NTXKC 2025 Rules

North Texas Kayak Championship 2025 Rules

OVERVIEW

The 2025 North Texas Kayak Championships will consist of 7 individual qualifying tournament events, and a "Classic" at the end of the season. All anglers are invited to participate in the first 7 series events and depending on participation the top 50 Anglers will get an invite to the NTXKC Classic at the end of the season. A series-wide point system will be used to keep a running leader board based on individual event rankings. The top 4 out of 7 events plus the points from the Classic will give you the total points for Aoy and Roy. The "Classic" will be the final showdown between the top 50 eligible anglers. The winner of each event will automatically get an invite to fish the "Classic". The Angler of the Year Award will be given to the competitor with the most overall points. We will make every effort to keep the 2025 NTXKC season a competitive and fun series for everyone.

 

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILIY

• The 2025 North Texas Kayak Championships is open to ALL anglers provided they meet the Requirements and honor all Rules and Regulations listed below.

•Angler's must be a member of 2025 North Texas Kayak Championships to compete.

• Disabled or Special Medical Needs: Competitors will be allowed to use kayaks or canoes with trolling motors, or Kayak Manufacturer Motors just like everyone else. Only 1 powered motor per vessel.

• Tournament Director reserves right to seek verification such as a doctor’s note (or a negative covid test result). Please contact the Tournament Director with ample time to make these arrangements. (SEE ADDENDUM ABOVE)

• Special Rules and amendments may be announced, added, or omitted for special circumstances or

clarification at the judgment of NTXKC Officials

• Participants MUST view the Captain’s Meeting. There is a live video at the announced time. You must verify that you are registered on TourneyX, identifiers will be issued after the Captain's meeting.

• A violation of tournament rules may result in penalties, disqualification, or banishment at the

discretion NTXKC Officials.

 

LIABILITY RELEASE/LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• ALL competitors must agree to a liability release prior to start of the event, this will be completed during your online registration.

• ALL competitors UNDER the age of 18 must notify the TD and provide a liability release signed by a parent or guardian before the start of the event. Parent or guardian must be present.

• ALL competitors MUST have a valid Texas Freshwater Fishing License or be exempt under TPWD regulations.

• For current regulations and information on fishing licenses visit:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/index.phtml

 

 

 

 

APPROVED WATERCRAFT

• Competitors will be allowed to use kayaks or canoes with trolling motors.

• Kayaks, canoes, inflatable kayaks and paddleboards, stand up paddleboards are acceptable. Bluesky 360's are also allowed.

• NO gasoline powered boats, sail boats, airboats, float tubes, or poled boats maybe used.

• Only ONE paid entrant per vessel.

• NO pier/shoreline/wade/jug/trot line/hand line/cast or drag net/bow fishing allowed.

 

LAUNCH POINT & PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS

• This tournament is designated as “Roadrunner” event:

• Boats may be launched at any legal and public launch site on the Main body of the designated lake.

•Unless posted otherwise, as it pertains to tributaries of the main body of water, competitors must

be able to float in and out or through an area during tournament days for it to be considered legal

waters to navigate. Anglers can use pedal/ paddle/ push-pole to navigate. If an anglers’ kayak

bottoms out and becomes completely or partially immobilized from the bottom while navigating,

they are no longer considered floating.

• You must view the virtual Captains Meeting, and you must adhere to normal Scoring and Weigh-in times.

• Transporting vessels/competitors via power driven boats (including towing) is strictly prohibited except in the case of an emergency as determined by the tournament director.

• During practice and competition, anglers are not allowed to make changes to the waterway and it

must be utilized how it’s naturally presented.

• Boats may never be tethered to on-water markers like buoys or safety signs.

• The use of cables, ropes, chains or any type of block and tackle system to maneuver a kayak into or

out of fishing waters is strictly prohibited.

• Portaging is prohibited unless posted otherwise.

 

PERMITTED FISHING METHODS/BAIT/LURES

• ONLY artificial baits/lures/flies and hand-tied flies will be permitted.

• NO live or dead bait may be used.

• Rod and Reel and Fly Rods are the only devices acceptable.

• NO downriggers allowed, trolling under human power is acceptable.

• 1 rod/line in the water at anytime.

 

 

 

SAFETY REGULATIONS

• PFD (lifejacket) MUST be worn at ALL times while on the water. NO exceptions. Violators will be immediately disqualified if spotted not wearing a PFD.

• Competitors must meet all TPWD regulations.

• http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/laws/

• Competitors must meet all US Coast Guard Regulations.

• http://www.uscgboating.org

• Official spotters may be present during competitions.

 

GENERAL RULES

• NO competitors are to be within 10 yards of each other during fish-time (unless both parties are agreed upon sharing space); except in the case of emergency when assistance is required.

• NO fish are to be kept on stringers.

• Any ONE fish can only be submitted ONCE per event. If fishing 2 separate events the fish can be submitted once each per event.

• Fishing in OFF-LIMITS areas will result in disqualification.

• Captain’s Meeting attendance is not MANDATORY. But must be viewed online.

 

COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION GATHERING

• The purchasing of or bartering for information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters

(other than through commercially available sources) is not permitted for 2  weeks up to the tournament day.

• ANY use of or communication with a guide or guide services, directly or indirectly, pertaining to

tournament waters within 14 days of the event is prohibited, other than through publicly available

sources.

• Anglers may not solicit fishing or waterway information from anyone in attempt to gain a

competitive advantage within 14 days of the event to the conclusion of the

event.

• During the tournament hours of each day (First Launch- Fishing Concludes) an electronic device

may not be used to speak to anyone about tournament waters, fishing strategies, techniques, etc.

The device can still be used as a means of communication to NTXKC Staff, social media updates, safety

checks, ride coordination, and/or work and family emergencies/ urgent matters.

• Any collaboration on or off the water with other competitors or non- competitors for the purpose of

sharing or pooling winnings is strictly prohibited and will result in a disqualification of all involved.

• These rules are in place to cancel out any “unfair advantages” and the sharing of information that may create an unfair competitive advantage during the competition.

 

 

 

QUALIFYING FISH

• ALL fish must be caught within boundary waters during the tournament time.

• ONLY the following species will count towards your total.

• Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Guadalupe Bass shall all be counted for BASS.

• http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/bkbass_diagrams.phtml

• CPR: Catch, Photo, and Release alive only.

 

MEASURING DEVICE

• NTXKC is allowing Ketch boards and YakAttack Leaderboards and measuring devices. You can use the Ketch Karbonate or metal Ketch boards.

• Competitors must use their own measuring device. If you lose yours, you will need to notify the td your situation before you use a borrowed board.

• Your device may be checked by staff at any time.

• If the judge cannot clearly see the markings, that fish will not be scored. At a minimum ¼ inch increments need to be visible.

•  NTXKC is a mouth closed tournament. All pictures with open mouths will be deducted 1/4". If all 5 of your submissions are open mouth, you will be dq'd.

 

PRACTICE PERIOD/OFF LIMITS

• There will not be an "Off Limits" time.

 

RESCHEDULING/CANCELLATION/NON-ATTENDANCE

• INCLEMENT WEATHER: The Tournament Director may delay, reschedule, or cancel the event.

• The first option will be a delay to be determined by the tournament director.

• The reschedule date for any event is the following day (same time/place/launch).

• If both days are rescheduled, the following weekend will serve as make-up event.

• If canceled or rescheduled, entrants can be refunded or have fee applied to next event.

• Refunds will be given with advance notice.

 

PHOTO RELEASE

• Contestants grant NTXKC and the sponsors the unconditional right to use their name, voice, photographic likeness and biographical information in connection with Mariner Sails tournaments, production, promotion, and/or articles and press releases, and shall not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use.

 

 

 

IMPAIRMENT

• DRUG and or ALCOHOL use during the tournament is strictly PROHIBITED.

• ANY competitor found to be under the influence will be disqualified and will receive a score of ZERO.

 

RULES INTERPRETATION and PROTESTS

• All rules are decided and interpreted by the Tournament Director.

• Any protests should be registered with the tournament director immediately after the results being posted.

• The Tournament Director retains the right to make any changes at ANY time, and the FINAL decision.

• Not having read the rules is NOT an exception.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

• This competition is intended and will be a competitive and professional event. It is also designed to be lots of fun. That being said, ALL anglers are encouraged to be good sportsmen throughout the series. Any disorderly conduct, violation of rules, or illegal activity may result in your disqualification.

•During practice and competition, anglers are not allowed to make changes to the waterway, and it must be utilized how it’s naturally presented. This includes but is not limited to adding, cutting, or removing trees/ brush, digging/ filling ditches, adding or removing rocks and purposely adding or removing vegetation

• Any report of cheating will be investigated. Any cheating reported with proof will result in immediate disqualification. KNOW THE RULES!

ENTRY FEES

• ALL participants MUST have paid entry fee and registered on TourneyX prior to fishing.

• Entry Fee for each NTXKC trail event is as follows:

• Online Registration will end on the Friday night at 6pm before the Captain's meeting.

• $70.00 entry fee, $25 membership, and $10 Big Bass,  paid through TourneyX.

 

PHOTO CRITERIA/SUBMISSION/JUDGING

APPROVED CAMERAS

• We will be using TourneyX to judge all submissions for this tournament.

• All contestants are to submit their catch through TourneyX App on their smart phone.

• If you do not have cell service or are using a digital camera, you will need to plan accordingly and come find the Tournament Director before the deadline to submit your catch.

• While we have a universal card reader, it is highly recommended that you bring a USB cord that is compatible with your camera. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure we can download your pictures.

 

 

PHOTO CRITERIA

• See the info graphic on proper CPR process:

• Each fish photo MUST include ALL of the following criteria:

• The whole fish, tip to tail.

• Laying with the tip of the lip at beginning of measuring device.

• Mouth Closed to Furthest Tip of Tail

• Fish MUST be left side UP.

• Measurement markings must be clearly visible

• Assigned unique identifier must be visible

• Nothing other than your hand can be used to hold the fish down to the measuring device.

• Angler cannot use any object to hold fish’s mouth to the measuring device.

• ONE OVERHEAD PHOTO SHOT FRAME (not at an angle)

• Fish must be clear of any devices. Fins/tail/head/eyes cannot be obstructed in photo.

• ALL criteria must be met or photo will not be scored.

• If you do not have cell service at the time, you can take the pics and submit it later when you are in an area that has cell service. (it is the angler's responsibility to make sure you have your fish submitted!)

 

WEIGH IN

• ONLY the Tournament Director and designated staff will be involved in the judging process.

• Since this will mostly be an online submitted tournament, there will be no late submittals. If you know you do not have cell service out on the lake or are using a digital camera, it is YOUR responsibility to get back early so you can submit it in person.

 

JUDGING

• Competitor photos will be reviewed and scored by Tournament Director and designated staff.

• Photos that do not meet the requirements as provided will be rejected and you will have the option to resubmit a better picture if you have it.

• The Tournament Director and designated staff will be solely responsible and retain the right to declare any photo as “unacceptable”.

• Winners will be declared and prizes/awards will be announced by the Tournament Director.

• The Tournament will then be declared complete.

• Tournament Director will make final decision on whether adjustment will be made and which effect that will have on any prizes given out in the event of an error.

 

 

SCORING/POINTS/TIES/AWARDS

• EACH competitor will be provided an identifier and a Inspection Tag for the event.

• Your 5 (five) LONGEST verified lengths will be totaled for your score.

• Fish UNDER 12” will not be scored and should not be photographed or recorded.

• A 12” bass is legal; a 11.75 in bass is not legal, no rounding will apply.

• Rounding will be DOWN and to the nearest ¼ (quarter) inch.

 

TIES

• In the event of a TIE, the following criteria will decide the winner:

• Biggest Fish

• 2nd Biggest Fish

• 3rd Biggest Fish

• And so on until there are no more fish to compare; then a coin toss.

• Ties will be decided by a 4-hour FISH-OFF

• Total length, no limit, 12” minimum

• Time and place to be decided between involved competitors and Tournament Director.

• The winner takes 1st place and the runner up will move to 2nd, pushing 2nd to 3rd and so on.

 

CONTACT

You may contact Duc Tran or Tracy Dougan for questions or concerns.

 

Duc Tran: 817-966-5711 ntxkc9999@gmail.com

Tracy Dougan: 214-243-5547