All rules are to provide a fair and equal playing field for all competitors and are based on a (2) man team. Three person teams will be restricted to the same limits as a (2) person team. All state, local and Federal laws will take precedent over Monster Cat Challenge Tournament Rules.

 

1. In case of extreme water/weather conditions, Monster Cat Challenge reserves the right to postpone, reschedule, or cancel this event with the return of entry fees by mail.
2. Refunds shall only be made in a life-threatening emergency or death in the family.
3. Teams must comply with state, local, and federal fishing and boating regulations, including the use of PFD's and kill switches. Fishing and boating licenses are the responsibility of team members.
4. No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances are allowed on board or used during tournament hours.
5. This is a team event. The team may consist of up to three persons.
6. Late registration will be held the day before competition at Island Creek Marina 8801 US Route 52 Manchester, Ohio 45144 from 5-6 pm. Captains' Meeting will follow at 6 pm. Captains meeting will also be streamed live on the events Facebook page. Each team must have a registered angler present or viewing the live stream if viewing live a team angler must comment team name in comment section. An emergency failure to appear to captains meeting will be reviewed by Tournament Director on an individual basis. Anglers must pre-register for this event. event is capped at the first 150 teams to register .
7. All live wells should employ electric fresh water circulation pump and include proper aeration. Oxygen use is encouraged but not mandatory. Tournament Director will have final say if the live well is adequate for the event.
8. There will be no meeting or late registration the morning of the event.
9. Fishing hours for events shall be 7:00 am until 3:00 pm unless changed at the captains meeting.
10. Trailering will be allowed to Shawnee Marina, Brush Creek Marina, Aberdeen Park and Eagle Creek Marina. Any and all ramp fees are the responsibility of the anglers. Teams may launch no earlier then 6am but may not have lines in the water till 7am.
11. Weigh in will start at 3:00pm all anglers must be in weigh-in line by 4:00 pm - No exceptions.
12. Ten (10) rods maximum in use by the team unless anglers licensing state is less must have Ohio or Kentucky license.
13. Fish may be weighed in early if the team is concerned about its condition by contacting the tournament director 937-217-9924 any fish weighed early will count toward 3 fish limit.
14. Teams must compete from a boat and remain in the boat during competition. If an angler needs to exit the boat for any reason team must contact the tournament director 937-217-9924, all fishing must stop until all anglers are back in the boat. All team members must stay together through the entirety of the event.
15. Fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump or within 50 yards of a competitor's boat that is considered fishing is prohibited. Fishing is defined as an anchor rope or fishing lines in the water.
16. All fish must be caught by rod and reel only. No catfish may be taken from a hoop net, box, trot, jug, limb line or baited water of any kind.
17. Any legal commercial or natural bait will be allowed. No fishing known chum holes.
18. 3 fish limit per team. Length limits are determined by Ohio state law. All fish to be weighed in must be alive. If there are more than 3 fish in live well, it will result in disqualification.
19. Blue Cat, Channel Cat and Flathead Cat may be weighed in.
20. Ties will be decided by the team with the largest fish. If both teams largest fish was not documented, a coin flip will break the tie.
21. If there are any dead fish brought to the weigh-in line it will result in disqualification. It is the discretion of the tournament director to deem a fish deceased.
22. Handling fish with care is a priority. Dropping fish is discouraged and playing fish into totes must be completed with care. No throwing or mishandling will be tolerated.
23. The use or display of any tobacco products on stage or during awards ceremony is prohibited.
24. Anglers cannot be on any water after 5pm the day of the captains meeting, this is to include any type of fishing on any water. (Have all bait caught prior to 5pm day of Capt. meeting.)
25. Any protest must be made in writing to a tournament director within 15 minutes following the end of the official weigh-in. A protest must state the rule number broken. All evidence must come directly from protestor (NO HEARSAY).
26. Any team having a member who fails or refuses to take a polygraph test or whose condition does not permit administration of a test because of contestant's use of alcohol or drugs will be disqualified and that team will not be allowed to participate in any future Monster Cat Challenge events.
27. Unsportsmanlike conduct at the event or on any social media platform during or after the event may be grounds for disqualification if circumstances require. Decision of tournament director will be final.
28. Live well check will be done the morning of event at each public landing listed teams must check in the morning of the event at Island Creek Marina 8801 US Route 52 Manchester, Ohio 45144 starting at 5am
29. Tournament Director has final say on all rules and or rule amendments.
30. No Information may be purchased, bartered or solicited from any person who entered official tournament waters two weeks prior to the Tournament.