Helena Rules

These rules have been established to encourage fairness, safety, conservation, and significant care for the fish caught. It is the goal of this event to move our sport forward as an example for all to follow.

1. Entries made and paid for are prohibited from being sold, bartered or given away without the expressed written consent of a tournament official. All Entries Are Final! Good sportsmanship is expected of all individuals during the tournament. Failure to follow good sportsmanship may result in disqualification.
2. Any disorderly conduct will be reason alone for disqualification.
3. Any violation will result in automatic disqualification.
4. All State and Federal rules will be observed. It is up the the anglers to determine what license or licenses may be needed.
5. One participant from each team MUST be present for mandatory check in at Cherry Street Pavilion Thursday, Aug. 19th 5-7pm.
6. Tournament Hours: 6:30AM – 3:00PM. Lines in the water prior to 6:30AM will be cause for immediate disqualification. Livewell checks will begin at 3:30am at the Cherry Street Pavilion Friday & Saturday morning.
7. Teams are limited to a maximum of a 3 person team.
8. All children 16 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult.
9. Life vest must be worn at take off and encouraged while underway at all times.
10. Fish may only be caught by Rod and Reel method only.
11. A maximum of 3 fish per boat per day will be allowed at weigh in.Only 2 fish 34 Inches or over and 1 under will be allowed.
12. Teams are allowed to have as many rods on board as needed. However, only 6 rods are allowed in the water at any given time.
13. No snagging will be allowed
14. No foul hooked fish will be accepted
15. No chumming
16. No fishing intentionally baited holes.
17. All tournament boats must maintain a distance of 50 yards between each other while anchored and 50 feet while drifting. This includes all boats.
18. Buddy fishing or sharing of information during tournament hours including techniques, baits, location, etc. is strictly prohibited.
19. No fishing outside of the boat.
20. No alcoholic beverages, marijuana or illegal substances are allowed on board or used during tournament hours.
21. Trailering will be allowed (but discouraged). The North ramp boundary is Tunica River Park Ramp, MS and the South ramp boundary is Rosedale Boat Ramp, MS.
22. Onboard live wells must be no less than 50 gallons or 2 - 40 gallon, employ an electric fresh water circulating pump and include proper aeration. OXYGEN USE WILL BE MANDATORY FOR EACH TEAM.
23. All boats must be at Cherry Street Pavilion by 4:30PM except for teams using Helena's city ramp. Those teams must be at the ramp location at 4pm. If necessary we will delay boats coming to stage to reduce long wait times.
24. Weigh in will begin and take place at the Cherry Street Pavilion at or before 4:00PM.
25. There may not be any extra fish in live-well. If there are more than 3 fish in live-well at weigh in it will result in disqualification.
26. It is encouraged for all fish handled at weigh in to be handled with a gripper and gloves. Weigh slings are also encouraged. Larger fish are encouraged to be handled by 2 anglers.
27. Dropping of fish at weigh in is discouraged.
28. Placing of ALL fish into the weigh totes must be completed with care. No throwing or mishandling will be tolerated.
29. No dead fish will be allowed at weigh in and will disqualify your team.
30. No culling of fish at weigh in.
31. Ties will be decided by the team with the largest fish.
32. Any protests must be made before the Awards Ceremony and must be in writing. We will not accept any protests thereafter.
33. This is a catch and release tournament. All live fish must be released healthy and alive. They may not be taken home with tournament participants.
34. Angler’s that consider their catch to be a possible record will be responsible for caring for the fish until the proper authorities are notified and arrive for verification purposes.
35. Social Media live feeds are allowed and encouraged. However, caution must be used not to reveal to much relevant information when going live during the tournament hours. (see rule #18)
36. All boats will return fish to Helena City Park ramp after weigh in. There will be a fish slide set up to return fish into the river.

Tournament Boundaries:

All participants must adhere to the following launch boundaries: The North ramp boundary is Tunica River Par, MS and the South ramp boundary is Rosedale Boat Ramp, MS. You may fish the Mississippi River and all of its tributaries ONLY.

All fishermen are subject to a polygraph exam.

NOTE: There will be someone at the weigh in site throughout the tournament. If you have a large fish or fish that will not survive until 4:00PM, you may bring your fish to be weighed and recorded. We will then release the fish and you can continue to fish. Once the weight has been recorded and the amount of fish you may not cull when you come back in.

If you have fish that you feel will not survive until weigh in time bring them in so they can be weighed and released. That is why we have someone at weigh in. So that the fish can be released with the least amount of stress and a successful survival rate.

Boat numbers will be issued in the order entries are received and payment is made.

We will utilize the Helena River Park as the point of tournament operations. Boats will launch first come, first serve. To view park ramp info use the following link: Helena River Park Ramp

This is a live document. Rules are subject to change without notice.