1. ELIGIBILITY: Open to all club members in good standing.

 

2. REGISTRATION: A registration fee of $40.00, 35.00 tournament fee and $5.00 Big Bass, will be collected from each contestant fishing the tournament. It is strongly encouraged that these fees be paid at the club meeting prior to the tournament; however, they should be paid prior or during weigh-in. If a tournament is cancelled, each of the pre-paid competitors will receive a refund. The Director will rule upon a personal request for a refund prior to the start of the tournament. 

 

3. HONOR SYSTEM: Competitors may launch at the ramp of their choice and proceed to their location to start. Under no circumstances will they start fishing prior to the designated start time. If any person needs to leave the lake early, they must notify another club member. Weigh-ins will be at a designated location and time as determined by only those members fishing.

 

4. BOATS: Each boat is subject to a safety inspection by the Director. If at any time deemed unsafe or not in compliance with the law, the boat will no longer be used for that tournament.

 

5. SAFETY: Life vests must be worn and fastened when the outboard engine is in use. Running/navigational lights will be on until sunrise. Any person deemed under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be disqualified from the tournament.

 

6. SPORTSMANSHIP: No fishing is permitted within  50 feet of any other club member without that member's permission

 

7. ANGLING RULES:

a. Only largemouth, Kentucky spotted, Guadalupe, and smallmouth bass will be scored.

b. Bass must be caught on artificial bail. Pork rind may be used.

c. No trolling is allowed utilizing the big engine.

d. Only one rod and reel may be in use at any given time.

e. Participants must fish from a boat.

 

8. SCORING:

a. All bass will be scored by weight. This weight will be used for awarding lst, 2nd, and 3rd place heavy stringer and big bass for each tournament.

b. Creel size and limit as permitted by law. Should lake rules conflict with these limits, the lake rules will prevail.  The exception is the club sets 12" as minimum length for Guadalupe bass (state law sets no minimum length).

c. Only bass caught by the individual competitor on tournament waters are legal for scoring.

d. No iced, frozen or fish with pale gills will be scored. There will be a .25 penalty imposed per dead fish at weigh-in.

e. Competitors exceeding the weigh-in time at the designated weigh-in site will be assessed 3 ounces per minute deducted from their aggregate. Competitors who are 15 minutes or more late will be disqualified.

f. The "Golden Rule" is the standard measuring stick.

g. Member results will be penalized 1 pound for each under legal length fish.

h. All members must weigh in on the same scales except in an emergency at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

 

9. AWARDS: The top three positions will be awarded a cash percentage of the total tournament fees as follows: the club will get 10% off the top to be placed in the club treasury; 1st place will receive 50% of the remainder with 2nd and 3rd places receiving 30% and 20% respectively. The club will retain un-awarded/unclaimed prizes if not claimed by a winner for sixty (60) days following award of the prize. In case of a tie for 1st place, 1st and 2nd place monies will be split. In case of a tie for 2nd place, 2nd and 3rd place monies will be split. In case of a tie for 3rd place, 3rd place money will be split. The youth will compete for trophy only

 

10. CLUB STANDINGS: Cumulative points will be credited to each club member to determine club standing for the calendar year. These points will be used to determine the angler of the Year  The point system below explains how points are awarded to each member. The heaviest bass caught by a club member during any Elite Bass Club tournament will win the Big Bass Award (at the end of the year).

     A. Tournament Results: The scoring system is based on a 300 point scale. 1st place (highest weight) receives 300 points, 2nd place (next highest weight) receives 290 points, 3rd place receives 280 points and so on down to the last person that weighs-in a legal fish. For all other members not weighing in fish but having participated in the tournament, they will receive 50 points less than the last person that caught fish.

11. RESTRICTED WATERS: Fishing restricted waters during a tournament is prohibited and will result in a forfeit of stringer of fish for the day.  Anglers shall abide by all state and federal laws and also shall not fish within 100 yards of the weigh-in site.

 

12. LIVE RELEASE: Live release is very strongly encouraged. Exceptions will be made for trophy size fish.

 

13. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE:

The Tournament Committee will consist of the Tournament Director and assistants. The Director, or designated acting Director, is responsible for weighing all fish. Upon reasonable request, he will measure fish to confirm length. The assistants will aid in weighing and measuring fish, recording weights, collecting tournament fees, and settling grievances/disputes, as required. The Committee’s decisions on grievances/disputes are final.

 

14. PROTESTS: Protests on any rulings must be submitted to the Director, or Acting Director, in writing, within 15 minutes of weigh-in.

 

15. REMINDERS: Safety, sportsmanship, conservation, and courtesy should always be of prime concern for members of the Elite Bass Club. These areas must be considered both on and off the water. State and local laws must be followed and violations will be grounds for disqualification. Each competitor must ensure that he/she has the proper equipment (i.e., safety equipment, adequate measuring  device, and proper attitude). Expenses, partnerships, and transportation are the responsibility of the individuals.