General

Boats must be a maximum of 17 feet in length.
Motors must be a maximum of 40 horsepower and not exceeding Coast Guard
specifications for boat.
Boats must be properly registered and have all Coast Guard required safety equipment.
All boats must have a functional livewell with an aerator or fresh water circulation
system. Livewell must be sufficient in size to keep 5 largemouth bass alive for the
duration of the tournament.

Teams

Teams will consist of 2 members, one of which must be at least 18 years of age.
If a team member is unable to fish a tournament,  the remaining member may fish alone
or with an alternate partner. Alternate partner must be a paid member to be able to
participate. Professional fisherman and guides are not eligible for participation.

Safety

Safe boat operation must be practiced at all times. Participants are to abide by all
applicable state and local boating laws.
Navigation lights (permanent mount or portable clamp on style) must be used at tournament
start as required by existing laws. If you do not have operational lights, you will be required
to start after the last boat number is called.
The use of alcohol and other mind altering substances is prohibited during tournament
and weigh-in.

Sportsmanship

Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a civilized and sportsman-like
manner. Arguing, fighting, and other acts of violence will not be tolerated and will result
in disqualification from tournament and possible loss of eligibility to participate in
future tournaments.

Tournament Rules

All state and local regulations (for size and bag limits) will be applicable unless an exemption
permit is available for use on the day of the tournament.
All fish must be caught and in a conventional, sporting manner.
All fish must be caught during normal tournament hours.
Every effort must be made to release fish alive.
Only casting, spinning, and spincast equipment may be used. Rods shall not exceed 8 feet
in length.
Only 1 rod per person is to be in use at any given time.
Trolling is prohibited.
Boats must maintain a distance of 50 yards from a boat that is anchored.
Participants must maintain a safe and courteous distance from other boats while fishing.
Depth finders, fish finders, and GPS units are acceptable.
Only artificial lures and pork rinds may be used as bait. No live bait.
Landing nets are acceptable.
There will be a 5 fish limit for each tournament.
Participants shall not leave their boats during a tournament except for an emergency.
Anglers shall not block navigational routes.
Fishing is allowed only in waters that are accessible to all participants.
Ties will be broken by the following methods and in this order:
       A. Team with the highest number of fish.
       B. Team with the heaviest individual fish.
       C. Even split of prize money and "draw straws" for affected trophies.
Big Bass ties will result in an even split of prize money and "draw straws" for trophy.
Each team is responsible for boat ramp fees where applicable.
All tournaments will start at safe light (to be determined by tournament director).
Weigh-in will be according to boat number. If you miss your slot, you will be given an
opportunity to weigh in after the last boat number is called.

Penalties

Being late for weigh-in will result in a penalty of 1 pound per minute with disqualification
occuring after 5 minutes.
"Chips" must be placed  on the board at weigh-in. If you decide to leave the tournament
early, you are responsible to let someone know. If your chip is not on the board, someone
will be sent to search for you.
Short fish penalty will be the loss of that fish's weight plus 1 pound.
Anglers may have one fish per person that measures 22 inches or longer.
Additional fish measuring 22 inches or longer will not be eligible for weigh in and will
result in an additional penalty of 1 pound per fish.
Dead fish penalty will be .25 pounds per dead fish.

Fees

Tournament entry fee is $50 per boat.
Annual membership fee is $15 per person.
Entry fee for "The Classic" is $70 per boat.

Points

Points for Team Anglers of the Year will be calculated as follows:
Participation in tournament = 10 pts per team
Total weight at a 1:1 ratio     Example: 19.57 lbs = 19.57 points
1 point for each fish weighed in    Example: 5 fish limit = 5 points, 4 fish = 4 points, etc.
Big Bass = 5 points
Points total will be based on 10 tournaments.(The tournament where you scored the lowest
number of points will not be factored in.)  
Team with highest total points are Team Anglers of the Year 

Big Bass of the Year

There will be an additional award for the angler (not team) with the largest bass of the year.

Classic Tournament

Teams must fish 7 of the 11 regular tournaments to be eligible to fish "The Classic"

Goal

Our goal is to promote fishing and to provide a means for everyone to enjoy themselves in the
spirit of competition.

Note

Rules interpretation and decisions are at the discretion of the tournament director.

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