or comparably titled) placard that includes a maximum horsepower rating affixed to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must not exceed the maximum horsepower capacity specified on this placard or the 250-horsepower maximum set by CAST. By submitting their entry form, contestants agree to our terms. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower numbers on the motor or rating placard will be cause for disqualification from the tournament and may result in ineligibility to compete in future CAST tournaments. Fishing platforms must be factory-installed equipment or commercially available aftermarket equipment that is permanently installed in the boat. No portable platforms may be used in tournament competition. Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle. The use of generators, other than solar or wind-powered generators, is prohibited in contestant boats during tournament hours on all competition days.

  11. KAYAK REGULATION • Watercraft acceptable for use in CAST Kayak tournaments are those manufactured and marketed as canoes, kayaks, or SUPs for which paddling is the primary means of propulsion. Any other watercraft must be submitted to CAST by email, tournament@castapp.fish, for review and approval prior to use in competition. Watercraft specifically approved as exceptions in competition are:
  • Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler
  • Biyak
  • Greentop Enterprise Creek Boats
  • Solo Skiff
  • Beavertail Stealth
  Use of watercraft in competition other than those listed above as acceptable or exceptions will result in disqualification from the event.

  The following watercraft may not be used in competition:
  Gas- or liquid-fueled motorized or hybrid fuel/electric powerboats or personal watercraft
  Sailboats
  Jon boats
  Pirogues, coracles and rowboats
  Dinghies and skiffs
  Float tubes, inflatable rafts, and rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac)
  Pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft, or similar.

  Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, pole, or electric motor. Unless specifically prohibited on the event-specific page, use of a single electric propulsion unit per watercraft in kayak tournaments is approved with the following restrictions: NOTE: No more than one electric motor may be installed on competitor’s watercraft at any time during official competition times. Competitors must comply with all boating regulations pertaining to motorized kayak/electric propulsion watercraft registration, use, and operating restrictions for the designated fishing area. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

  Electric motor used to propel a watercraft:
  Must be attached to the kayak in a safe manner for operation, and
  May not exceed the lesser of (i.) the manufacturer’s labeled Maximum HP/Thrust Capacity, (ii.) 3 HP, or (iii.) 155 foot-pound thrust. Violation of either condition will result in disqualification from the Event. (This does not pertain to wattage capacity.)
  Competitors are required to meet all documentation and registration requirements for operating a motorized watercraft including all required safety equipment and lighting.
  Towing, transport, or relocation assistance from another watercraft, including “mother shipping,” is NOT permitted except in cases of emergency, as when pulling a kayak from a danger zone or restricted area. Once the emergency has ended, the Competitor may resume fishing only if the watercraft was pulled no more than 100 yards from the danger zone. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.
  Trolling lure(s) attached to a single rod and towed behind a watercraft while underway is permitted in Kayak Tournaments. Competitors must demonstrate sportsmanlike conduct and avoid impeding other competitors or recreational anglers while trolling.

  12. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS • 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. All lures must adhere to state regulations. CAST will be hosting both freshwater and saltwater tournaments. Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits, unless otherwise stated by CAST. In some saltwater tournaments, CAST will advise when live bait can be used. Alabama rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are limited to a maximum of five wires with a maximum of five spinners, five lures and three hooks (single or treble) unless state regulations are more restrictive, in which case state regulations prevail. Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling as a method of fishing is strictly prohibited, unless otherwise stated by CAST for saltwater tournaments. Trolling is defined as operating the combustion engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve. Co-anglers may not assist boaters and boaters may not assist co-anglers with the use of underwater cameras and viewing systems, including but not limited to floggers, bathyscopes and similar systems. All fish caught while sight-fishing must be hooked inside the mouth and immediately measured/weighed, photo taken (showing the measured size), and released. All catches must be entered within the CAST website or app.

  13. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS FOR TOURNAMENTS & CHALLENGES • Contestants may fish anywhere on waters available to the public and accessible by boat except areas posted or otherwise designated as “off-limits,” “no boats,” “keep out,” “restricted,” “no trespassing” or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access), commercial property owners and/or local, state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a contestant’s boat that was first anchored. An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight or by a Power-Pole or similar shallow water anchor with the trolling motor in the up position. All fishing must be conducted from the boat for boat series tournaments or a boat required challenge. At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. The cutting of trees, bushes and/or logs after the start of the pretournament meeting and/or the removal of official commercial, local, state or federal barricades at any time to make an area more accessible by boat or gain access for fishing is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification from the tournament. The use of cables, ropes, chains or any type of block and tackle system to maneuver a boat into fishing waters is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification from the tournament. The boat must remain in the tournament waters during the tournament day. Abandoning a boat and leaving it adrift without proper tie-off or anchoring after a mechanical failure may result in disqualification of that day’s weight.

  14. LIVESTREAM • Competitors have the option to livestream during the competition, however it is not mandatory. Competitors who decide to livestream will need a RTMP camera, capable of RTMP livestream (ex. Gopro Hero 7 or higher), or a mobile phone. If using Cast’s web app, you will need to use the GoPro Quick app to livestream with the GoPro.

  15. SCORING • Most CAST tournaments will be scored by inches or weight. No regurgitated forage or other foreign matter may be placed in a fish. When a tournament is scored by inches, only CAST approved measuring boards can be used. (See below). All Cast tournaments and challenges are catch and release, and under no circumstances should a catch be kept. Failure to release any fish will result in immediate disqualification of a tournament and suspension of future tournaments and challenges. The minimum length limit for bass will be 12 inches unless the state or lake limit is more than 12 inches or CAST sets a longer limit for a specific tournament or species, in which case, the state or lake limit or longer limit set by CAST for the tournament will prevail. All fish submitted for score must be caught live by the Competitor who submits them for scoring using only equipment and legal methods that comply with all sportfishing statutes and regulations of the states and body of water in which they are taken. Competitors are responsible for research of and compliance with all applicable fishing and boating regulations. Snatching or snagging fish is not permitted. When visually fishing a bed for spawning bass, to be admissible all bass must be hooked inside the mouth. Fish MAY NOT be retained while bed fishing to improve chances of catching another fish. Fish must be caught, photographed, video, and released prior to resuming fishing. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

  Tournaments & Challenges Based on Length:
  A. Fish length is determined by its caudal fin (tail fin) touching or crossing the manufacturer’s quarter-inch mark (e.g., ridges, grooves) on the measuring board. If it falls short of a 1/4-inch factory mark, the length is rounded to the next lower 1/4-inch mark that the bass’ caudal fin touches or crosses. In reviewing photographs, judges will visualize as accurately as possible where a 1/4-inch factory mark would be if it extended the entire width of a board and use that imaginary line to determine a fish’s length. Entire caudal fin lifted away and out of contact with the board will result in denial of the photo submission.
  B. If any portion of a bass’ caudal (tail) fin extends off the edge of a Measuring Board surface, the score will be determined by the highest 1/4-inch measurement reached or crossed by the portion of caudal fin on the measuring board. Any portion of the caudal fin extending off the edge of a Measuring Board is not considered in scoring. Alignment aids and attachments to a CAST-approved measuring board (e.g., a cradle attachment for the Ketch measuring board) will not be considered part of a measuring board surface when determining a fish’s length.
  C. If a judge denies a Competitor’s photo after the end-of-competition, it may be automatically replaced by a previously submitted and auto-culled photo; however, no Competitor may submit a replacement photo after the end-of-competition time.
  D. In the event of a tie-in score, the tied competitors’ longest (highest-scored) fish are compared, and the tie breaks in favor of the competitor with the longest (highest-scoring) fish. If the longest fish are equal, the second-longest fish are compared and determine which competitor wins the tie. If the second-longest are identical, the process repeats for each remaining fish. If all of the tied competitors’ highest scoring fish are identical, the tie breaks in favor of the competitor whose last leaderboard photo was uploaded earliest.
  E. CAST judges apply the following scoring criteria to adjust measurements, approve or deny photos, and penalize photos by deducting points (length) or disqualifying a competitor.

  16. Photos • Digital photographs of each fish submitted to judges for scoring must meet these criteria:
  A. Unique – Each digital photo submitted in each Event must be of a different fish. The Judge will deny subsequent digital photos of the same fish submitted by the Competitor in an Event. Possession of multiple fish is not permitted. All fish must be caught, photographed, livestreamed, and released prior to resuming fishing for subsequent fish.
  B. Visible/Legible – Each photo must be in focus and clear enough for a judge to:
  • Verify the Official CAST Identifier Form and event ID code. The inability of the judge to verify will result in the denial of the photo submission.
  • Verify the fish’s condition. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
  • Verify the fish’s length or weight. The judge will score fish at the greatest length of which he or she is certain.
  • Verify whether the bass’ jaw or lip is in contact with the measuring board fence. The inability of the judge to verify will result in a minimum penalty of 1 inch and may result in denial of the photo submission at the judge’s discretion.
  • The entire fish, from its mouth/jaw to the end of its caudal (tail) fin must be visible in photos (Except where allowed to be covered by hand). In addition, at least one visible one-inch increment of the measuring board must be clearly visible to make an accurate length determination (Example. If the fish is 17.75 and the 17 is covered, the 18′ mark must be clearly visible). If either end of the fish is covered or cropped off, the photo may be denied at the judge’s discretion.
  C. Centered – Camera lens positioned directly over the center of the fish’s body, which contributes to accurate measurement by judges. Photos taken at a low angle to obscure an open mouth may be denied or penalized at the judge’s discretion.
  D. First-generation – Each digital photo must be a first-generation image (not a photo of or screenshot of another photo). Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
  E. Identifiable – Official CAST Identifier Form above, below, or beside the fish (not covering or laying on top of any portion of the fish, unless placed on the Competitor’s hand or arm).

  NOTE: Only the official CAST identifier is acceptable for photo submission. No hand-drawn images, codes written on hands, or forms from other series are permitted. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
  F. Background – Competitors’ watercraft must be clearly visible in all eligible photographs. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission. Watercraft must have been launched and underway to be eligible for submission. Kayak may not be in or on competitor’s vehicle or trailer while photos are taken.
  G. Hand Position – It is recommended to take the photo with hand as close to centered on the fish as possible. Hand placement must meet the following guidelines:
  1. No portion of the hand may enter the gill plate. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
  2. The competitor’s hand must be placed to provide a clear view of the fish’s eye. Obstruction or coverage of any portion of the fish’s eye will result in the denial of the photo submission. Hand must be placed forward of the Caudal peduncle (fleshy, scaled part of the bass’ body at the base of the caudal fin). Competitor’s hand may not contact any portion of the Caudal Peduncle past the back edge of the fish’s dorsal or anal fin. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission. (See Photo Submission Guidelines). NOTE: The photo below is for advisory purposes and indicates areas for competitors to avoid. Official scoring is based on Photo Submission Guidelines.
  

  H. Mouth
  1. Bass’ lip or jaw must be in contact with the measuring board fence (bump board, upright), and the fence must be visible in the photo. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
  2. In bass fishing competition, a closed mouth is required for uniformity of measurement and to validate contact with the measuring board fence. If a judge considers the mouth to be open (even if it is structurally unable to close) a one-half inch penalty will be assessed. In addition, if the mouth is opened excessively in an attempt to make the fish appear longer, the entire fish may be denied.
  NOTE: This determination will be made by the judge and will only be considered for review through submission of a formal dispute.
  I. Not “In-possession” In most states, though not all, unless a fish is secured by a restraint device or is placed in a holding container, state regulatory agencies do not consider it to be “in possession” by Competitors, so states’ minimum length regulations do not apply for photo submissions. However, if an event occurs in a state where photographing a fish constitutes “possession,” and a photo is submitted of a fish that does not comply with state size limits, the photo will be denied.
  Photos can be denied for the following reasons:
  • Blurry photo; completely unable to judge
  • Appears to be second-generation (e.g., screen shot, photo of photo)
  • EXIF data does not exist and/and other evidence substantiates photo taken outside of Eligible Water boundaries
  • EXIF data, other evidence substantiates photo was taken outside of competition hours
  • Multiple digital photos submitted of the same fish; unintentional violation
  • Multiple digital photos submitted of the same fish; evidence indicates intentionally (Ban from all future tournaments and CAST)
  • Competitor’s watercraft not visible in photo background
  • Entire fish not in picture
  • Fish positioned with right side of body toward camera; head pointing right and caudal fin left
  • Fish positioned with dorsal fins at bottom of photo, pelvic and anal fins upward
  • Identifier Card is lying on or covering any portion of the fish
  • Official identifier Card missing, counterfeit, or incorrect code for the event.
  • Secured by restraining device (e.g., stringer, tape, or clip attached to fish)
  • Photo violates state regulations regarding possession
  • Photo of any species or variety of fish other than that approved for the Competition
  • Photo Bass caudal (tail) fin tip fails to reach 12.00″ line on measuring board (If other species tournament the caudal fin tip fails to reach minimum on measuring board)
  • Any portion of a hand or fingers under the fish’s operculum (gill flap or cover )
  • Finger(s) or hand touching or covering bass’ from the lip to the back of the gill plate and forward of the caudal peduncle.
  • Entire caudal (tail) fin entirely lifted away and out of contact with the measuring board
  • Fish appears to have been snagged, snatched, or hooked in the body rather than mouth
  • Fish appears to be dead, mutilated, frozen, mangled, or otherwise damaged or appears to have been mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered to increase its length
  • Bass lip or jaw clearly not touching measuring board fence (upright end plate)
  • Unable to ascertain with certainty that bass lip or jaw is touching measuring board fence
  • Mouth open, even if it appears to be structurally unable to close completely.

  17. Measuring Boards • Acceptable measuring boards for all competitions are the aluminum Ketch Products Measuring Board, the Ketch Karbonate (plastic) and the Ketch X. Measuring boards may be shortened only by removing inches from the upper end (opposite the fence). For example, one may cut off the end of a measuring board at the 26-inch mark in order for it to fit crossways between a watercraft’s gunwales. However, it may not be broken, snapped, or cut apart and then reassembled at any point between the two ends. Violation will result, at minimum, in denial of the photo submission. A slight flex in a measuring board resulting from a fish’s weight is allowed; however, competitors are prohibited from deliberately flexing or deforming a measuring board by exerting pressure or reshaping it. Any modification of a measuring board that results in a misrepresentation of a fish’s actual length is grounds for a competitor’s disqualification from the event and may result in subsequent sanctions and penalties as described in Rule 1. A clean measuring device is expected to ensure we can give you a proper score. Competitors may share measuring boards.

  18. TIES • Ties will be broken first by total number of fish for the tournament. If a tie remains, it will be resolved by combining and dividing the awards equally among the tied contestants.

  19. TRUTH VERIFICATION TEST • Each contestant agrees to submit, by signature on the tournament entry form, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination and to abide by its conclusion. Failure to pass an examination will result in disqualification from the tournament or challenge. Truth verification tests will be used at CAST’s sole discretion, and the determination of the meaning of the results will be made solely by CAST.

  20. INSURANCE • Liability insurance with coverage in reasonable amounts is required of all boater contestants in CAST tournaments.

  21. TAXES • Competitors are responsible for all applicable taxes on both cash and merchandise awards. Failure to meet those obligations may result in disqualification from all future CAST competitions. In addition, all prize recipients must fill out and submit a substitute IRS Form W-9 including name, address, social security number, signature, and date. These are used to prepare IRS 1099 forms for distribution in January.

         22. Waiver & Release of Liability Agreement •

          Adult Registrants

        WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT READ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR COMPETITIVE EVENT OR CHALLENGE
         (Participants under 18 years of age, 19 in Alabama and Nebraska, are NOT eligible to compete in Cast Sponsored Tournaments or any Challenges on the platform)
         In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in CAST tournaments, Challenges, and its related competition and activities, I, the undersigned (or registrant), being at least 18 years of age or 19 if residing in Alabama or Nebraska, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:

• 
  1. I affirm that my participation in Cast Tournaments and/or Challenges is voluntary and declare that I am physically fit and capable to participate in such; and
  2. I acknowledge that fishing participation and competition involves certain inherent dangers, and hazards; that the risk of injury from the activities involved in this event is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, physical fitness, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,
  3. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IFARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,
  4. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary Terms and Conditions for If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and immediately bring such to the attention of CAST’s Staff, Officers, Tournament Directors, or contracted tournament management services.
  5. In full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and risks inherent in such activities, I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS Cast Fishing Tournaments and/or Challenges and its owners, officers, managers, officials, volunteer event staff, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, event service/management and technology providers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used for the activity (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Releases from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, for costs, loss, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or death, which may result from my participation in Cast Fishing Tournaments and/or Challenges and its owners, officers, managers, officials, volunteer event staff, agents and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, event service/management and technology providers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used for the activity (“Releasees”), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Releases from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, for costs, loss, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or death, which may result from my participation in Cast Fishing Tournaments and/or Challenges
  6. I give Cast Fishing Tournament and parties designated by Cast (Strategic Digital Solutions Corp.), including clients, licensees and purchasers, the right to use my name and any photograph and video of me for sale to any medium for purposes of advertising, trade, display, exhibition, social media, television, or editorial use. This release is granted without expectation for additional compensation upon submission of Event Registration.
  
  I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by acknowledging the waiver and release when registering for the event in Cast, and acknowledge freely and voluntarily without any inducement.