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Amended December 2008
1. This is a “Bass” only tournament
with total weight determining the winners. Maximum of two (2) persons
fishing from each boat: fishing alone is permitted, however all members
(boaters and non-boaters) will be given an opportunity to fish from
another member’s boat by anonymous draw out. The only exception is if it
would cause a violation of State or Federal Laws such as an over-gross
of max. carrying capacity established by the U.S. Coast Guard. The draw
will be done at the launch site prior to launch. The names of all
boaters will be placed in a container and drawn by non-boaters one at a
time to pair partners. The non-boater will be required to pay a fee to
the boater to offset boat operation costs. The fee will be a minimum of
$15.00 per day. Non-boaters are also required to use restraint in the
amount of tackle and gear brought aboard.
2. Boaters will launch their boat early enough to allow all contestants
to be in the water prior to tournament launch. Non-boaters will be at
the tournament site and ready prior to launch time. If a non-boater is
late (after launch), he is considered disqualified unless he finds a
boater or brings his own boat and complies with the bylaws concerning
late arrival. Member must be in good standing and entry fee paid prior
to member starting to fish.
3. All tournament fees must be paid in cash at or before the tournament.
If paying at the tournament site, you must have the correct entry fee.
No change will be available at the
tournament site.
4. Tournament payoff is 65% of entry fees. Balance is paid out in the
following manner 50% to 1st, 30% to 2nd, and 20%
to 3rd. Big fish pot is optional and paid to the
participating individuals that catch the three heaviest bass during the
tournament hours. The split will be 50% to 1st, 30% to 2nd
and 20% to 3rd.
a)
1st, 2nd and 3rd place anglers
at each tournament will have the option of receiving a trophy or a plate
(with the difference between cost of the trophy and plate paid to
individual). 4th, 5th and 6th place
anglers will receive a plate.
5. The Weigh Master will start the tournament and will stop it when the
official time indicates the tournament is over. Contestants who are not
at the official check-in area at the appointed time will be penalized at
one (1) pound per minute deducted from the total weight including any
weight to be counted toward the big bass pot. Any contestant more than
fifteen (15) minutes late will lose credit for the day’s weight.
6. There will be only one official checkpoint for boat check in the
morning and one official checkpoint for check-in in the afternoon. All
boats will be checked prior to tournament start for any previously
caught fish. Failure to go through boat check in the morning or failure
to check-in at the check-in point will result in disqualification. All
fishing must cease upon check-in.
1.
Late arrivals must check in with a club officer before starting
to fish. It is your responsibility to find an officer on the lake.
2.
In case of mechanical difficulty, the boat owner may send their
fish to the check-in point by their boat partner in another person’s
boat. If the boater is fishing alone, they may send their fish in by
another boater while their boat is towed to the check-in point. Their
fish will be held until they arrive at the check-in point, state how
many fish they sent in by whom, and then weighed in their presence. This
applies only to the boat owner to allow them to protect their
investment. Their partner, if one, must bring their own fish in
personally.
7. All bass must be
caught live in a conventional sporting manner – casting, spinning,
spin-casting, or fly rod tackle may be used. Only artificial lures may
be used with the exception of pork trailers. Only one fishing rod may be
used at a time. Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.
8. A courtesy measuring board will be set up prior to the scale area.
Contestants are encouraged to measure any doubtful fish prior to
approaching the scale area.
9. All fish brought to the scale area will be in accordance with state
and local laws; five (5) fish creel limit for each contestant. The Weigh
Master will set creel Limits for each tournament at the pre-launch
meeting on the 1st day of the tournament. Minimum fish length must meet
established size limit determined by state game and fish rules for the
body of water the tournament is conducted on. Penalty for undersized
fish placed on the scale will be not only the loss of that fish, but
the contestant’s largest fish will be
deducted as a penalty. Also, there will be a penalty of 4
ounces for each dead fish weighed in. The fish will be placed on a
marked measuring board, mouth closed, and tail laid on the board pinched
closed. The Weigh Master will weigh fish on scales minus transport bag.
Contestants will maintain possession of their fish (if any doubt exists)
until the results of the tournament are made official. Bass may not be
kept on a stringer at any time during the tournament. A Bass 10 pounds
or larger may be kept for mounting purposes only.
10. In case of tie, place will be determined by the largest single fish
recorded at this tournament by the contestants concerned with the tie.
If the tie is unresolved, prize will be split. EXAMPLE:
Tie for 1st would result in 1st and 2nd
place monies split between the tied contestants. 3rd place
would be awarded normally.
11. All boats must be operated in accordance with state and local laws.
Safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH
CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO WEAR A FASTENED U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE
PRESERVER ANYTIME THE COMBUSTION ENGINE IS IN OPERATION AND THE BOAT IS
ON PLANE.
12. Contestants may fish anywhere accessible by boat, except areas
designated as "off limits" or "no fishing" by local, state or federal
officials or within 50 yards of any marina
gas pumps or within 50 yards of any other competitor’s boat.
13. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a
contestant leave the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more
accessible to fishing waters. The boat must remain in the tournament
waters during the tournament day. If a contestant decides to leave the
tournament before official check -in time every attempt should be made
to notify another member to preclude a search and rescue mission post
tournament. Contestants must leave and
return to the official checkpoint by boat. Contestants may trailer their
boat prior to weigh-in only when necessary to
facilitate the weigh-in process or to ensure the creel is released
without harm.
14. All contestants are required to follow high standards of
sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for
immediate disqualification. Conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts
to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with
tournament rules are grounds for disqualification and/or rejection of
any application for participation.
15. All participants agree to hold harmless the State where the
tournament is held, Lowndes Bassmasters Club, any sponsors, officials,
and all other contestants for any and all injuries and/or material and
bodily damage in connection with this tournament.
16. Rule interpretation will be left exclusively to the weigh master.
Decisions make by the weigh master may be appealed to the Board of
Directors. Any decision made by the Board of Directors on an
appeal is final.
17. Protests against any club member for rule violation(s) must be
registered within fifteen (15) minutes of the conclusion of the
weigh-in. Protests will be investigated by the Weigh Master who will
then make recommendations to the chapter Board of Directors. The chapter
Board of Directors will rule on violations of the tournament rules. All
decisions are final.
18. No form of communication will be allowed by club anglers during the
hours of a tournament with anyone. Communication is allowed for
emergency situations. |