2024 9th Annual EZ3 Catfish Tournament Rules

Quick Synopsis of EZ3 Rules.

All participant must sign agreement at shop at registration acknowledging the understanding all rules.

  • Fish the length of the Neuse River (EXCLUDING WAKE COUNTY) and all tributaries of the Neuse River. Stick to eligible waters!

  • All anglers must have a valid NC Fishing License (Youth Anglers must be accompanied by an adult angler with a valid license per NC Regulations). All participants must abide by Current NC Wildlife Regulations. All anglers must follow NC Boating Laws. ANY ANGLER RECEVING A CITATION DURING THE TOURNAMENT MUST REPORT IT TO TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS.

  • Fish for TWO MONTHS LONG.

  • In addition to preregistration, anglers can REGISTER AT ANYTIME during the tournament for any division or side pot.

  • There is a 3 day (72 hour) waiting period before a fish can be weighed-in, be sure to fill out the registration form properly with DATE & TIMES to avoid possible disqualification.

  • All entries are CASH ONLY at the shop. NO CREDIT OR DEBIT.

  • All ENTRY FEES ARE NON-TRANSFREABLE OR REFUNDABLE.

  • The entry fee and all side pots are PER ANGLER not by boat.

  • Anglers may only enter one division.

  • Bank Fishing is allowed.

  • Absolutely no anchoring within 100 feet of another boat.  Give each other some room! 

  • Fish are only allowed to be officially weighed-in during the normal operating hours of EZ Bait & Tackle. All fish at the scales when the shop opens, will be counted as arriving at the same time.

  • The EZ Crew reserves the right to refuse any applicants and fish at weigh-in.  Any protest at weigh-in must be made 20 minutes after the fish is weighed and in writing.  If there is any fighting or arguing over a fish, you will be released from the tournament.  Entry fees are non-refundable!

  • All decisions made by the EZ Tackle Crew are FINAL! All species identifications will be completed by the EZ Tackle Crew and resources available to them.

  • It is agreed that the tournament sponsors will not be held liable for any accidents caused by or to anyone in this tournament, payment of the entry fee constitutes agreement and acceptance of all rules. 

  • TIE BREAKER RULE (A) - In the case of a tie, the first fish brought to the scale wins.

  • TIE BREAKER RULE (B) - If the fish are brought into the scales at the same time, the angler’s next largest fish in the tournament will be used to determine placement. Large fish between the competing anglers will continue to be compared until a winner is determined .

  • TIE BREAKER RULE (C) - In instances of the SP-28 and SP8-48, the largest fish wins when brought into the scales at the same time. If it remains a tie, the pot will be split

  • This is a rod and reel tournament only. NO LIMB LINES OR SNAGGING ALLOWED.

  • This is a CPR Tournament, Dead or Dying fish will be DISQUALIFIED. Fish strung through the gills will be disqualified. Strung fish must be punched through the bottom lip. Once a fish is brought in and entered, they become the possession of EZ Tackle and will be released alive back into the waters of the Neuse. Fisherman will “Sign” for the fish at weigh-in. 

  • Anglers are permitted to bring into up to 3 FISH PER DAY. However, the overall health of all the fish brought to the scales is a priority, and EZ Bait & Tackle reserves the right to disqualify fish at weigh-in when dead fish are present. This limit is to increase fish survivability. FISH MUST BE BROUGHT IN A CONTAINER LARGE ENOUGH TO BE COMPLETELY SUBMERGED AND ROOM TO MOVE (AN AERATOR IS REQUIRED)

  • At the end of, or during the tournament, a POLYGRAPH and/or any means felt necessary by EZ Bait & Tackle, LLC will be used to confirm the honesty of any angler at their discretion. EZ Bait & Tackle, LLC reserves the rights to disqualify any fish they deem necessary. Failure to submit to polygraph or any other testing or process may result in disqualification.

  • All participants must sign a code of conduct and disclaimer indicating they have read the rules and will abide by all requirements. 

REGISTRANTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO ENTER ONE DIVISION, AND CAN ONLY ENTER THE SIDE POTS OF THAT DIVISION. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS THE TRASH FISH OPEN.

PRO DIVISION (Top 3 Big Fish) - $200

  • SP8-48 (First Fish Over 48 lbs) - $50

  • BIG3 (Highest Aggregate Blue, Flat, Channel) - $50

  • CATCH THE FEVER CHALLENGE (Top Fish Caught on a BIG CAT FEVER Rod) - FREE When Entered

CLASSIC DIVISION (Top 3 Big Fish) - $50

  • SP8-28 (First Fish Over 28 lbs) - $20

  • NEXT CAST NC WILDCAT CHALLENGE (Monthly Challenge to Weigh a Fish in Closest to the Undisclosed Wild Cat Weight) - FREE When Entered

  • CATCH THE FEVER CHALLENGE (Top Fish Caught on a BIG CAT FEVER Rod) - FREE When Entered

  • YOUTH ANGLERS (Classic Registrants are Allowed to Sign Up 2 Youth Anglers that are Permitted to Fish Under the Registration. These Youth Must be Below the Age of 13 at Registration) - FREE

4REEL LADIES DIVISION (Ladies Only, Cannot be Registered in any Other Division) - FREE

TRASH FISH OPEN (All Division Anglers Fish Against Each Other) - $20

Dwayne Bevell