Decatur, AL (1-3-2026)

                                                                                                                             

Twisted Cat Outdoors Official Rules

(Decatur, AL - January 3rd, 2026)  

Twisted Cat Outdoors (Bama Blues - January 3rd, 2026) (100 Boats Max)

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.

 

 

Entry Fees / Refunds

  • Entry Fee: $1,000 with a $40 processing fee for online payments.

  • Alternative Payment Methds: Entry fees can be paid by check ($1,000) or cash if in person.

  • Mailing Address for Checks: Make checks payable to (Twisted Cat Outdoors)
    Alex Nagy
    705 North 4th St.
    Warsaw, IL 62379

  • Refunds: No refunds will be accepted within 10 days of the event.

  • Late Entry: If the event has not reached the maximum boat limit, teams may register during the Mandatory Captain’s Meeting. Late entry must be paid in full at that time in cash only at the rate of $1,000.

 

 

Rules 

  1. Registration/ Captains meeting Location The Pavilion at Ingalls Harbor. 

    At least one participating angler from each team must be present at Captains meeting/registration, which will take place on Thursday, January 1st between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The Captain's meeting will start at 6:00 PM.

    Address : 802-A Wilson St. NW, Decatur, AL 35601

  2. Boat Check and Launch

    • Check-in starts 6:00 AM at Ingalls Harbor.

    • After check, you may:
      • Launch at Ingalls Harbor OR trailer to any public ramp on Wheeler Lake.
      • You must remain on Wheeler Lake and its tributaries (no locking).

    • All boats must return to the same ramp used in the morning.

    Staging & Start Times

    • Each group will have its own parking lot area to stage before launch.

    • Once launched, you may travel but cannot fish until 7:30 AM (cast netting for bait is allowed).

    • Launch/leave times by boat number:
      • Boats 1–25 → 6:00 AM
      • Boats 26–50 → 6:10 AM
      • Boats 51–75 → 6:20 AM
      • Boats 76–100 → 6:30 AM

  3. Tournament Hours
    Tournament hours will be from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Lines in the water at 7:30 AM, lines out at 3:30 PM. You must be in the weigh-in line by 5:00 PM.

  4. Pre-fishing
    Pre-fishing is permitted until 6:00 PM on the day prior to the event, after which all boats must be off the water.

  5. Weigh-in Limits
    A maximum of 3 fish per boat will be allowed at the weigh-in. Two fish over 34" and one fish under 34" are permitted. (Parks Enterprise Rulers will be used)

  6. Rod Limits
    A maximum of 10 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 as long as 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 a distance of 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 and awards ceremony. 

 

 

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.

    If conditions are deemed unsafe for Saturday, the tournament will be moved to Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

  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.