is proud to present

The 2023 Erie, PA Sport Fishing Association
“SUMMER SLAM”

Professional and Amateur divisions
One or Two-Day Competition

Big Fish Kids Awards

Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th, 2023

Captains meeting Location: 5:00 PM at Bayfront Park and Ride

 Weigh-ins will be held at
 Bayfront Park and Ride
beginning at 2:00 pm.

90% of all entry fees will be paid back in cash prizes
For more information or to enter visit https://epsfa.com/tournaments/

www.epsfa.com

Questions? Call Paul at (814) 566-4995

2023 “SUMMER SLAM” PRO Division Rules:

PRO division Definition: Any captain or team member, who is a licensed fishing charter boat captain or ex-fishing charter boat captain, fishing guide, commercial fisherman, currently represents a major fishing related product or who currently promotes a major fishing product will be required to enter the PRO Division. Anyone can choose to fish the PRO division.

1. Membership in the EPSFA is not required but is encouraged. Individuals that have had their memberships terminated or suspended by the EPSFA are unable to compete in this event. Teams that compete with a suspended or terminated member will be disqualified without refund.
2. Entry fee: Participants have the option of fishing Saturday (for $250), Sunday (for $250), or $500 for both days. Entry Fee(s) must be paid prior to start of tournament. Big Fish entry of $10.00 per team, per day, is included and will be paid out in full. Big fish will be determined by weight (ties will be split). Online Payment is due by 11:59 pm Friday, July 21st, 2023. Payments must be made online at https://epsfa.com/tournaments/ No online entries will be accepted after July 21st, 2023. There will be no refunds (unless cancelled due to weather and 100% of entry fee is returned). Late entries will be accepted at the captains meeting, at 5:00pm, Friday July 28^th, 2023 along with an additional $100 late payment fee.
3. An optional $500 cash only “double down” Calcutta is also available. You must fish both days to be in Calcutta. This is a 100% cash payback Calcutta. Combined points from Saturday and Sunday will determine placement. You must “RSVP” on https://epsfa.com/tournaments/ by 11:59 pm Friday July 21st, 2023. The “Double down” cash payment is due at the captains meeting. Any “RSVP” not paid at the captains meeting is cause for disqualification. There will be no refunds (unless cancelled due to weather and 100% of Calcutta returned). Late entries only can sign up at captains meeting. The Calcutta will be paid out in the same top 20% of the field format as the main entry. (see #4) The more teams we have in the Calcutta, the more places are paid in the Calcutta.
4. This is a 90% pay back tournament. The EPSFA retains 10% to pay for equipment rental, processing, and administration fees. The remaining entry fees will be paid out in the form of checks. The top 20% of paid entries will earn a check with a limit of 10 checks distributed. Example: 16-20 boats pay 4 places, 21-25 boats pay 5 places, 26-30 boats pay 6 places, 31-35 boats pay 7 places, 36-40 boats pay 8 places, 41-45 boats pay 9 places, and 46 boats and up pay 10 places.
5. Captains meeting will be held at 5:00 pm “sharp” on Friday July 28^th at Bayfront Park and Ride. All Captain’s or a competent crew member must attend. The remainder of the Team does not need to attend.  Each team must fill out their disclaimer form completely, take a picture of the disclaimer and send it to tournament director Aleasha Nemet at 814-440-4386.  The picture must be received and readable prior to start fishing time of 6:00 AM. Bring the paper disclaimer form to the weigh-in for Aleasha to collect. Team disclaimer pictures not sent to Aleasha by 6:00 AM will be disqualified for that day.
6. Random boat checks: morning and afternoon, may be randomly conducted by EPSFA officials the day of the tournament. Random coolers may be collected by EPSFA officials upon returning to listed departure point on disclaimer. They will be sealed and transported to Bayfront Park and Ride weigh-in by EPSFA officials. Any team refusing the random boat/cooler check will be automatically disqualified for refusal.
7. All boats may leave the dock after their Captain or teammate has returned from turning in disclaimer form meeting and have been released from port depending on weather.
8. Start Time: No fishing lines may enter the water until 6:00AM. The EPSFA will use satellite time (from GPS or cell phones) when determining start and end times. Planer boards can be deployed, and electronics used prior to 6:00AM.  There is no stop fishing time. Coolers must be in the weigh-in line by 3:00pm at Bayfront Park and Ride or that team’s catch is disqualified for the day.
9. This is a trolling tournament only.
10. Points will be awarded as follows: 10 points per fish and 1 point per pound.
11. Fish must be 18” or larger for this tournament. Squeeze the tail to get longest measurement. Short fish will be disqualified, and your team will be assessed a 10-point penalty.
12. A maximum of 12 legal fish: walleye, steelhead, brown trout, or salmon (no Lake Trout) can be brought to the weigh in.  There will be a 25-point penalty for bringing more than 12 fish to weigh-in.  Pick your 12-best fish, of which no more than 6 trout/salmon are allowed and bring those fish to the weigh-in site.  Tournament boats can keep their legal limit of Walleyes and trout per licensed angler if they choose to do so.  Teams can choose to let fish go if they are unharmed.
13. The maximum rods allowed to be fished in this event will be (12) if there are (4) licensed anglers on board. At no time will teams be allowed to place more than (12) rods in the water at one time. However, you will only be allowed (3) lines per licensed angler if there are less than (4) licensed anglers on board. PA Fish and Boat Commission rules apply to this event. A valid PA license and applicable permits are required.
14. This is a “NO Communication” tournament. Teams cannot use cell phones, VHF radios or any other form of communication for this event.  All participating boats must be equipped with an operational VHF radio.  Tournament control will operate on Channel 88. All teams must monitor channel 88 until 6:00am, in case of delays or changes.  All boats are required to monitor channel 16, except when directed to Channel 88 for communication.  After being directed to channel 88, all teams must return to channel 16. channel scanning is not permitted.  Cellular phones may be present on the boat. However, prior to the 6:00 start time, all devices must be turned off or put in airplane mode. Devices shall not be used (except in the case of emergencies) until returning boat is secured in docking slip or trailered.
15. Bad Weather: If there is a delay it will be announced at 4:45 am, the next announcement will take place at 5:45 am and so on until teams are released from port, or that day’s tournament is cancelled. If that day’s tournament cannot begin by 10:00am due to weather, that day will be cancelled.  In the event of questionable weather or rough water conditions, the Captain will ultimately be responsible for making the Team’s decision whether to fish that day or not.
16. In case of boat failure, and a tow is required. The towed boat’s day’s catch, and one team member, may be transferred to another team’s boat to make the weigh-in deadline. However, the tournament committee (or tournament director Aleasha@ (814) 440-4386 must be notified on channel 16 or via cell phone in advance, prior to ship-to-ship contact. The towed team’s cooler must still be inline by 3:00pm, no exceptions.
17. All contestants must fish from a boat. All boats must have a registered length of or larger, have a working marine radio, and all necessary US Coast Guard approved safety devices on board.
18. Each team must display a flag provided by the EPSFA. This flag must be permanently attached to the boat where it can be easily seen 360 degrees. Failure to display flag will result in 25-point penalty. Pro division will be (red) flags, amateur division will be (yellow).
19. All teams must depart from any Pennsylvania port. All teams MUST return to their original departure point, with their entire cooler of fish. There will be no exception to this rule. (unless seeking shelter from inclement weather or dangerous seas).
20. Fishing is prohibited outside of Pennsylvania waters. If you are caught fishing outside of the PA water boundaries, your catch will be disqualified.
21. Weigh in and award ceremony will be held at Bayfront Park and Ride. Weigh-ins will begin at 2:00 pm. Cooler must be in line by 3:00pm or your catch will be disqualified. The day’s catch must not leave the boat under any circumstance until the day’s fishing is over (exception rule 16) and the boat is docked or trailered. At least one team member must remain with the day’s catch until it has been weighed in. All coolers brought to the scale shall be free of foreign objects, loose ice cubes and water. Block ice, bag ice or frozen containers is acceptable.  A 25-point reduction penalty will be assessed against teams that violate this rule.  It is the Captains responsibility to ensure that fish are free of ice or any foreign objects prior to being brought to the weigh in.  Fish will be checked for any foreign objects or ice in mouth.
22. Big Fish Overall: All teams must mark their big fish with a colored zip tie designating big fish. Largest fish by weight will be used. (Ties will be split).
23. Anyone caught cheating or in violation of these rules will be disqualified. No entry fees will be returned, and that Captain may be banned from any future EPSFA fishing competitions.  Furthermore, anyone caught cheating in EPSFA tournaments, or any other fishing related competitions will be banned from entering any EPSFA events.
24. All protests must be made within 15 minutes after the last team has weighed in and voiced to a member of the EPSFA rules committee or Tournament Director. Protests must be accompanied by a $100 fee.  Protests are only refundable if the protest is won by the protesting Team.
25. All decisions made by the tournament director or rules committee are final. It is the intention of the supporters to provide an honest, sportsmanlike event. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the “spirit of the rule” will prevail in all judgement cases. Competitors may be disqualified for any violation of the tournament rules, with no refund of entry fee.
26. Youth Big Fish Overall: (under 16 years of age). A prize will be given to the Top 3 youths who catch the biggest legal (walleye, trout, or salmon) fish in the tournament. The individual must fight the fish and land the fish without major assistance from another angler. It needs to be marked with a colored zip tie designating youth fish. The weigh master must be notified at time of weigh-in that you are weighing a possible big fish Youth Award.
27. All points leaders must be willing to submit to a polygraph examination. All winning fish may be tested for time in possession. All fish weighed in must remain in a designated area until the winners have been determined and the coolers have been released.
28. Misconduct: Any inappropriate, improper, or abusive conduct by any participant towards any tournament official, volunteer, or fellow participants shall be deemed a violation of the rules and may be subject to disqualification as determined by the tournament committee.
29. Liability: Every reasonable precaution will be taken by the tournament committee to protect persons and property during the contest. However, neither the sponsors mentioned, nor tournament committee, judges, officers, directors, volunteers, or employees of the same are responsible for the safety of persons or property of participants regarding accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, drowning or any other cause. The tournament committee is not responsible for emergency assistance.  All participants further understand and agree to hold harmless members and previously mentioned groups and individuals by signing the liability disclaimer before the tournament begins.
30. Fish disposal and drop off: Any fish found deposited into dumpsters, marinas, or other areas where they will be deemed as unsightly or as trash may lead to prosecution.  Those individuals will be excluded from future tournaments being held by the EPSFA.  The EPSFA will accept all unwanted fish and will provide a fish drop off cooler at the event.

2023 “SUMMER SLAM” Amateur Division Rules:

PRO division Definition: Any captain or team member, who is a licensed fishing charter boat captain or ex-fishing charter boat captain, fishing guide, commercial fisherman, currently represents a major fishing related product or who currently promotes a major fishing product will be required to enter the PRO Division. Anyone can choose to fish the PRO division.

1. Membership in the EPSFA is not required but is encouraged. Individuals that have had their memberships terminated or suspended by the EPSFA are unable to compete in this event.  Teams that compete with a suspended or terminated member will be disqualified without refund.
2. Entry fee: Participants have the option of fishing Saturday (for $150), Sunday (for $150), or $300 for both days. Entry Fee(s) must be paid prior to start of tournament. Big Fish entry of $10.00 per team, per day, is included and will be paid out in full. Big fish will be determined by weight (ties will be split). Online Payment is due by 11:59 pm Friday, July 21st 2023. Payments must be made online at https://epsfa.com/tournaments/ No online entries will be accepted after July 21^st,2023. There will be no refunds (unless cancelled due to weather and 1005 of entry fee is returned). Late entries will be accepted at the captains meeting, at 5:00pm, Friday July 28^th, along with an additional $100 late payment fee.
3. An optional $300 cash only “double down” Calcutta is also available. You must fish both days to be in Calcutta. This is 100% cash payback Calcutta. Combined points from Saturday and Sunday will determine placement. You must “RSVP” on https://epsfa.com/tournaments/ by 11:59 pm Friday July 21st, 2023. The “Double down” cash payment is due at the captains meeting. Any “RSVP” not paid at the captains meeting is cause for disqualification. There will be no refunds (unless cancelled due to weather and 100% of Calcutta is returned). Late entries only can sign up at captains meeting. The Calcutta will be paid out in the same top 20% of the field format as the main entry. (see #4) The more teams we have in the Calcutta, the more places are paid in the Calcutta.
4. This is a 90% pay back tournament. The EPSFA retains 10% to pay for equipment rental, processing, and administration fees. The remaining entry fees will be paid out in the form of checks. The top 20% of paid entries will earn a check with a limit of 10 checks distributed. Example: 16-20 boats pay 4 places, 21-25 boats pay 5 places, 26-30 boats pay 6 places, 31-35 boats pay 7 places, 36-40 boats pay 8 places, 41-45 boats pay 9 places, and 46 boats and up pay 10 places.
5. Captains meeting will be held at 5:00 pm “sharp” on Friday July 28^th, at Bayfront Park and Ride. All Captain’s or a competent crew member must attend. The remainder of the Team does not need to attend.  Each team must fill out their disclaimer form completely, take a picture of the disclaimer and send it to tournament director Aleasha Nemet at 814-440-4386.  The picture must be received and readable prior to start fishing time of 6:00 AM. Bring the paper disclaimer form to the weigh-in for Aleasha to collect. Team disclaimer pictures not sent to Aleasha by 6:00 AM will be disqualified for that day.
6. Random boat checks: morning and afternoon, may be randomly conducted by EPSFA officials the day of the tournament. Random coolers may be collected by EPSFA officials upon returning to listed departure point on disclaimer. They will be sealed and transported to Bayfront Park and Ride weigh-in by EPSFA officials. Any team refusing the random boat/cooler check will be automatically disqualified for refusal.
7. All boats may leave the docks after their Captain or teammate has returned from turning in disclaimer form and have been released from port depending on weather.
8. Start Time: No fishing lines may enter the water until 6:00AM. The EPSFA will use satellite time (from GPS or cell phones) when determining start and end times.  Planer boards can be deployed, and electronics used prior to 6:00AM.  There is no stop fishing time. Coolers must be in the weigh-in line by 3:00pm at Bayfront Park and Ride or that team’s catch is disqualified for the day.
9. This is a trolling tournament only.
10. Points will be awarded as follows: 10 points per fish and 1 point per pound.
11. Fish must be 18” or larger for this tournament. Squeeze the tail to get longest measurement. Short fish will be disqualified, and your team will be assessed a 10-point penalty.
12. A maximum of 6 legal fish: walleye, steelhead, brown trout, or salmon (no Lake Trout) can be brought to the weigh in.  There will be a 25-point penalty for bringing more than 6 fish to weigh-in.  Pick your 6-best fish, of which no more than 3 trout/salmon are allowed and bring those fish to the weigh-in site.  Tournament boats can keep their legal limit of Walleyes and trout per licensed angler if they choose to do so.  Teams can choose to let fish go if they are unharmed.
13. The maximum rods allowed to be fished in this event will be (9) if there are (3) licensed anglers on board. At no time will teams be allowed to place more than (9) rods in the water at one time. However, you will only be allowed (3) lines per licensed angler if there are less than (3) licensed anglers on board. PA Fish and Boat Commission rules apply to this event. A valid PA license and applicable permits are required.
14. This is a “NO Communication” Teams cannot use cell phones, VHF radios or any other form of communication for this event.  All participating boats must be equipped with an operational VHF radio.  Tournament control will operate on Channel 88. All teams must monitor channel 88 until 6:00am, in case of delays or changes.  All boats are required to monitor channel 16, except when directed to Channel 88 for communication.  After being directed to channel 88, all teams must return to channel 16. channel scanning is not permitted.  Cellular phones may be present on the boat. However, prior to the 6:00 start time, all devices must be turned off or put in airplane mode. Devices shall not be used (except in the case of emergencies) until returning boat is secured in docking slip or trailered.
15. Bad Weather: If there is a delay it will be announced at 4:45 am, the next announcement will take place at 5:45 am and so on until teams are released from port, or that day’s tournament is cancelled. If that day’s tournament cannot begin by 10:00am due to weather, that day will be cancelled.  In the event of questionable weather or rough water conditions, the Captain will ultimately be responsible for making the Team’s decision whether to fish that day or not.
16. In case of boat failure, and a tow is required. The towed boat’s day’s catch, and one team member, may be transferred to another team’s boat to make the weigh-in deadline. However, the tournament committee (or tournament director Aleasha @ (814) 440-4386) must be notified on channel 16 or via cell phone in advance, prior to ship-to-ship contact. The towed team’s cooler must still be inline by 3:00pm, no exceptions.
17. All contestants must fish from a boat. All boats must have a registered length of or larger, have a working marine radio, and all necessary US Coast Guard approved safety devices on board.
18. Each team must display a flag provided by the EPSFA. This flag must be permanently attached to the boat where it can be easily seen 360 degrees. Failure to display flag will result in 25-point penalty. Pro division will be (red) flags, amateur division will be (yellow).
19. All teams must depart from any Pennsylvania port. All teams MUST return to their original departure point, with their entire cooler of fish. There will be no exception to this rule. (unless seeking shelter from inclement weather or dangerous seas).
20. Fishing is prohibited outside of Pennsylvania waters. If you are caught fishing outside of the PA water boundaries, your catch will be disqualified.
21. Weigh in and award ceremony will be held at Bayfront Park and Ride. Weigh-ins will begin at 2:00 pm. Cooler must be in line by 3:00pm or your catch will be disqualified. The day’s catch must not leave the boat under any circumstance until the day’s fishing is over (exception rule 16) and the boat is docked or trailered. At least one team member must remain with the day’s catch until it has been weighed in. All coolers brought to the scale shall be free of foreign objects, loose ice cubes and water. Block ice, bag ice or frozen containers is acceptable.  A 25-point reduction penalty will be assessed against teams that violate this rule.  It is the Captains responsibility to ensure that fish are free of ice or any foreign objects prior to being brought to the weigh in.  Fish will be checked for any foreign objects or ice in mouth.
22. Big Fish Overall: All teams must mark their big fish with a colored zip tie designating big fish. Largest fish by weight will be used. (Ties will be split).
23. Anyone caught cheating or in violation of these rules will be disqualified. No entry fees will be returned, and that Captain may be banned from any future EPSFA fishing competitions.  Furthermore, anyone caught cheating in EPSFA tournaments, or any other fishing related competitions will be banned from entering any EPSFA events.
24. All protests must be made within 15 minutes after the last team has weighed in and voiced to a member of the EPSFA rules committee or Tournament Director. Protests must be accompanied by a $100 fee.  Protests are only refundable if the protest is won by the protesting Team.
25. All decisions made by the tournament director or rules committee are final. It is the intention of the supporters to provide an honest, sportsmanlike event. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded that the “spirit of the rule” will prevail in all judgement cases. Competitors may be disqualified for any violation of the tournament rules, with no refund of entry fee.
26. Youth Big Fish Overall: (under 16 years of age). A prize will be given to the Top 3 youths who catch the biggest legal (walleye, trout, or salmon) fish in the tournament. The individual must fight the fish and land the fish without major assistance from another angler. It needs to be marked with a colored zip tie designating youth fish.  The weigh master must be notified at time of weigh-in that you are weighing a possible big fish Youth Award.
27. All points leaders must be willing to submit to a polygraph examination. All winning fish may be tested for time in possession. All fish weighed in must remain in a designated area until the winners have been determined and the coolers have been released.
28. Misconduct: Any inappropriate, improper, or abusive conduct by any participant towards any tournament official, volunteer, or fellow participants shall be deemed a violation of the rules and may be subject to disqualification as determined by the tournament committee.
29. Liability: Every reasonable precaution will be taken by the tournament committee to protect persons and property during the contest. However, neither the sponsors mentioned, nor tournament committee, judges, officers, directors, volunteers, or employees of the same are responsible for the safety of persons or property of participants regarding accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, drowning or any other cause. The tournament committee is not responsible for emergency assistance.  All participants further understand and agree to hold harmless members and previously mentioned groups and individuals by signing the liability disclaimer before the tournament begins.
30. Fish disposal and drop off: Any fish found deposited into dumpsters, marinas, or other areas where they will be deemed as unsightly or as trash may lead to prosecution.  Those individuals will be excluded from future tournaments being held by the EPSFA.  The EPSFA will accept all unwanted fish and will provide a fish drop off cooler at the event.

REV

Rules and Disclaimer form:

https://epsfa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EPSFA-2023-Summer-Slam-Rules.pdf