1. Participation and Eligibility:

Participation in the Reel Kids program is open to anyone between 7 and 15 years of age. The contestants will compete in two age groups, 7-11 and 12-15. Age will be determined as of February 15, 2009. Proof of age is the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians of the competitor and will be required prior to competing. 

2. Registration and Official Practice:

Each competitor must register in person at the site of the Reel Kids competition. After registration, each participant will be given an opportunity to practice on a contest line.

3. Conduct of the Competition:

Rods and reels will be provided for use in all Reel Kids competitions. All competitors will be required to use these rod-and-reel combinations. Under no circumstances will competitors be allowed to provide their own tackle. After sufficient practice, as determined by the program officials, all competitors will enter the contest lane(s). Each competitor will be required to flip to an official target from 10 feet away, pitch from 20 feet away and cast from 30 feet away.

Scoring is based on a point system. The competitor who scores the most points wins. Points are determined by where the lure comes to rest on the target. While a lure is allowed to bounce either forward or backward prior to coming to rest on the target, a competitor may not pull the lure backward once it has hit the target. If this is done, a zero is scored. If the lure is on the line of the point area, the official score is the area where the part of the lure to which the line is attached rests. Each competitor will be given two (2) chances from each distance using the method of the distance. The three best scores (one each from 10, 20 and 30 feet) will be totaled and that total will be the competitor's score. Total score ties will be broken by casting from the 30-foot position until there is a winner in each group.
 

4. Definitions:

Flip: Any underhand pendulum-type cast where the bail is closed prior to the attempt. The contestant will be allowed to swing the lure over the target to determine range so long as the lure does not touch the target.
Pitch: Any underhand pendulum-type cast with the bail open so as to allow the weight of the lure alone to pull off the line needed to reach the required distance.
Cast: Any overhand or sidearm cast with the bail open so as to allow the weight of the lure to pull off the line needed to reach the required distance .