CCA Texas

SIGN UP QUESTIONS

1.    Where can I sign up?  At all Academy locations, Ticket Stations & Weigh Stations (locations available in our brochure or at http://www.ccatexas.org/home/star-tournament/weigh-stations/), phone, online (www.ccatexas.org )

2.    Will I receive proof/receipt of my payment?  The only receipt is your Instant Entry Ticket from Academy or Weigh/Ticket Stations, or if you sign up online you will receive a confirmation e-mail.  If you enter through the mail or on the phone there is no receipt.

3.    What if I don’t receive a confirmation e-mail?  Perhaps your SPAM blocker has put your e-mail into the junk or bulk mail folder of your provider.  If you do not find it there, you can call 713-626-4234 and ask to speak to someone in Membership who handles the online orders.

4.    When will I receive my membership card?  It can be up to 6 weeks before you receive your card due to slow non-profit mail delivery. NOTE:  You do not have to have your card to fish, weigh-in or win the tournament!

5.    Do I have to be a member of CCA to fish the tournament?  Yes, you must be a current CCA Texas member, throughout the tournament, in order to be eligible to fish the entire tournament.

TOURNAMENT QUESTIONS

6.    When does the tournament begin and end?  Begins at dawn on Saturday, May 23, 2009 & ends at 5:00pm Monday (Labor Day), September 7, 2009.

7.    Can I fish without my current membership card?  Yes, if you are entered into the 2009 tournament, you are eligible to fish the tournament and do not have to show your card to weigh in a fish.  We are happy to verify your eligibility in the STAR office.  No weigh station will require proof of your entry at the time of weigh in.

8.    Is my STAR entry valid by just entering the tournament?  No, unless you are a current or renewing member of CCA Texas.  You must join CCA Texas or be a current member of CCA Texas to fish the tournament.  It is the entrant’s responsibility to make sure that their membership is current throughout the tournament.

9.    Can I win in more than one category?  No!  When you fill out the weigh-in form, you must declare what category (Star Kid, Star-Teen or adult) you are entering.  In the case of the Speckled Trout division, there are 3 categories.  Upper Coast, Middle Coast & Lower Coast, you must declare the area of your catch.

10.    What is the age eligible to fish the tournament?  The only age criteria is that a STAR kid must be at least 6 years old during 2009.

11.    Can I help my younger children?  Yes, you can bait and cast, the child must hook & reel in the catch, then the adult can help net the fish at the boat or shore.

12.    If someone in my family has won previously, can I enter the tournament?  Not for three years.  Any winner and immediate family that live at the same address cannot enter/win the tournament for 3 years or 6 years if participant has won once before.

13.    If I have received money for guiding can I enter the tournament?  No, only members who are not guides or commercial fisherman according to the 2009 STAR Tournament rules are eligible to fish the tournament.  Rule 3. Persons who presently or during the three (3) years prior to the beginning of the Tournament have acted as fishing guides, commercial fisherman, commercial finfisherman, bay shrimpers, bait shrimpers, gulf shrimpers, bait shrimp dealers as those terms are defined by Chapters 47 and 77 of the Parks and Wildlife code, or who have held licenses issued pursuant to those chapters or pursuant to any federal law are not eligible.  The nominal sharing of expenses by participants is not considered operating a boat for compensation (guiding).

14.    Can my child win more than one scholarship in their lifetime?  No, we want to share the opportunity between as many kids as possible.

15.    Do I have to have a Texas Fishing License?  Yes, we require that you follow all rules and regulations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department & the number is required on the weigh in form.  NOTE:  If you are 17 or older, you must have a fishing license to be in compliance with Texas Parks and Wildlife Rules and Regulations.  SEE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE RULES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

16.    Do I have to have my Texas Fishing License with me?  TP & W requires that you have a recreational fishing license to fish in Texas waters if you are 17 or older, we do recommend that you have it, but you can call 800-626-4222 within 3 days to complete your weigh-in form information.

17.    Where do I weigh in my fish?  You can weigh in within 24 hours at any of our official stations (See map http://www.ccatexas.org/home/star-tournament/weigh-stations) along the entire coast of Texas. Locations are also found in our brochure

18.    Is there a time limit to weigh in the fish?  Yes, your fish must be weighed in within 24 hours of the catch! This is noted on your official weigh-in form and is verified by Polygraph!

19.    If I catch a tagged Redfish, what do I do?  Make sure that you do not remove the tag.  Only a tagged redfish can be turned in gutted, but the tag must remain attached.  Head for the nearest weigh station to turn it in and fill out a weigh-in form.  The weigh station will retain the fish.  Call the CCA STAR office 713-626-4222, x 6604 & arrangements will be made for a polygraph.

20.    What condition of my fish is acceptable for weigh-in?  Your fish cannot be frozen, spoiled, gutted, altered or mutilated, (only tagged redfish can be gutted).

21.    What if my child catches a tagged red?  They are eligible to win, but (ages 15 & under) they will receive a $20,000.00 scholarship in lieu of the truck, along with the boat package.

22.    If I work for a STAR Tournament sponsor am I eligible to fish?  Yes, only salaried employees of CCA are ineligible to fish.

23.    What is the deadline for the Early Bird Prize?  You must be a current member and entered into the STAR Tournament, by 12:00 midnight on May 22, 2009.

24.    When is the Early Bird Prize Drawing held?  It will be held sometime in late August and the winners will be notified by phone and mail.  The winner of the boat package will be notified and asked to pick up their prize at the October, 2009 CCA Barbeque/Awards Banquet.

25.    Who can win the Early Bird Drawing top prize?  Anyone 21 or over who entered the tournament before midnight on May 22, 2009.

26.    What is the Early Bird Drawing?  We encourage members to enter the tournament early and offer a chance for a top prize of a 21’ Shoalwater Cat with a Mercury 150 EFI  & McClain trailer to all (over 21) who do so by May 22, 2009.  There are runner up prizes also and everyone is eligible for those.

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND CCA TEXAS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS, PLEASE CHECK THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE WEBSITE FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON SPECIFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Resident/Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
Required of any resident/non-resident who fishes in the public waters of Texas.

You do not need a fishing license/package if you:
* are under 17 years of age.
* were born before Sept. 1, 1930.

NOTE:  Texas recreational and commercial fishermen fishing more than nine (9) nautical miles off the coast of Texas are in federal waters and are subject to rules and regulations that may differ from those in state waters. Recreational anglers must have a Texas fishing license and saltwater endorsement to bring any fish taken in federal waters ashore in Texas. To ensure that you are in compliance with federal regulations, you should contact the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at (888) 833-1844