GMFITR Board of Directors:

• PRESIDENT - John Maurer
• VICE PRESIDENT- Curtis Orgeron
• SECRETARY - Amanda Terrebonne
• TREASURER - Becky Garza
• ADMIRAL- Gavin Callais
  

GMFITR Board Members:

• Marc Milam
• Henri Boulet

HOOK & LINE

1. All fish are to be registered at the official weigh station. All participants weighing fish will be asked to donate the weighed fish or substitute other fish for public viewing and for Rodeo use. Anglers may keep fish if they so choose.

2. The registration fee is $25 for Adults and $10 for Children. You must register prior to entering the fishing competition. Late registrants will have date and time written on their ticket stub. They will not be able to enter a fish before a period registration. When the angler is not present, fish must be tagged with name and registration number. Ticket sales close at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 4 2009. Anglers must print their name on the rodeo ticket for correct spelling on the Board.

3. Fish that are obtained by any other means than a rod and reel will not be eligible for competition.

4. Fishing area will extend to all Louisiana coastal, adjacent Federal waters and inside waters, which are accessible to
all rodeo participants.

5. Fishing will begin at sunrise on July 2, 2009 and close at 6:00 pm on July 4, 2009. Scales will be open as follows:
   Friday, July 3 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
   Saturday, July 4 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

6. Weights of the fish shall be determined in pounds and ounces. Weighing devices shall be approved by the Judge. Fish shall not be weighed except in the presence of the weigh-master and the angler’s registration ticket and number. Tarpons under 60 pounds will not be eligible.
When the angler is not present, all fish must be tagged with the angler’s name and registration number. Anglers are required to place tags on securely. Fish will not be considered unless properly tagged.
7. In the event of a tie, the first fish entered wins the prize.

8. The rodeo weigh-master is the supreme judge and all decisions are final. He decides how many fish an angler can weigh. He is an employee of the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo and not a board member. He is a professional at his job and SHALL NOT be subject to any type of abuse.

9. The rules and regulations shall be available for examination of any qualified contestant.

10. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places in all categories except TARPON, REDFISH, BASS, and
SPECKLED TROUT, which will have prizes for first through fifth places. Awards for OUTSTANDING FISHERMAN in BIG GAME SHORELINE and INSIDE DIVISIONS will be awarded. Judging will be based on 3 points for first place, 2 points for second place, and 1 point for third place.
In the case of a tie, the total weight will rule.

11. TAG & RELEASE DIVISION, BIG GAME DIVISION - by points. Blue Marlin 500 points, White Marlin 200 points, Yellow fin Tuna 250 points (limit of 2 tuna per day). Award for individual with most points.
TARPON DIVISION – by tag. Individual with most tags and boat with most tags. All tag cards must be presented to weigh-master at weigh station.

12. A Captain’s Award will be given to the boat with the most points for fish placing in the rodeo. The Captain’s Award will be given to the Boat in the Big Game, Shoreline, and Inside Divisions. Judging will be based on 3 points for first place, 2 points for second place, and 1 point for third place. In the case of a tie, total weight will rule.

Gift certificates will be awarded in the Adult Division

ELIGIBLE FISH (Hook and Line)

1. Diving is limited to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
2. All fish must be speared by the diver while submerged and must be brought to the boat by the diver who speared it. Fish first caught by means other than a spear gun are not eligible.
3. All fish are subject to autopsy. Any attempt to defraud or cheat in the rodeo disqualifies the offender and his entries.
4. All types of spear guns are allowed except those with free spears or powered by explosive means. A line either to the gun or to the diver will attach all spears. No power heads allowed to be used at any time during the rodeo.
5. All spear guns will be loaded and unloaded in the water.
6. Any infraction will result in immediate disqualification of all fish entered by the offender.
7. No ties considered. All entries must exceed the weight of the earlier fish of that category.
8. A King Spearfish Trophy will be awarded to the diver with the most points earned in the rodeo by winning the first, second, and third places in the spear fishing competition. In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken by the totaling of the aggregate weight of all the winning fish of each of the divers concerned. The greater number of pounds breaks the tie.
Point System: First place 3 points, second place 2 points, and third place 1 point.
9. A Team Trophy will be awarded to the diving club with the most points accumulated in the rodeo according to the above system.
10. All entrants must have a Louisiana fishing license.
11. ALL DECISIONS OF THE WEIGH-MASTER ARE FINAL AND ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN UP WITH OFFICIALS OF THE RODEO.
All fish in the Scuba Division must be weighed by 5:00 pm on the last day of the rodeo. NO EXCEPTIONS.

ELIGIBLE FISH (Scuba Diving)		Weighing Fish
Amberjack Grouper Spadefish Barracuda Jack Crevelle Triggerfish Cobia	Red Snapper Miscellaneous (excludes Tarpon and billfish) Mangrove Snapper Sheepshead