Distance Casting Tournament
All casters, from beginners to elites, are welcome.
Earn the mantle of the best distance caster in the State.
Sunday, August 23, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Kenai Sports Athletic Fields (13199 Kenai Spur Hwy, Kenai, AK 99611).
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Sinker Categories
1
Participants may throw sinkers ranging from 100 grams to 225 or 4 ounces to 8 ounces. Participants are to independently procure sinkers for their use.
Permitted line
2
Participants can use either monofilament or braided line. The minimum permitted line diameter for both lines is 0.25mm.
These line diameters approximately equate to 10lb breaking test strength for monofilament and 30lb breaking test strength for braid.
Lines will be measured by tournament officials via micrometers.
Shockleader
3
Shockleaders are mandatory.
If using a monofilament shockleader, participants must use a minimum line diameter of 0.65mm, which approximately equates to 60lb test breaking strain.
If using a braided shockleader, participants must use a minimum line diameter of 0.38 mm, which approximately equates to 80lb test breaking strain.
The shockleader must be wound around your spool for a minimum of eight wraps.
Tapered monofilament shockleaders are permitted.
Permitted Rods and Reels
4
There are no limitations on the types of reels that may be used, as long as they can be fished with.
Any rod may be used as long as it has a minimum of 3 eyelets, not including the tip ring.
Line snap/crack-offs
12
A crack-off, where a casters line snaps or knot slips, and the lead breaks off, will count as a cast. For this reason, it is highly recommended that casters test their setups in advance of the tournament and check/redo their knots between rounds.
Casting Classes
5
In the interest of maintaining a competitive environment for all, no matter their skill level, casters shall be divided into one of the following groups:
1) Junior Class — age 16 and under
2) C Class — 1 to 300 feet
3) B Class — 301 to 450 feet
4) A Class — 451 feet +
5) Senior Class — age 60 and over.
6) Women’s Class — female participants.
Prior to or on the day of the tournament, casters shall declare to tournament officials their age/estimated best cast, following which officials shall assign casters to the appropriate class.
If a participant records a cast exceeding the maximum range of their assigned class at any point during the tournament, they shall be reassigned to the class corresponding to that distance.
Safety
13
Ensure that your drag is set to its maximum setting prior to casting.
No horseplay near the oche.
Frequently check your shock leader for nicks or other damage, as well as knot integrity.
Make sure an area of 50’ in all directions from yourself is clear before beginning the cast.
Make sure the “powerstroke area” is completely clear. This means, if you are a right handed caster looking downfield from the oche, there should be no people or property 90 degrees to your right, as sometimes a sinker can break off early and fly in that direction once power is introduced to the cast. If you are a left handed caster, make sure your left is clear.
For safety reasons, the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the tournament is prohibited. Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs may result in disqualification and/or expulsion from the event.
General Etiquette
14
Participants shall refrain from unusually loud noise during a cast. Try to refrain from cheering or yelling until the caster’s sinker has landed.
Once the casting order is announced, be prepared to cast immediately following the caster before you. Event officials reserve the right to skip a caster, who loses their turn for that round, if they are extraordinarily slow to approach the oche. If the delay is due to a short-term equipment malfunction, a caster should alert the official, who may allow them to cast later in that round.
Participants may share rods, reels, and other equipment during the tournament. However, each cast must be made individually, and no assistance may be provided during the execution of a cast.
Line Diameter Checks
11
All competitors must check in with a tournament official prior to the start of the tournament. At this stage, an official will check the diameter of both the running line and the shockleader line to ensure it complies with tournament regulations. Failure to meet minimum line thickness standards will result in a participant being deemed ineligible to compete.
Line diameter checks will be conducted at random through the course of the tournament.
All participants that place highly will have line diameters re-checked before being awarded prizes.
Tournament Format
6
Casters can elect to throw any of the permitted sinker weights.
The order of casting in each round shall begin with the Junior class and end with the A class.
In each round, a caster will line up behind a board or marker (the oche) and cast. Stepping over or touching the oche during a cast results in a foul and will be recorded as a cast with zero distance.
Upon completion of a cast, a caster shall reel in all slack line and set their rod in an area designated by tournament officials.
Once all participants have casted, they shall, beginning with the one to cast last, followed by all others in reverse order of casting, walk to where their sinker landed, winding their line as they go, and plant a flag that contains their name and sinker weight in the indentation created by their sinker. They will then return to the area behind the oche promptly.
Casters need only move their flags if they believe they have casted further in subsequent rounds.
Tournament officials will quantify results at the end of all casting. No one, aside from tournament officials, are allowed on the casting court during this time.
Each caster’s longest valid cast will be recorded. Final standing will be determined by this recorded cast.
The Casting Court
9
The bounds within which casts must occur is a 30 degree ‘V’ shaped court. Any changes to the dimensions of the court are at the tournament officials’ discretion.
Any cast landing outside the designated casting court will be recorded as a cast with zero distance.
Casting Technique
10
All casting shall be executed with both hands. Any safe style is permissible. In making a cast it shall not be permitted to use a power stroke of more than 360 degrees from the target or any cast that in the opinion of the event officials is deemed dangerous.
Prize Distribution
16
The following participants shall be eligible for prizes:
1) The top three casters of the tournament
2) The top caster of the Junior, Senior, and Women’s classes.
In the event that one of the top three casters of the tournament is also a winner of a Junior, Senior, or Women’s class, they shall remain limited to one prize.
Further prizes may be awarded to participants at the discretion of the tournament officials
Tournament Official’s Authority
17
All decisions made by tournament officials are final. Officials reserve the right to amend, relax, or create rules at their discretion.
Bad Weather/Conditions Policy
18
Tournament officials reserve the right to pause, delay, modify, or postpone the event due to unsafe weather or field conditions.
Waiver of Liability
19
All participants must sign a liability waiver prior to competing. Participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign on their behalf. Failure to do so will result in ineligibility to compete.
Rig Clips and Flags
8
Finger/Thumb Guards
7
All casters must utilize some manner of casting glove, finger stall, thumbie, or grip tape. Casters without finger or thumb protection will not be permitted to cast. Although it is recommended you bring your own protection, tape may be available with tournament officials.
Casting cannons/bionic fingers are acceptable means of finger protection and can be used.
All sinkers must be appended to a caster’s shockleader through the use of a rig clip. These shall be provided to all casters by tournament officials.
Flags with which casters are to mark their casts shall also be provided by tournament officials.