To All Clubs,

With the 'Clean, Drain, and Dry' rule for zebra mussels TP&W has extended the coverage of counties. Along with the extended coverage there is a new regulation for transporting live fish to weigh-in which is now 'prohibited'. This will affect everyone's trailer rule if you have one in your tournament rules. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on the regulation so no one gets to pay the penalty.

There is an update to the regulation that I found after discussion with one of my Co-Officers!

The Commission�s actions on Thursday also modified rules that affect participants in fishing tournaments holding off-site weigh-ins. The changes allow anglers participating in a fishing tournament confined to one water body during a single day to transport live fish in water from that water body to an identified weigh-in location, provided all water is drained from their vessels before leaving the weigh-in location. Anglers will be required to possess documentation provided by tournament organizers that would identify them as participants in a tournament.

The rules to add the 30 counties and the allowance for off-site tournament weigh-ins will take effect in late February or early March.

Until it goes into effect for tournament weigh-ins trailering at tournaments should be suspended to protect your members from paying the penalty.

Jeff, three paragraphs below the info stated above is the following, "Movement from one access point to another on the same lake during the same day does not require drainage."

It is my interpretation of the earlier stated stipulation that it applies to an "off-site" weigh-in only (e.g. trailering to a civic center for weigh-in)

I'll call TPWD tomorrow and get some clarification.

TPWD is doing some research to clarify this for us. I hope to hear back from them today.

Just got off the phone with TPWD and for now here's what will have to be in the documentation on each boat that trailers order to avoid fines:

1. Angler's Name
2. Tournament Name
3. Tournament Lake, Date & Time
4. Official Weight-in Site and Time
5. Tournament Director Name & Phone Number

A simple poker chip or domino will not do.

Great work Herman. Thanks!