Open Tournament Rules

1. Entry fees $80.00 per boat, cash only after November 16, 2010.

a)  Cash only at ramp
b)  Entry fee must be paid before the launch
c)  Big Bass Pot $20.00 per boat (optional)

2. No refunds. Except in extreme emergencies as reviewed by the tournament committee and the tournament director.

3. All decisions by the tournament director are final.

4. The Tournament Committee members will do boat check.

a)  All boaters must be within required Coast Guard guidelines;
b)  PFD's must be worn when the gas motor is running.
c)  NO LATE ENTRYS. After the start!

5.  Limits and Rules

a)  No stringered fish
b)  Minimum size limit is 14 inches golden rule, closed mouth.
c)  Dead fish penalty  .25 pound 1st dead, .50 pound 2nd dead, .75 pound 3rd dead, 1 pound 4th dead, anglers are disqualified if all five (5) fish are dead.
d)  Any short fish weighed or turned in will be disqualified plus 1-pound penalty.
e)  More than two (2) fish weighed over 22" will be disqualified starting with the largest plus a 1 pound penalty.
f)  Five (5) fish limit per boat.
g)  Fish turned in exceeding the 5 fish limit will then by culled by a tournament official, starting with the largest plus a one-pound penalty.
h)  NO culling at the ramp

6. No boat shall fish within fifty (50) yards of another competitor if he is anchored with trolling motor up. No angler shall leave the boat at any time. No boat shall be within 30 yards of each other during the tournament.

7. All protests relative to the actual tournament must be done before weigh-in.

8. All protests relative to the weigh-in must be done immediately following the weigh-in and there is a $50.00 protest fee, which goes towards any polygraph costs.

9. Safe boating should be practiced at all times, respect for your fellow fishermen and other boaters is expected

a)  Anyone cited or ticketed during the tournament will be disqualified
b)  No alcoholic beverages during the tournament hours

10. Artificial lures only

a) Only one rod per angler at a time will be used.
b)  No FlyRods
c)  No rods over eight (8) feet
d)  No trolling
e)  All bass must be caught in a live and sporting manner. Nets are permitted for boating fish.
f) ANY LIVE BAIT FOUND IN YOUR BOAT AT ANY TIME WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!                 No questions asked!

11. Scoring:

a) The boat, which weighs in the most weight (five fish max) is the tournament winners.
b)  In the event of a tie. The largest bass wins.

12.  Starting time - safe daylight - Launch order is determined by the order in which entry forms and payment were received.

13. Weigh-in time 3 PM.

a) Any boat not within site at 3 P.M. will be assessed a one (1) pound per minute penalty.
b)  Any boat fifteen (15) minutes late will be disqualified.
c)  After you have checked in with the Tournament Director, (Tell him or her the number of your boat), make sure they hear your number, if they do not check your boat number off first and we call you to weigh, your fish will be disqualified. You will stay with your boat until your boat number is called. It is at this time you will turn your boat number tag in and your fish weighed. 

14.  Tie breakers

a)  Total weight tie, biggest bass wins.
b)  Big Bass - split pot

15.  There is no Boat length and motor horsepower limitations

a)  All Boats must be within Coast Guard regulations at all times.
b)  No tiller steering, No air boats, No canoes, No rafts.
c) Horsepower requirements must not exceed the regulated requirements for any boat.
d)  All boats must have a WORKING LIVEWELL.

LAUNCH RULES

Each boater needs to sign-in at the ramp. The boater will receive a Tournament Chip, which will have the boat launch number on it. This chip needs to remain with the boater at all times. As you launch you will show the chip (number side out) to the tournament official.  KEEP THIS CHIP WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.

WEIGH-IN PROCEEDURES

When you come into the ramp, show your tournament chip (number side out). A tournament official will direct you to go weigh-in. Take your fish and Tournament Chip to the weigh-in station. Place your tournament chip on the master board on the correct number and step up to the scales. At this time the fish become the property of South Pasco Bassmasters.
NOTE: If you decide to leave early, please notify another contestant and/or a tournament official. Please turn in your tournament chip.

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISH'N