THE YAK GROUP

Tournament Rules & Regulations

Applicable to SCYAK and GeorgiaYAK Events

PLEASE READ THESE RULES BEFORE REGISTERING OR COMPETING. ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE THE EVENT BEGINS.

These rules establish the general competition, safety, scoring, conduct, and participation requirements for events operated by The YAK Group and its affiliated chapters, including SCYAK and GeorgiaYAK.

Event-specific information—including eligible water, fishing times, entry fees, fish limits, off-limits areas, special formats, payout structure, and submission deadlines—will be published on the official Event registration page.

1. RULE PRIORITY AND ACCEPTANCE

By registering for or participating in an Event, each competitor agrees to follow:

1. Applicable federal, state, and local law.

2. Rules and restrictions imposed by the body of water, property owner, managing agency, or governmental authority.

3. Event-specific rules published on the official registration page.

4. These Tournament Rules & Regulations.

5. Lawful instructions issued by the Event Director.

Applicable law always controls. Event-specific rules control over these general rules when a difference is clearly stated.

Scoring-platform settings do not override these rules. Social-media posts do not modify official rules unless the change is also posted through the official Event page, website, email, or participant notification system.

The Event Director may issue an immediate safety-related rule change when necessary. Material non-emergency changes made after registration opens will be communicated directly to registered competitors.

2. ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION

Events are open to competitors using traditional kayaks or stand-up paddleboards propelled by paddle, pedal drive, or approved electric motor.

Competitors must:

• Register before the published deadline.

• Provide accurate registration information.

• Possess all required fishing licenses, permits, registrations, identification, and boating-safety credentials.

• Complete the required annual Season Participant Waiver & Release.

• Follow all check-in and check-out procedures.

• Meet all Event-specific eligibility requirements.

Registration is personal and may not be transferred to another person without written approval from the Event Director.

A competitor who has not completed the required waiver may not launch, compete, submit fish, receive points, or receive prizes.

3. ANNUAL SEASON WAIVER

Every SCYAK and GeorgiaYAK participant must complete The YAK Group Season Participant Waiver & Release before participating in the participant’s first Event of each season.

The annual waiver covers official Events and related activities operated during the identified season by the chapters selected on the waiver.

A new waiver may be required when:

• A new season begins.

• A participant joins an additional chapter.

• The waiver is materially revised.

• The participant’s legal name, age, guardian, or other material information changes.

• The Event Director determines that a new waiver is necessary.

Access to a blank waiver is not acceptance. The completed waiver must contain the required participant information, affirmative acceptance, signature, and date.

4. MINOR PARTICIPANTS

A minor is any participant under 18 years old.

A minor may not participate unless:

• The minor’s parent or court-appointed legal guardian completes the Season Participant Waiver and Minor Participant Addendum.

• The minor signs the acknowledgment when capable of doing so.

• An approved supervising adult accompanies the minor during the Event.

• All state boating-age, supervision, licensing, and education requirements are satisfied.

The supervising adult must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Remain present and immediately reachable throughout the Event.

• Accompany the minor during on-water participation.

• Be reasonably able to assist the minor during an emergency.

• Follow all applicable Event and safety rules.

The Event Director may require closer supervision or deny or end a minor’s participation based on the minor’s age, experience, equipment, weather, water conditions, or adequacy of supervision.

Permission to participate does not represent that an Event or condition is safe for a particular minor.

5. DEFAULT FEES

Unless the official Event page states otherwise:

• Main Trail Entry Fee: $40 plus registration-platform fees

• Optional Big Bass: $5

• Optional Small Bass: $5

• SCYAK AOY/BBOY Membership: $20

Registration-platform or processing fees are separate from tournament entry fees and may be controlled by the registration provider.

Event-specific formats, special events, championships, monthlies, Night Riders, Paddle Pros, and other offerings may use different fees and payout structures.

6. VESSELS, MOTORS, AND EQUIPMENT

Eligible Vessels

Traditional kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are permitted.

The vessel must be designed and equipped in a manner reasonably appropriate for the water and conditions being fished.

Dual Electric Motors

Dual electric motors are permitted. One motor may be mounted on the bow and one on the stern.

Gasoline-powered motors are prohibited unless expressly authorized on the official Event page.

Weight Capacity

The vessel’s manufacturer-rated capacity may not be exceeded.

The competitor is responsible for accounting for:

• Competitor weight.

• Motors and batteries.

• Fishing equipment.

• Electronics.

• Anchors.

• Coolers and personal equipment.

• Any other load carried aboard the vessel.

Custom Setups

Non-standard motor mounts, battery installations, steering systems, structural modifications, or other custom rigging may be submitted for tournament-eligibility review.

The Event Director may request:

• Photographs.

• Component specifications.

• Competitor weight.

• Fully loaded vessel weight.

• Manufacturer capacity information.

• Other information reasonably needed to evaluate eligibility.

Approval determines tournament eligibility only. It is not an engineering inspection, safety certification, warranty, or representation that the setup is safe or legally compliant.

The competitor remains solely responsible for the vessel’s design, installation, legality, capacity, condition, maintenance, and safe operation.

Sonar and Electronics

All lawful sonar and electronic options are permitted, including forward-facing sonar and multiple screens, unless the Event page states otherwise.

7. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Safety rules apply from the time a vessel enters the water until the competitor and vessel are completely back on shore.

Personal Flotation Device

A properly sized, serviceable, USCG-approved vest-style personal flotation device must be worn and fully fastened at all times while on the water.

Removing or unfastening the PFD while on the water may result in disqualification.

Sound-Producing Device

A whistle or other legally approved sound-producing device must be immediately accessible. Attaching the whistle to the PFD is strongly recommended.

Lighting

Competitors must display every navigation light required by applicable law from sunset to sunrise and during restricted visibility.

A visible 360-degree white safety light is required during any Event period occurring before safe light, after sunset, or when required by the Event Director.

The tournament-required white light does not replace any additional red, green, white, or other navigation lighting required for a mechanically propelled vessel.

Required Legal Equipment

Each competitor is solely responsible for carrying and using all equipment required by the state and water being fished, including any applicable:

• Vessel registration and decals.

• Navigation lights.

• Sound-producing devices.

• Boating-safety certificate.

• Fishing license.

• Identification.

• Fire extinguisher or other required equipment.

• Permits or access credentials.

Inspection

Competitors must inspect their vessel, PFD, motors, batteries, wiring, steering, propulsion, communications, trailer, and safety equipment before launching.

The Event Director may deny participation when equipment appears unsafe or noncompliant. An Event inspection does not transfer responsibility for the equipment to the Event Director or organization.

Impairment

A competitor may not participate while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, misused medication, illness, exhaustion, or any condition that makes participation unsafe.

8. WEATHER AND EVENT MODIFICATION

Each competitor is responsible for monitoring conditions and deciding whether to launch, continue fishing, relocate, or withdraw.

The Event Director may delay, shorten, relocate, suspend, reschedule, convert, or cancel an Event whenever forecast or observed conditions create an unreasonable safety concern.

Relevant conditions include:

• Lightning.

• Thunderstorms.

• Tornadoes.

• Hurricanes or tropical systems.

• Flooding.

• Dangerous current.

• Extreme heat or cold.

• Fog or poor visibility.

• Unsafe ramps.

• High winds or waves.

• Other hazardous conditions.

Forecast sustained winds or gusts of 30 mph or greater will ordinarily result in postponement or cancellation. Action may be taken at lower wind speeds based on the body of water, temperature, direction, waves, storm timing, launch conditions, or other hazards.

Conditions below a stated weather threshold are not guaranteed to be safe.

When reasonably possible, an overnight postponement or cancellation decision will be communicated through the registration platform and email by 8:30 PM Eastern the night before the Event. Conditions may require a later decision.

A decision concerning rescheduling, relocation, conversion, or cancellation will normally be announced within seven calendar days. A replacement date may be announced later when scheduling, permits, venue availability, or other circumstances prevent immediate confirmation.

9. LEGAL AND ELIGIBLE WATER

Competitors may fish only water legally accessible to the public or water for which the competitor has lawful permission.

Competitors may not trespass or enter:

• Posted or restricted property.

• Safety zones.

• Closed ramps.

• Prohibited marina areas.

• Restricted dam, lock, spillway, or power-generation areas.

• Any area prohibited by law or the official Event page.

Portage around an obstruction within the same body of water is permitted when performed legally and safely.

Unless prohibited by the Event page, competitors may relocate between legal access points. Fishing is prohibited while the vessel is being transported by vehicle.

Fish may not be retained or transported during relocation.

Event-specific boundaries and off-limits areas control.

10. APPROVED FISHING METHODS

Unless the Event page expressly states otherwise:

• Artificial lures and flies are permitted.

• Bass must be caught by the registered competitor using a handheld rod and reel.

• Only one line may be actively fished at a time.

• Single-line trolling is permitted.

• Multiple rigged rods may be carried.

• Landing nets may be used only to land a fish hooked by the competitor.

The following are prohibited:

• Live bait.

• Prepared or cut bait.

• Setlines.

• Limb lines.

• Trotlines.

• Jugs.

• Spearing.

• Snagging.

• Using a net to capture an unhooked fish.

• Receiving or submitting a fish caught by another person.

• Transferring fish between competitors.

• Fishing from a powerboat or other ineligible vessel.

A competitor may temporarily exit the vessel for safety, portage, equipment recovery, or to land a legally hooked fish when permitted by law. The competitor may not establish a bank-fishing position unless authorized by the Event page.

11. CATCH, PHOTOGRAPH, AND RELEASE

All scored fish must be caught, photographed, and released alive.

A fish must be released promptly after a compliant photograph is obtained. Fish may not be placed on a stringer, in a livewell, cooler, basket, holding pen, or other retention device unless temporary retention is expressly authorized by law and the Event Director.

The Hensley Rule

Knowingly submitting a dead, previously caught, transferred, restrained, or transported fish is considered a serious integrity violation.

A deliberate violation will result in Event disqualification and may result in suspension or a permanent ban after review.

Accidental fish mortality must be reported immediately. The fish may be rejected, but accidental mortality alone does not automatically result in a permanent ban when no intentional misconduct occurred.

No tournament fish may be brought to Event headquarters or an awards presentation.

12. MEASURING BOARDS

Any one-piece, non-hinged measuring board may be used if it is approved and clearly readable.

Common approved boards include:

• Ketch boards.

• Hawg Trough boards.

• YakAttack LeaderBoard.

Collapsible, folding, hinged, or multi-piece boards are prohibited.

The board must have:

• A fixed measuring fence.

• Clearly visible measurement marks.

• Sufficient contrast for accurate judging.

• No damage or modification that interferes with measurement.

A competitor wishing to use another board must obtain approval before the Event. Approval must be received before the board is used in competition.

13. FISH-PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

For a fish to be accepted:

• The fish must be alive.

• The entire fish must be visible.

• The fish must be positioned with its head facing left unless the Event page states otherwise.

• The nose or lip must visibly contact the board’s measuring fence.

• The fish must lie in a natural, straight position.

• The tail must rest on the board.

• The required Event code must be clearly visible and legible.

• Relevant measurement marks must be visible.

• The photograph must be clear enough to judge all requirements.

• The photograph must be the original, unedited image.

A physical identification card is not required. The Event code may be displayed using an approved identifier method, but it may not be digitally added to the image.

Photographs may not be digitally altered, composited, regenerated, stretched, enhanced in a way that changes evidence, or otherwise manipulated.

Event officials may request the original image and available image metadata.

Submitting the same fish or photograph more than once, except through an authorized resubmission process, may result in rejection or additional penalties.

14. MOUTH, HAND, AND TOUCH RULES

Open Mouth

The fish’s mouth must be completely closed.

Any visible gap results in a one-half-inch deduction.

A judge may reject the fish when the mouth, nose, or fence contact cannot be accurately determined.

General Touch Rules

• The eye and mouth may not be covered.

• The competitor may touch or hold the tail.

• Fingers may not be inserted into the gills.

• The mouth, nose, board fence, and relevant measurement marks must remain visible.

• The fish may not be unnaturally bent, compressed, stretched, or manipulated.

Small Bass Touch Rule

For the optional Small Bass competition:

• No more than one or two fingers may touch the fish.

• The head, body, and tail may not be covered.

• The fish must lie naturally and straight.

• Covering any portion necessary to judge the fish results in rejection.

15. SCORING

Unless the Event page states otherwise:

• Limit: Five bass.

• Minimum length: 12 inches.

• Scoring unit: One-quarter inch.

• A fish is scored at the last clearly crossed quarter-inch mark.

• Measurements are rounded down, not up.

The competitor’s total is the combined length of the competitor’s accepted scoring fish.

Culling and leaderboard limits are controlled by the Event format and registration platform.

A fish below the Event minimum is rejected unless it was submitted for an expressly authorized no-minimum Small Bass competition.

16. EVENT TIES

Unless the Event page establishes a different method, a tie in total length is broken by comparing:

1. Largest accepted fish.

2. Second-largest accepted fish.

3. Third-largest accepted fish.

4. Remaining accepted fish in descending order.

5. Earliest accepted submission time of the competitor’s final scoring fish.

Big Bass ties are broken by:

1. The tied competitor’s next-largest accepted Event fish.

2. Continued comparison of accepted fish in descending order.

3. Earliest accepted submission time of the tied Big Bass.

Small Bass ties are broken by:

1. The tied competitor’s next-smallest accepted qualifying fish.

2. Continued comparison in ascending order.

3. Earliest accepted submission time of the tied Small Bass.

17. SCYAK MEMBERSHIP, AOY, AND BBOY

Membership

The $20 SCYAK membership payment enters the competitor into both:

• Angler of the Year.

• Big Bass of the Year.

The membership pool is distributed:

• 60% to AOY.

• 40% to BBOY.

The membership deadline is the official start of Main Trail Event 5.

Membership payments are nonrefundable once the member competes in a Main Trail Event after paying.

AOY Eligibility

Only SCYAK members earn AOY points.

Points begin with the first Main Trail Event fished after membership is paid. Prior Event results do not become retroactively eligible unless announced otherwise before the season.

Optional Event side-pot participation is not required to earn AOY points or AOY bonuses.

Cash and hardware associated with an optional Event side pot are awarded only to competitors who entered that side pot.

AOY Scoring

Each Main Trail Event begins at 150 points.

Places 1 through 10 decrease by four points per finishing position:

• 1st: 150

• 2nd: 146

• 3rd: 142

• Continuing through 10th: 114

Beginning with 11th place, scores decrease by one point per finishing position:

• 11th: 113

• 12th: 112

• 13th: 111

• Continuing downward

Zero-Fish Score

A member who launches and participates but submits no accepted fish receives 30 AOY points.

All zero-fish members receive the same 30-point score. Zero-fish competitors do not receive separate descending placement scores.

A competitor who does not participate receives no points and is shown as X.

AOY Bonuses

• Big Bass: +5 AOY points.

• Small Bass: +2 AOY points.

AOY bonus points are available to an eligible member regardless of whether the member entered the related cash side pot.

Best Four

AOY standings are based on each member’s best four Main Trail Event scores.

Until four Events have been fished, Best Four is the total of the eligible Events completed.

AOY Ties

A final AOY tie is broken by:

1. Most Main Trail wins.

2. Most second-place finishes.

3. Continued comparison of finishing positions.

4. Highest single Main Trail Event score before bonuses.

5. Largest accepted Main Trail bass.

6. Event Director-administered tiebreaker when still unresolved.

Website Display

The standings table is ordered by Best Four from highest to lowest.

Travis Foulks may be displayed last on the public website as an administrative convention. This display convention does not change his calculated score or official finishing position.

Big Bass of the Year

BBOY is awarded to the SCYAK member who submits the longest accepted bass during an eligible Main Trail Event after the member’s membership payment is completed.

Unless announced before the season:

• Only Main Trail Events count.

• Monthlies, Night Riders, Paddle Pros, championships, and special events do not count.

• Entry into the Event’s optional Big Bass side pot is not required.

• The fish must be accepted into the official Event results.

• A fish caught before membership payment does not count retroactively.

A BBOY tie is broken by comparing each tied member’s next-largest accepted Main Trail bass, continuing in descending order. If still tied, the earliest accepted submission time of the tied BBOY fish controls.

18. MAIN TRAIL TEAMS

Eligibility and Registration

Both team members must be eligible SCYAK members unless the Event page states otherwise.

Teams must be declared before the published Event deadline.

A team roster becomes fixed once the team competes in its first scoring Event. Changing a partner normally creates a new team and resets team-season points unless the Event Director approves an exception because of extraordinary circumstances.

One team member may compete alone, but the absent member contributes no fish.

Default True Score: 3+2

TourneyX may display a team total that allows one partner to contribute too many fish. SCYAK does not use that total.

The official team score is calculated as follows:

1. Cap each competitor at three fish.

2. Combine both competitors’ capped fish.

3. Count the best five fish from the combined group.

This creates a true five-fish score requiring a maximum contribution of three fish from either partner.

A solo team member may contribute no more than three fish.

Optional 3+3 Format

A 3+3 format applies only when declared on the official Event page before competition.

Under 3+3:

• Each team member’s best three fish are counted.

• The six fish are combined for the team total.

Team Points

Teams earn points on a 100-point scale:

• 1st: 100

• 2nd: 96

• 3rd: 92

• Continuing at four points per finishing position

A team that participates but records no official team length receives 30 points.

A team that does not participate is shown as X.

Teams Best Four

Team season standings are based on the team’s best four Event point totals.

Team Ties

A team Event tie is broken by comparing:

1. Largest fish counted in the official team score.

2. Remaining counted fish in descending order.

3. Earliest accepted submission time of the team’s final counted fish.

A final team-season tie is broken by:

1. Most team Event wins.

2. Most second-place team finishes.

3. Continued comparison of team finishes.

4. Largest official team Event total.

5. Largest individual fish counted for the team during the season.

19. CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

Competitors must maintain high standards of safety, honesty, courtesy, integrity, and sportsmanship.

Prohibited conduct includes:

• Cheating or attempting to cheat.

• Assisting another person to cheat.

• Falsifying registration or eligibility information.

• Altering photographs or electronic evidence.

• Using another competitor’s account.

• Knowingly submitting an ineligible fish.

• Harassing, threatening, intimidating, or retaliating against another person.

• Physical confrontation.

• Knowingly making a false accusation.

• Interfering with another competitor’s fishing, vessel, launch, equipment, or access.

• Damaging property.

• Reckless or unsafe vessel operation.

• Participating while impaired.

• Refusing a lawful instruction from an Event official.

• Conduct that materially damages the Event, chapter, host, sponsor, or sport.

Competitors should report suspected violations promptly and provide available evidence.

20. PENALTIES

Depending on severity, intent, competitive advantage, safety risk, and prior history, penalties may include:

• Verbal or written warning.

• Fish rejection.

• Length deduction.

• Loss of bonus points.

• Loss of Event points.

• Event disqualification.

• Loss or repayment of prizes or payouts.

• Probation.

• Suspension.

• Permanent ban.

A deliberate integrity violation may justify immediate disqualification and further discipline.

An accidental or technical violation may receive a lesser penalty when it did not create a meaningful competitive advantage or safety risk.

Failure of the rules to list a specific penalty does not prevent the Event Director from imposing a reasonable penalty.

21. PROTESTS AND APPEALS

A protest involving eligibility, scoring, equipment, conduct, or a rules violation must be submitted directly to the Event Director as soon as reasonably possible.

Unless the Event page states otherwise, the deadline is 30 minutes after preliminary results are posted.

The protest must include:

• Competitor’s name.

• Event.

• Rule involved.

• Description of the alleged violation.

• Available photographs, screenshots, witness information, or other evidence.

Fish-measurement disputes must be raised before awards are announced.

Allegations involving fraud, altered photographs, concealed misconduct, ineligible water, or other violations that could not reasonably have been discovered before awards may be reviewed later.

When the protest directly involves the Event Director, at least two uninvolved chapter officials should review the matter when reasonably available.

The final ruling issued through the Event process is binding for Event scoring, points, payouts, and awards.

22. REFUNDS, POSTPONEMENTS, AND CANCELLATIONS

A competitor may request an Event refund until one hour before the scheduled launch time unless the Event page establishes a different deadline.

No refund is owed after the competitor launches, begins fishing, or submits a fish.

No refund is owed for:

• Disqualification.

• Suspension.

• Failure to comply with eligibility requirements.

• Failure to complete the required waiver.

• Failure to possess required licenses, registration, or safety equipment.

• Voluntary withdrawal after competition begins.

When an Event is canceled before competition begins, refundable entry and optional side-pot amounts will be returned in accordance with the registration platform’s policies.

Platform and processing fees are controlled by the registration provider and are not guaranteed to be refundable by The YAK Group or its chapters.

When an Event is stopped after competition begins, the Event Director may:

• Declare results based on accepted fish.

• Shorten the Event.

• Resume the Event later.

• Reschedule the Event.

• Cancel and refund all or part of the eligible fees.

The decision will consider elapsed fishing time, submitted fish, conditions, fairness, platform limitations, and available alternatives.

Refund requests should be submitted through the official registration platform or directly to the Event Director as instructed.

23. MEDIA AND PUBLIC RESULTS

Competitors understand that Event participation may be photographed, recorded, livestreamed, or discussed publicly.

Subject to the separate Season Waiver and Media Consent, The YAK Group and its chapters may use a competitor’s:

• Name.

• Public standings.

• Submitted fish photographs.

• Event photographs.

• Video or audio recorded at Event activities.

• Public comments made for Event coverage.

Media may be used for results, recaps, websites, social media, sponsor recognition, news, historical records, and promotion of The YAK Group or its chapters.

Personal contact information, emergency information, waiver records, dates of birth, and signatures will not be treated as public Event content.

A parent or legal guardian must provide media consent for a minor.

24. ORGANIZER AUTHORITY

The Event Director has authority to:

• Interpret and apply these rules.

• Review evidence.

• Judge fish.

• Determine eligibility.

• Inspect equipment.

• Correct scoring errors.

• Issue penalties.

• Modify or stop an Event for safety.

• Resolve circumstances not expressly covered by the rules.

No rulebook can anticipate every situation. Decisions will be based on safety, fairness, competitive integrity, the wording and purpose of the rules, and the available evidence.

Failure to enforce a rule in one situation does not waive the right to enforce it later.

25. CATCH-AND-RELEASE POLICY

The YAK Group promotes Catch, Photograph, and Release tournament fishing.

Tournament bass may not be kept, transported, or brought to an Event presentation.

Competitors must handle fish responsibly, minimize air exposure, support larger fish appropriately, and release fish as promptly as practical after obtaining a compliant photograph.

A tournament photograph may be used by a qualified taxidermist to create a replica when the fish is properly measured and photographed.

26. QUESTIONS

Questions should be submitted before registration closes or before the Event begins.

A competitor who is uncertain whether equipment, water, a fishing method, measuring board, or intended action is permitted should request a ruling before using it in competition.

When in doubt, stop and ask.