Saturday Night Bat Fight XI

[Latimeria]

Saturday Night Bat Fight - XI - Rules and Sign Ups



Well, we are on year 11 already and have continued to be a fun and successful event throughout the years.  This is a fun and free event that only has bragging rights at stake and great for anglers of all ages.  The rules will be the same as in years past and listed below.  Try your best to follow the rules which will make it easier deciding the winner.
This years event will take place on March 31st, 2018... rain or shine!


The Rules:

-The only fish that counts toward the ultimate winner is Myliobatis californica... aka the Bat Ray. All other species will only count as individual bragging rights.

-Widest wingspan measured over the top of the Ray (Taut Tape) with corresponding pictures. No loose or flat laying tape on the entire body and wings.  (loose tapes will be prone to losing some inches)

-CPR (Catch-Photograph-Release) only. No gaffs or landing tools that cause direct injury to the fish permitted.

- The main area for each county will be picked by the Team Captain and any satellite groups must make sure they post their results by the given time of 11:59pm on March 31st, 2018

-Shore Fishing Only from the Surf or Bay.  No kayaked baits, shore casting only.

-You can fish in any county you'd like, but the fish you catch will be recorded for the county you caught the fish in. If you are from LA fishing in SD, the bat will count for SD.

-Start time for the event is very dependent on when you want to get out and fish. The opening gun will sound at 6:00am on the day of the tournament and will end at 11:59 that night. This is just the window of time that the tournament will count for any bat rays. This will allow people who work or have prior engagements to get out and participate in the event in a generous time window.

-Photos must be posted by no later than 11:59pm Saturday, March 31st. Any Photos posted later than that time will be disqualified from their entry. (So be VERY time conscience)

-Be extra cautious when handling these creatures. You are assuming responsibility of yourself and others not to get hurt.  Always get someone for assistance if needed.

-This is a picture/honor system, please no fudging or cheating. A few times now, the winner won by a half an inch. This made for a great photo finish and great trash talking.

-Everyone is required to have a good time!


A clarification that came up during SNBFVIII and the most commonly asked questions are listed below.

•   No yakking baits out (or Drones)– This is a shoreline casting event.
The reason for this is to show off your casting skills and/or improve on them. SoCal Big Game shore fishing style.

•   No fishing off Piers, Bridges, Docks, Bulkheads, Jetties.  (Boat Ramps are OK as long as you are allowed to fish there and/or not impeding any boat traffic)
There are a few reasons for this, but the most important reasons are for YOUR Safety and the Bat Rays Safety.  Fishing the rocks during the day or at night for Mud Marlin is not a safe bet for you or the fish.  You can fish for them 364 days a year that way if you like, but on the Bat Fight, it's all about safety  and all of these structures have a high danger limit to them when dealing with big gear, rods and fish.  It was never allowed in the past and will not be allowed in the future Bat Fights.

•   Buddy System – For many reasons, it has to be on a buddy system.  There are going to be a bunch of satellite groups out there, but there must be two fishermen at every location.  Unless you have 4 arms to hold the tape taut over the bats back and take a picture... you need two people.  To keep 'em honest and another safety factor.



All of the rules are pretty straight forward and I will make them clearer in the near future. I want to clarify the ones that I am being asked the most... or at least being brought to my attention.


There are some modifications to the rules coming up such as "Calcutta's" and such, but the rules will remain basically the same.  Please check back here in the next few weeks as I will make sure everything is hammered out here shortly.

Please sign up or make it known with a reply that you are part of your county group.  I want to eliminate last minute peeps who catch something and just try to post it and come on board.  More to follow soon.

Team San Diego:

Latimeria
Sasquatch
Pinoyfisher
Where's MyBeer
Jaws
1moreCast
Ben Cantrell
SharkinthedarkII
Lamnidae & Son


Team Orange County

Chip
Mark
Nabeel
Andrew
Mike
Jeff
JayRay
Kyle
Ben
Gage
Alan
Matt
Cutty
Kate
Dark Night
Peter
Spencer
Matt
Cody


Team Los Angeles

Bkishimoto
Jack Murtagh
Tony
Denny
Verne



Team VC

xjchad

[BackBayMan]

I'm down for The OC

[WheresMyBeer]

[Jaws]

In for SD!

[Jack Murtagh]

Team LA 

[1morecast]

SD of course!

[BenCantrell]

I'm the secret weapon for SD! 

[Latimeria]

hahahahaha, I needed that today.  Great stuff Ben!

[xjchad]

I'm the secret weapon for SD! 

I'd put that thing in an aquarium!

[xjchad]

In for VC!

VC guys send me your contact info if I don't have it.

[vdisney]

Tony, Denny & me for LA   

[BackBayMan]

Here's some more for The OC

Mark
Nabeel
Andrew
Mike
Jeff
JayRay
Kyle
Ben
Gage
Alan
Matt
Cutty
Kate
Dark Night
Peter
Spencer
Matt
Cody

[Sharkinthedark II]

Tom, always in for SD 

[Latimeria]

Lots of weather going on right now, but not a lot of bats.  Team San Diego, I think we'll try to get a few search parties out to find the missing bats here soon.

[lamnidae]

Hi Tom,

I believe my son and I will be participating for San Diego.