American Striper Association

All fish caught in a tournament and presented to the official weigh master by the pre-determined time will be weighed. Winners will be determined by weight - the heaviest two fish aggregate wins. This will be a team competition in which each team captain receives one (1) point per pound for the two largest striped bass weighed-in during the tournament. ASA must have registration numbers, make, model, and power and boat name of team boat.

To be eligible to win the grand prize (such as a boat or guaranteed monetary payout) the captain or alternate captain and all team members on the boat must be ASA members in good standing. If these requirements are not met, prizes and/or payouts will be based upon entries. Payouts will be at least 10 places unless otherwise stated at the Captain’s Meeting.
In 2008, the ASA will also have an extra payout for boats 26 feet and under. To be eligible for the 26 and under payouts, all boat captains and crew must be ASA members with two or less years of membership.

1. There are Eight Tournaments for 2008. Angler of the Year will be based on these eight tournaments unless the ASA determines it is in the best interest to add or delete tournaments during the year.
2. The Boat with the heaviest ten (10) fish at the end of the 2008 tournament season will win the Angler of the Year title.
3. To be eligible for any prizes ALL team members must be ASA Competition Members
4. Boat teams may fish in as many tournaments as desired.
5. Captain or alternate captain of team must be ASA Competition Member and must be on board to receive points. Team members are not required to be on the boat at all times. This is a boat competition with the team captain receiving points and anglers receiving credit for signing up.
6. Team must declare an alternate captain before season starts.
7. It is the responsibility of a member of each boat competing to fill out the registration form located at the ASA booth or trailer prior to fishing each event. Failure to register makes the boat ineligible for points and credit for that event.

WHO CAN BE A CAPTAIN?

Members who register as captain or alternate-captain must be at least 16 years of age and must have had their sixteenth birthday prior to January 1st 2008.

The ASA will crown a "Top Angler of the Year", a title that distinguishes an angler or team as being the best in the country. Boats will have the option of keeping 10 total fish to count towards the Angler of the Year standings. Should a team fish all ASA tournaments during the season and catch the maximum number of fish available during these tournaments (16), the ten (10) heaviest fish will count toward the Angler of the Year standings. Anyone on board the team boat may catch the fish however everyone on board must be an ASA competition member for the fish to count. The points (one point per pound) will go to the boat with the captain receiving the award with recognition to his teammates.

LADY ANGLER DIVISION – TOP LADY ANGLER

1. This award will go to the lady angler who catches the heaviest six (6) fish “aggregate” weight on the ASA Tournament Trail.
2. Each Lady Angler must be aboard the boat to receive her points and must be an ASA Competition Member. All points earned will be with the same captain and same boat.
3. The overall Top Lady Angler will be determined by the highest six (6) fish total weight caught. Should the Lady Angler participate in more than three tournaments and have more than 6 fish credited to her, the top 6 fish will count for her Lady Angler of the Year total. Lady Angler prizes are for ladies 16 years of age and older. Her 16th birthday must fall prior to January 1stst, 2008. The lady does not need to catch her fish, just be a part of the team. She will be declared Top Lady Angler of the Year and she will receive a minimum prize valued at $1,500.

1. These awards will go to the Junior Angler who catches the heaviest six (6) fish during the 2008 ASA tournament season. Should the Jr. Angler have more than 6 fish during the season, only the 6 heaviest fish will count towards the Jr. Angler of the Year Title.
2. A Junior Angler must be aboard the boat to receive points and must be an ASA competition member. All points earned will be with the same captain and same boat.
3. The Junior Angler does not need to catch the fish, just be a part of the team.
4. A Junior Anglers 16th birthday must not fall prior to January 1, 2008 to be eligible for the Junior Angler of the Year.
5. The Top Junior Angler for the Year will win an award valued at $1,500.

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES

It is the responsibility of all ASA members to familiarize themselves with all the rules and regulations of this association and when joining said association agree to abide by said rules and regulations. Members also agree by joining said association, that all decisions of the Board of Trustees and/or management are final.

RESPONSIBILITY OF MEMBERS

By registering as a member of the American Striper Association, Inc., the member consents to the use without payment or restrictions, of any photographs and his or her name in which the member, his crew, and/or boat appears for any purpose whatsoever. The member further releases the American Striper Association, Inc., its officers, directors, board of trustees members, committee members, plus sponsors from any liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, injury, and/or death suffered by any member, family, crew boat and/or other persons which may occur during the term of membership.

DISQUALIFICATION

Any angler being disqualified from a tournament because of a rule violation, regardless of the severity of the violation, will not receive points for the tournament and may have his or her membership privileges revoked and will not be allowed to fish any ASA event. If membership privileges are revoked, it will disqualify you from winning any prizes for the season including those you may have qualified for prior to your infraction. ASA members agree to abide by tournament rules and decisions of all tournament rules committee when joining the American Striper Association. The ASA has the right to refuse association membership to any person or persons.

TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION

Any member issuing a worthless check or a credit card that does not clear made out to the tournament, ASA, or cash, will have his or her points frozen until the matter is resolved. If practice persists, ASA will automatically suspend privileges. Remember captains are responsible for their crews and/or teammates.

HOW YOU GET POINTS

Members who have pre-registered at the event or prescribed registration area, will receive one point per pound for the aggregate weight of the two largest striped bass caught on the boat that he or she was fishing on in any ASA event. All members fishing on the same boat will receive identical points for said largest striped bass.

BOAT SUBSTITUTION

You may not use a substitute boat that is already receiving points on the ASA tournament trail. If you start a tournament in your registered boat and have a breakdown, you will be allowed to switch boats for the remainder of that event providing that you notify the ASA representative of your actions. (Limit one breakdown per season). If your boat breaks down before an event you will be allowed only one boat substitution per season. Exception: In the event your boat cannot be repaired because of circumstances beyond your control you must get special approval from the ASA director to change boats beyond one event. (Example: You blow a motor and parts are unavailable). Usually proof of problem will have to be verified. If you purchase a boat during the season, you will be allowed to move points from your old boat to the new boat. An exemption is given to a licensed boat dealer sponsoring a company owned demonstrator. Boat Dealers and Manufactures can switch sponsored boats more than one time per year. The name given the boat at the start of the season must remain the same. Remember this is a team and machine contest. Your boats efficiency is equally important as your fishing skills.

TACKLE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Only Striped Bass/Rockfish (Morone Saxatillis) to Apply

A. Line
1. Monofilament, braided, lead core, and wire lines may be used.

B. Leader
1. The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel or other device.
2. Holding or entangling devices are prohibited.
3. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader.

C. Rods
1. Rods must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Considerable latitude is allowed in the choice of a rod, but rods giving the angler an unfair advantage will be disqualified. This rule is intended to eliminate the use of unconventional rods.
2. The rod tip must be a minimum of 40 inches (101.6 cm) in length. The rod butt cannot exceed 27 inches (68.58 cm) in length. These measurements must be made from a point directly beneath the center of the reel. A curved butt is measured in a straight line. (The above measurements do not apply to surf casting rods.)

D. Reels
1. Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs.
2. Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage. Special compensation for physically impaired persons will be given upon request.
3. Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.
4. Reels designed to be cranked with both hands at the same time are prohibited.
5. Dummy Lines or Hand Lines are note permitted.

E. Hooks and Lures
1. When using an artificial trolling lure with a skirt or trailing material, no more than two single hooks may be attached to the line, leader, or trace. The hooks need not be attached separately. The eye of the hooks must be no less than an overall hook's length (the overall length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 12 inches (30.48 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. The trailing hook may not extend more than a hook's length beyond the skirt of the lure.
2. Gang or treble hooks are permitted when attached to plugs and other artificial lures that are specifically designed for this use. Gang hooks must be free swinging and shall be limited to a maximum of three hooks (either single, double, or treble, or a combination of any three). Treble hooks are allowed as long as the hook is imbedded in the baitfish. Teasers such as jig heads with skirts may be used in front of live bait rigs or attached to the front of an eel. If they have a hook attached the hook must be imbedded in the baitfish.
3. Spreader bars and multiple jigs are allowed as long as they conform to state requirements.
4. All State and Local Regulations apply where applicable.

F. Other Equipment
1. Fighting chairs may not have any mechanically propelled devices that aid the angler when fighting a fish.
2. Nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed eight (8) feet in overall length.
3. Floats are prohibited with the exception of any flotation device attached to the fishing line or leader for the sole purpose of regulating the depth of the bait. The flotation device must not in any way hamper the fighting ability of the fish.
4. Entangling devices, either with or without a hook attached are prohibited and may not be used for any purpose include baiting, hooking, fighting, or landing the fish.
5. Outrigger, downriggers, and kites are permitted to be used provided that the actual fishing line is attached with a snap or release device, either directly or with some other material. The leader or double line may not be connected to the release mechanism either directly or with the use of a connecting device.
6. A safety line may be attached to the rod provided it does not in any way assist the angler in fighting the fish.

G. Angling Regulations
1. A harness may be attached to the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the angler.
2. Use of a rod belt or waist gimbal is permitted.
3. When angling from a boat, once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader.
4. One or more netters may be used in addition to persons holding the leader.
5. The angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is weighed.

Any of the following will disqualify a catch:
1. Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.
2. Handling or using a handle or rope attached in any manner to the angler's line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
3. Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish at any stage of the catch.
4. Chumming with or using the flesh, blood, skin, or any part of mammals other than hair or pork rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting.
5. Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.
6. Changing the rod or reel while the fish is being played.
7. Splicing, removing, or adding to the line while the fish is being played.
8. Intentionally foul hooking a fish.
9. Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to possess.
10. Attaching the angler's line or leader to part of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
11. If a fish escapes before netting and is recaptured by any method other than other than outlined in the angling rules.
12. Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not disqualifying injuries.)
13. If a qualifying fish is found to have any foreign weight (i.e. Sinker, heavy tackle etc.) it will result in immediate disqualification.
14. Use of bait that is not accepted or endorsed by sport fishing regulators will result in disqualification (even if the bait in question is legal for use by commercial fisherman)

GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Captain's and their crews are responsible for following all local, state, and federal fishing and boating laws during tournament hours. Any violation of these laws will disqualify your catch for the day of the violation.
2. Any Striped Bass/Rockfish caught and presented at a tournament scale for tournament participation must be fit for human consumption. Please ice your fish properly. (Use of Fish Bags is Recommend)
3. If the tournament does not collect your catch, you are responsible for disposing of same properly.
4. In the event of identical weights, the first fish weighed shall be declared the winner.
5. After checkout, two or more boats congregating (close enough to pass fish) or touch land or a dock other than the weigh-in dock will be disqualified from tournament competition. The only exception is in the case of a life-threatening emergency.
6. ASA officials and/or tournament representatives reserve the right to inspect all boats entered in competition at any time.
7. All protests concerning the determination of the tournament winners shall be made to the tournament rules committee in writing, and shall be accompanied by a $300 cash deposit. All protests must be made no later than 30 minutes after the last fish has been weighed by the person witnessing the infraction. If the protest is upheld, the $300 will be returned: otherwise, the $300 cash deposit becomes the property of the tournament.
8. Any Tournament sponsor, ASA executive or their employees entering the tournament in compliance with the tournament rules are eligible for any and all prizes.
9. Winning anglers may be requested to submit to and successfully pass a polygraph test and/or sign an affidavit prior to being presented any prize. This must be done in a timely fashion. Failure to submit to the test automatically revokes all claims to any prizes won.
10. All Hooks must be removed from all fish prior to bring fish to the scale.
11. No fish less than 28" fork length will be accepted. In some cases slot limits will be enforced or minimum size requirements will change based on local and state mandates.
12. All ASA potential record Striped Bass caught in tournament competition must be caught by a single angler, who must be an ASA competition member. The competitor must strike, play, and bring the striper to within netting range on his or her own accord. No other person on the boat may touch the rod, reel or line at any time once the fish has struck the bait.
In order for the fish to count as a new record:
a) the fish must be weighed on an ASA certified scale.
b) The fish must exceed the old record by .30 (3 tenths of a pound).
c) There must be a least one other person on the boat to certify that all rules where adhered too.
d) Two members on the boat including the angler must, if requested, submit to and pass a polygraph test if prizes are given for this award.
13. All boats must have an operational 25 Watt VHF radio on board.
14. All boats are responsible for getting their fish to the weigh station under their own power and on the boat that caught the fish.
15. Participants in tournaments should scan channel 16 along with the tournament channel to keep abreast of any marine warnings issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Weather warnings should be heeded and captains should seek safe port.
16. Payment of the entry fee into a tournament constitutes a representation by each entrant that he or she has read and understands the tournament rules and will abide by such rules and that the decisions of the tournament's committees and personnel.
17. All tournaments are captain's choice tournaments; it is up to the participating captain to determine whether his or her craft is sea-worthy for existing sea conditions. The ASA may cancel a fishing day if sea conditions are not safe or if Small Craft Warnings have been posted by the Coast Guard. The captain is responsible for the safety of all members of his crew both on and off the ocean.
18. Eligible Fish Species: Striped Bass/Rockfish
19. Captains Meetings: Usually on Friday Evening: Registration 6 PM to 8 PM.
20. Awards: Approximately 2 hours after the last fish is weighed on Saturday afternoon.
21. In the interest of junior and/or lady anglers and to encourage more family participation, any person on the boat may pick up the rod and strike the fish, and then the rod can be passed to another angler. During the actual fight the rod can be passed again. Be sure to read rule II as it differs from this rule as it applies to records fish.
22. Refunds: In the event of a natural disaster or act of God cancels a tournament, every effort will be made to re-schedule. If that is not possible - 70% of all tournament fees and 100% of all Calcutta's will be returned.
23. Fishing Hours: Boats will have to leave from designated check out, normally the location port where the weigh-in occurs. At tournament with a timed check out, a boat missing the check out will be fined 2 pounds from the total of the fish weighted that day. Lines In: 7 AM on Saturday. Scales open at 3PM on Saturday. All ASA tournaments are time events. All boats must return on their own power and be passed an assigned check point by 5 PM. A tournament official must be able to see your boat by the cutoff time. (You may be asked to call in your boat number once you are in line to weigh in.) Boats will be asked to line up in single file. As each boat comes to the dock, their fish must be ready to be unloaded. All members of the team will gather together on the boat for photo opportunities, and then one member of the team will take the fish to the scale. The boat will then move away from the dock and pick up his crew member after their fish is weighted at a designated pick-up point which will be announced at the captain's meeting.
24. Sunday will be used as the weather day. Fishing hours may be shortened should the tournament be moved to Sunday.
25. The Largest aggregate of two fish by weight wins.
26. In the event of a breakdown, boats may be substituted only after consulting with a tournament/ASA official.
27. See ASA angling rules for proper equipment, ASA general membership Rules and Code of Conduct also applies.
28. Each boat is allowed to weigh only TWO fish the day of the tournament.
29. Additional rules and/or regulations shall be clarified at the captains meeting.
30. Any prize winner or winners must be prepared to submit and pass a polygraph test prior to receiving any prizes. The results of the test will be final. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of any prizes or awards.
31. ASA Members are allowed to change boats one time per year. All points earned from the previous boat will transfer to the new boat. The boat you finish the season with will be the named boat for any winnings. (Refer to boat substitutions)
32. ASA reserves the right to refuse association membership and tournament participation to any person.
33. ASA officials reserve the right to make changes to the rules and regulations at their discretion. Verify the final rules at each events captains meeting.