NORTH OKLAHOMA CITY
BASSMASTERS
2011 TOURNAMENT RULES
(Revised
January 2011)
A.
Lake Selection:
1. Tournaments are held once per month February
through October, except the April or May tournament in which each day of the
designated weekend will be considered a separate contest and the
end-of-the-year Championship will be a two-day tournament.
2. Lakes are determined by member vote at the
November meeting. Members submit lists
of lakes. Votes are tallied and the top
eleven (11) lakes are ranked. A vote is
then taken to fish any lake twice other than the spring two-day location. If lakes are listed twice then lowest ranked
lakes fall off the list, keeping a total of nine (9) lakes plus two (2)
alternates. A vote is then taken to
determine the locations of the spring two-day tournament and the Championship
lake.
3. The Tournament Committee arranges lakes and
dates announcing the final schedule by year’s end. Except two-day events, all tournament will be
the Saturday following monthly meetings unless that date conflicts with
holidays or OBFN events in which case the tournament may be earlier or later in
the month on an available weekend. If a
tournament is moved, Chapter meetings should be moved if possible to the
preceding Tuesday for the partner pairing.
4. Launch site,
take-off & weigh-in times will be announced at the meeting prior to each
tournament. Times may change without
notice due to weather or other conditions.
B. Eligibility
to Participate:
1. You must be a member in good standing (no
delinquent dues, fees, or expenses to previous partners, have attended at least one Chapter
meeting/function), or a guest.
2. Entry fees must be paid to the Chapter
Treasurer at the meeting prior to each tournament for a person to be included
in the partner draw.
3. Each member or guest must declare their
status as boater or non-boater. Partners
are paired at the meeting prior to each tournament by random draw, matching
boaters and non-boaters as possible. If
two boaters are paired they decide which boat to use; if not, a coin toss will
decide. During the spring two-day
tournament, each day of the weekend is a separate tournament and there will be
a repairing of partners after the first day weigh-in. The fall Championship is a team event with
the same partners paired for both days.
4. In the event of having an odd number of
contestants in the draw, a single angler may 1) recruit and fish with a member
that was not in the draw, 2) bring a guest, or 3) pay a double entry fee and
fish alone (see E.8 for more details).
5. Members not paying entry fees at the meeting
may still fish but they must contact the Tournament Director to be paired with
the first available member that declares a desire to fish that tournament. If no other members are available then the
member has the option of or bringing a guest or fishing alone.
6. Each member can bring one guest per
year. If the guest joins, then the
member can bring another guest. Family
members do not count as guests but can fish only when all members that wish to
enter the tournament are accommodated.
7. Draw order will determine take-off order. Team(s) not in the draw will be the last boat(s) for
take-off.
C.
Boats, Equipment & Permitted Fishing Locations:
1. Boats must be 17 feet or longer and equipped
with a working kill switch and livewell(s) capable of maintaining two partner’s
limits of bass in good condition. Motors
must be no larger than U.S. Coast Guard regulations allow.
2. Prior to fishing a tournament, boaters must
provide the Chapter a copy of their boat insurance policy showing watercraft
liability with a minimum of $300,000 coverage. The policy declaration page must
show a start and stop date and serial numbers for both boat and motor.
3. The monthly tournament lake will not have any
official off limits prior to the Saturday tournament. Monday thru Friday
will be the official practice days.
During official practice and tournament days, all Chapter rules must be
followed.
4. During official practice days and during the tournament, a
competitor may not have the assistance or advice of anyone for the purposes of
locating or catching bass, nor enter the tournament waters with anyone who is
deemed an “expert” on the tournament waters by tournament officials, unless
they are a contestant in the tournament or an immediate family member. During official practice and during the
tournament, a competitor may not skin dive or scuba dive on the tournament
waters. During the tournament a
competitor may not use a CB radio, a VHF marine band radio, a cellular phone,
or any other type of communication device for the purpose of locating or
catching fish. Contestants are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone only
in the event of an emergency. If so equipped, contestants may listen to the
marine band weather info. Each contestant agrees to report to the tournament
committee any violation or infraction of these tournament rules. The failure to
report violations or suggestions to violate these rules or false verification of
weigh-in forms will be cause for disqualification.
5. All
contestants must wear USCG-approved PFD (zippered/buckled securely) and the
kill switch lanyard must be attached to the driver any time boat is on plane.
6. Safe boat operation will be observed at all
times. Boaters must operate their vessel in a safe and courteous manner and are
required to observe all boating regulations, signs and rules set forth by USCG,
Oklahoma Lake Patrol or local authorities.
Any violation of Federal, State or local laws will result in immediate
disqualification.
7. Check-in will begin thirty (30) minutes prior
to each tournament. Running lights, kill
switch and livewell aerators must be working or a team will not be allowed to
fish until such problems are corrected.
A pre-launch meeting will be held immediately prior to take-off to cover
rules, safety, and the Official Time.
The team in last take-off position will serve as the start-boat.
8. If arriving after take-off, a team must check
in with another Chapter member for livewell check. Late teams that have not paid entry fees are
ineligible for Big Bass pot.
10. Trailering to another launch site may be
allowed for safety reasons (wind warnings or small-craft advisories issued by
the National Weather Service for the tournament site). If approved, a team may drive to the
alternate ramp after the pre-launch meeting, but may not leave to fish until
the designated take-off time.
11. Depth finders, light, oxygen and temperature
meters, trolling motors and other devices are permitted. Trolling with the gasoline engine is
prohibited. Only one rod and reel may be
used at a time. Only artificial lures
may be used except that pork-type trailer baits are allowed.
12. Fishing locations are anywhere on the lake
except 1) 25 yards from another contestant without mutual consent; 2) 25 yards
from a functional gas dock; 3) areas designated by the Tournament Director or
restricted by Federal, state or local authorities.
13. Contestants may not leave the boat to cast,
hook or land a fish, however landing nets are permitted.
14. The Tournament Director may make additional
rules as necessary for the safety of participants and public. Announcements shall be made at the pre-launch
meeting.
D.
Weigh-In
1. Only largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass
will be weighed. Anglers participating
in regular-season tournaments will observe a three (3) bass limit per person,
unless state or local laws declare that fewer fish may be retained per
person. In such cases, anglers will be
allowed to use the paper format (defined below in D.4.) to record length(s) of
up to the number of fish required to fill their three-fish limit. No more than three (3) largemouth or
smallmouth bass per person are allowed in the livewell at any time. Culling is allowed but must occur
immediately. Culling of dead fish is
prohibited. Contestants
cannot catch fish for their partners. Teams may keep unlimited numbers of spotted bass for
personal harvest but is recommended that any spotted bass not going to be
weighed as part of the angler’s bag be placed on ice so that water quality in
the livewell can be maintained for fish that are to be released after
weigh-in.
2. During the end-of-the-year Championship
tournament the limit will be five (5) black bass per team per day, team weight.
3. Tournament length limit will conform to state
or local regulation unless waived or modified by lake authority. If no length limit is stipulated by law or on
lakes with slot length limits, a 10-inch minimum length will be enforced.
4. A paper
weigh-in format will be used for all fish on all lakes fished in July and
August. This format is defined as
measuring each fish on a flat board, mouth closed, longest length to the
nearest 1/4 inch, rounding down; recording that length, then immediately
releasing the fish. Partners verify and
record each other’s catch. Boats
must carry a measuring board calibrated in 1/4-inch increments from a minimum
of 10 inches to at least 22 inches (longer is preferred).
5. On lakes with slot length limits, a combination format will be used which allows
contestants to use the paper format to measure, record and release fish in the
slot length range but still retain up to three fish in the livewell, below or
above the slot to be presented for weigh-in.
The contestant’s weight for the day will be the total from the three
largest fish either paper or weighed.
6. In the event that a member must fish alone
they may retain six (6) legal-size fish for the day but must present all fish
for weighing (no measurements). The
largest three (3) fish are counted for points.
7. Teams leaving early must notify another
contestant or leave the Officer's a note.
8. Once a team is within the designated check-in
area boundary they must present all fish for weighing. Anglers will choose and present to the Weigh
Master the largest fish in their bag to be weighed for Big Bass. Total weight
in pounds and hundredths will be recorded for each partner separately then the
team total will be determined by combining each partner’s weight (Championship
tournament is team weight as noted in D.2.).
Each member is responsible for having their weight recorded correctly.
9. A late penalty is assessed if a team is not
within the designated check-in boundary by cut-off time. The Tournament Director
will announce such boundaries at the pre-launch meeting. For the first five (5) minutes after cut-off,
the penalty consists of loss of the team's largest fish. After five (5) minutes, the total catch is
disqualified.
10. Once fish are presented to the Weigh Master
and short fish are found among the creel, short fish will not be added to the
creel but will be weighed and that weight deducted from the individual’s and
team’s total.
11. Teams weighing dead fish will receive a
one-half (0.5) pound penalty per dead fish.
13. Tie-breakers: The individual with the largest number of legal fish weighed
in during the competition; 2) the individual with the largest number of legal
LIVE fish weighed in during the competition; 3) the individual with the biggest
bass weighed in during the competition; 4) a flip of a coin will be used to
determine the winner for points purposes but prizes and awards will be split
equally.
14. All fish will be released after weigh-in,
except trophy bass at the angler’s discretion.
On lakes with slot-length limits or increased spotted bass bag limits,
members are allowed to keep a legal limit of sub-slot or spotted bass (see D.1.
above).
15. Protests must be made within fifteen (15)
minutes after the last fish has been weighed.
The Tournament Director makes all decisions. If a ruling is contested, it is referred to
the Officers present at the tournament for a final decision.
E.
Entry Fees, Expenses & Awards
1. Entry fee is $40 per person which includes
the optional $5 Big Bass Pot. $25.00
goes into that tournament’s payout.
$5.00 goes into the Championship fund and $5.00 goes into the
Fundraising Fund.
2. The two-day Championship Tournament entry fee
is $50 per person.
3. Members not paying at the meeting are assessed
an additional $5.00 per person late fee that must be paid at the ramp or the
angler is ineligible to fish. Late fees
are added into the Championship fund. No refunds. No entry fee roll-overs to
subsequent tournaments except in cases of dire emergency.
4. Partners agree to share expenses for each
tournament. Even if the non-boater
travels to the tournament in another vehicle they are expected to pay half of
the boater’s fuel & oil expenses for the boat & tow vehicle and an
appropriate share of other expenses - with a minimum required payment of
$20.00.
5. Payouts for all tournaments will be at the
meeting following the tournament.
6. Pay-out will be according to the following
schedule:
·
For 9 or less
boats: 1st Place will receive 60% of the pot
2nd
Place will receive 40%
·
For 10-14 boats: 1st Place will receive 50% of
the pot
2nd
Place will receive 35%
3rd
Place will receive 15%
·
For 15-19 boats: 1st Place will receive 45% of
the pot
2nd
Place will receive 30%
3rd
Place will receive 15%
4th
Place will receive 10%
·
Each additional 5
boats will pay another place, percentages adjusted accordingly.
7. If an angler fishes alone the payout is
figured on the total moneys received using the percentages above. A single angler is entitled to 100% of any
place money they earn if they pay entry fees for the boat ($70). If they pay $35, they are eligible for only
one-half (1/2) of place money earned, the remaining money goes into the
Championship fund.
8. Trophies will be provided for each tournament
at recipient’s option and expense.
F.
Points:
1.
Angler-of-the-Year is the member accumulating the most points in regular-season
tournaments (Championship tournament is excluded because team weight is used). The
best seven (7) of nine (9) finishes will determine a member’s AOY points. The Chapter will provide a trophy in
January. Tournament Points
are awarded for finish place in each tournament.
First place = 100 points
Second place = 99
points
Third place = 98
points
Fourth place = 97 points
Fifth place = 96 points
Sixth = 95 points
Subsequent place = 5
points less (i.e. 7th = 90 points, 8th = 85 points, etc.)
2. Member-of-the-year is the person acquiring
the most Participation Points + Catch Points during the year through
December. The Chapter will provide a
trophy in January.
Participation
points include:
·
Attending Chapter meetings = 50 points each
·
Fishing Chapter tournaments = 50 points each
·
Fishing OBFN Qualifiers =
25 points (not per day)
·
Making the NOKC Top-6 Team = 50 points
·
Volunteer for Youth & Conservation events
= 50
points per day
·
Volunteer boater for approved charity events = 100
points
Catch Points shall be ten (10) points per
fish weighed-in during regular club tournaments (maximum of 30 points per
event), excluding the Championship which is a team format with a shared limit.
3. A Big-Bass-of-the-Year trophy will be
presented in January to the angler catching the largest bass in the previous
year’s tournaments. Earliest date will
win in case of ties.
G.
Top-6 Team:
1. The six (6) members with most tournament
points from six (6) of eight (8) Chapter tournaments fished before the entry
deadline (October) will make up the Top-6 Team.
Ties will be broken by number of fish caught, then weight of largest
bass, followed by coin toss. The next
eligible member in the ranking serves as alternate. Alternates may practice and attend Team
meetings but fish only for big bass on tournament days if not called to serve
as a Team member.
2. The Chapter will pay a portion of the Team’s
expenses (fuel, meals, lodging). The
Board of Director’s will determine an amount based on the Chapter’s financial
status.
H.
Chapter Championship Tournament
1. Members are eligible for the end-of-the-year
Championship tournament if they have fished at least four (4) Chapter
tournaments or, have fished three (3) and paid entry fee for a fourth, or have
fished two (2) and paid two (2) additional entry fees. Guest and Chapter-sponsored charity
tournaments may be included in these totals.
2. Championship tournament will pay out three
(3) places.
I. Sportsmanship
and Conduct
1. No
alcohol or illegal drugs allowed in boat at any time during tournaments. Any
member using illegal drugs during or while attending any B.A.S.S.-sponsored
event shall be disqualified and have membership terminated immediately. No alcohol may be consumed at launches or
during weigh-in activities.
2. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially
with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may
be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably
upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy
shall be reason for disqualification.
3. Anglers
shall use their best efforts to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in
support of the sport of fishing. They shall at all times, conduct themselves in
a manner becoming of these basic sporting principles and in a manner that will
not reflect unfavorably on the Chapter, BASS, its members, officers or
representatives, tournaments or sponsors.