The Bass Fest 2019 Tournament Rules
This is an Open Team Event (2 anglers) - 3 Fish Limit
1) All Anglers must Acknowledge and understand rules for The Bass Fest tournament.
2) RULES: These rules shall remain unchanged throughout The Bass Fest tournament 2019 event. Interpretation and enforcement of The Bass Fest tournament
rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament director’s discretion at this event. Federal, state, local, lake laws and rules must be obeyed at all times and shall
supersede Bass Fest Tournament rules when in conflict.
3) SAFETY: Boating safety must be observed at all times during practice and competition. A U.S. Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver (PFD) Type III or
higher, must be worn and properly fastened any time the combustible engine is operative and the kill switch must be attached to the driver with a lanyard no longer
than forty-eight (48) inches. All boats must be equipped with the minimum recommended USCG safety devices. These requirements can be viewed online at www.dbw.ca.gov
4) INSURANCE AND LIABILITY: It is the sole responsibility of all The Bass Fest tournament boat owners to carry and maintain the mandated, state required minimum liability coverage for themselves and their passengers. Contestants also need to be aware that not all insurance policies cover tournament participation, therefore all parties involved with The Bass Fest tournament event must consult their insurance company prior to competing in The Bass Fest event. By participating in The Bass Fest tournament sanctioned event, all contestants by virtue of their entry agree to release, hold harmless, and absolve The Bass Fest tournament Staff, Tournament Sponsors, Co-Sponsors and their employees, officers or agents from any and all responsibility for any damage or personal injury that results from their participation in the tournament or related activities. Contestants are required to have in their possession and provide proof, upon request, of coverage to the tournament director.
4a) WAIVER & RELEASE AGREEMENT: The undersigned understands and agrees that as consideration for being allowed to participate in any The Bass Fest event, whether prior to commencement, during the actual event and/or during any post-event festivities, he or she is doing so at his or her own risk. The Bass Fest and its owners, managers, employees, agents and sponsors (collectively “The Bass Fest”), shall not be liable for any damages, claims or causes of action arising from personal injuries or property damage sustained in, on or about the premises or waterways used for any The Bass Fest event, specifically including, but not limited to, all boat launches, bodies of water, parking lots or other public or private areas used for any The Bass Fest event. The undersigned assumes full responsibility for any injuries or damages which may occur during any The Bass Fest event, however caused, regardless of whether such injuries or damages are caused by the negligence of The Bass Fest or any of its employees or agents.
The participant also expressly acknowledges that by signing below he or she is relinquishing all rights he or she may have to file a lawsuit against The Bass Fest for injuries arising out of his or her participation in any The Bass Fest events or activities. This release is intended to be interpreted as broadly as allowed under California law.
5) SPORTSMANSHIP: All anglers are expected to act and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Displaying of poor sportsmanship, willful violation of rules and Local, State or Federal laws, and bringing unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing shall be grounds for disqualification. If one team member is disqualified, the team shall be disqualified. The Bass Fest reserves the right to revoke entry fees at any time without remuneration. The Bass Fest also reserves the right to refuse service to any angler seeking to participate in sanctioned events. The Bass Fest tournament participants are required to cooperate with tournament officials, boats for the purposes of boat inspection, photography, sponsor and media requests.
6) ALCOHOL & DRUGS: During tournament hours, no alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs (unless prescription drugs prescribed to the user, and must not be the operator of the vessel) may be consumed or allowed in the boat while on the water. Operator must be coherent at all times.
7) REGISTRATION: The Bass Fest requires check/ credit card payment of entry fees in advance of the tournament with the deadline of Aug 30, 2018. Sign-ups on Saturday will be taken until 7PM and Sunday morning at the event will be CASH only. Checks/ Credit Cards will NOT be accepted after Aug 30, 2018. Online Credit Card or Pay pal will be excepted until Friday, Aug 30 2018.
8) START OF TOURNAMENT: A random draw will be done to determine the starting boat position.
9) TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. Trolling with the aid of combustion or electric motors is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait permitted with the exception of pork rinds. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time by each angler. Other rods may be in the boat and ready for use, however, every cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is made. Rods may not exceed eight feet in length. The use of underwater cameras is not allowed during competition. Nets may not have a handle in excess of eight (8) feet in length.
10) BOAT AND MOTORS: All boats in THE BASS FEST tournament events must be a minimum of 12 feet long, must have the proper aerated live well systems to keep fish alive. All boats must be equipped with running lights, a kill switch with lanyard attached to the operator when combustible engine is running.
11) BOAT & LIVEWELLS CHECK: It is the responsibility of the anglers to have their boat and livewells checked by The Bass Fest official or staff member immediately prior to competition. A RIBBON will be placed on your trolling motor once your boat has been checked. You will NOT be able to weigh in your fish without the ribbon on the trolling motor and you will be disqualified.
12) LICENSES: Each contestant must have in possession a valid and current fishing license with appropriate stamps governing the fishable waters of the event. Penalty for such an offense is disqualification of the day’s catch.
13) SPEED-RESTRICTED AREAS: No boat may pass another contestant’s boat in a restricted speed zone, in an effort to gain an advantage. Speeding in a 5 mph zone is grounds for disqualification if you are protested.
14) PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: No fishing is allowed inside the host marina unless lake specific rules allow for such. If fishing is allowed within the marina, no boats may fish within 100 feet of the launch ramp. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another anchored or tied tournament boat with trolling motor out of the water, without the anchored boat’s permission. Both team partners must fish from the same boat. Unless otherwise directed by the tournament authority, only contestants may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Having anyone hole-sit for anyone shall be grounds for disqualification. Contestants cannot leave the boat to land a fish or gain access to a fishing area. Restricting natural movement of fish by any means is automatic disqualification. Navigable waters are the only waters to be fished during the tournament and restricting boating access to an area by any means shall be grounds for disqualification.
15) LAKE OFF- LIMITS: There is No off limits period for The Bass Fest tournament.
16) RESERVED AREAS: No person may “hold” or “reserve” a fishing area for a contestant at any time. Infraction of this rule will result in disqualification of all parties involved.
17) INFORMATION SHARING: Once an event has started it is against the rules for any contestant to receive help or information about how/where to catch fish from someone else outside of their own boat. This includes help from another contestant.
18) RADIO OR PHONE TRANSMITTING: Transmittal of information via phone, radio, and text messaging or other means concerning any aspect of fishing during a tournament is prohibited. Communication between contestants and/or land lines may be used for breakdowns, emergencies, business, or personal reasons.
19) OFFICIAL BOATS: Officials may be on the lake during contest hours and can approach or observe any contestant’s boat. Each contestant is required to cooperate with all reasonable requests from media representatives or officials. Official boats may not be used as contestant replacement boats.
20) FISH TRANSPORT: Restricting natural movement of fish by any means such as but not limited to: use of nets, tanks or dams will result in immediate disqualification. Restricting access to waters normally accessible to anglers by any means such as but not limited to: felling of trees or placement of obstructions will result in disqualification. Transporting live game fish taken in one area and releasing them in another area for the purpose of establishing a population in the new area during the practice period, during the tournament, or 30 days prior to the tournament is strictly prohibited and grounds for disqualification.
21) SIGHTFISHING: This rule concerns “sight or bedding” bass and is in effect at any time either of these conditions exist, and is designed to eliminate illegal snagging of bass. Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. A sight or bedding fish is defined as one that can be seen and watched as it approaches the lure. Fish caught under these conditions must be caught by hook and line and by the fish ingesting the lure. Any bass caught that is either a “sight” or “bed” fish must be caught “hook in mouth with the hook point entering from the inside of the mouth” – and must be verified as a legal catch by the angler’s in-boat partner. Any “sight” or “bed” fish caught by snagging or with hook starting from outside the mouth shall be deemed an illegally caught fish and must be released. This same fish may be caught again by the legal method – with the hook starting from inside the mouth. Any angler catching a fish under these conditions and not verifying the hook location with the other person in the boat may be disqualified from the tournament. Standing on seats, or motor or the use of ladder or raised platform for the purpose locating or fishing for bedding fish in not permitted.
22) LIMIT and WEIGH-IN: During The Bass Fest tournament, teams will only weigh in three (3) fish for the days catch measuring Thirteen inches (13”) flat on a flat board. The Bass Fest may allow for a larger or smaller tournament limit on waters where state or lake limits are greater. Any team weighing in a fish shorter than the legal tournament length will be assessed a one (1) pound penalty plus the loss of the short fish. Any team bringing more than three (3) fish to the scales will be disqualified. A penalty of .20 lbs per dead fish will be deducted from the total weight. Any team asking for a re-weigh will be given one; however no matter the outcome that team will take the re-weigh weight for their official weight.
23) CULLING FISH: It is the responsibility of each team to not have more than the local laws allows of fish in a live well. If more than the local laws allow are present in the live well during the event you will be subject to disqualification. However, a team may not possess more than a three (3) fish limit once inside the host marina. No culling is allowed in the host marina.
24) BREAKDOWN-EMERGENCIES: Anglers are not permitted to leave their boats nor touch another boat, with the exception of an emergency or major equipment failure during the tournament. In this case, it is permitted to be towed either to safety or back to the weigh-in area by any safe means available. You may not transport fish by land if you choose to trailer back to the weigh-in area; however, you may have your fished transported to the weigh-in by another tournament boat participating in the same event. Transported fish must be held separate from another contestant’s fish. At least one person must stay with your fish at all times and neither angler is permitted to fish while under the assistance of another boat during the breakdown period.
25) CHECK IN FOR OFFICIAL WEIGH IN: It is the responsibility of each team to check in with The Bass Fest tournament staff prior to weighing in their fish. Late check in is grounds for disqualification.
26) SCORING: Is determined by the total weight of each participants catch for the overall event, less any penalties or dead fish weighed in. There is no bonus for live fish.
27) WINNINGS/MONEY: Payback for The Bass Fest will be given to the winning teams at the Awards Ceremony immediately following the weigh -in.
28) PRIZES: Awards during The Bass Fest tournament require the winners to be present at the awards. Winners not present at the awards ceremony will forfeit any and all prizes selected for them. This does not include money won as a result of placement in the tournament. If you leave prior to the Awards Ceremony, you must contact Randy Pringle to meet up with him to get your winnings and you must fill out at W-9 form, required by the IRS.
29) PROTEST: All protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes after the official closing of the scales.
30) POLYGRAPH: All contestants are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to submit is grounds for automatic disqualification. Any contestant who has failed a polygraph test in any bass tournament or contest or whose results are found to be inconclusive shall not be eligible to compete in The Bass Fest. Polygraph and voice stress testing are preformed at the discretion of the tournament director.
31) PHOTOGRAPH AND VIDEO: All photos and or video taken at The Bass Fest tournament are the property of The Bass Fest and may be used for promotional purposes.