Fishing Activities

          The primary objective of this event is to create an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie among anglers from around the Nation.  Many of the participants have conversed with other anglers via the Internet and the Bass Fishing Home Page.  This event will allow everyone to put faces with names and create many long time, cross-country contacts and friendships.  A low key fishing competition is planned to allow maximum opportunity for all participants to meet new friends and enjoy the great fishing of Lake Fork.

            The organized fishing will consist of two days (Saturday and Sunday).  Each day will be divided into a "Morning" and "Afternoon" session.  In order to maximize interaction of participants, the Rally is designed as a “draw for partner” event for each half day of fishing. All participants MUST be in the draw for partners, with the exception of those wishing to fish with a spouse or significant other. Participants should complete the registration form as "boater", "non-boater", or “fishing with spouse”.  Monday (Memorial Day) will be an open, non-organized day of fishing since many people will be traveling.

Organized Fishing Format

This event is designed as an individual angler activity.  Awards will be given for:

                        Big Bass Overall                 1st Place

                        Heaviest Total Weight       1st   - 10th Place 

Anglers may weigh-in three fish per session (a maximum of twelve fish total) toward the Heaviest Total Weight Award. An angler's largest bass will qualify for the Overall Big Bass award.

Lake Fork has a five (5) fish daily limit. Only fish less than 16” and longer than 24”may be retained.  Additionally, only one (1) bass 24” or longer may be retained. All fish measuring 16” and less than 24" must be released immediately. Fish are measured with mouth closed and the tail extended to its maximum length.  See illustration on how to measure fish (source: Texas Parks and Wildlife)

 

 A Combined Live Weigh-In And “Paper” Tournament

·        Bass 16” or greater and less than 24” will have the length measured and immediately released.  The converted weight shall recorded on the form provided to each participant using the conversion table included on the form.  

·        Bass less than 16” in length must be brought to the live weigh-in to be counted toward tournament weight.

·        An angler catching a bass 24” in length or greater may elect to bring that fish to live weigh-in. However since conservation, especially conservation of trophy fish, is an objective of the Rally@Texas, an angler at his/her option may also elect to measure the fish’s length and record the equivalent weight from the conversion table on the paper form in the same manner as specified for slot fish. 

·        Should an angler catch more than one bass 24” or greater in length, the largest may be retained for live weigh-in and the others may be recorded on the paper form.

·        The “limit” for the Rally competition will be three (3) bass per session, considering the largest three (3) of all bass weighed at live weigh-in and those recorded on the paper form.

General Rules

1.      Organized Fishing Hours - Saturday and Sunday

Mornings:     6:00 AM until 11:30 AM  ---- 

You must check in by 11:30 AM!

Afternoons:  1:00 PM until 6:00 PM   ---- 

You must be check in by 6:00 PM!

2.      Weigh-in will be held at Lake Fork Marina. 

3.      Participants are required to check in at the weigh-in site after each fishing session even if they have no fish to weigh.  This requirement is for safety reasons and will also make pairings for the next session go smoother.   Failure to check in after fishing may result in disqualification.

4.      No fishing is permitted between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to allow time for partner switch and lunch.

5.      Fish caught in each morning/afternoon session must be weighed immediately after the respective morning/afternoon fishing session in order to maximize catch and release success.

 

6.      Anglers with bass must use official weigh-in bags supplied at check-in station.  Weigh-in bags must contain sufficient water to completely cover the fish.  Over-the-slot fish must be transported to the scales in their own separate bag. 

7.      Only Black Bass (Largemouth and Spotted Bass) will be weighed.

8.      Participants must ensure they have a valid Texas Fishing License.

9.      All State, Federal, and local Lake regulations shall apply at all times

10. The Official Measuring Board for this event will be the "Gator Grip Golden Rule".  Game wardens routinely check boats and monitor weigh-ins for measurement violations. 

11. Fishing must be done with rod and reel and artificial lures.  No trolling with big motor.

12. All fish entered in this event must be caught during the event hours listed above to be eligible for awards.  Anglers must personally weigh-in their fish.  No angler will allow fish he or she has caught to be weighed by another participant.  Fish must be weighed in the session caught.

13. Safety should be a goal of all participants.  Care and caution should be exercised in all activities including boat operation.  Trees and other obstructions are routinely encountered at Lake Fork.  Participants must wear a Coast Guard approved life vest when the boat is running "on plane".  In the event of inclement weather, participants should use good judgment in determination of safe conditions for all activities.

14. Consumption of alcoholic beverages during fishing hours is prohibited.

15. Participants take full responsibility for themselves and their equipment.  The Rally@Texas serves only to make anglers aware of opportunities to participate in activities with other attendees.  Each party participates in any activity at their own risk without warranty, representations, or liability by the Rally@Texas its organizers, directors, sponsors, boating partner, or the Bass Fishing Home Page.

16. Conservation of the lake fishery is a goal of this event.  Anglers are encouraged to maintain their catch in good condition.  Please exercise care in your handling and measurement of all fish.

17. All fish weighed at the Rally@Texas Tournament become property of the event.  Those fish in good condition will be released back into the lake.

18. All applications for participation in the Rally@Texas and the determination of awards shall be subject to the approval of the Organizing Committee whose decision thereon is final.