American Carp League :: Competition Rules
Basic Terms and Conditions:
The terms and conditions presented here apply between American Carp Society, LLC (“ACS”) and those persons registering for and participating in ACL competitive Tournaments and Events (“Competitor”).
Each ACL Tournament or Event is a CPRR (Catch-Photo-Record-Release) contest in which each Competitor catches their own fish, digitally photographs them according to the standards described herein, and submits the lengths and photographs for verification. These competitions are conducted according to ACL Competition Rules.
Participation:
ACS Membership - Participation in ACL Tournaments is open only to current American Carp Society Members. Competitors must be an active member by the event registration deadline. Non-members who register and compete are not eligible for prizes.
Tournament Registration - ACL Tournaments are conducted using a Tournament Management System (“TMS”). Each angler who wishes to participate must create a TMS user account before the first day of competition and must sign up for the event and pay the entry fee on the TMS.
Entry Fee - Each ACL Tournament will have a required entry fee to cover administrative costs and to fund the competition payout schedule. 100% of funds available after administrative costs are paid will be portioned out to winners.
Refund Eligibility - Anglers canceling before an event registration deadline, will be eligible for a refund minus 20%. Once the registration deadline has passed, entry fees will become non-refundable. If an ACL tournament is canceled, anglers will be fully refunded.
Submitting Catches:
Species - Only Common Carp, to include Mirror Carp, are accepted species unless otherwise noted in the event details.
Length - Length will be the measure used to record the size of fish captured. No minimum length is required.
Condition - Fish must not appear dead, damaged or mishandled. ACS Judges may disqualify captures based on fish condition as a result of poor fish care.
ACL EVENT ID CARD - Each ACL event will have an associated ACL EVENT ID CARD with the angler’s unique identifier code. This card must be visible in each photo submission.
Measuring Tape - A standard “Feet & Inches” increment tape measure with 1/4-inch graduation is required.
Tape measure must be readable, clean, and unobstructed to ensure judges can accurately review your catch length and award the catch length accurately.
Photo Standards:
Unique – Each digital photo submitted in each Event must be of a different fish. Digital photographs of each fish submitted to judges for scoring must meet the criteria detailed in this section. The Judge will deny subsequent digital photos of the same fish submitted by the Competitor in an Event. All fish must be caught, photographed and released prior to resuming fishing for subsequent fish.
Position, Visible, Legible - Each digital photo submitted must be in focus and clear enough to be judged or else the catch will be denied.
Fish must be positioned facing left, dorsal fin up (belly down), tail to the right.
The ACL EVENT ID BADGE must be visible in photo. The inability of the judge to verify ID will result in the denial of the photo submission.
The fish must be in good condition. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
Verify the fish’s length. The judge will score fish at the greatest length of which he is certain.
Ensure the tape is placed at the tip of the Carp’s lip. The inability of the judge to verify tape placement will result in denial of the photo submission at the judge’s discretion.
The measuring tape should run from lip to tail across the “centerline” of the fish and be unobstructed such that the entire tape is visible in the photo. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission at the judge’s discretion.
The entire fish, from its mouth/lip to the end of its caudal (tail) fin must be visible in photos. If either end of the fish is covered or cropped off, the photo may be denied at the judge’s discretion.
Fish may not be restrained with any type of physical restraint (i.e. straps, bands, stringers, clips, grippers, etc…) while being photographed.
Centered - Camera lens positioned directly over the center of the fish’s body, which contributes to accurate measurement by judges. Photos taken at an angle may be denied at the judge’s discretion.
Original Image - Each digital photo must be a first-generation image (not a photo of or screenshot of another photo). Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
Identifiable - ACL EVENT ID CARD is placed above, below, or beside the fish (not laying on top of the fish). Photo’s missing the ID CARD will be denied.
Tackle and Equipment:
Local Regulations - All fish submitted for score must be caught live by the Competitor who submits them for scoring using only equipment and legal methods that comply with all fishing statutes and regulations of the states and body of water in which they are taken. Competitors are responsible for research of and compliance with all applicable fishing and boating regulations. Snatching or snagging fish is not permitted.
Fish Care - Fish must be caught, photographed and released prior to resuming fishing, utilizing proper fish care equipment such as landing mats, fish cradles, mesh nets, etc… Violations will result in disqualification from the event.
Hook Selection - Treble Hooks and multiple hook rigs are not permitted and will result in disqualification from the event.
Awarding Prizes:
Amount - Amounts paid per rank are subject to change based on participation (lower value for fewer entries and higher value for more entries).
Delivery - Prizes will be processed after all photos submitted for scoring have been judged, the results reviewed, and disputes have been resolved.
Taxes - Competitors are responsible for all applicable taxes on cash awards. All prize recipients must fill out and submit a substitute IRS Form W-9 including name, address, social security number, signature, and date. These are used to prepare IRS 1099 forms for distribution in January.
Social Media:
Expectation of Conduct - Competitors are expected to express any dispute or disagreement with The American Carp Society (ACS) directly by contacting “info@americancarpsociety.com” or any ACS Representative. Publicly disparaging, attacking, or denigrating ACS, it’s representatives, judges, rules or tournaments may result in disciplinary action from a Warning (for first offense) to Disqualification from current events, future events and Termination of Membership.
As a condition of participation in a Competition, and by virtue of registering for the Competition, each Competitor agrees to accept the terms and condition of the American Carp Society Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (below). This Agreement absolves The American Carp Society LLC, its officers, staff, and volunteers from responsibility and threat of litigation in the case of injury, loss, or death sustained by a Competitor when participating in an Event.