Below are the procedures for the June 16 and 17, 2016, Lake Champlain Team Tournament. Please read these instructions carefully. If you have any questions, please contact either Tournament Director Dan Goykhman at 973-517-6325 or Secretary Nick Angiulo at 609-598-1512. It is suggested that anglers print a copy of these instructions/procedures out and keep them with them on the water.
Preliminary Information
1. All Boaters must have a copy of their current boat insurance documentation with them at all times. Random spot checks of boat insurance may be performed.
2. Boater safety cards are required to operate the boat in any manner (including the trolling motor). Random spot checks of boater safety cards may be performed.
3. All anglers must have an appropriate fishing license. Either a New York or Vermont license is accepted. A New York license covers all of the lake except for certain northern Vermont areas and any Vermont creeks. A Vermont license covers the entire lake except for South Bay. Random spot checks of fishing licenses may be performed.
4. Co-Anglers need to provide their own personal flotation devices.
5. Co-Anglers are expected to share expenses with Boaters on the tournament days.
6. This is not a Pro-Am style event. Co-Anglers are entitled to one-half of the fishing day in locations of their choosing. Additionally, Co-Anglers with boater safety cards are entitled to, if they wish, operate the boat while fishing for one-half of the fishing day. It is recommended that Boaters and Co-Anglers discuss these arrangements before the beginning of the tournament day.
7. The preliminary pairings for both Day 1 and Day 2 will be posted on the website at least one week prior to the event. These are subject to change. Anglers are encouraged to review the pairings and ensure that the cell phone number listed is current. If not, they should contact Secretary Nick Angiulo immediately and update the number.
8. Anglers who are required to change their category (Boater/Co-Angler) between Day 1 and Day 2 of the event, will remain in their original category for purposes of qualifying for the National Semi- Final. For example, a Boater on Day 1 has boat issues and must fish as a co-angler on Day 2. He will be considered a Boater in the event and can qualify for the National Semi-Final only in the Boater Division.
9. All anglers must cease any and all pre-fishing for this event no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Any angler violating this provision will be summarily disqualified from the event.
10. A Captain’s meeting will be held at the Ticonderoga Ramp at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. The only issue that the Captains need to report is whether there are any last minute changes. If there are no changes, the Captain’s need not appear at this meeting. Also, any Captain who is aware of any changes at any time prior to that meeting is advised to immediately contact Tournament Director Dan Goykhman and communicate the change.
11. The tournament briefing meeting will be held promptly at 4:00 p.m. at the Ticonderoga Ramp at on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. All anglers must attend. The final pairings will be available at that time.
Pre-Event Morning Procedures
1. For this event, the boat check will be held prior to launching your boat at the Ticonderoga Ramp. Boat check will begin promptly at 4:30 a.m. Tournament boat check staff will be checking your boat while you are in line waiting to launch. Do not launch your boat without checking in. At the boat check, please have your navigation lights in and on and your live wells open. You will receive your tournament boat number fob at that time. If you are arriving to the ramp by water, you must locate a tournament official to receive your fob and have him check your boat.
2. Once you are through boat check, launch your boat as soon as possible. If possible, please make sure that you have arranged with your Co-Angler where he is to meet you (either before launching or after). Anglers are encouraged to contact one another to coordinate these details.
3. Once you and your Co-Angler are in your boat, please take your boat away from the docks and remain in the area until the beginning of the event. We plan to promptly begin the event no later than 6:00 a.m. (earlier if ready) and will be giving final on the water instructions just prior to that time. The launch boat will be the final boat in the third flight each day.
4. Boaters will retain their boat number each day but will be assigned different Co-Anglers. For your information, this event will be run in three flights, as follows:
Day 1: Boats 1 through 18 – First Flight – due back by 3:00 p.m.; Boats 19 through 36 – Second Flight – due back by 3:20 p.m.; Boats 37 through 53 (or last boat) – Third Flight – due back by 3:40 p.m. Day 2: Boats 53 (or last boat) through 37 – First Flight – due back by 3:00 p.m.; Boats 36 through 19 – Second Flight – due back by 3:20 p.m.; Boats 18 through 1 – Third Flight – due back by 3:40 p.m.
NOTE: Tournament staff boats (no boat number assigned) will be launched in the First Flight each day after the second boat of the First Flight is launched since they are required to return to prepare for the weigh-in each day no later than 2:45 pm.
Afternoon Check-In Procedures
1. All boats must check in with the check-in boat prior to the time they are due back in and return the number fob to that boat. Failure to check in or return the fob is cause for the both the Boater and Co-Angler’s weight to be disqualified for that day. The afternoon check-in boat for each day will be communicated to the participants at the tournament briefing meeting. That boat should be located, starting at 2:45 p.m., just inside the no wake buoy in front of the ramp. If you return earlier than that time, you still must go back and check in and return your fob to the check-in boat prior to your check-in time.
2. Once you are checked in, please pull your boat. This will be a trailered weigh in. For those who arrived to the event by water, once checked in, tie your boat up to the docks and proceed to the weigh-in.
Weigh-In Procedures
1. The weigh-in will begin at 3:15 p.m. (or earlier if staff is ready). If you are in the first flight, after you have checked in and trailered your boat, please come up to the trailer area where you will be able to take weigh in bags back to your boats. If no bags are available, please form a bag line (you will be instructed where to do so by tournament staff). You may bring fish, with sufficient water, to the weigh-in tanks prior to 3:15 p.m., but please do not attempt to weigh in any fish prior to 3:15 p.m. unless instructed to do so by tournament staff.
2. Please try to keep your fish in good condition and in water at all times except for when weighing in.
After Weigh-In Procedures
1. After weighing in on Day 1, anglers are free to leave. Any boat or other issues should be communicated to the Tournament Director prior to leaving. Any changes to the pairings that result will be communicated directed to those involved by the Tournament Director later that day.
2. At the conclusion of the weigh-in on Day 2, we will be awarding cash prizes to the top 8 anglers in the event, naming the 12 qualifiers for the TBF National Semi-Final (6 Boaters/6 Co-Anglers) and awarding cash prizes to the top 5 finishing Teams. Anglers/Teams are encouraged to stay for these presentations and for pictures at the conclusion of the awards presentation.
Miscellaneous Notes
1. Please remember, there is a five-fish limit per day in this event and all bass must be a minimum of 12 inches long. Additionally, proper fish care is essential. Please use appropriate additives and/or ice to maintain your catch. No dead fish may be culled. Please make sure to release your fish in a manner to lessen the chance of delayed mortality. The off limits area will be communicated to anglers at the event but should not be significantly different from previous events at this venue.
2. Vermont State law prohibits the use of lead weights weighing ½ ounce or less unless attached to a hook (such as a jighead, spinnerbait head, etc.) that is at least one-inch long. If you receive a citation for violating this or any other provision of New York of Vermont State law, your weight for that day will be disallowed.
3. The use of umbrella/Alabama-type rigs will not be permitted in this event.
4. Some clubs may be assigned to assist with pre-tournament, weigh-in and post-tournament tasks to assist the staff. Clubs will be picked for such assignments at the tournament pairings meeting. If a club is assigned a task and does not complete it, it may be subject to disqualification. However, any individuals wishing to assist tournament staff with anything on the tournament days are encouraged and welcome to do so. Please contact Dan or Nick as soon as possible if you are willing to help.
5. Anyone taking pictures at the event, please feel free to forward them to Nick Angiulo at nickangiulo@verizon.net for inclusion on the website and Facebook site.
