2026 SeaArk Boat Owner’s Invitational
Crappie Tournament Rules

1. REGISTRATION

The registration fee is $365. The deadline for pre-registration is March 2, 2026. Any registration received after this date will incur a $50 late fee. No refunds will be provided for any reason after March 16, 2026.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Teams may fish from any legally registered boat that meets all state and tournament safety requirements. To be eligible for SeaArk owner-specific prizes and drawings, the verified SeaArk boat owner must be registered for the event and present at weigh-in. A copy of the SeaArk boat registration must be presented at the Captain’s Dinner to qualify for SeaArk owner-only prizes.

3. PARTICIPANTS

This is a team event. Teams may consist of up to three (3) people. Youth 14 years old and younger are allowed on board provided boat capacity is not exceeded. The eight-rod rule applies regardless of team size. The captain’s name must be on the registration.

4. SPORTSMANSHIP

All contestants are expected to uphold high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any violation of these principles or state and local laws may result in disqualification.

5. SAFETY

Boating safety must be observed at all times. All boats must comply with Louisiana State Law, including a working kill switch and USCG-approved life preservers. Life preservers and kill switches must be worn whenever the combustible engine is running.

6. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS

(Lake D’Arbonne) Tournament waters shall be defined as areas open to all participants of the event and accessible by normal navigational means only fishing within 50 feet of a marina gas pump or within 50 feet of a competitor’s boat, which was first anchored, is prohibited. (Trolling motor must be in up position to be considered anchored.) A safe and courteous distance should be maintained when trolling motors are in use. Any violation of off-limits water will result in disqualification.

7. CAPTAIN’S MEETING

The Captain’s Meeting will be held Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Farmerville Recreation Center (116 Cox Ferry Rd, Farmerville, LA 71241). Check-in is from 5:00–6:00 PM followed by dinner and rules review at 6:00 PM. At least one team member must attend.

8. LIVEWELLS

Livewells are required. Stringers or fish bags are not allowed.

9. FISHING HOURS

Boats must be off tournament waters by 6:00 PM the day prior. Tournament hours are 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. All boats must check in by 3:30 PM. No exceptions.

10. BOAT LAUNCH

Boats may launch beginning at 5:30 AM following a livewell check. Teams may trailer to any public ramp on Lake D’Arbonne.

11. BAIT

Any legal or commercial bait is allowed. No chumming or hole baiting is permitted.

12. NUMBER OF RODS

A maximum of eight (8) rods per boat may be used at any time. Extra rods may be on board but not in use.

13. SCORING

Teams may not have more than (5) crappie when entering the official weigh-in line. Any team presenting more than allowed creel (5) will be disqualified. Once you have entered the weigh-in line, your fish will be checked for count. Only live fish will be allowed to be weighed. All dead crappie will be removed from your creel and only those live fish remaining will be entered on the weigh-in voucher. Once your fish have been verified alive and entered on the weigh-in voucher, you will then be allowed to weigh-in those fish, and only those fish, even if one or more die before reaching the scales. You may then continue to the scales for your official weigh-in by the tournament director. The tournament director has sole responsibility for the declaration of dead or live crappie. All healthy fish weighed in will be released to the lake.

14. LEGAL CATCH

Crappie must be hooked and landed by a team member using a rod or pole and must be hooked through the lip or mouth.

15. TIES

In the event of a tie, prize money will be combined and split equally between tied teams.

16. MECHANICAL FAILURE

If a boat experiences mechanical failure, SeaArk Tournament staff will assist with towing when possible. Towing by other means is allowed provided fish remain in the boat and all rules are followed.

17. PROTESTS

All protests must be submitted in writing before the scales close. Scales will close 15 minutes after the final team weighs in.

18. POLYGRAPH

All contestants are subject to a polygraph test. Refusal to submit will result in immediate disqualification.

19. ALCOHOL & DRUGS

No alcoholic beverages or non-prescription drugs are allowed in the boat or consumed during tournament hours.

20. BOAT DRAWINGS & GIVEAWAYS

Teams weighing in at least one (1) legal crappie and present at the drawing are eligible. One entry per team. Verified SeaArk boat owners will be entered into a random drawing for a SeaArk Flex 19. All teams, including non-SeaArk owners, will be entered into a random drawing for a SeaArk 1648 Special. No substitutions or cash equivalents will be offered. Winners must be present to claim prizes.

21. RULE CHANGES

The following rules will remain unchanged throughout the event unless State or Local laws are in conflict. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Committee. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Committee may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decision of the Tournament Committee shall be final in all matters. It is at the Committee’s discretion to make a change where the safety of the contestants is a concern. ALL Tournament, Federal, State, and Local laws must be obeyed during tournament hours regardless of chip or weigh-in status. It is the contestant’s responsibility to know these rules.