2018 TOURNAMENT RULES - - Download PDF
- Pro Am Style trail-pro anglers w/co-anglers-Blind draw
- Co-Angler must fish from back of the boat
- ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS APPLY
- Every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment
- Each boat must have a working kill switch
- All boats must have a mechanically aerated live well
- All competitors are required to wear a life vest when the boats gasoline engine is on.
- DRUGS & ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are not allowed.
- A minimum of $300,000 liability insurance is required
- 1All contestants must have a valid fishing license for each state waters fished.
(Boater must have safe boaters certificate if fishing New Hampshire waters) - Protests must be brought to the attention of the tournament Director before the official weigh-in begins. The tournament Director’s decision will be final
- 2018 Trail will have a cut-off, no practice on the body of water Thursday & Friday before tournament
- Only artificial lures may be used. No live or prepared bait allowed.
- Only one fishing rod per angler allowed at one time may be used. No trolling allowed
- Fishing permitted anywhere on tournament waters
- A limit of 5 bass per boater and 3 fish limit per co-angler, minimum length 12”
- Culling fish must be done immediately when 6th fish is caught. (Cannot be done at the ramp)
- More than 5 fish presented at weigh-in will result in loss of weight of biggest fish.
- Any short fish turned in at weigh-in will not count & a 1lb PENALTY will be assessed for each short fish
- A .25 PENALTY will be assessed for each dead fish
- A 1lb PENALTY will be assessed for each minute late. More than 15 minutes late will disqualify that team
- Tournament winners will be determined by the total pounds & ounces of catch(5 fish limit)
- A tie for 1st place will be determined by the # of live fish, then heaviest fish, all other ties will stand & the monies will be combined and paid out equally
- Launch position will be determined by random draw for each event.
- Infringement of these rules shall be considered cause for disqualification
- We reserve the right to refuse entry to any applicant
- Points will be 200 first place, 199 for 2nd, 198 for 3rd and so on.
- Only Largemouth and Smallmouth may be weighed in
- Nets will be allowed
- Must check in by 6:20am
- Boats must be in water by 6:30am
- Tournament briefing will take place at 6:40am.
- Top 10 Boaters and top 10 Co-anglers will be invited to TOC.
- Must be a MASS BASS Nation of Massachusetts member to be eligible to receive any give awayprizes that are given out at TOC.
- Participants must check in with the assigned check in boat at the end of the event.
- Tournament Committee will pull their boats first, no other boats will be allowed to pull unless otherwise mentioned in the A.M. briefing.
- No culling DEAD fish.
- A Non-MASS BASS Nation participant fishing in 2018 will be required to join the Nation when returning in 2019.
- Sportsmanship-All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and consideration. Violation of this policy shall be reason for disqualification.
- 2018 Pro-am is an open trail-only a Mass Bass Nation member can be Angler of the Year and qualify to be on the State-Team-Therefore AOY will be determined by first Mass Bass Nation member.
- Only non-penetrating culling clips are allowed for use. Any clip or device that penetrates the skin or mouth of a fish is not allowed. Paired boaters/non-boaters should check one another’s culling systems to avoid issues and possible disqualification.