I. GENERAL RULES

1. All Bass must be at least 12 inches in length unless state law dictates a longer length.

2. No more than five (5) bass shall be in the possession of a contestant at anytime.

3. The Tournament Director shall have authority to levy penalties or disqualify a contestant. His decision shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors.

4. Vacation and night workers shall have the right to proxy vote for tournament locations. This vote must be in a sealed envelope and signed by the contestant. If their location is brought up for vote, their vote will count.

5. If a member does not attend at least 75% of club functions, they will have to pay for banquet meal. This is for member who has joined by June 1.

6. Ten (10) Percent of club treasury at years end will go to a charity chosen by club.

II. BOAT SAFETY

1. All boats must be equipped with a safety kill switch.

2. No boat shall be operated in a reckless or dangerous manner that might be hazardous to you or any other person.

3. Violation of any rule could be grounds for disqualification.

4. It is the responsibility of boat owner to comply with all requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard.

III. PERSONAL SAFETY

1. All members shall provide their own personal flotation device.

2. While gasoline engine is in operation, your life jacket must be on and zipped up or fastened. Life jackets are not required when under power of trolling motor.

3. Violation of any rule could be grounds for disqualification.

4. It is the responsibility of each contestant to read and understand all rules pertaining to tournaments, interpretations and decisions of the tournament director shall govern, subject to review by Board of Directors.

5. Safety practices and precautions shall be observed at all times.

6. Morning take-offs shall be controlled by the Tournament Director.

7. Last Boat drawn will send boats off, one at a time.

8. Tournament Director shall have the authority to cancel any tournament due to unsafe conditions.

IV. BOAT PARTNERS

1. Boat partners shall be by draw. Any realignment necessary in the pairing will be done by the Tournament Director.

2. It is the responsibility of each partner to meet at least 30 minutes prior to take off each day of tournament.

3. Partners must stay together and in sight of each other from take off to weigh in to verify catch.

4. Bass caught by a contestant can be applied only to that contestant’s weight credit.

5. Failure to notify your absence to the Tournament Director or Board Member and or Partner in advance of a scheduled tournament will result in forfeiture of entry fee and 50% deduction of present point accumulation. The second incident will result in loss of club membership. First and second incidents will be taken directly to the Board of Directors. The action taken will be the sole discretion of the Board.

V. LATE PENALTIES

1. A contestant who is late at the end of each tournament day shall be penalized 1 pound per minute up to 15 minutes and then they will lose all weight credit for that day.

2. Exact fishing hours will be announced before a tournament starts, both at the club meeting and at the tournament.

3. All tournaments shall be 9 hours, unless it is a night tournament or a 2 day tournament.

VI. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT

1. Only artificial lures may be used.

2. Only casting, spinning or spincasting rod and reels allowed.

3. Only one rod may be used at a time.

4. All fish must be caught in a conventional and sporting manner.

5. Maximum length of rod is 8 feet.

VII. BOATS & MOTORS

1. No boat less than 14 feet will be permitted unless the contestant is fishing alone, then 12 feet is acceptable.

2. Kill switches are required on gas engines.

3. Trolling as a method of fishing is not permitted.

4. Mechanically aerated live wells are required.

VIII. BOAT OPERATION & EXPENSES

1. Traveling and boating expenses shall be on a 50/50 basis.

2. Each contestant shall have the right to the front of the boat half the day. Fishing locations shall be agreed to by both partners. It is suggested that this be done on a 50/50 basis.

3. Any contestant guilty of operating the boat to the disadvantage of his boat partner shall be disqualified.

IX. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS

1. Fishing is permitted anywhere on the tournament waters as governed by lake regulations.

2. No fishing is permitted within 50 yards of another contestant’s boat if they are anchored. “Anchored” means anchor down with trolling motor up.

3. All contestants must remain in their boats during tournament hours except in the case of an emergency.

4. Boats must not leave the tournaments waters during fishing hours.

5. No fishing allowed within 50 yards of a gas pump.

6. All contestants shall familiarize themselves with lake regulations.

X. SCORING

1. Scoring will be determined by the total combined weight over the tournament period.

2. Weigh in individually for points, team weight for payback.

3. Scoring will be on a 50 point system. 50 – 1st, 49 – 2nd, 48- 3rd and so on.

4. Bonus points for 1st – 15 points. For 2nd – 10 points. For 3rd – 5 points.

5. Bonus of .1 of a pound for each live fish.

XI. SPORTSMANSHIP, CONVERSATION & COURTESY

1. Good sportsmanship is expected of all members.

2. Littering or polluting of any kind will not be permitted.

3. All possible courtesies will be extended using the facilities during the tournaments.

XII. DRAWING FOR PARTNERS

1. Each contestant must sign in for tournament at meeting or have another member sign in for them.

2. No one will be allowed to fish if they fail to make the drawing or have someone sign them in.

3. If for some reason a boater cannot make the tournament after signing up and they call the Tournament Director with sufficient notice, the Tournament Director can try to find a new boater to take his place, even though they man not have signed up.

4. You may fish with the same partner twice a year only.

5. If for some reason a boater does not show up at the ramp for the tournament, his non-boater partner will be paired up with the last boat drawn of 17 feet or longer. The non-boater will not be left on the bank.

6. If the last few positions of the drawing are all boaters they may:

a. Fish with each other and decide which boa