STRIPED BASS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
2007 RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. No cash or prizes will be awarded until the after the completion of the tournament on December 31, 2007. The tournament will award cash and prizes for special events at its discretion, based on prize availability

2. Specified species of fish: Striped Bass (As recognized by the International Game Fish Association, IGFA)

3. Official Championship starting time is 0001 hours November 1, 2007, and will terminate at 2400 hours (midnight) December 31, 2007. Any fish entered eligible for a monthly prize will be considered caught for the month in which it was weighed in.

4. Only one fish per person per day will be accepted at weigh in.

5. Anglers must be registered in the Championship prior to catching a fish. Proof of registration (registration number) must be presented to the weigh master when entering a fish. Anglers opting to mail their entry applications will not be allowed to enter the Championship or weigh fish until they have been issued a registration number.

6. Within the monthly prize structure, special division categories, and tournament events anglers are only eligible to win one prize per month, per category, or per day of an event. This does not apply to anglers entering a fish in the regular monthly prize structure, special division categories and tournament events.

7. Boats must leave and return to any Virginia port and must fish in Chesapeake Bay and/or any of its tidal tributaries within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and/or the Virginia coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (coastal meaning out to three miles), north to the VA/MD State line and south to the VA/NC State line. In all cases, waters must be legally open to Striped Bass fishing.

8. All Championship entries caught or brought in after weigh station regular close of business must be weighed the next morning during regular business hours. Weigh stations are not to weigh in Championship entries after normal business hours unless in the instance of a potential IGFA All-Tackle World Record or Virginia State Record. Fish caught prior to midnight on the last day of November and December will be accepted for entry for that month if the fish is officially weighed in at a participating tournament weigh station by 12 noon the next day only.

9. Anglers must weigh their fish at an official Championship weigh station. (See listing)

10. All fish must be caught on rod and reel in a fair and sportsmanlike manner. No fish will be considered for entry if shot, speared, gillnetted, gaffed, frozen, or mutilated*.

11. All fish entered are subject to thorough examination both externally and internally by the weigh master and the Championship committee. The weigh master, at his or her discretion, may open the stomach cavity and examine the contents of any fish entered.

12. All weigh masters have been instructed on the proper procedures of completing the weigh-in forms, however, it is also the responsibility of the angler to ensure that all of the information is correct and that the weight and length of the fish, as well as the time of weigh-in has been recorded accurately. This should be done before signing the form.

13. In the event of a tie in weight, the total length will be used as a tiebreaker, with the longest total length the winner. If a tie still exists, time of weigh-in will determine the winner, with the first fish weighed declared the winner.

14. Anglers are urged to display common courtesy, proper boat handling, safety, and seamanship. At all times, and all circumstances, Championship entrants and the owners, captains, and persons in charge of their boats will make their own decisions concerning the operation and safety of their vessels, and all matters related thereto, including the weather. All Championship entrants and fishermen will participate in the Championship and its activities at their own risk and will accept full responsibility for their boats, crew, and gear.

15. Anglers are advised to maintain an active weather watch when fishing Virginia's waters. As stated in the previous rule, the captain and crew must decide on their own when and where to fish during this Championship, and they are solely responsible for their safety.

16. Anglers will be required to submit a sworn affidavit, if asked, and take a lie detector test if deemed necessary, which would be provided by the Championship Committee. These may be required at any time and for any reason deemed appropriate by the Championship Committee.

17. Anglers are responsible for all applicable taxes on prizes received. Winners shall be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release granting the Striped Bass World Championship, tournament committee, and the all sponsors the opportunity and right to film, videotape, record, and photograph the winners, and to use the prize winners' name, voice and likeness without further compensation for advertising and promotion for the Striped Bass World Championship. Winners shall be required to complete a Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Form (W-9), which will be mailed to them upon recognition of their winning status.

18. All participants agree that the Striped Bass World Championship, tournament weigh stations and registration locations, and all sponsors, shall not be liable for injury, loss, or damage of any kind resulting from participation in this Championship or from the acceptance or use of any awarded prize.

19. Any and all protests must be filed within 24 hours of the incident in question, be personally hand delivered by the person making the protest to an official Championship weigh station, and handed to the weigh master. The Championship Committee will review any and all protests in a fair and equal manner and their decision will be final. The Championship Committee also reserves the right to investigate any questionable practices or activities involving the tournament with out an official protest being filed and may request an affidavit at any time for any reason.

20. Prizes are not transferable and no substitution is allowed by the winners.

21. This Championship is open to recreational fishermen only, therefore, commercial rod and reel fishermen are not eligible to participate in this Championship. For the purpose of this rule, any person holding a commercial rod and reel license may not participate at any time. In addition, all persons participating in fishing trip resulting in the sale of any fish and all fish caught on that trip are not eligible for participation or entry in the Championship. Lie detector tests may be used to enforce this and any Championship rules.

22. No fish shall be eligible for entry or participation if it, or any part thereof, is sold, bought, or placed in a "for sale" or commercial status, either before, during, or after this Championship.

23. Charter captains, guides, and mates, while under charter, are not eligible for this Championship.

24. Participating Military anglers stationed in the state of Virginia, within the area code of (757), during any part of this Championship are not eligible to participate in the"Non-Resident" divisions. They must compete as "Residents".

25. “Non-Residents” shall be classified as those anglers residing out of the area code of (757), and those anglers whose primary residence are within the (757) area code shall be considered “Residents”.

26. The Championship must abide by Federal and State fisheries and management laws, and any change in these laws may necessitate changing the rules of the Championship to conform to new fisheries management requirements.

27. Any fish entered in or with another contest or tournament, other than the designated Associated tournaments, shall be ineligible for entry into this Championship. Any fish entered in this Championship shall be eligible for a Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament “Citation”, provided the angler and fish meet all criteria mandated for that program, and the required paper work has been completed.

28. Any contestant or entrant found guilty of cheating, attempting to cheat, or otherwise deviating from the rules and regulations of this Championship shall be disqualified and considered ineligible for further and future participation.

29. Weigh masters, weigh station employees, and members of their families, are eligible to participate, provided their fish are weighed and registered at a Championship weigh station other than their own.

30. Weigh masters, weigh station employees, owners, investors and partners and their families are eligible to participate in the Championship and witness an entry, but any entry caught in their presence will only be eligible if weighed and registered at a Championship weigh station other than their own.

31. The Championship Committee shall consist of a minimum of three people; a Director and two Judges. Members of the Championship Committee are not eligible for tournament contention or competition, and may not receive any of the awarded prizes. However their immediate family members are eligible to participate.

32. All fish must be weighed and registered within 24 hours of being caught, except on the last day of each month or on the last day of a special event (i.e. Mercury Thanksgiving Special). Deadlines for Specials and Events will be posted.

33. These rules and regulations are subject to change by the Championship Committee at any time and without notice. The tournament also reserves the right to substitute prizes in case of prize unavailability.

* The Championship Committee reserves the right to examine any fish and determine whether that fish warrants classification of being mutilated.