Rules - Belhaven Trout Tournament

Official Tournament Rules

Last updated March 14, 2025.

Goal Statement

Our goal is to provide friendly and family-oriented fishing tournaments for our anglers; helping our communities through special fundraising events and most importantly to establish lifelong relationships with our youth and locals throughout our communities.

Rules & Regulations

  1. If at any time a participant or member decides to leave the tournament early or if an incident should occur that prevents coming to weigh-in you must contact Tim Askew - President of the ECIC, or the Tournament Director, Hugh Sutton.

  2. Life vests (PFD's) must be worn by anyone in a boat at the time of initial blast-off. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear a PFD at all times while boating.

  3. Each boat will have the opportunity to weigh a maximum of 4 speckled trout. A kid, under age 16, may weigh one speckled trout for the kids division. *IF a team wishes to use the kids' trout as part of their 4 fish, they shall inform the Weigh Master. The kids' fish may be used for total weight of the adult team and as the one fish for the kid in the kid division.

  4. All fish must be caught during tournament hours. Before launching, Tournament Staff may check boats for fish. Failure to allow a check will result in expulsion from the event.

  5. The Weigh Master has the authority to make official decisions and may disqualify any fish he or she deems suspicious; any protest must be presented to the Tournament Director – Hugh Sutton, within 10-minutes of the scales closing. All fish weighed in shall belong to the tournament and every effort will be made to keep all fish alive and released.

  6. All Federal, state and local laws apply at any event and/or tournament.

  7. No alcohol or drugs allowed. Detection of alcohol or drug use during an event can lead to disqualification.

  8. The use of live or cut/dead bait during this tournament is prohibited. Only artificial baits are allowed.

  9. At blastoff, there is no passing between the breakwater and the bridge. Once outside of those structures, passing is permitted but shall be done so safely. Blastoff will begin at first safe light.

  10. All anglers must remain in their boats. There is a 4 person limit per boat, to include a kid; no more than 3 adults. There is no bank or island fishing allowed. The only exception is for emergencies such as using a restroom or a medical emergency.

  11. When you name your team, up to 3 adult anglers, that is your team for the 2-day event.

  12. No trolling. No more than one rod may be fished with, per angler, at any time.

  13. There is no boundaries for fishing limits except that no boat can enter the Atlantic Ocean.

  14. Boats used in the tournament must be at least 15 feet in length and must be powered by a gas powered engine.

  15. If a teams' boat suffers mechanical failure, a member of the team may be transported back to weigh-in with the teams' fish with any other TOURNAMENT team. Transport by anyone outside the tournament is prohibited. Towing is permissible.

  16. In case of inclement weather, the tournament director may delay blastoff or the tournament could be postponed/rescheduled. Every effort will be made to make the decision as soon as practical based on the weather forecast. Safety is #1.

  17. There is no fishing within 150 feet (50 yards) of another tournament angler. If an angler encroaches upon another angler, photos should be taken and presented to the Tournament Director – Hugh Sutton. The Tournament Director will determine if a disqualification is warranted. *All anglers shall practice good sportsmanship towards all other boats on the water*

  18. The Weigh Master or tournament director has authority to randomly select any place winners for a polygraph test. Failure to submit to a polygraph test shall result in immediate disqualification from the tournament.

  19. There will be a mandatory Captains meeting at 6:00PM on Tuesday, October 7 at the Grand Manor Marina, Belhaven, NC.

  20. Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. on Friday October 10 and 4:00 pm on Saturday October 11 unless otherwise specified at the Captain's meeting. Fish shall be at check-in with a team member NO LATER than 15 minutes after any alternate weigh-in time given at the Captain's meeting or the team will not be allowed to weigh. That is 3:15 pm on Friday October 10 and 3:15 Saturday October 11.

Notes

  1. All members have an equal say in the governing rules, polices and guidelines mentioned above and holds equal responsibilities. Any suggestions are welcome as we desire to make the Belhaven Trout Tournament a top-quality tournament that we all want to be a part of.

  2. Belhaven Trout Tournament & Festival (BTTF) (Waiver of Personal Responsibilities)

  3. BTTF and its Tournament Staff are not responsible for any property loss and/or damage.

  4. BTTF and its Tournament Staff are not responsible for any personal injuries and/or loss of life.

  5. Each angler and/or participants are personally responsible for your own safety during tournament operations.

Special Thanks to Tim Askew for allowing the Belhaven Trout Tournament to adapt Rules and Regulations from the East Carolina Inshore Clubs rules.