2018 TOURNAMENT RULES - - Download PDF

1. Pro Am Style trail-pro anglers w/co-anglers-Blind draw
2. Co-Angler must fish from back of the boat
3. ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS APPLY
4. Every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment
5. Each boat must have a working kill switch
6. All boats must have a mechanically aerated live well
7. All competitors are required to wear a life vest when the boats gasoline engine is on.
8. DRUGS & ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are not allowed.
9. A minimum of $300,000 liability insurance is required
10. 1All contestants must have a valid fishing license for each state waters fished.
    
     (Boater must have safe boaters certificate if fishing New Hampshire waters)
    
    
11. 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
12. 2018 Trail will have a cut-off, no practice on the body of water Thursday & Friday before tournament
13. Only artificial lures may be used. No live or prepared bait allowed.
14. Only one fishing rod per angler allowed at one time may be used. No trolling allowed
15. Fishing permitted anywhere on tournament waters
16. A limit of 5 bass per boater and 3 fish limit per co-angler, minimum length 12”
17. Culling fish must be done immediately when 6th fish is caught. (Cannot be done at the ramp)
18. More than 5 fish presented at weigh-in will result in loss of weight of biggest fish.
19. Any short fish turned in at weigh-in will not count & a 1lb PENALTY will be assessed for each short fish
20. A .25 PENALTY will be assessed for each dead fish
21. A 1lb PENALTY will be assessed for each minute late. More than 15 minutes late will disqualify that team
22. Tournament winners will be determined by the total pounds & ounces of catch(5 fish limit)
23. 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
24. Launch position will be determined by random draw for each event.
25. Infringement of these rules shall be considered cause for disqualification
26. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any applicant
27. Points will be 200 first place, 199 for 2nd, 198 for 3rd and so on.
28. Only Largemouth and Smallmouth may be weighed in
29. Nets will be allowed
30. Must check in by 6:20am
31. Boats must be in water by 6:30am
32. Tournament briefing will take place at 6:40am.
33. Top 10 Boaters and top 10 Co-anglers will be invited to TOC.
34. Must be a MASS BASS Nation of Massachusetts member to be eligible to receive any give awayprizes that are given out at TOC.
35. Participants must check in with the assigned check in boat at the end of the event.
36. Tournament Committee will pull their boats first, no other boats will be allowed to pull unless otherwise mentioned in the A.M. briefing.
37. No culling DEAD fish.
38. A Non-MASS BASS Nation participant fishing in 2018 will be required to join the Nation when returning in 2019.
39. Sportsmanship-All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and consideration. Violation of this policy shall be reason for disqualification.
40. 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.
41. 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.