Centennial Bass Club

Tournament Rules

 

1. All state, local, and federal laws will be obeyed.

2. No illegal controlled substances or alcohol will be consumed during the tournament.

3. No trolling is allowed. Only one rod and reel may be used at a time.

4. Every person will wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device any time the big engine is in gear. This includes loading and unloading of members. This life vest must be fully latched with the boater having a functioning kill switch attached to their P.F.D.  Kill switch may be detached while trailering the boat.

5. All boaters must keep proof of insurance meeting the minimum requirement set forth by B.A.S.S. in their boat during tournaments.

6. Entry fees are $15 dollars for mini tournaments and $60 for weekend tournaments. All non-boaters will pay their boater a minimum of $10 at mini tournaments and $20 a day at weekend tournaments for gas, oil, and general maintenance of the boat.

7. There are 10 mini tournaments and 4 weekend tournaments making up the season. The best 5 mini tournaments and best 3 weekend tournaments will count toward Angler of the Year standings.

8. Lakes are off-limits from 12:01 a.m. the Monday prior to the official practice day (Friday) for weekend tournaments. Lakes are off-limits 12:01 a.m. the day of mini tournaments.

9. Boat position for the mini-tournaments will be determined by draw at 4:45 p.m. Any member arriving after 4:45 will be considered late and must abide by rule 14. If a member arrives after 4:45, but before blast off they are in last position and will call off the boats. If a member arrives after blast off you must notify another member of your intent to fish the tournament.

10. Boat position for weekend tournaments will be by draw conducted on Saturday morning prior to the tournament. The draw will be reversed on the second day of the tournament. Partners for the second day will be announced at the conclusion of the first day. If you arrive at the ramp Saturday morning after the draw you will be considered late and rule 14 will apply. You will then be thrown into the draw for day two and normal rules will then apply.

11. Immediately after the draw for minis there will be a pre-tournament meeting. The Tournament Director will advise all contestants as to when the tournament is over, and where / when score cards are to be handed in. This meeting is also when the Tournament Director will announce the official time. All contestants are to be ready at blast off time or you will miss your drawn blast off spot.

12. The non-boater has the right to fish their water for half of the tournament. This includes mini-tournaments. This should be determined before the tournament begins. Equal time is to be offered by the boater to the non-boater to fish from the front of the boat. The non-boater accepts full responsibility for any damage that they may cause except normal wear and tear. (Examples of damage: Improper trolling motor use resulting in damage, Puncture of seats, Cigarette burns, etc)

13. Contestants may only bring in / card fish they actually caught. All sight fish must be caught hooked in the mouth. Only artificial lures may be used. No live or prepared bait except pork may be used. Fish scents and attractants may be used, but please use caution. All fish will be measured on a damp Golden Rule Board, witnessed by your partner. The fish is to be released and then immediately marked on your scorecard. Fish are measured down to the nearest ¼ inch. When measuring a fish the mouth should be closed and placed all the way firmly up against the angle of the board. You may fan or pinch the tail to acquire the maximum length.  Example: If a fish measures 18 7/8 inches it is to be marked down on your scorecard as 18 ¾ inches. If you feel you may have big fish you may note to the side the extra 1/8 of an inch. Only fish over 22 inches are to be brought in for verification by the Tournament Director.

14. If a member arrives late for any reason only fish over the minimum legal length will count for points. All of these fish must be verified by another contestant. If the boater arrives late with a non-boater still only fish over the legal size will count and the fish still must be verified by another contestant. The late boater cannot verify their late non-boaters fish and vice versa. If you over sleep at a weekend tournament, arrive late for any reason, and have to fish with your travel partner, this rule applies.

15. There is a seven fish limit per contestant at all card tournaments (State possession limits apply for single boater boats if keeping fish in live well for verification).  We will always card 10 inch fish. If you were on time to the tournament, but did not draw a partner, you must have all fish over the legal size limit verified. All fish under the legal size limit will be on the honor system.

16. Any contestant who is one minute late returning to the tournament starting point will have 10 points deducted from their scorecard and for each minute thereafter. After five minutes the member will be disqualified for that day. This includes both the boater and non-boater. If boat trouble should occur, weigh cards may be brought in by another member.  Calling the tournament director over the phone prior to weigh in and advising them of the incident will be at the TD’s discression(TD decision is final). After 15 minutes late the Tournament Director will attempt to locate you. No matter what, a club representative (whether the tournament director, volunteer, or appointed member by the T.D.) will wait until the late members return safely.

17. At a mini tournament where there are more non-boaters than boaters fishing three to a boat will be on a VOLUNTEER basis by the BOATERS. It will then result in a first come, first serve basis dependent upon the order in which entry fees were paid.

18. All ties will be broken by biggest fish. If there is still a tie we will flip a coin.

19. Guests will not be allowed to fish mini tournaments unless the Tournament Director gives approval prior to the tournament (please call TD before bringing or inviting guests). No guests are allowed to fish any half or all day tournaments. A guest can either fish with who they came with and / or if they came alone can go into the draw. If a guest goes into the draw they are able to verify the length of their boater’s fish. If they are fishing with who they came rule 15 will apply. A guest may fish only one mini tournament per season.

20. Any protests regarding tournament results must be orally brought to the attention of the Tournament Director or an assistant within thirty minutes after the official weigh in time.  Money will not be paid out until a decision has been made.  TD may use the available steering committee members to complete the decision.  After thirty minutes, all protests will be null and void. If the protest pertains to a Tournament Director’s decision, a written protest must be presented to the steering committee within one week of the tournament date. The protest will be reviewed and a ruling will be made after the next steering committee meeting.

21. All weekend tournament non boaters are to pair up with a boater to fish the tournament. A non boater will not be allowed to show up at the ramp unpaired on weekend tournaments. However, a boater is not required to pair up. All tournament participants will go into the draw, and a boater traveling alone may still have a non boater both days of the tournament. After the start of the tournament the Tournament Director may make logical exceptions. (Example: Changes, so, that a boater does not have to fish alone both days if it is not necessary).

22. In the event of a tie for the year end standings (AOY), 1st place, the tie breaker will be broken by taking total card points from the best 5 of 10 minis and 3 of 4 weekend tournaments. In the event there is still a tie, the winner will be decided by a flip of coin. For places 2 – 10, Rookie of the Year, there can be ties and plaques will be shared. For the Bassmaster of the Year a tie will be broken by biggest bass. In the event there is still a tie, then the winner will be decided by flip of coin.