Distance Casting Tournament
All casters, from beginners to elites, are welcome. Same field, same day, same conditions.
Earn the mantle of the best distance caster in the State.
Sunday, May 3, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Kenai Sports Athletic Field.
Limited to 40 participants.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Sinker Categories
1
There will be two sinker weights that competitors must cast. The first is a 6 ounce/175 gram sinker and the second is an 8 ounce/225 gram sinker.
Permitted line
2
Participants can use either monofilament or braided line. The minimum permitted line diameter for monofilament is 0.35mm. The minimum permitted line diameter for braided line is 0.24mm.
These line diameters approximately equate to 15lb 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 0.75mm, which approximately equates to 70lb test breaking strain.
If using a braided shockleader, participants must use a minimum line diameter of 0.42 mm, which approximately equates to 90lb 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.
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
To compete for standing and prizes, each caster must participate in both sinker weight casting categories.
The 6 ounce/175 gram category will take place first, followed by the 8 ounce/225 gram category.
There will be three rounds of casting in each category. Each caster is permitted only one cast per round.
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 five 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. This shall be repeated until all participants have casted.
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 three rounds in each casting category, respectively. No one, aside from tournament officials, are allowed on the casting court during this time.
Each caster’s longest valid cast in the 6 ounce category and 8 ounce category will be recorded. Final standings shall be determined by the combined total of those two distances.
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 B, C, Junior, and Senior classes.
Further prizes may be awarded to participants at the discretion of the tournament officials and the tournament sponsors.
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.
Use and Sharing of Equipment
15
Prize List
We’re just going to let these speak for themselves. And these are only the ones confirmed so far. There’ll be more.
Custom Built CTS 1306
This is one of the finest surf fishing rods you’ll ever use.
13 foot, rated 8-14 ounces, rung for a spinning reel. Custom built by exemplary rod builder, Nick Walke, of Nick’s Custom Rods.
It doesn’t get more top-of-the-line than this.
Universal CCP 6-10
A hatteras heaver, second to none, manufactured by Tommy Farmer, a US distance casting legend.
13 foot, rated 6-10 ounces plus bait, built to a universal configuration catering to both spinning and casting reels. Did I mention Fuji guides?
Casts over 700 feet in the right hands.
A rod that does everything right.
Penn Spinfisher 7500 Long Cast
If you could only have one premium surf reel, this is the one you want. Built to Penn’s impeccable standards, featuring IPX5 sealing, CNC gearing, a long cast spool, and an exceptional slow oscillation line lay system.
Might just be the perfect surf reel.
Fish Strike Rod Holders
Quintessential purpose built rod holders for Alaskan beaches. Features two separate sections: a spike that can be hammered deep into the ground and a holder that mates with the spike and holds your rod high and proud.
Won’t rust. Won’t bend. No compromise on quality.
Okuma Flite Surf Reel
Okuma’s top of the line surf reel. Big pit spool. Slow oscillation. Line capacity for days. This is some good kit.
Complete Penn and Shimano Setup
A 12 foot Penn Prevail, 4-8 ounce rod, mated to a Shimano Speedmaster 14000, already spooled up with 50lb test braid. A great setup that deserves a good home.
Our Sponsors
The line-up of prizes we have for this tournament is, by any measure, exceptional. For that, we have our sponsors to thank, each more generous than the last. The surf fishing community is special and our sponsors prove that. It can’t be said enough—thank you for making this happen.
