2024 MCSFA MANISTEE TRI-PORT CHALLENGE PRO/AM TOURNAMENT

Saturday & Sunday June 22-23, 2024

Captain’s Meeting Friday June 21, 2024 – 7:00 PM

 MANISTEE LION’S PAVILION – First Street – Manistee 

MCSFA General Rules

REMINDER RULE — MI WATERS ONLY, Ludington – Frankfort

LUDINGTON (N43.57.164) – FRANKFORT (N44.37.801)

MCSFA Charter or non-Charter membership is required to fish in this tournament. Designated Captain must be a member.  You are permitted to fish only the 333 portion of the tournament if you choose.  Tri-port starts from Manistee, Onekama, and Arcadia. Must leave from and return to your designated port or the team will be disqualified.  Captain’s Meeting – Friday, June 21, 2024, 7:00 PM at Manistee Lion’s Pavilion – First Street – Manistee. One member of the team must attend. 

Licensed Charter boats must fish in the Pro Division, however all non-charter boats are welcome and encouraged to  fish in the Pro Division. Why not test your skill in the pro division (there are not nearly as many teams to beat). You do have to abide by the Pro Division rules…larger entry fee, etc. IMPORTANT See “Pro Teams defined” on the General Rules page.   

Observers are not required, however, they may be provided by the tournament committee. Captains will enforce all rules.  AM Division boats must designate a captain. If observers are provided boats will be selected at random or by the first day standings by the tournament committee. Failure to allow the observer on your boat will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the registration fee.  Tournament time is 6 AM-1 PM each day. Boats will leave from just outside pier heads at 6 am and must be inside pier heads by 1 PM. Failure to be inside pier heads by 1 PM disqualifies the team for the day. Spotters will be in place at pier heads. Fog or wind may delay tournament start times. Tournament will start and end by marine radio communication.  Water boundaries are in place, allowing participants to fish only Michigan waters as far south as the Ludington pier heads (N43.57.164) and as far north as the Frankfort pier heads (N44.37.801). Location-All events for the Manistee Tri-Port Challenge Pro/AM  will be at  Manistee Lion’s Pavilion – First Street – Manistee

All boats must be at least 16 feet long.  The number of fishermen on a team may vary, however a maximum of two (2) legal limits of 10 fish per day will be weighed for the PRO division and a maximum of one (1) legal limit of five (5) fish per day for the AM division. The same fishermen do not have to fish both days. No more than your tournament limit will be allowed in the tournament cooler at weigh-in (bring an extra cooler).  Size Limit – You may sort fish for this tournament; short fish or extra fish will be removed plus 1 extra fish for each fish disallowed, starting with the smallest fish, etc. All DNR rules also apply. Weigh-in – All coolers should be at Manistee Lion’s Pavilion – First Street – Manistee by 2:30 PM to be weighed. Transportation of coolers will be the responsibility of the team. A team member must stay with the cooler until weigh-in. Team  number tags must be attached to your cooler prior to weigh-in. Coolers must be drained prior to weighing in. Blocked or bagged ice only, no loose ice or foreign substances. Foreign substances are defined but not limited to knives, hooks and/or implements that a member of the Tournament Committee deems as hazardous. Penalties apply: 5 point penalty at the discretion of a MCSFA Board Member. When you sign up for this tournament, you agree to this  procedure and all rules pertaining to this tournament.  SCORING: Total weight plus 10 points per fish will determine the winner. If teams are tied, the tie will be broken by the highest day two total. If the tournament is shortened to one day and teams are tied, the prize money will be combined and split equally. Prizes will be finalized at the Captain’s Meeting. Saturday & Sunday – 5:15 AM – Captains must be on board by 5:15 AM daily. Boats may be inspected prior to leaving the dock between 5:15 & 5:30 AM. TIES FOR BIG FISH – Place prizes will be added then split. If last place ties for big fish the overall score will be a tiebreaker. If still tied, split.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decline entry or participation by any person, team or boat, as deemed necessary, to ensure such things as integrity, image, reputation, and financial performance and community relationships with sponsors, participants and supporting groups.