We host the weigh station for at least 3 Derby's per year, first The Time is Official, if we say Derby starts at 6Am and a fish shows up at 5:59 am or even a minute after 6 am , you were disqualified, obviously your fishing out of the time Zone. Secondly if a fish shows up after the ending time and your not in line waiting to be weighed, too bad so sad. This is tough at a Derby when a child shows up late because a Parent can't get there in time, its happen to us, we've rewarded the child but not by letting the fish on the Board. An incident yesterday for example, a child brought in a pickerel..1.11 lbs. third place had been on the board for a while, at the exact weight..1.11 lbs, First fish stayed there and won 3rd. place,.. we gave that other kid a prize too, but his fish did not go on board. All fish remain on board, tagged with your name and weight and if you want your fish,..after Derby or when it falls off the Board, there you go, your fish still has the tag on it and can be retrieved. A reason to keep the fish is to ensure that it has not been altered, weights can be shoved down the throat , bait, left in etc...we had a guy yesterday, steel leader hanging out we gave him pliers. If there was a close call and one fish just didn't look right we could cut it open and check the gut. that's some of the things we watch for and try to do to keep it fair.
