Rio Vista Bass Festival

Check out some photos from last year

2008 Rio Vista Bass Derby Official Rules & Regulations
"Target Length Striped Bass and Target Length Sturgeon"

1) TO ENTER: each angler in the derby must first purchase a registration ticket for $35.00. All tickets must be purchased before 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 11, 2008. Late arrivals must call the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce office (707) 374-2700 prior to that time to reserve tickets. Visa and MasterCard sales will be accepted in person at the Chamber office or by phone. Derby registration tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.

2) Derby fishing will begin at 6:00 am on Friday, October 10, 2008 and will continue until Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm.

3) There are three categories of fish to be entered in this year’s derby:

Striped bass The “Target Length” will be pulled at the start of the tournament and the angler who enters the bass closest to the specified length without going over will win the Grand Prize, $2,000. In case of a tie in length, the winner will be determined by the fish of the greatest weight. If both fish weigh the same, the tie will be broken by the first fisherman who entered their fish.

Sturgeon The “Target Length” will be pulled at the start of the tournament and the angler who enters the sturgeon closest to the specified length without going over will win the Grand Prize, $1,000. In case of a tie in length, the winner will be determined by the fish of the greatest weight. If both fish weigh the same, the tie will be broken by the first fisherman who entered their fish. The angler must have a punch card for the sturgeon.

4) All fish entered in the Bass Derby must be measured and weighed in at the official weigh-in station located in front of 45 Main Street near the intersection of Front Street in Rio Vista. The measure and weigh-in times will be as follows:

Friday, Oct. 10 noon – 6:00 pm
Saturday, Oct. 11 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday, Oct. 12 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

5) The City of Rio Vista’s courtesy dock at the foot of Main Street (look for the 3 flag poles) will be available for tie-up for 30 minutes to weigh fish. The fish closest to the target Striped Bass length and target Sturgeon length must be kept on display at the fish weigh-in station.

6) Each angler must present his or her own fish for weigh-in and measuring at the official weigh-in station.

7) All fish must be caught in the Sacramento River Delta, from Sacramento south, to the Benicia Bridge in any waterways open to the public (see Department of Fish and Game 2003 Striped Bass Fishing map for details)

8) Each angler may only submit one fish per category in the derby. Tickets will be marked accordingly.

9) All fish entered will be marked for identification purposes.

10) All fish to be entered in the Bass Derby must be weighed, measured and recorded within 15 hours of being caught. The angler will provide the Weigh Master full and certified information as to when and where the fish was caught, the type of tackle, lure or bait used. The angler must show a valid California fishing license, a valid picture identification, numbered bass derby registration ticket and any other information relating to the catch. The above documents must be presented at the time of weigh-in or the fish will be immediately disqualified.

12) The Weigh Master and/or official from the Department of Fish and Game reserves the right to retain any fish in order to make a full investigation in any case where the weight or condition of the fish caught is challenged, or there may have been other violations of the derby rules or state and federal laws or breaches of good sportsmanship. The Weigh Master and/or official from the Department of Fish and Game reserve the right to open and inspect any entry. The Chamber of Commerce shall form a committee for any investigations; the committee will include at least one representative from the following: Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce and the Isleton/Delta Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association. This committee reserves the right to reject any entry and their decisions shall be final. All anglers must conform to all California Department of Fish and Game and Coast Guard rules and regulations. In addition, any controversy or claim rising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach of this contract, shall be settled by arbitration at the participant’s/angler’s expense.

13) The striped bass and sturgeon closest to the Target size entered in the Bass Derby must be kept at the weigh-in station and will be released to the angler on Sunday, October 12 at 3:00 pm. The Rio Vista Bass Derby, Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce and C.S.B.A. will not be responsible for fish left after 4 pm. Any fish not picked up will become the property of the Rio Vista Bass Derby and will be disposed of immediately.

14) Fishing is at participant’s own risk.

16) Fishing guides under charter are not eligible to enter, however, their clients may enter.

17) All anglers participating in the Rio Vista Bass Derby must be 16 years of age or older. If under 16, they must be entered in the Kid’s Fishing Derby.

18) Awards are to be presented at 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at the Main Street stage area. All winners must be present to claim their prize. All winners will be posted on our website at www.bassfestival.com

19) Winners are responsible for all state and federal taxes and registration where applicable.

20) The Rio Vista Bass Derby reserves the right to substitute prizes if necessary.

2008 Kid’s Fishing Derby Rules
A) Each angler age 15 and under must first purchase a registration ticket for $5.00.
B) Only striped bass measuring 18 inches and over are eligible for weigh-in as well as any size catfish.
C) All other Rio Vista Bass Derby rules and regulations will apply.

PRIZES

61^st Annual Rio Vista Bass Derby Grand Prize
$2000 CASH - 2nd place $1000 CASH – 3rd place $500 CASH

2^nd Annual Rio Vista Sturgeon Derby Grand Prize
$1000 CASH – 2nd place $ 500 CASH – 3rd place Fish Hookers, fishing trip for two

14^th Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby Grand Prize
BMX Bicycle with helmet and a $50 US Savings Bond
Other prizes will be awarded to the top three runner-up kid entrants.

Special “Raffle” Bonus Prize!
All anglers who purchase a ticket for the Rio Vista Bass Derby will automatically be entered into a raffle to win. In addition to your fishing ticket entry, additional tickets for the raffle may be purchased for $10 each by calling (707) 374-2700. Raffle ticket winner need not be present to win!

VERY IMPORTANT -- MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
All winners of the Fishing Derby must be present to win – Striped Bass and Sturgeon must be at the Awards presentation to receive their prize –
The Top FOUR fisherman in the kid’s Derby – both Striped Bass and Catfish must be present at the Awards presentation to receive their prize.
The Awards presentation will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 4 pm on Main Street.

Special thanks to the Isleton/Delta Chapter of the California Striped Bass Association, for their continued help, support and management of the weigh-in and measure station.