Jim Bailey
Current 2007 Rule
TOURNAMENT RULES

RULE # 12

A five fish limit will be allowed each angler per day unless state or local laws restrict limits to less. Fish must be a minimum of 12 inches long,
unless otherwise restricted by state or local laws The Tournament Director will determine 12 inches with the mouth closed, and pinched tail.
Contestants weighing in undersized fish will lose that fish and their largest fish of the day.
The decision of the Tournament Director is final. Contestants weighing in dead fish will be penalized 0.2 lb. per dead fish. In the case of a breakdown, fish may be brought to the scales by the boaters partner provided he can get another club boater to bring him in. If a boater is fishing by themselves and his boat breaks down, his fish may be weighed in by another club boat. Tournament winners and places will be determined by the total weight of the catch less any penalties...

Proposed Change:
TOURNAMENT RULES

RULE # 12:

Change penalty from 0.2 lb to .5 lb per dead fish
A five fish limit will be allowed each angler per day unless state or local laws restrict limits to less. Fish must be a minimum of 12 inches long, unless otherwise restricted by state or local laws. The Tournament Director will determine 12 inches with the mouth closed, and pinched tail.
Contestants weighing in undersized fish will lose that fish and their largest fish of the day.
The decision of the Tournament Director is final. Contestants weighing in dead fish will be penalized 1/2 lb. per dead fish.
In the case of a breakdown, fish may be brought to the scales by the boaters partner provided he can get another club boater to bring him in. If a boater is fishing by themselves and his boat breaks down, his fish may be weighed in by another club boat. Tournament winners and places will be determined by the total weight of the catch less any penalties.

Reason

Dead fish are becoming more common at weigh in time and some can't be prevented. However some are caused by poor maintenance of livewells on tournament boats.