OFFICIAL RULES

1. These rules apply to all entrants of Challenge Bass Tournaments. These rules must be obeyed at all times. Violation of these rules could result in disqualification, forfeiture of prize money, no-weight, or probation. Protests must be received in writing and signed within 15 minutes of weigh-in deadline. Tournament Directors decisions will be final in all matters.
2. Challenge Bass Tournaments are open to any fisherman with the following exceptions: Guides will be permitted to fish on lakes on which they have guided for pay provided they have fished the preceding tournament or paid entry in the following tournament.
3. All contestants are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to submit to a polygraph test will result in disqualification. Anyone who has failed a polygraph test due to cheating will not be eligible to compete.
4. Alcoholic beverages and narcotics will not be allowed in the possession of contestants at any time during Tournament hours. The exception is prescription drugs. If you feel your stringer or big bass will put you in the money, you may not consume alcoholic beverages until polygraphs are competed and prize money awarded.
5. Courtesy, safe boating, sportsmanship and conservation must be observed at all times. A U.S. Coast Guard approved chest-type PFD must be on and fastened any time the combustion engine is running. All boats must have an emergency kill switch and the kill switch must be attached to the driver during operation of the combustion engine.
6. All State, Federal and Local Laws apply.
7. Only artificial baits may be used. Port baits are permitted. Trolling with the combustion engine is not permitted. Only one rod and reel may be used at any one time by a contestant. The use of electronic tracking devices are prohibited. Communication devices used for the purpose of locating or catching bass are also prohibited. Hole sitting for or by contestants is not allowed.
8. Officials may be on the lake during tournament hours for boat inspection and observation. Each contestant is required to cooperate with officials.
9. Each team may weigh in 5 fish with a minimum of 14 inches in length, unless state or lake limits are greater. Fish will be measured on a flat board with mouth closed and tail compressed. A dead fish penalty of .25 lbs will be deducted for each dead fish weighed in. Anyone bringing in more than 5 fish to the scales will be disqualified. Any team weighing in a fish shorter than the legal Tournament length will be assessed a 1 lb. penalty plus the loss of the short fish.
10. Teams will keep no more than 5 fish in the live well at any time.
11. No fishing is allowed with the host marina. No fishing within 25 yards of a non-anchored tournament boat without that boat’s permission. No fishing is allowed within 50 yards of another anchored or tied tournament boat with trolling motor out of the water, without the anchored boat’s permission. No tube, bank, or wade fishing is allowed. Contestants may not leave their boat to land a fish or maneuver the boat into a better fishing position. All fishing must be done from a previously inspected boat. Trailering to and from the weigh-in during tournament hours is not permitted, unless allowed by the tournament director. All persons in boat must be registered contestants.
12. Registration will be held at the launch site on Saturday beginning at 5 a.m. and continue until the cut-off time as determined by the Tournament Director. Starting position will be determined by random drawing at time of registration. Registration may be by mail or in person. Make check payable to: Challenge Bass. Only cash will be accepted the day of the tournament. There will be a $30 charge for returned checks. All mailed-in entries must be postmarked by the Monday before the tournament.
13. Entry fee will be $100 per team and includes Big Bass. A one time Membership fee of $20 per person will apply and is due at the time of the entry into first tournament of the year.
14. Championship points and “Anglers of the Year” will be based on actual pounds of fish weighed in. “Anglers of the Year” will receive free entry fees for 2011 Challenge Bass Team Tournaments in their respective division.
15. Substitution Rule: A team may have one substitution per season with no penalty. Substitutes must be designated at time of registration.
16. The top teams in each division of Challenge Bass as determined by actual pounds of fish weighed in will be eligible for the Challenge Bass Tournament. The number of teams in the Championship Tournament will be ½ of the average of the number of teams fished in each division. To qualify for the Championship, a team must fish a minimum of 4 tournaments in their division. Three wild cards in each division will also qualify providing they have fished 5 of the 6 qualifying tournaments. Their standing in the last event after the top teams have been removed will determine their position.
17. No substitution for Championship Tournament allowed. (Except in circumstances to be determined by director) –(example – death)
18. Tournament Lake will be off limits Monday-Friday preceding the Tournament. No boat may start fishing until official start time as determined by the Tournament Director.
19. Check in time will be 3 p.m. Any team returning to the check-in point after this time will be assessed a penalty of the rate of ½ lb. per minute up to 15 minutes. After 3:15, you will be disqualified.
20. Upon entering this Tournament, contestants release Challenge Bass, its officials and the hosting marina from liability as the result of accidents, losses, or thefts. Contestants are responsible for knowing and understanding these rules.
21. In the event two teams tie, then the prize money for the two places will be split evenly.

*ALL INTERPRETATION AND DECISIONS REGARDING THE ABOVE RULES SHALL BE LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR.

 © Challenge Bass Tournaments,2009. All Rights Reserved.