Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association - Southern Maryland Chapter

Angler of the Year -- Program Description and Rules

Entry Form Weekly Catch Report Worksheet Printable Version of Rules etc.

2011 ANGLERS OF THE YEAR

Southern Maryland Chapter Contest Rules

The “Anglers of the Year” contest is open to all members of the Southern Maryland Chapter. Members may enroll for a fee of $10 at anytime during the period of the contest. The contest runs from March 1, 2011 through December 10, 2011. The Anglers of the Year contest is open to saltwater fish caught during the species open season (catch and keep) using hook and line from a boat that leaves and returns to a port in Maryland or from the shore or a pier in Maryland. Administration of the contest will conform to the Summary of Maryland Tidal Recreational Fisheries Regulations published by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Summary contains species, minimum size limits, season/times and creel limits.

The Anglers of the Year contest is designed to identify and honor the Chapter participants who:
     - Fishes often & catches frequently                        - Supports Youth/Veterans fishing activities
     - Catches big fish                                                 - Uses a variety of fishing methods
     - Catches a variety of fish                                      - Practices fish conservation
     - Obeys Maryland DNR fishing regulations              - Fishes with other Chapter Members

The 2011 Anglers of the Year contest will include multiple winning categories. These categories include the overall Angler of the Year, second and third place, a quarterly winner, and largest fish per species categories. The Angler of the Year having the highest point total will be awarded a $300 cash prize at the Chapter Holiday dinner and will receive a trophy, and have his/her name placed on the Chapter Angler of the Year Plaque. Second and third place contestants will receive $150 and $75, respectively at the annual Holiday dinner. The quarters will end on May 7, July 16, September 24 and December 10. The quarterly winner will receive a $25 cash award at the next Chapter meeting following these dates and the last quarter winner will receive a cash award at the annual Holiday dinner. The largest fish per species include: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Spanish Mackeral, Flounder, Croaker and White Perch. Contestants may use the Chapter Weekly Catch Report form to report the actual size of their entry. The largest fish per species winners will receive a $25 cash award at the annual Holiday dinner.

AWARDING OF POINTS
Contestants will be awarded points by participating in the following six categories of competition.

1. Chapter Weekly Catch Report - Once a week, Sunday through Saturday (except April 16, 2011 which will count as a week) you may submit one fish per week in each of the following species:

Striped Bass                       Bluefish Spanish                  Mackerel
Flounder                             Croaker                               White Perch
Spot                                   *Other Species

* Note: This category includes any Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Coast saltwater species listed on the Summary of Maryland Tidal Recreation Fisheries Regulation having a minimum hook and line size limit. Examples include Sea Bass (12”), Black Drum (16”), Red Drum (18” – 27”), Tautog (14”), and Weakfish (13”)

You will receive one point for catching a legal fish. Plus you will receive one half point for every whole inch over the minimum legal size up to one inch less than citation size for that species. Once a fish reaches citation size you must submit it through the Maryland Citation Fish Program (see items 4. & 5. below). The Weekly Catch Report form must be witnessed by another Chapter member and mailed within two weeks. Members are reminded that if they have a MSSA family membership, any family member may qualify as a witness.

For those who fish alone, submit a photo of your catch along with your completed Weekly Catch Report form signed in the “Single Angler” space. SMC 2011 Weekly Catch Report form will be provided at each Chapter meeting. Additional copies may be downloaded from the Chapter website. Directions for submitting your Weekly Catch Reports and photos either via e-mail or mail will be provided at our Chapter meetings.

2. Take A Member Fishing - Once per week an SMC Captain (on a not for hire trip) will be awarded one point for each member he/she takes fishing when the Captain does not catch a fish. Complete the bottom of the Weekly Catch Report form with the date of trip and name of member/s.

3. Youth/Veterans Activities - You will receive five (5) points for participating in each of the following activities approved by the Chapter’s Executive Committee. A maximum of ten (10) points will be awarded, per individual, for each camp or other muli-day event.
Hooked on Fishing Greenwell Summer Camp (each time)/Greenwell Fall Festival Youth Fishing Activity Veterans Activity

4. Maryland Citation Fish Program - Submit the completed Weekly Catch Report along with your copy of the Citation form obtained from an authorized State check-in station. You will receive 15 points, plus 1 point for every whole inch over the citation size. This category is open to any saltwater species listed on the DNR citation list for the Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Coast (see attached).

5. Maryland Citation Rockfish Catch and Release - Submit the completed Weekly Catch Report along with a copy of your Maryland Rockfish Conservation Catch and Release form, for each C&R citation size Rockfish you release. Same points as above plus 10 bonus points (see attached C&R Form).

6. Post A Photo for Points - Submit a digital photograph of yourself with your Citation fish for posting to the Chapter website and receive 2 additional points. Directions for submitting photos as an attachment via e-mail will be provided at our Chapter meetings.

It is the responsibility of each participant to complete the required forms, submit Weekly Catch Report, Citation forms and photos and confirm that you have been credited with the correct number of points. The contest standings will be announced at Chapter meetings and will be posted periodically on the Chapter website.

MINIMUM SIZES FOR CITATION

Freshwater		Chesapeake Bay		Atlantic Coast
Species	Citation	Species	Citation	Species	Citation
Bass, Largemouth	21 in	Bass, Largemouth	22 in	Albacore (Longfin)	36 in
Bass, Smallmouth	21 in	Bass, Smallmouth	20 in	Albacore, False	24 in
Bass, Striped	36 in	Bass, Striped	40 in	Amberjack	45 in
Catfish, Blue	40 in	Bluefish	34 in	Atlantic Spadefish	24 in
Catfish, Bullhead	15 in	Carp	30 in	Bass, Striped	40 in
Catfish, Channel	30 in	Catfish, Channel	30 in	Bluefish	34 in
Carp	36 in	Chain Pickerel	24 in	Cobia	44 in
Chain Pickerel	24 in	Cobia	44 in	Croaker	18 in
Crappie	15 in	Crappie	15 in	Dolphin	45 in
Muskellunge & Tiger Muskie	40 in	Croaker	18 in	Drum, Black	48 in
Northern Pike	38 in	Drum, Black	48 in	Drum, Red*	any size
Perch, White	13 in	Drum, Red*	any size	Flounder	24 in
Perch, Yellow	14 in	Flounder	24 in	King Mackerel	40 in
Rainbow Trout	20 in	Gar	36 in	Marlin, Blue*	any size
Rock Bass	10 in	Perch, White	13 in	Marlin, White*	any size
Sunfish, Bluegill	11 in	Perch, Yellow	14 in	Northern Whiting (Kingfish)	14 in
Sunfish, Redbreast	10 in	Sheepshead	24 in	Sailfish*	any size
Sunfish, Redear	11 in	Spanish Mackerel	22 in	Seabass	20 in
Trout, Brook	15 in	Spot	12 in	Shark, Blue*	any size
Trout, Brown	21 in	Spotted Seatrout	24 in	Shark, Hammerhead*	any size
Trout, Cutthroat	20 in	Walleye	26 in	Shark, Mako*	any size
Walleye	26 in	Weakfish	24 in	Shark, Sand Tiger*	any size
				Shark, Thresher*	any size
				Shark, Tiger*	any size
				Sheepshead	20 in
				Spanish Mackerel	22 in
				Spot	12 in
				Spotted Seatrout	24 in
				Swordfish*	any size
				Tautog	24 in
				Tuna, Bigeye**	60 in
				Tuna, Blackfin**	30 in
				Tuna, Bluefin**	60 in
				Tuna, Yellowfin**	50 in
				Wahoo	60 in
				Weakfish	24 in

* Only Released fish are eligible
** Use curved fork length measurements

MARYLAND CATCH & RELEASE AWARD PROGRAM

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring its annual catch and release award program. This program rewards anglers that release their catch alive. If an angler's catch meets or exceeds the minimum size of any species of sportfish that meets Federal or State minimum size limits they can enter the Maryland Catch and Release program. A citation and patch will be awarded in recognition of their conservation ethics. Anglers that submit 10 different species eligible in the Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament for catch and release will be awarded a commemorative hat.

Official Rules

Fish must be caught in Maryland waters by rod and reel and released alive and in good shape.
Only one citation per day per species and one arm patch per species per season.
Fish must be measured from tip of the jaw to tip of the tail to determine if eligible. An entry form must be filled out and sent in. If possible, a photograph should be enclosed with your entry.* Entry forms can be completed at any official citation center.
*Photographs will not be returned and may be used in future sport fishing promotions.

Copy of Catch and Release Form, official entry form must be obtained at local check-in station

MARYLAND SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT
OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK

DIRECTIONS: Mail White Copy plus a photograph, if available, to the tournament office. Angler retains yellow copy as receipt.

(Submission of a photograph authorizes DNR to use it for multimedia purposes, including news media and the Internet.)

PLEASE CHECK PROPER CATEGORY qMy 1st Fish qChesapeake Bay Division qAtlantic Coast Division

qFreshwater Division qCatch and Release

PLEASE PRINT

NAME ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS _______________________________________________________

CITY_____________________ STATE _____________ ZIP ______________

TELEPHONE ________________________ DATE OF BIRTH _____________

EMAIL ADDRESS__________________________________________________

SPECIES CAUGHT________________________________________________

WEIGHT STATE RECORD ONLY______________
(If weight exceeds existing State Record, read State Record Rules in current tournament brochure.)

LENGTH___________GIRTH____________DATE CAUGHT_______________

FISHING METHOD (Circle one) BF - Bottom Fishing; T - Trolling; C - Chumming; CG - Casting; S - Surf Fishing

WHERE CAUGHT (Be specific)_______________________________________

qCHARTER BOAT qSHORELINE FISHING qPRIVATE BOAT

ANGLER’S SIGNATURE____________________________________________

GUARDIAN SIGNATURE ___________________________________________
(IF ANGLER IS UNDER 18)

FISHING BUDDY’S NAME __________________________________________
(FOR MY 1st FISH CATEGORY)

OFFICIAL CITATION CENTER _______________________DATE___________

PLEASE RETURN WHITE COPY TO
Attention: Keith Lockwood
Maryland Sport Fishing Tournament
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
904 South Morris Street
Oxford, MD 21654

Rev: Sep 2009