Alton, IL (3-1-2025)


                                                                                                                               

Twisted Cat Outdoors Official Rules

(Alton, IL - March 1st, 2025)  

These rules have been established to promote fairness, safety, conservation, and the responsible handling of fish. Our goal is to advance the sport and set a positive example for all.

These events may be recorded for possible video production and distribution. Entries may not be sold, bartered, or transferred without the written consent of a tournament official.

Twisted Cat Outdoors regular season event entry fees are $300, featuring a 100% payback, plus an additional $500 added to the Big Fish Pot by Castaway Midwest.

Entry Fees / Refunds

  • Entry Fee: $300 (plus a $15 processing fee for online payments). Register online at TwistedCatOutdoors.com.
  • Alternative Payment Methods: Entry fees can be paid by check ($300) or in cash if paid by the Monday before the event.
  • Refunds/Transfers: Entry fees (minus processing fees) may be refunded or transferred to another event with a $25 fee if requested at least 10 days prior. No refunds or transfers will be accepted within 10 days of the event.
  • Mailing Address for Checks:
    Alex Nagy
    705 North 4th St.
    Warsaw, IL 62379
  • Late Entry: A late entry fee of $325 (cash) or $340 (online) will apply to entries made within 5 days of the event, at the Captains Meeting, or prior to launch.

Rules

  1. Captain’s Meeting
    Join us for a non-mandatory Captain’s Meeting to register, socialize with fellow anglers, and enjoy food, drinks, and merch sales. If there’s enough participation, we’ll also host a Calcutta!

Date: Friday, March 28th

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Rules discussion at 6:00 PM)

Location: Best Western Premier (Alton, IL 3559 College Ave.)

While attendance is not required, we encourage you to join us to support the local area and welcome new anglers to the sport.

  1. Boat Check and Launch
    Boat check and launch will begin at 5:00 AM @ (The Alton Farmers’ & Artisans Market) located at Henrey Street & Landmarks Blvd, Alton, IL 62002. After your boat is checked, you may leave. Teams may begin moving once the boat is launched, but fishing is not allowed until 7:00 AM (cast netting for bait is allowed).
  2. Trailering Boundaries                                                                                                                                              Mississippi River: You may launch anywhere between Downtown St. Louis, MO, and Grafton, IL.
    Missouri River: You may launch as far upstream as St. Charles, MO. You are allowed to use any public boat ramp within these designated areas.
  3. Tournament Hours
    Tournament hours will be from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Lines in the water at 7:00 AM, lines out at 3:00 PM. You must be in the weigh-in line by 4:30 PM.
  4. Pre-fishing
    Pre-fishing is allowed up until 6:00 PM on the day before the event. After this time, all boats must be off tournament waters. Tournament waters are defined as any water that can be accessed on the day of the event.
  5. Weigh-in Limits
    A maximum of 3 fish per boat is allowed at the weigh-in.
  6. Rod Limits
    A maximum of 6 rods may be in use, with no limit on rods in the boat.
  7. Team Size
    Teams are limited to a maximum of three people. Additional members are allowed only if they are 12 years old or younger, and if the boat's capacity is not exceeded.
  8. Minors
    All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  9. Life Vests
    Life vests are encouraged to be worn while underway.

Sportsmanship, Conduct, and Equipment

  1. Fishing Method
    Fish may only be caught by rod and reel.
  2. Bait
    Any legal bait (artificial or natural) permitted by the state may be used.
  3. Sportsmanship
    Good sportsmanship is expected from all participants before, during, and after the tournament.
  4. Disorderly Conduct
    Any disorderly conduct will be grounds for disqualification.
  5. Eligible Fish
    Only blue catfish, channel catfish, or flathead catfish may be weighed.
  6. Dead Fish
    Dead fish are not allowed on the weigh-in stage and will disqualify your team if presented.
  7. Culling
    No culling of fish is allowed after the boat has been removed from the water.
  8. Snagging
    No snagging will be allowed.
  9. Foul Hooked Fish
    No foul-hooked fish will be accepted (a foul hook is any hook behind the gill plate).
  10. Chumming
    No chumming.
  11. Baited Holes
    No fishing intentionally baited holes.
  12. Distance Between Boats
    All tournament boats must maintain 50 yards while anchored and 50 feet while drifting or spot locked. This rule applies to all boats.
  13. Buddy Fishing
    Buddy fishing or sharing of information about techniques, baits, locations, etc., during tournament hours is strictly prohibited.
  14. Fishing Position
    No fishing outside of the boat.
  15. Substance Restrictions
    No alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or illegal substances are allowed on board or used during tournament hours.

Safety and Equipment

  1. Weather Conditions
    Due to possible inclement weather, all boat captains must decide for themselves and their team if it is safe to launch and proceed. Twisted Cat Outdoors will continue the event unless the director(s) and 5 randomly selected team captains determine the conditions to be unsafe.
  2. Live Wells
    A live well is required. Live wells are recommended to be a minimum of 50 gallons, though the tournament director will determine if a live well is adequate for fish care. The director reserves the right to disqualify a team if the live well is deemed insufficient.
  3. Liability Insurance
    Liability insurance is the responsibility of boat owners. Proof of insurance must be with the boat and cover all passengers.

Fish Handling and Weigh-In Procedures

  1. Handling of Fish
    We encourage the use of a gripper and/or gloves for handling fish at weigh-in. Larger fish are encouraged to be handled by two anglers.
  2. Fish Drop
    Dropping fish at weigh-in is discouraged.
  3. Weigh-In Care
    All fish must be placed into weigh totes with care. No throwing or mishandling will be tolerated.

General Rules

  1. Rule Amendments
    Twisted Cat Outdoors reserves the right to amend or change any rule for safety or other reasons.
  2. Polygraph Exam
    All participants are subject to a polygraph exam. Refusal to take the exam will result in disqualification, and failure to pass will disqualify you.
  3. Tie-Breakers
    Ties will be decided by the team with the largest documented fish. If both teams' largest fish are undocumented, a coin flip will break the tie.
  4. Protests
    All protests must be submitted in writing before the awards ceremony. No protests will be accepted after this point.
  5. Social media
    Live feeds on social media are allowed and encouraged. However, avoid revealing too much relevant information during tournament hours.
  6. Regulations
    All state and federal rules must be followed. Anglers are responsible for determining which licenses are required.

Waiver / Release of Liability for Twisted Cat Outdoors LLC

By entering any Twisted Cat Outdoors event, I acknowledge that my team has read and understood the rules. I understand that participation is voluntary and assume all associated risks, including injury, death, weather incidents, boat traffic, and river conditions. I waive, release, and discharge Twisted Cat Outdoors LLC, Alex Nagy, and all sponsors, officials, workers, and volunteers from any and all claims or liability for death, personal injury, or property damage arising from my participation in this event. I also grant permission to the listed sponsors and agents to use any photographs, videos, or other records of the event for any reasonable purpose.