SCYAK Tournament Rules & Regulations

PLEASE READ AND ASK ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU COMPETE

General Rules:

  • Open to traditional kayaks and SUPs (Paddle, Pedal, Motor).

  • Entry Fee: $40 + TourneyX fees (currently $6.50).

  • Big Bass Fee: $5

  • Small Bass Fee: $5

  • Entering AOY and BBOY: $20 (See Angler of the Year (AOY) below for more details).

  • Identification cards are not required. The code must be legible.

  • All sonar options, including multiple screens, are permitted.

  • Portage within the same body of water is permitted.

  • Open mouth measurement incurs a 1/2" penalty.

Measuring Boards:

  • Any one-piece, non-hinged measuring boards are allowed for fish submissions. Acceptable boards include:

    • Ketch Boards

    • Hawg Trough Boards

    • YakAttack LeaderBoard

  • All boards must be marked and readable to ensure accurate measurement. Collapsible or multi-piece boards are not permitted.

  • If a competitor wishes to use a board not listed above, use “Get in Touch” to submit a board for approval before the tournament. If approved, the rules will be updated, and the board will be considered legal for use.

Safety:

  • Equipment: We are required to use Coast Guard safety equipment matching Coast Guard Safety Equipment Regulations.

  • Whistle: You must have a whistle on your vessel during events.

  • Kayak Orb Light: You are required to use a 360 orb light if launching before safe light.

  • PFD: A USCG-certified vest-style PFD must be worn and fastened.

Weather Conditions:

  • Wind: Winds (gusts included) EXCEEDING 30 mph likely will result in a rescheduled event.

  • Lightning, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes: These conditions warrant rescheduling or cancellation.

  • 2025 SCYAK Weather Source: https://www.weather.gov/gsp/

  • Rescheduling: The safety of our anglers is SCYAK's top priority. Events may be rescheduled due to lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical weather, or excessive winds ( wind and gusts of 30+ mph or more). Anglers should assess their comfort level when fishing in conditions approaching these criteria. SCYAK recommends that only experienced anglers participate in winds over 20 mph and strongly advises against anchoring in such conditions, encouraging the use of motors instead.

    If conditions necessitate a rescheduling, anglers will receive push notifications via TourneyX and email updates by 8:30 PM EST the night before the event. Refunds will be processed within 24 hours, and rescheduling details will be announced within 7 days of the original event date.

Fish Limits & Scoring:

  • Five-fish limit, minimum size 12 inches.

  • Scoring: 100-point scale, with 4 points per slot for dropped places.

  • Big bass provides 5 AOY points.

  • Small bass provides 2 AOY points.

  • SCYAK will be following the following touch rules. Not covering the fish eyes or mouth. The tail can be touched to keep the fish down. The gill should not be entered.

Are you new to TourneyX:

TourneyX has great information here - https://tourneyx.com/app/help/

along with their YouTube videos.

Angler of the Year (AOY = Club Membership):

  • The $20 entry fee covers both AOY and BBOY.

  • 100% payout: All AOY (Angler of the Year) payments are to be divided 60% to AOY and 40% to BBOY (Big Bass of the Year). Example: If 5 anglers enter, resulting in $100 in club membership fees, AOY will receive $60, and BBOY will receive $40.

  • Top four scoring events will qualify for AOY.

  • The cutoff for entry will be the start of event 5.

  • Payments are made on this page to the right.

  • Best four event scores determine AOY.

  • Fish Off in September for AOY winner's choice of any lake.

  • AOY can be entered until before the start of event 4.

SCYAK Tournament Schedule 2025

February 8
Lake Keowee
🕕 SEE TOURNEYX - CUSTOM TIME

March 15
Lake Hartwell
🕕 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM

April 12
Lake Jocassee
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

May 3
Lake Russell
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

June 7
Lake Murray
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

July 26
Lake Greenwood
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

August 30
Lake Hartwell
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

September 13
Clark's Hill
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

October 11
Member's Only - AOY Winner's Lake of Choice
🕔 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Competitor Conduct:

  • Adhere to high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, integrity, and safety. Treat all anglers how you would like to be treated.

  • Report any infractions.

  • Respect all tournament rules and decisions.

    Sportsmanship is tough to define, but you know what it is. If you have to ask yourself, “Am I doing something wrong?,” play it safe in the name of sportsmanship. You cannot go wrong this way!

Disputes & Appeals:

  • Follow outlined procedures for disputes and appeals.

  • Any appeals regarding fish judgments, disqualifications, or experiences with events should be handled in person at the weigh-in for the event.

  • Disputes and appeals will not be addressed after the weigh-in has started. You MUST dispute ASAP.

Refunds:

  • Event rescheduling/cancellations due to weather will be fully refunded if requested. Rescheduling will happen within 48 hours of the event being postponed.

  • Event refunds can be requested up to 1 hour before the scheduled launch time.

  • Disqualifications (incidental or deliberate) will not be refunded.

  • Refunds should be requested from TourneyX. Expect entry, big bass, and small bass entries that were entered to be refunded. TourneyX fees can only be refunded by contacting the TD.

  • AOY/Club Membership cannot be refunded if any event is competed in after paying the $20 membership.

Waivers & Releases:

  • Competitors grant rights for the use of their likeness and agree to waivers of liability. This includes video, photos, statements, and safety waivers signed when registering through TourneyX.

SCYAK Specific Rules:

  • Kayak Motors: One motor on the bow, one on the stern. All electric motors are allowed.

Permitted Dual Motor Kayaks:

  • Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 360

  • Native Watercraft Titan Propel 13

  • Jackson Kayak Big Rig HD

  • Wilderness Systems Radar 135

  • Wilderness Tactical Pro 128

  • Bonafide Watercraft PWR

  • Bonafide XTR 130

  • Old Town Sportsman PDL 120

For custom setups, email t.t.foulks@outlook.com with a photo showing the motors, kayak, weight capacity, and your estimated fully loaded weight (including your weight). As long as the vessel meets reasonable safety expectations.

Safety Expectations:

  • Check weight capacity, mounting stability, and compliance with local regulations. Refer to SC DNR for more info.

Catch & Release Policy:

  • No keeping fish from the tournament. Disqualifications apply. This club promotes bass fishing by CPR (Catch, Photograph, Release) rather than keeping. A photo can be used by some taxidermists to recreate your exact fish if measured and photographed appropriately.

Enter the AOY/BBOY Races!
$20.00
One time

As a member, you will be allowed to participate in the AOY (Angler of the Year) and BBOY (Big Bass of the Year) competitions. There will only be one winner per competition. You must compete in a minimum of four events. All entry fees are paid out at 100% toward the competition winners. Refunds are available until you fish your first event after payment.

✓ Compete for AOY
✓ Compete for BBOY
✓ Compete in the end of season private fish-off

Payouts

We use Public Access Points:

  • What is a pubilc access point?
    Access Points: SCYAK tournaments permit the use of all public, constructed access points for launching vessels. An access point is defined as a publicly available, constructed location intended for water access, including designated boat ramps, parks, and other identified sites meant for public use. SCYAK does not allow launching from locations not designed as official access points, such as roadsides, bridges, or other informal paths that lead to the water but lack proper facilities or accessibility features. Using unauthorized or self-created entry points, even if accessible to the water, is strictly prohibited.

  • Have questions but don’t want to disclose?
    Use the "Get in Touch" buttons at the top or bottom of the screen to verify a ramp’s eligibility privately. As long as the ramp meets SCYAK’s criteria, it can be approved for use. Launch locations will be validated at check-in and check-out via TourneyX. Approved access points will not be publicly announced, as SCYAK maintains only a recommended list and encourages anglers to explore access pints that, while open to the public, may be less commonly known.