From their website:
OFFICIAL RULES for ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE 2018
1. It is your responsibility, as a participant, to read and comply with all written tournament rules and
know any special tournament rules.
2. Participation and Eligibility: The ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE event is open to anyone to participate
in. The event is held in a team format, where you sign up as either a Pro Team, or an Amateur team. All
participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Required Activities: This is a TOP WATER FROG ONLY event (please see special bait use rules listed
below). Please be advised that participants must use soft plastic top water FROGS that float on top of
the water WITHOUT ADDED FLOTATION OR ASSISTANCE.
You may launch from any marina you wish but please REMEMBER: All participants pre-registered or
not - must check-in at Russo’s Marina to receive official rules and have their live well systems checked.
4. Pre-event start and end times:
Check-in
• PRE-EVENT: Friday, July 27thth from 3-6pm @ Russo’s Marina (THIS IS OPTIONAL)
• Day-of-Event check-in: Saturday, July 28th from 7am-11am @ Russo’s Marina
• Day-of-Event check-in: Sunday, July 29th from 4am – 6am @ Russo’s Marina
Blast-off times:
• Saturday - 11am – 5pm
• Sunday – 6am -12 noon
Blast-off will be done in the order of sign up on Saturday, and reversed on Sunday
5. Payback/Awards
The winner of the ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE – both divisions, will be decided by the teams with the
heaviest weight for a six-fish total – over the two days of competition. Teams will only be able to weigh
in 3 fish each day.
• Payback will be in a 1 in 5 format, with 80% payback.
• 3 overall big fish places will be paid
Trophies will be presented to the top 5 teams in both Pro and Am division, with one big fish trophy for
the OVERALL biggest fish in each division.
Youth Division – Youth division is open to those 15 and under. There is no fee to participate in this
division and special prizes for will be awarded to the top 3 youth in this division.
College Division – There is no fee to participate in this division. Only those 25 years old and under – with
a valid student body card, taking at least 6 units per semester can participate. A trophy, some cash, and
prizes will be awarded to the highest finishing team in this division. NOTE: Although this division will
have its own separate cash and prize – at no charge, participants can win the cash and prizes awarded in
the regular ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE event, provided they pay their regular pro or am entry fee.
All cash and prizes will be awarded at the event. Winners must be present to receive non-cash prizes.
Prizes won by participants not present to receive them at the awards ceremonies may be given to
runners up that are present or will be raffled to those in attendance. ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE
reserves the right to substitute all non-cash prizes with those of equal or greater value.
6. Sportsmanship: any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship and/or violates any of the official
rules will be disqualified. Disorderly conduct at or during the ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE event will be
grounds for disqualification from the event.
7. Safety: Safe boating conduct and all safety precautions must be observed at all times by all
contestants. Anyone fishing in the tournament must wear a Coast Guard approved flotation device any
time the main engine is running. Such flotation devices must be worn and properly fastened when
inspected at the blast-off point. In an emergency or when safety dictates, fisherman may take their fish,
get into another boat, and return to the weigh in site. All boats must be equipped with an engine shutoff
or emergency "Kill" switch device.
8. Fishing License: Each contestant will observe State Fish and Game laws and have in his or her
possession a valid state fishing license.
9. Beverages: No alcoholic beverages or drugs are allowed in the boat or to be consumed during official
tournament hours or prior to weigh in.
10. Boat and Motor: The tournament director reserves the right to prohibit any boat from participating
in this event if such boat is considered unsafe or the operator unqualified. A functional kill switch must
be hooked up and operational at any time the main motor is running.
11. Registration: You can register for this event by printing out an entry form located on the Anglers
Press website (anglerspress.com), or by calling the Angler’s Press office at 916-768-0938. Entry forms
can also be obtained at various tackle shops throughout the greater Sacramento and Bay areas. ALL
participants must check-in EACH DAY at Russo’s Marina to have livewells checked BEFORE they can
begin fishing.
12. Late Sign-ups: Late entries will be accepted at the Ramp the morning of the event. However, a late
fee of $10 will be charged per angler, for each late sign.
13. REFUND POLICY - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Please remember to check your personal calendars, schedules, and commitments BEFORE you
purchase this event, because once you have purchased, NO REFUNDS, EXCHANGES, OR CREDITS
will be given - NO EXCEPTIONS. While we understand that situations within and beyond your
control could arise and may preclude you from attending the event, such as sudden work
commitments, sickness, boat breakdown, unproductive pre-fishing etc., please know that due to
our pre-promotional expenditures, this is our STATED refund policy. You may, if you wish to do so,
give your entry to another angler to use.
14. Confirmation of entry: If you wish to have a confirmation of your entry you can receive one by
calling the Angler’s Press offices @ 916-768-0938 or e-mail us at
anglerspress@hotmail.com.
15. Checkpoints: Contestants must check in and out at all designated checkpoints.
16. Participant Identification: All contestants will be given a participation ribbon that must be attached
to your boat – in plain site during all hours of competition.
17. Boat Inspection: On-ramp and on dock boat inspections will be conducted by tournament officials.
Officials will be checking livewells for fish, safety equipment, live bait, alcohol, etc. At the ramp, or dock,
participation ribbons will be placed on each boat during both days of competition to verify your livewell
was checked. All boats must have a ribbon tied to their trolling motor before blast-off.
18. Running Lights Must Be On: If applicable, at blast off and until contestants arrive at their first fishing
spot. This is a procedural rule required by our insurance company and could cause you not to be able to
launch until safe light conditions exist.
19. Anglers must remain together throughout the fishing day and may not leave the boat unless
approved by a tournament official (exception: use of rest room facilities). A contestant may not leave for
the purpose of carrying, towing, or pushing his boat or to reduce weight to improve floatability for the
purpose of gaining access to fishing waters that are otherwise inaccessible. If a boat is inadvertently
stuck on a sand bar you may leave the boat in an effort to regain float ability back to point of entry only.
Not to proceed past the sand bar.
20. Permitted Fishing Methods: Only top water baits may be used. No live bait is permitted at any time.
Only one rod may be used at one time. However, any number of rigged rods may be in the boat for
substitute purposes. Trolling, as a method of fishing, is prohibited. All fish must be caught live and in a
conventional angling method. All fishing must be done from your boat.
21. Sight fishing for Bedding Bass: A sight or bedding fish is defined as one that can be seen and watched
as it approaches the lure. Fish being caught under these conditions must be caught by hook and line and
by the fish ingesting the lure. Any bass caught that is either a "sight" or "bed" fish must be caught "hook
in mouth with the hook point entering from the inside of the mouth. Any "sight" or "bed" fish caught by
snagging or with hook starting from outside the mouth shall be deemed an illegally caught fish and must
be released. This same fish may be caught again by the legal method - with the hook starting from inside
the mouth. Any angler catching a fish under these conditions and not verifying the hook location with
the other person in the boat may be disqualified from the tournament.
22. Platforms in Boat: The use of any device to raise a contestant above the normal freeboard of a boat
is prohibited. This rule includes any device that is constructed to raise the contestant up to a higher
position as to allow them to cast into areas that would not normally be accessible or which would allow
a contestant to see fish from a better angle.
23. Infringements/Permitted Fishing Areas: A "50-yard rule" is in effect at all times during competition.
No contestant's boat may move within 50 yards of another contestant’s boat at any time for the
purpose of fishing. A boat moving from one area to another may infringe upon this distance as long as
the transient fisherman do not attempt to fish while moving. Exceptions to the 50-yard rule apply only
to docks, break walls, and slough channels
Exception example 1: If you wish to fish a boat dock next to a boat dock another team is fishing, and it
falls inside the 50 yard parameter, you are allowed to fish it. In all cases, please be courteous.
Exception example 2: If you wish to fish in a slough channel that is longer than 50 yards, and there is
another team fishing inside of it, you must continue by them 50 YARDS before you can start fishing. If
you wish to fish the opposite side of the slough channel, you may do so. Again, in all cases, please be
courteous.
Please note that encroachment and infringements will not be tolerated and that protests can lead to a
disqualification for the offending teams.
24. Boat Control: Contestants must leave and return to the tournament weigh-in site by boat. Boats
cannot be tailored from one fishing location to another during tournament hours.
25. Fish Size/Culling: Fish will be measured flat, mouth open on a belly board with a 13-inch minimum
size. No measuring or culling inside of 5 mph buoys or the area between the check-in point and the
weigh-in site will be permitted. Infractions may result in disqualification.
26. Number of fish in Limit: Participants can only bring three (3) fish to the scales per day. All fish will be
weighed and subsequentialy released by tournament officials after weighing.
27. Breakdowns/Emergencies: Anglers are not permitted to leave their boats nor touch another boat,
with the exception of an emergency or major equipment failure. In this case, it is permitted to be towed
either to safety or back to the weigh-in area by any safe means available. You may have your fished
transported to the weigh-in by another tournament boat participating in the ULTIMATE FROG
CHALLENGE event. At least one person must stay with your fish at all times and neither angler is
permitted to fish while under the assistance of another boat during the breakdown period. PLEASE
NOTE: ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE directors or officials will not be responsible for ensuring that you
make it back to the weigh-in site in the event of an emergency or breakdown. If you call and reach
tournament officials during an emergency or breakdown, we will do our best to dispatch emergency
services to assist you, but cannot guarantee that someone will be sent out for you. It is your
responsibility to take the necessary precautions (i.e. cell phones, emergency numbers, tow insurance,
equipment) with you BEFORE you participate in this event to call any nece
28. Penalties: All fished weighed in must be alive to be eligible for any of the cash or prizes awarded. NO
DEAD FISH can be weighed in. Any fish that appears to have been altered, mutilated or snagged will also
be disqualified. All decisions regarding fish that are determined to be under the size limit, dead,
snagged, altered, or mutilated by the ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE officials are final and cannot be
disputed. Any team disqualified from the ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE will forfeit all entry fees
submitted. Short fish penalty is as follows: That fish is thrown out and you are deducted 1 pound from
your remaining weight.
29. Cheating: Anyone caught cheating in this event will be disqualified and never be allowed to fish
future ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE events. Violators will be subject to full criminal prosecution as
dictated by California and U.S law. All winners may be required to take a polygraph test. Refusal to take
or failure to pass the polygraph test - FOR ANY REASON - will result in immediate disqualification. All
findings of the polygraph results are final.
30. Official Boats: officials may be on the lake during contest hours, and can approach or observe any
contestants boat. Each contestant is requested to cooperate with all reasonable requests from media
representatives or officials.
31. Event Marshalls: There may be several visibly identifiable official referee boats on the water to
ensure that rules governing the event are followed. Event referees that report violations to tournament
officials could result in that team being disqualified.
32. Live Wells: Adequate livewells are mandatory on each boat and must provide proper aeration to
maintain fish in good condition, as all fish will be released alive after the weigh- in. In the case of a boat
without built in livewells, a large Ice chest with portable aerators with be acceptable. You may be asked
to show the aerators working.
33. Trophy Bass: Contestants will not retain any bass after a tournament. However, a trophy bass
meeting minimum Fish and Game Commission sizes: Largemouth- 10 pounds, smallmouth- 6 pounds,
and spotted bass-6 pounds may be kept if designated at weigh in time as such.
34. Off-Limits: There is no off limits period for this event.
35. Off-Limit Areas: Every lake may have off-limit areas. If no specific off-limit areas are announced, then
50 yards from any gas pumps and the host marina will always be enforced.
36. Reserved Areas: No person may "hold" or "reserve" a fishing area for a contestant at any time.
Infraction of this rule will result in disqualification of all parties involved.
37. Speed-Restricted Areas: No boat may pass another contestant's boat in a restricted speed zone, in
an effort to gain an advantage.
38. Live release: All contestants will be required to return the fish to the lake. Anglers are required to
handle the fish with the utmost care according to the Fish and Game guidelines (i.e., 5 pound plus fish in
a separate bag). If the fish, for any reason, are not returned to the designated release area, immediate
disqualification will result.
39. Paybacks: ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE reserves the right to substitute products advertised for
prizes of equal or greater value depending on availability. All cash and prizes will be paid out
immediately after the award ceremonies.
40. Awards/Prizes: If you cannot be present at the awards ceremony, your cash award will be mailed to
you. All other product prizes may be either given to the "runner up" contestants, or given away in a
random drawing.
41. Integrity of ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE event: Anyone caught cheating in this event will be
disqualified and never be allowed to fish future ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE events. Violators will be
subject to full criminal prosecution as dictated by California and U.S law. OVERALL Grand Prize winners
may be required to take a polygraph test. Refusal to take polygraph testing will result in immediate
disqualification and forfeiture of cash and/or prizes. Failure to pass polygraph – FOR ANY REASON will
result in immediate disqualification of the individual with all cash/prizes forfeited. All findings of the
polygraph results are final. All decisions regarding disqualifications are final.
42. Special Rules: The tournament director may add specifics rules when necessary. These special rules
will be in effect for the length of the tournament and should not be considered regular rules, but will be
announced and enforced as such. Interpretation of all rules will be left exclusively to the tournament
director, whose decision will be final in all matters.
43. Protests: Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant. A protest form
will be available from the tournament director and must be filled out and presented to the tournament
director within one hour of the close of the fishing day.
44. Ties: In the event two contestants have the same weight, ties will be broken based on and in this
order:
• The team with the biggest single fish (over two days)
• The team with the most fish (over two days)
• If neither applies to break the tie, prize money will be split equally between them.
45. Damages and Claims: All contestants by entering this ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE event hereby
waive and release the tournament officials, sponsoring organizations from all claims for injury and/or
damage incurred in connection with this event. Promoters and organizations assisting in the tournament
operation, their agencies and agents are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire, or
any loss to any entrants. Each entrant, upon signing the entry form, will in effect be signing the waiver.
All participants are required to have the necessary boating liability insurance prior to entering this
event.
46. Insurance: It is the responsibility of all boat owners to have current boat insurance to participate in
this ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE Event.
47. Release of Fish: At all events, after weigh-in, fish must take to the live release boat for release.
48. Dock Patrol Officials: During the weigh-in process, all participants must follow ALL instructions given
to them by designated “Dock Patrol” officials. To eliminate confusion and expedite the weigh in process,
“Dock Patrol” officials will give instructions regarding which participants can proceed to the scales, boat
slip assignments etc. If you are instructed by “Dock Patrol ” to keep your fish in the livewell, or to stay in
your boat until called up to the scale, you MUST comply. Any team that does not comply with Dock
Patrol instruction will be subject to disqualification.
49. WEIGH-IN TIMES – PLEASE READ: The scales for weigh-in will be opened at 5pm on Saturday, and
12:00 noon on Sunday. UFC staff will not ensure that the scale will be open early, or at ANYTIME before
that time. If you wish to come in early, that is your prerogative, however, the scales will not be opened
early to accommodate you unless it is specfically pre-arranged by the tournament director prior to the
event.
ULTIMATE FROG CHALLENGE 2018 – LURE RULES
• PLEASE REMEMBER!...This event is a top water FROGS ONLY event and is designed to provide
fun for the angler, and to highlight the effectiveness of the frog baits sponsoring companies are
trying to promote. We ask that all anglers keep in the forefront of their minds the “intent” and
“spirit” of this event and adhere to the bait rules as described below:
• You can only use frog baits that FLOAT ON TOP OF THE WATER, ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT ANY
ASSISTANCE!
• You can only use frog baits that are SOFT PLASTIC!
• No weights, rattles, leaders or any other modifications are allowed, with the exception of
painting dots on the belly or trimming the legs. Trailer hooks are allowed.
• Sub-surface baits such as the “Horny Toad” and Yama Frog are not allowed.
• No Umbrella rigs!
PDF Form:
http://anglerspress.com/images/2018-eve ... CRules.pdf
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