WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, August 23rd & 24th 2025

 

REGISTRATION
Friday, August 22nd at 5:00 PM
Location: Mineral Springs Park Pavilion

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CAPTAIN’S MEETING:
Friday, August 22nd, at 7:00 PM

Entry Fee: $550 per Pro Team, $300 per AM team (includes captain and all crew)
4% processing fee applies to credit card entries
Checks payable to: Benzie Fishing Frenzie​

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TOURNAMENT DETAILS
Fishing Time: 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM
All boats must remain within ½ mile of the Frankfort/Elberta pierheads before 6:30 AM
Official “GO FISH” call at 6:30 AM on VHF Channel 68
Boats must be inside the pierheads by 1:30:00 PM sharp or will be disqualified

Communication:
Not a radio-silence tournament
VHF Channel 68 will be used for all official communication

Port Rules:
Boats may leave from any marina/launch on Betsie Bay
Teams must declare their launch location at the Captains Meeting

Boat & Cooler Checks:
Boats and coolers may be inspected on tournament day

Captain & Crew Requirements:
Maximum 9 rods, which requires 3 licensed anglers
Unlimited crew size

Observers:
Not required, but may be assigned at the Tournament Director’s discretion​

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FISHING RULES
Max Lines: 9 lines total in the water at one time, A fish hooked is considered a line in the water
Line Rules: Max 2 baits per line; sliders must be under 72”​

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BOAT REQUIREMENTS
Minimum 18’ length (per state registration)
Must have a working marine radio
No physical contact with other boats or shore unless pre-approved
Boats not returning under their own power are disqualified

Tournament Flags:
Provided flag must be clearly visible on the port side during tournament hours​

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FISHING LAWS & LIMITS
All Michigan DNR laws apply
Fishing must occur from a moving boat
No gaffing or shore fishing
All anglers must carry a valid MI fishing license

Catch Limits:
Pro Division: 2 Angler Legal Limit. Salmon & Trout Species. No More Than 4 Lake Trout
AM Division: 1 Angler Legal Limit. Salmon & Trout Species. No More Than 2 Lake Trout
Size limits per DNR regulations

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SCORING SYSTEM
10 points per fish + 1 point per pound
Ties broken by largest fish, then split prize if still tied​

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WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE
Begins at approx. 1:00 PM on Saturday & Sunday at Mineral Springs Park Pavilion
Coolers (TOURNAMENT CATCH ONLY) must be in line by 2:30 PM
Extra fish results in loss of that fish plus one more
Loose ice/water in cooler = -5 points
Foreign substances (e.g. ice in mouth/body cavity) = disqualification
Team is responsible for transporting its own cooler​

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WEATHER POLICY
Weather committee of 3 captains (varied boat sizes/types) will advise Tournament Director
3+ hours of fishing between 6:30 AM – 1:30 PM required for valid tournament
In case of weather stoppage, radio call will announce end of tournament
All boats must return to port and coolers must be in weigh-in line within 1.5 hours​

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CANCELLATION POLICY
If canceled, a portion of the entry fee will be retained to cover expenses​

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PROTESTS
Must be submitted in writing with a $50 deposit within 5 minutes of the last fish leaving the scale
All Tournament Director decisions are final

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PRO TEAMS DEFINED
Pro Teams are required to fish in the Pro Division. A Pro Team is defined as any licensed charter boat. Any crew member who is a current licensed charter captain or been a licensed charter captain in the previous two years. Official representative of any major sportfishing brand. It is your responsibility to know Pro/AM status. Any questions, please contact the Tournament Director before registering. Tournament Director will have final say on Pro/AM Status.

COMMUNITY CONDUCT
We are guests in the city of Frankfort, please treat the community with respect. Any actions by an individual that could reflect negatively on the Benzie Fishing Frenzie in the eyes of the Frankfort community could result in team disqualification. 

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QUESTIONS?

Contact Tournament Director:
Steve Joslin – (231) 633-6775

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On behalf of the Tournament Director, committee, and our sponsors — thank you, stay safe, and have fun!

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