Tennessee Mad Catters Rules for 2025
*Registration will start at 6PM and end at 6:45 PM Sharp. This time will vary per event. Night events or summer events*
* Event fee is $50.00 big fish per event is $25.00 with the total Registration fee being $80.00 per boat.
*A $5 trail fee is required to be paid by each boat prior to all Tennessee Mad Catters events. These fees are used for kids events, apparel, and equipment etc throughout the season. We do not profit from the membership fee.
*Big fish of the year pot- $50.00 per person* not per boat. We use an honor system for determining a specific angler caught the big fish in question.
* All Federal, State and Local fishing/boating Regulations apply.
* No drugs or alcohol permitted during event hours.
* Each event will be a local launch only via ramp of registration. No- Trailering is permitted.
*In case of severe weather/dangerous water conditions, Tennessee Mad Catters reserves the right to move ramp location, postpone or cancel any event for boater’s safety.
*All boats must go through boat inspection prior to launch. All livewells and baitwells must be inspected prior to launch.
* Livewells are required - Livewell requirement- To participate in an event you must have a livewell of a minimum of 40 Gallons, with a form of aeration of fresh water. This does not include a bucket. No more losing fish, that is our goal, take the time and build a simple and portable livewell.
*Maximum of 3 people per boat (the exception being a youth under the age of 16 -unlimited)
*All fish must be caught on rod and reel only. No foul hooked/snagged* fish will be weighed. Anything behind the gill plate.
*There is no limit to the number of rods allowed.
*Anglers must maintain a minimum of 300ft or 100 yards up and down the same side of the river from a boat that is considered fishing. Across the river will need to maintain the 100 ft rule as implied in past rules. This doesn’t need a lot of clarification, sitting on top of people or fishing literally within a sinker throw of someone is un-sportsman-like. If you think you are too close then you probably are, this will be enforced ***** First offense is a warning, 2nd offense is a DQ from the event, 3rd offense you will be banned from participating in future events.
*All fish must be alive and healthy to be weighed. If the health of the fish is questionable, the health will be determined by a 3 man team that will include at least 1 event director who is not affected by the outcome.
*5 fish limit with only 2 of them exceeding 34 inches in length. All fish may be subject to being measured by the event director. Only Blue, Flathead and Channel Cats will be weighed. If a 3rd fish over 34" is brought to the scale it will be an automatic disqualification.
*Must have a form of a measuring device on your vessel at all times (This aligns with the state of TN rules and regulations) Having more than 2 fish over 34” is against the law if 2 anglers are on the boat. Measure your fish on the water and release the fish as quickly as possible if necessary.
*In the event of a tie, big fish will be the tie breaker. If no big fish were weighed from each team, a coin flip (with the first boat to weigh calling) will determine the winner.
* Blast off will be at 7 Pm- or at the sole discretion of the event director.
*Event Hours: 7PM - 6AM with 30 min of travel time at the end of the event. Boats must be back to weigh in no later than 6:30 am
*Boats must be back at the ramp by weigh in or will result in immediate disqualification. In the event of a breakdown, contact a Event director ASAP. If assisting a disabled vessel, contact a Event director ASAP.
*Cheating will be determined at the tournament director(s) discretion. Examples: Limb lines, trotlines, jug fishing, hand fishing, fish sharing, fishing baited holes, trailering boat to another body of water, etc)
*All protests must be voiced or written prior to the awards being distributed.
* Pay out structure-
1-5 boats- 1st - 100%
6-14 boats- 1st - 75% 2nd - 25%
15- 30 boats- 1st - 70% 2nd- 20% 3rd - 10%
Note* Totals can and will be rounded to the nearest dollar amount to make funds work.
The Tennessee Madcatters reserve the right to adjust and change any rules during the season prior to an event. Once the event is underway the rules will not and can not be changed.
For every event you participate in you will be assigned a ticket, at the end of the year event after awards, we will do a raffle style prize draw from all the tickets throughout the year! The more you participate the better chance you have of winning a gear prize pack from one of our trail sponsors.
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in New Johnsonville, Trips & Adventurous Activities in New Johnsonville, Kids events & activities in New Johnsonville.
