Rules & Regulations 2023
1. To be eligible for participation in the Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament, each individual must have possession of an official numbered Ticket purchased from one of our official outlets or an online ticket print. The Tickets are Non-Transferable. Tournament Tickets will be sold through Thursday at listed outlets and at Gills Creek Marina (GCM) until noon on Friday May 19th.
2. The Tournament will begin at 7am, Friday, May 17th and will end at 12:00 pm Noon, Sunday, May 19th. All entries
must be caught and weighed in between these hours.
3. All entrants must agree to Polygraph Test if requested by Tournament Committee.
4. All prizes will be awarded at 1pm Sunday May 19, 2024 at Gills Creek Marina. You do not have to be present to win.
5. Any person under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or Guardian.
6. All Fish entered in the Tournament must be taken on Spinning Tackle, Casting Tackle, Fly Rod and Reel, or Pole & Line.
Artificial and/or Natural (live) Bait ONLY may be used.
7. All Fish entered in the tournament must also be weighed and registered at the Official Weighing Station located at Gills
Creek Marina. The Official Weighing Station will remain open continuously from Friday, May 19th at 12 noon through
Sunday, May 19th at 12:00 pm Noon.
8. Every Fish must be inspected by a Judge before weighing to show that it meets all specifications outlined in Rules &
Regulations. Any Fish entered in the Tournament may be gutted at the discretion of the judges.
9. All Fish must be alive when weighed in. Any Fish which has been shot, gigged, mutilated, caged, or showing any sign of
unsportsmanlike handling shall be disqualified at the sole discretion of GCM. Trout Lines or Netting are also illegal and will result in a disqualification.
10. All eligible Fish will become the property of GCM when they are turned in. The Fish will be tagged and kept in Live Well Tanks for the duration of the Tournament, excluding stripers. At the end of the Tournament, all Fish will be returned to their original owners if possible. Any Fish not picked up by the end of the Awards Ceremony will be released at the Dock at Gills Creek Marina.
11. Residents of Virginia may fish in Smith Mountain Lake with a Fishing License issued by the State of Virginia. All residents
of other states most purchase a Non-Resident Fishing License. Tournament participants must honor all applicable Fishing and
Boating Regulations. Any violation on the water resulting in a situation is an automatic Disqualification.
12. Individual ticket holders will be eligible to win multiple daily prizes for each Class of Fish.
13. All Fish entered in the Tournament must be taken from Smith Mountain Lake. Signed Certificates stating that each entered
Fish was taken from Smith Mountain Lake will be required.
14. Prizes will be awarded only to participants, whose entry wins, on the basis of weight, is properly registered at the Official
Weighing Station, and is in a class of fish eligible for entry in the Tournament.
15. The following Classes of Fish will be eligible for entry into the Tournament:
1. Large mouth Bass
2. Crappie
3. Small mouth Bass
4. Catfish
5. Stripers
16. In the case of a tie in any Class, the earliest entry will be declared the “Winner”.
17. The decision of the Judges is final in all instances.
18. Professional fisherman and fishing Guides for Smith Mountain Lake are eligible to participate in the SML Charter Challange,
19. If a Fish is not caught in any Category, prize money will revert back to GCM to be distributed to our chosen non-profit organization.
20. The Cash Awards Ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 21st,
21. There will be drawings for special prizes on Sunday 19th between 11:30pm and 1pm. You must be present to win.
22. All Participates (on Their own behalf and on behalf of their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns),
for in consideration of the opportunity to participate in a “benefit Fishing tournament” or “activity” (hereinafter
EVENT(S) sponsored and/or conducted by Gills Creek Marina and their officers, directors, members and/or volunteers; Gills Creek Marina and any and all sponsors of the benefit fishing tournament – hereinafter, the “RELEASED PARTIES”) releases and holds harmless
the “RELEASED PARTIES” from any and all claims and demands, rights and causes of action of any kind whatsoever
which now have or later may have against the “RELEASED PARTIES” in any way resulting from, arising out of, or in
connection with the performance of their tournament duties and your participation in said EVENT(S).
This release extends to any and all claims a participant has or later may have against the “RELEASED PARTIES” resulting
from or arising out of their performance of their duties whether or not such claims result from negligence (except
willful neglect) on the part of any or all of the “RELEASED PARTIES” with respect to the EVENT(S) or with respect to
the conditions, qualifications, instructions, rules or procedures under which the EVENT(S) are conducted or from any other
cause. This release extends to each participants personal performance and actions and their travel to and/or from the
EVENT(S). BY PURCHASING/POSSESSING/OWNING/HOLDING AND OR SIGNING A TICKET, ALL PARTICIPANTS AND
ALL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MEANS THEY AGREE NOT TO SUE ANY OR ALL OF THE
“RELEASED PARTIES” FOR ANY INJURY RESULTING TO THEMSELVES OR TO THEIR PROPERTY ARISING FROM,
OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR EVENT DUTIES IN SPONSORING, PLANNING, OR
CONDUCTING THE EVENT(S).
All Participates claim to be experienced in and familiar with and fully understand the risks and dangers inherent in the
sport of fishing. All Participates voluntarily participating in the EVENT(S) expressly agree to assume the entire risk of
any accidents or personal injury, including death, which they might sustain to Their person(s) and property as a result of
their participation in the event(s), and any negligence (except willful neglect) on the part of any or all of the “RELEASED
PARTIES” in performing their event duties.
24. Future Tournament dates will be announced at the awards ceremony
Tickets are available online at www.gillscreekmarina.com/smlfishingtournament
Tickets are also available at these outlets:
Gills Creek Marina 540-721-2451
790 Fox Chase Rd
Wirtz, VA 24184
SML Tackle Shack 540-912-0201
13326 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite B1
Moneta, VA 24121
Marina 66
16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy
Moneta, VA 24121
Trader Jerry’s 540-389-8095
724 W 4th St
Salem, Va. 24153
Official Weighing Station
All fish thought to be in contention must be brought to Gills Creek Marina for
official inspection, weighing, and entering. We will have weights of
all fish posted at Gills Creek Marina and updated every hour at https://www.facebook.com/groups/501849170955197. If you believe you have a contending fish, you may contact Gills Creek Marina at 540-721-2451.
OFFICIAL WEIGHING HOURS
Friday, May 19th from 12 noon through Sunday, May 21st at Noon
JUDGES
All final decisions will be made by a committee appointed by Gills Creek Marina
GCM ENCOURAGES ALL fishermen to participate in Catch
and Release on all categories of fish. Any category of fish found to be
in contention MUST BE TAKEN ALIVE TO OFFICIAL WEIGHING
AND ENTRY STATION AT GILLS CREEK MARINA FOR
INSPECTION, WEIGHING, AND ENTERING.
2. The Tournament will begin at 7am, Friday, May 17th and will end at 12:00 pm Noon, Sunday, May 19th. All entries
must be caught and weighed in between these hours.
3. All entrants must agree to Polygraph Test if requested by Tournament Committee.
4. All prizes will be awarded at 1pm Sunday May 19, 2024 at Gills Creek Marina. You do not have to be present to win.
5. Any person under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or Guardian.
6. All Fish entered in the Tournament must be taken on Spinning Tackle, Casting Tackle, Fly Rod and Reel, or Pole & Line.
Artificial and/or Natural (live) Bait ONLY may be used.
7. All Fish entered in the tournament must also be weighed and registered at the Official Weighing Station located at Gills
Creek Marina. The Official Weighing Station will remain open continuously from Friday, May 19th at 12 noon through
Sunday, May 19th at 12:00 pm Noon.
8. Every Fish must be inspected by a Judge before weighing to show that it meets all specifications outlined in Rules &
Regulations. Any Fish entered in the Tournament may be gutted at the discretion of the judges.
9. All Fish must be alive when weighed in. Any Fish which has been shot, gigged, mutilated, caged, or showing any sign of
unsportsmanlike handling shall be disqualified at the sole discretion of GCM. Trout Lines or Netting are also illegal and will result in a disqualification.
10. All eligible Fish will become the property of GCM when they are turned in. The Fish will be tagged and kept in Live Well Tanks for the duration of the Tournament, excluding stripers. At the end of the Tournament, all Fish will be returned to their original owners if possible. Any Fish not picked up by the end of the Awards Ceremony will be released at the Dock at Gills Creek Marina.
11. Residents of Virginia may fish in Smith Mountain Lake with a Fishing License issued by the State of Virginia. All residents
of other states most purchase a Non-Resident Fishing License. Tournament participants must honor all applicable Fishing and
Boating Regulations. Any violation on the water resulting in a situation is an automatic Disqualification.
12. Individual ticket holders will be eligible to win multiple daily prizes for each Class of Fish.
13. All Fish entered in the Tournament must be taken from Smith Mountain Lake. Signed Certificates stating that each entered
Fish was taken from Smith Mountain Lake will be required.
14. Prizes will be awarded only to participants, whose entry wins, on the basis of weight, is properly registered at the Official
Weighing Station, and is in a class of fish eligible for entry in the Tournament.
15. The following Classes of Fish will be eligible for entry into the Tournament:
1. Large mouth Bass
2. Crappie
3. Small mouth Bass
4. Catfish
5. Stripers
16. In the case of a tie in any Class, the earliest entry will be declared the “Winner”.
17. The decision of the Judges is final in all instances.
18. Professional fisherman and fishing Guides for Smith Mountain Lake are eligible to participate in the SML Charter Challange,
19. If a Fish is not caught in any Category, prize money will revert back to GCM to be distributed to our chosen non-profit organization.
20. The Cash Awards Ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 21st,
21. There will be drawings for special prizes on Sunday 19th between 11:30pm and 1pm. You must be present to win.
22. All Participates (on Their own behalf and on behalf of their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns),
for in consideration of the opportunity to participate in a “benefit Fishing tournament” or “activity” (hereinafter
EVENT(S) sponsored and/or conducted by Gills Creek Marina and their officers, directors, members and/or volunteers; Gills Creek Marina and any and all sponsors of the benefit fishing tournament – hereinafter, the “RELEASED PARTIES”) releases and holds harmless
the “RELEASED PARTIES” from any and all claims and demands, rights and causes of action of any kind whatsoever
which now have or later may have against the “RELEASED PARTIES” in any way resulting from, arising out of, or in
connection with the performance of their tournament duties and your participation in said EVENT(S).
This release extends to any and all claims a participant has or later may have against the “RELEASED PARTIES” resulting
from or arising out of their performance of their duties whether or not such claims result from negligence (except
willful neglect) on the part of any or all of the “RELEASED PARTIES” with respect to the EVENT(S) or with respect to
the conditions, qualifications, instructions, rules or procedures under which the EVENT(S) are conducted or from any other
cause. This release extends to each participants personal performance and actions and their travel to and/or from the
EVENT(S). BY PURCHASING/POSSESSING/OWNING/HOLDING AND OR SIGNING A TICKET, ALL PARTICIPANTS AND
ALL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MEANS THEY AGREE NOT TO SUE ANY OR ALL OF THE
“RELEASED PARTIES” FOR ANY INJURY RESULTING TO THEMSELVES OR TO THEIR PROPERTY ARISING FROM,
OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR EVENT DUTIES IN SPONSORING, PLANNING, OR
CONDUCTING THE EVENT(S).
All Participates claim to be experienced in and familiar with and fully understand the risks and dangers inherent in the
sport of fishing. All Participates voluntarily participating in the EVENT(S) expressly agree to assume the entire risk of
any accidents or personal injury, including death, which they might sustain to Their person(s) and property as a result of
their participation in the event(s), and any negligence (except willful neglect) on the part of any or all of the “RELEASED
PARTIES” in performing their event duties.
24. Future Tournament dates will be announced at the awards ceremony
Tickets are available online at www.gillscreekmarina.com/smlfishingtournament
Tickets are also available at these outlets:
Gills Creek Marina 540-721-2451
790 Fox Chase Rd
Wirtz, VA 24184
SML Tackle Shack 540-912-0201
13326 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite B1
Moneta, VA 24121
Marina 66
16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy
Moneta, VA 24121
Trader Jerry’s 540-389-8095
724 W 4th St
Salem, Va. 24153
Official Weighing Station
All fish thought to be in contention must be brought to Gills Creek Marina for
official inspection, weighing, and entering. We will have weights of
all fish posted at Gills Creek Marina and updated every hour at https://www.facebook.com/groups/501849170955197. If you believe you have a contending fish, you may contact Gills Creek Marina at 540-721-2451.
OFFICIAL WEIGHING HOURS
Friday, May 19th from 12 noon through Sunday, May 21st at Noon
JUDGES
All final decisions will be made by a committee appointed by Gills Creek Marina
GCM ENCOURAGES ALL fishermen to participate in Catch
and Release on all categories of fish. Any category of fish found to be
in contention MUST BE TAKEN ALIVE TO OFFICIAL WEIGHING
AND ENTRY STATION AT GILLS CREEK MARINA FOR
INSPECTION, WEIGHING, AND ENTERING.
