HCA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

(Effective December 19, 2024) The Highlands County Anglers (HCA) Board of Directors adopted the following rules which are binding for all HCA Tournament Trails and sanctioned events. Sanctioned Events include all tournaments that we have printed on our schedule such as but not limited to: B.A.S.S. Nation, Bass Master, and all local club events.

1. GENERAL RULES AND PENALTIES

1.1 Enforcement:

• Rules interpretation and enforcement are solely the responsibility of Tournament Officials. Their decisions are final.

• Penalties for violations include:

  • Reduction of competition points.

  • Loss of catch for the day.

  • Disqualification from the tournament.

  • Disqualification from current and future events (specific number or lifetime).

1.2 Reporting Violations:

• Anglers must report violations to officials immediately.

• Failure to report known violations may result in disqualification.

1.3 Protests:

• Protests must be filed within 15 minutes after weigh-in and before awards are presented.

• Protests must be filed with the Director or any Board Member.

1.4 Integrity:

• Falsifying weigh-in forms or other official documents is grounds for immediate disqualification

1.5 Boat Captain Eligibility:

• Local guides are ineligible to participate in the captain’s pot or fish on waters where they guide. 

• Tournament Officials reserve the right to deny any captain.

1.6 Team Composition:

• A team shall consist of no more than two (2) anglers. Teams with a junior angler and a high school angler will be classified as a high school team.

1.7 Legal Compliance

• All anglers must obey applicable Florida Boating and Fishing Wildlife statutes and rules. Violations may result in disqualification.

2. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY

2.1 Angler Eligibility:

• Must be a student in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

• Only current HCA members may compete. 

• If any high school angler is unable to fish, they MUST have a captain or another member who is fishing as a singleton on the boat. (No single person will be allowed to participate in an event)

• If a team member is unable to fish more than 2 consecutive tournaments the partner must write a letter to the board requesting permission to continue to fish with only a captain present. The letter must be submitted to the board within 15 days after the second tournament.

2.2 Boat Captains:

• Must be at least 18 years old, not in high school, and comply with Florida boating laws (State Issued ID).

2.3 Rules Acknowledgment:

• By registering, all participants agree to follow these rules. Failure to comply may result in penalties or disqualification. All participants must read the angler and captain's rules when signing up for each sanctioned tournament.

3. SPORTSMANSHIP AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

DEFINING SPORTSMANSHIP: Sportsmanship is the commitment to fair play, respect for competitors, and ethical behavior, including:

• Treating all participants, officials, and bystanders with courtesy.

• Respecting competitors' fishing zones and rights.

• Avoiding cheating, interference, or intimidation.

3.1 Standards of Conduct:

• All participants must uphold integrity, respect, courtesy, safety, and conservation.

• Acts such as public disputes, verbal abuse, racial or offensive comments, or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in penalties or disqualification.

• Any unethical or unsportsmanlike behavior can be grounds for suspension or disqualification for the remainder of the season. (Before, During, or After a tournament including non-tournament days)

3.2 Behavior Examples:

• No heated public disagreements or criticisms of officials, board members, parents, captains, anglers, or bystanders.

• No interference with other anglers’ ability to compete.

• Public disputes with officials or other teams.

• Social media attacks against HCA 

• Abuse (verbal, physical, or slanderous) of anyone connected to the tournament.

• Interfering with another angler’s ability to compete.

3.3 Prohibited Substances:

• Any underage use of Alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and non-prescription drugs are prohibited during events. 

• No alcohol or illegal drugs on the boat before or during the tournaments

• Boat captains are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol or illegal drugs before or during any tournament or sanctioned event.

3.4 Angler Code of Conduct:

• All participants, including anglers and their families, must conduct themselves professionally and support the integrity of the sport.

3.5 Consequences:

• Violations may result in penalties, disqualification, forfeiture of points/prizes, suspensions, or permanent bans.

4. COMPETITION RULES

4.1 Fishing Guidelines:

• Artificial baits only; live or dead bait is strictly prohibited.

• Anglers may use only one rod at a time (maximum length: 10 feet).

• No trolling with the combustion engine.

4.2 Captain Limitations:

Junior Captains MAY:

• Offer advice / Verbally explain techniques, how to… 

• Assist with culling fish

• Operate the trolling motor 

• Assist in removing backlashes 

• Assist in tying lures

• Assist in netting fish

• Fish ONLY if they have paid the fee for the Captain’s pot

• Cannot set hooks or transfer rods to anglers

Junior captains MAY NOT: 

• Fish if not fishing towards the Captain’s pot

High School Captains may:

• Operate the boat (big motor)

• Fish ONLY if they have paid the fee for the Captain’s pot

High School captains MAY NOT: 

• Fish if not fishing toward the Captain’s pot

• Land fish with or without a net 

• Assist in removing backlashes 

• Assist in tying lures 

• Operate the trolling motor

• Cannot set hooks or transfer rods to anglers

4.3 Fishing Zones:

• Maintain a 50-yard distance from other anglers. Casting into another boat’s area is prohibited.

4.4 Catch and Culling:

• Dead fish cannot be culled or counted for "Big Bass."

4.5 Emergencies:

• In case of an emergency, call 911 first, then notify officials (Buck: 381-2379, Morgan: 381-8464).

4.6 Restricted Practices:

• No drones, trailering, or bartering for fishing locations.

• No night practice (30 minutes post-sunset to 30 minutes pre-sunrise).

5. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Life Jackets and Kill Switches:

• Life jackets must be worn, and functional kill switches engaged whenever the combustion engine runs.

5.2 Inspections:

• Random boat checks will be conducted. Denial of inspection will result in disqualification. This includes any hatches, not just the live well.

5.3 Navigation Lights:

• Functioning navigation lights during low-light conditions.

• If navigational lights are not functional, anglers must wait to be released by tournament officials.

5.4 Live Wells:

• Functional live wells are mandatory

6. CHECK-IN, WEIGH-IN, AND SCORING

6.1 Check-In Procedure:

• Teams must check in with their assigned boat number at designated checkpoints.

6.2 Weigh-In Guidelines:

• Fish must measure at least 12 inches (Golden Rule standard).

• Teams are limited to five fish unless otherwise specified.

• Dead fish incur a 0.25-pound penalty per fish.

• Only tournament-issued bags may be used.

6.3 Tie Breakers:

1. Ties are resolved  in the following order based on:

   1. Total number of legal fish.

   2. Number of live fish.

   3. Heaviest single-day catch.

6.4 Late Penalty:

• Teams arriving late to the official check-in point are penalized 1 pound per minute. After 15 minutes, the day’s catch is forfeited.

• If mechanical issues arise, contact Buck or Morgan

7. PENALTIES FOR RULE VIOLATIONS

7.1 Immediate Consequences:

• Any violation, including but not limited to the use of live bait or dead bait when prohibited, unauthorized fishing activities by captains, or failure to uphold proper sportsmanship—such as inappropriate conduct, disrespectful behavior towards other participants, or unsportsmanlike actions—may result in immediate disqualification from the tournament and/or removal from HCA membership.

7.2 End-of-Year Tournament Eligibility:

• Participants must compete in at least two local tournaments and remain in compliance with all rules to qualify.

8. BOAT AND EQUIPMENT RULES

8.1 Boat Requirements:

• Must have functional live wells

• No jet drives or tunnel hulls

9. CLOTHING AND JERSEYS

9.1 Tournament Jerseys:

• Official current jerseys must be worn during tournaments. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

10. FISH HANDLING AND CONSERVATION

10.1 Fish Care:

• Use only non-penetrating culling clips.

• Maintain live wells at optimal levels, especially in warm weather.

10.2 Release Rules:

• Fish must be released into open water, not at the ramp.

11. BOARD DECISIONS

• Any disputes need to be submitted in writing to the board no more than 15 days after the event.

• The board has 30 days to respond to the dispute for a final decision.

This document serves as the official guideline for all HCA activities and competitions. All participants are responsible for thoroughly understanding and adhering to these rules. 

For questions, contact Tournament Officials Buck Rapp or Morgan Bullock