2013 Spring Mack Days
Good Boating and Sportsmanship
SPIRIT OF THE RULE
It is the intention of this event to promote good sportsmanship and fair play. Unsportsmanlike conduct and cheating may result in disqualification. Anglers are asked to follow high standards of sportsmanship and courtesy and conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to the Mack Days Events, and to the sport of fishing.
“How a man plays the game shows something of his character; how he loses shows it all.”
— Tribune (Camden County, GA)
Keep a safe distance away from other boats, watch for anchor lines, and respect the space each angler needs to fish. Anglers cannot exclude other anglers from their favorite spots. Bottom line: Don't crowd in too close to other anglers who are catching fish.
"I think sportsmanship is about respect. I think it's important to respect your opponent—
they're working as hard as you are -- and play a good, fair game.”
— Chad Kroell, Penn State football player
Trolling vs Jigging
Trolling and jigging boats need to be observant of paths being taken by other boats. Please be aware of and attempt to avoid anchoring in a trolling path. If a boat is anchored, -be courteous and avoid trolling nearby or approaching too closely. When boats are in a trolling pattern watch and take the same pattern or move in the same direction. Don't come in and start trolling across another boats patterns or going across their lines. Use common sense. Ask questions if you don't know how to come in on a pattern.
Some anglers will drift over a hole and troll back over it. Don't move in and set your anchor in that hole or spot. They have a pattern going and will be irritated to find that someone moved in while they were moving back into position.
Give each other space. When you set your anchor make sure you will not drift into or too close to other boats. If you are trolling don't come in too close. Remember the anchor line may be out there a long distance if it is rough water. Have respect for each other. Be helpful and courteous.
“One man practicing good sportsmanship is far better than 50 others preaching it.”
— Knute K. Rockne
No pooling of fish is allowed, meaning all participants must report only the fish they catch themselves. Anglers may receive assistance from others in the boat but need to respect the competitive nature of the contest, by clearly identifying their rods from those of other anglers present in the boat and being the only angler handling those rods. All anglers in the boat that are entered in the contest must have at least one rod and be responsible for the fish caught on that rod.
“Doing what is right, fair and honorable is more important than winning or losing.”
— Chick Moorman
Interpretation of the rules shall be left exclusively to the event officials/committee and all decisions are final. Complaints are to be in writing and presented to the event official before awards are announced.
Pack your garbage off the water and dispose of it properly. Take care of the resources. Treat them like they were your own.
“Remember that sports are meant to be fun. Don’t let someone make the sport unfun for you.”
— A.J. Kitt
“For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost – but how you played the game.”
— Grantland Rice
“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”
— T. Alan Armstrong