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2012 BASS-N-BUCKS TOURNAMENT RULES
(Updated 11-23-11)
(Updated 11-23-11)
RULES – All decisions made by the tournament director and or the tournament officials will be final. The tournament director can make a change at his discretion or when the safety of anglers is in question. Interpretation of these rules will be left exclusively to the tournament director.
ELIGIBILITY – This is an open tournament. You must be 18 or older to fish as an individual or one team member must be 18 years or older. No one other than paid contestants are allowed in the boat during tournament hours. You must have a valid fishing license and state issued drivers license or photo identification card in your possession during tournament hours.
SPORTSMANSHIP – All contestants are expected to practice courtesy, safety, and follow local and state game laws. Anyone displaying poor sportsmanship or violating local and state game laws will be disqualified.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS – Anyone consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than prescription) during tournament hours will be disqualified. If you feel you may have big bass or your fish may put you in the money, do not consume alcohol or drugs until polygraphs have been determined. NO alcohol or drugs allowed in boat during tournament hours.
POLYGRAPH – Each contestant agrees to submit to a polygraph examination by entering this tournament and must abide by its conclusion. All polygraphs must be passed in order to receive cash or product. If you have ever failed for any form of cheating you cannot participate in Bass N Bucks Tournaments. If you refuse to take a polygraph test at any Bass N Bucks event you will be disqualified.
BAITS AND TACKLE – Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork rinds and liquid bait attractants. No live bait. No trolling with the main engine. Only one rod at a time may be used. A cast must be fully retrieved before another rod is picked up. When sight fishing, all bass must be hooked inside the mouth.
OFF LIMITS – NO off limits for the circuit events. Starting Monday prior to the tournament, you must register and pay before getting on the tournament lake. Exceptions may be made concerning holidays. The hiring of a guide will not be permitted beginning Monday the week of the tournaments. No communication pertaining to fishing is allowed via cell phone, VHF radio, pager or any electronic device during competition for all events. The practice of “Hole Sitting” is NOT allowed during tournament hours.
There will be NO OFF LIMITS for prefishing at the BLT championship tournaments, except midnight untill the start time on the morning of the tournament (and Day 1 Stop Time until Day 2 Start Time, when applicable).
PERMISSIBLE WATERS – No fishing within 50 yards of an operating gas pump, within 25 yards of a non anchored boat without permission or 50 yards of an anchored or tied boat with troll motor up on deck without permission. Contestant must be able to drive into all fishing areas. Contestant cannot leave boat to land a fish. Off limits will be announced. LATE
PENALTY – You will be penalized one pound per minute and after 15 minutes late you will be disqualified. In case of a breakdown, you may be towed in or get into another boat to come to weigh-in. Your fish must be kept totally separate from other fish at all times.
BOATS AND MOTORS – No engine shall exceed the maximum BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which it is used. All boats shall meet U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have aerated livewells in working order, unless other aerated setups are approved by director.
SAFETY – Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened (fully zipped and/or all clips fastened) U.S. coast guard approved, personal flotation device anytime the combustion is in operation from call of flight numbers until weigh-in. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition shut-off device which must be securely attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is in operation. Driver must be seated anytime the combustion engine is running and engaged in gear. During bad weather contestants may leave boat to seek shelter at which time no fishing may occur. In case of an emergency call 911 first.
SCORING FISH – Only largemouth, Kentucky spotted will be weighed. The limit will be five (5) bass per team. Any contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit at any time will have their catch for that day disqualified. All fish must measure at least 14 inches in length on Lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. Short bass will not be weighed and will create a one pound (1 lb) penalty. Dead fish will receive a one half pound (.50 lb) penalty per dead fish. NO CULLING OF DEAD BASS IS ALLOWED.
Pro Rule is the official measuring board. Bass-N-Bucks promotes the use SURE LIFE.
TIES - Cash will be combined and split equally.
POINTS – 1ST Place will receive 250 points, 249 to 2nd, 248 to 3rd and so on. If 1st
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Sam Rayburn Series – Any team or individual who registers for 4 of the 5 events or finishes in the top 50% in final point standings will qualify for the championship tournaments. Both team members must fish from the same boat, during tournament hours. Either team member may fish alone and represent the team. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost. Place weighs 18.50 lbs, the total points will be 268.50.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Summer Series (3 tournaments) - Any team or individual who registers for all three (3) tournaments and finishes in the top 20 by points will qualify for the championship tournaments. You must fish all three (3) tournaments with the same partner to qualify by points. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Toledo Bend Series - Any team or individual who registers for four (4) of the five (5) events or finishes in the top 50% in the final point standings will qualify for the championship tournaments. Both team members must fish from the same boat, during tournament hours. Either team member may fish alone and represent the team. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP - You will be fishing with the teams who qualified in the Bud Light Trail. BLT rules will apply only. Please see www.budlighttrail.com for the championship tournament rules.
There will be NO OFF LIMITS for prefishing at the BLT championship tournaments, except midnight untill the start time on the morning of the tournament (and Day 1 Stop Time until Day 2 Start Time, when applicable).
REGISTRATION – Please Note – First tournament you enter you must provide a completed entry form with signatures. We will keep the signed entry form on file and you may then sign up over the phone or internet and continue to use the original signed entry form on file as your agreement to terms/release of liability for the remaining events during the current tournament season. Sam Rayburn – You may register at Needmore Tackle, The Tackle Monkey or Ann’s Tackle prior to event during their regular store hours. Toledo Bend – You may register at Toledo Town and Tackle prior to event during their regular store hours. On tournament mornings, for all events, you may register at the weigh site beginning at 5:00 a.m. until the last boat in the last flight has left. Pre-registration may be done by mailing entry form with payment to P. O. Box 349, Brownsboro, TX 75756, phone in with credit card by calling 409-727-8941 or fax entry to 409-722-8945. Entry forms can be printed from our website www.bassnbucks.com There will be no refunds.
PROTESTS – All protest must be submitted in writing, along with a potentially refundable $100 deposit to administer a polygraph exam, within 15 minutes of final weigh-in. The decision of the tournament director and tournament officials will be final. The protester also agrees to submit to a polygraph exam. If the protest is upheld, the $100 deposit will be refunded.
FLIGHT PROCEDURE – All boats will leave from the same weigh site according to their flight numbers. It is contestant’s responsibility to know his or her flight number, official time and check-in time. All contestants must check in at weigh-in site before leaving early.
TRAILER TOURNAMENT – Will be announced if necessary tournament morning. Lake Sam Rayburn – Tournament Officials will be present at the Public and Twin Dike boat ramps and the Umphrey Pavilion starting at 4:30 a.m. Lake Toledo Bend – Tournament officials will be present at Big Star Grocery Parking Lot and Weigh site starting at 4:30 a.m. You must check in on tournament morning. Do not trailer unless you know it is official. It is your responsibility to know fishing and check in times.
INSURANCE – Liability Insurance with coverage in reasonable amounts is required in all Bass-N-Bucks Tournaments.
ELIGIBILITY – This is an open tournament. You must be 18 or older to fish as an individual or one team member must be 18 years or older. No one other than paid contestants are allowed in the boat during tournament hours. You must have a valid fishing license and state issued drivers license or photo identification card in your possession during tournament hours.
SPORTSMANSHIP – All contestants are expected to practice courtesy, safety, and follow local and state game laws. Anyone displaying poor sportsmanship or violating local and state game laws will be disqualified.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS – Anyone consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than prescription) during tournament hours will be disqualified. If you feel you may have big bass or your fish may put you in the money, do not consume alcohol or drugs until polygraphs have been determined. NO alcohol or drugs allowed in boat during tournament hours.
POLYGRAPH – Each contestant agrees to submit to a polygraph examination by entering this tournament and must abide by its conclusion. All polygraphs must be passed in order to receive cash or product. If you have ever failed for any form of cheating you cannot participate in Bass N Bucks Tournaments. If you refuse to take a polygraph test at any Bass N Bucks event you will be disqualified.
BAITS AND TACKLE – Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork rinds and liquid bait attractants. No live bait. No trolling with the main engine. Only one rod at a time may be used. A cast must be fully retrieved before another rod is picked up. When sight fishing, all bass must be hooked inside the mouth.
OFF LIMITS – NO off limits for the circuit events. Starting Monday prior to the tournament, you must register and pay before getting on the tournament lake. Exceptions may be made concerning holidays. The hiring of a guide will not be permitted beginning Monday the week of the tournaments. No communication pertaining to fishing is allowed via cell phone, VHF radio, pager or any electronic device during competition for all events. The practice of “Hole Sitting” is NOT allowed during tournament hours.
There will be NO OFF LIMITS for prefishing at the BLT championship tournaments, except midnight untill the start time on the morning of the tournament (and Day 1 Stop Time until Day 2 Start Time, when applicable).
PERMISSIBLE WATERS – No fishing within 50 yards of an operating gas pump, within 25 yards of a non anchored boat without permission or 50 yards of an anchored or tied boat with troll motor up on deck without permission. Contestant must be able to drive into all fishing areas. Contestant cannot leave boat to land a fish. Off limits will be announced. LATE
PENALTY – You will be penalized one pound per minute and after 15 minutes late you will be disqualified. In case of a breakdown, you may be towed in or get into another boat to come to weigh-in. Your fish must be kept totally separate from other fish at all times.
BOATS AND MOTORS – No engine shall exceed the maximum BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which it is used. All boats shall meet U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have aerated livewells in working order, unless other aerated setups are approved by director.
SAFETY – Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened (fully zipped and/or all clips fastened) U.S. coast guard approved, personal flotation device anytime the combustion is in operation from call of flight numbers until weigh-in. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition shut-off device which must be securely attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is in operation. Driver must be seated anytime the combustion engine is running and engaged in gear. During bad weather contestants may leave boat to seek shelter at which time no fishing may occur. In case of an emergency call 911 first.
SCORING FISH – Only largemouth, Kentucky spotted will be weighed. The limit will be five (5) bass per team. Any contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit at any time will have their catch for that day disqualified. All fish must measure at least 14 inches in length on Lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. Short bass will not be weighed and will create a one pound (1 lb) penalty. Dead fish will receive a one half pound (.50 lb) penalty per dead fish. NO CULLING OF DEAD BASS IS ALLOWED.
Pro Rule is the official measuring board. Bass-N-Bucks promotes the use SURE LIFE.
TIES - Cash will be combined and split equally.
POINTS – 1ST Place will receive 250 points, 249 to 2nd, 248 to 3rd and so on. If 1st
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Sam Rayburn Series – Any team or individual who registers for 4 of the 5 events or finishes in the top 50% in final point standings will qualify for the championship tournaments. Both team members must fish from the same boat, during tournament hours. Either team member may fish alone and represent the team. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost. Place weighs 18.50 lbs, the total points will be 268.50.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Summer Series (3 tournaments) - Any team or individual who registers for all three (3) tournaments and finishes in the top 20 by points will qualify for the championship tournaments. You must fish all three (3) tournaments with the same partner to qualify by points. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING – Toledo Bend Series - Any team or individual who registers for four (4) of the five (5) events or finishes in the top 50% in the final point standings will qualify for the championship tournaments. Both team members must fish from the same boat, during tournament hours. Either team member may fish alone and represent the team. If a change in partner occurs, any established points will be lost.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS & GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP - You will be fishing with the teams who qualified in the Bud Light Trail. BLT rules will apply only. Please see www.budlighttrail.com for the championship tournament rules.
There will be NO OFF LIMITS for prefishing at the BLT championship tournaments, except midnight untill the start time on the morning of the tournament (and Day 1 Stop Time until Day 2 Start Time, when applicable).
REGISTRATION – Please Note – First tournament you enter you must provide a completed entry form with signatures. We will keep the signed entry form on file and you may then sign up over the phone or internet and continue to use the original signed entry form on file as your agreement to terms/release of liability for the remaining events during the current tournament season. Sam Rayburn – You may register at Needmore Tackle, The Tackle Monkey or Ann’s Tackle prior to event during their regular store hours. Toledo Bend – You may register at Toledo Town and Tackle prior to event during their regular store hours. On tournament mornings, for all events, you may register at the weigh site beginning at 5:00 a.m. until the last boat in the last flight has left. Pre-registration may be done by mailing entry form with payment to P. O. Box 349, Brownsboro, TX 75756, phone in with credit card by calling 409-727-8941 or fax entry to 409-722-8945. Entry forms can be printed from our website www.bassnbucks.com There will be no refunds.
PROTESTS – All protest must be submitted in writing, along with a potentially refundable $100 deposit to administer a polygraph exam, within 15 minutes of final weigh-in. The decision of the tournament director and tournament officials will be final. The protester also agrees to submit to a polygraph exam. If the protest is upheld, the $100 deposit will be refunded.
FLIGHT PROCEDURE – All boats will leave from the same weigh site according to their flight numbers. It is contestant’s responsibility to know his or her flight number, official time and check-in time. All contestants must check in at weigh-in site before leaving early.
TRAILER TOURNAMENT – Will be announced if necessary tournament morning. Lake Sam Rayburn – Tournament Officials will be present at the Public and Twin Dike boat ramps and the Umphrey Pavilion starting at 4:30 a.m. Lake Toledo Bend – Tournament officials will be present at Big Star Grocery Parking Lot and Weigh site starting at 4:30 a.m. You must check in on tournament morning. Do not trailer unless you know it is official. It is your responsibility to know fishing and check in times.
INSURANCE – Liability Insurance with coverage in reasonable amounts is required in all Bass-N-Bucks Tournaments.
