Jackson Area Bass Busters
Tournament Rules
1. ENFORCEMENT: The interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Committee. The decision of the committee members present shall be final at the conclusion of each tournament. When a consensus cannot be reached, the Tournament Directors decision is the final word.
2. DISPUTES: Any challenges or protest MUST be delivered IN WRITING to a tournament committee member or at the weigh-in site PRIOR TO THE CONCLUTION of tournament activities (announcement of places and payment of monies).
3. CHANGES: These rules will apply to all regular club tournaments and the club classic tournament. The rules are not open for change on the day of any of these tournaments.
4. LATE FINISHERS: Late finishers will be disqualified. No exceptions.
5. ELIGIBILITY: All club tournaments, with the exception of some special events, are open only to paid members in good standing and their invited guests. Each guest is welcome to fish one tournament only before being required to pay club dues and officially join the club. Guests are only eligible to receive money from the event that they fished and not from any year end activities (either by placing or daily big bass).
6. ENTRY AND REGISTRATION: Members are strongly encouraged to register and pay entry fees at least 15 minutes prior to the tournament stating time. Late registration will be allowed by any club member as long as they immediately approach another member who is already on the water and have that member verify the time they entered , hold their entry fee, and check their live well.
7. PAIRING OF COMPETITORS: Entrants may voluntarily pair up prior to a random lot draw, or entrants not paired shall be paired by a random draw immediately prior to the start of the tournament. No two competitors shall be paired more than twice in a season.
8. RIDER FEES: It shall be the riders responsibility to offer the boater a $10.00 rider fee payable to the boater. it shall be the boaters discretion to share bow time to the rider.
9. LAUNCH FEES: Each member is responsible for any boat launch fees. The club may be required to pre pay fees at selected lakes. The repayment to the club will be collected at the tournament.
10. LEAVING THE BOAT: At no time will any competitor be allowed to leave the boat for any reason other than those of an emergency nature.
11. BOAT: Fishing boats may be used that are 12 feet or more in length. Boats must meet United States Coast Guard (USCG) safety guidelines, rules, and regulations.
12. LIVE WELL: All boats must be equipped with an operating aerated live well. Live wells will be checked by a tournament committee member prior to all tournaments.
13. HORSEPOWER: No competitor shall use in any tournament, a gas engine with horsepower above the boat manufacturer's rating plate.
14. LIGHTS: In case of darkness, all boats will be required to have and use approved running lights.
15. STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS: All members and/or guests are expected to know and abide by all State Laws and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Regulations that apply while actively participating in any club sponsored event. Any violation of State Laws and/or DNR Regulations will result in an immediate disqualification. These matters will be at the discretion of the tournament committee and their word is final.
16. THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR NON-PERSCIPTION ILLEGAL DRUGS IS PROHIBITED: This is in effect from the start of the tournament until all tournament activities are completed.
17. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct will be observed at all times by all competitors during the tournaments. Each competitor is required to wear a USCG approved personal flotation device (PFD) during the initial gasoline engine run at the start of the tournament and also during the gasoline engine run to the weigh in site at the conclusion of the tournament fishing time. This means snapped, strapped, or otherwise held in place securely on the competitors body in an approved manner.
18. CHECKPOINT: The launch site will be the only official checkpoint in both the morning start and the afternoon finish of the tournament.
19. STARTING TIME: Starting times will vary during our tournament season. Each member should check individual lakes for tournament hours and dates. Tournaments will be eight (8) hours in length, unless otherwise decided by the tournament director and/or committee majority vote. This is only to be done in emergency situations.
20. START BOAT: The daily start boat will be the boat that draws the highest number token, the start token, or a volunteer. All boats must idle past the start boat prior to fishing. Once past the start boat throttle may be increased. Contestants who wish to fish between the launch and the start boat must move off to the side and idle back to their desired spot after passing the start boat.
21. STARTING: Numbered tokens will be drawn at registration to determine the starting order with the lowest number starting first. there will be no shotgun starts. start numbers may be transferred to paper plates so they can be easily seen at the start.
22. GAS ENGINES: No fishing with the gas engine running is allowed during the tournament.
23. ENTRY FEES: The entry fee per contestant, per tournament, will be $35.00. The money, per contestant, will be dispersed as follows: $18.00 = daily tournament payout, $2.00 = daily big bass, $4.00 = classic tournament, and $2.00 = angler of the year.
24. FINISHING PLACES: Payable finishing places will be based on the number of contestants using the current pay schedule. This will be available for member review.
25. SCORING: Tournament standings, awards, and final winners shall be determined by pounds and hundredths of a pound weight (per club scales) of each competitors catch during the tournament (minus any penalties).
26. LEGAL FISH: Any largemouth or smallmouth bass, 14 inches or longer, measured on the longest straight line with the mouth closed. The daily creel limit is five (5) legal bass in any combination of largemouth and smallmouth. State laws must be followed.
27. PENALTIES: 1st dead fish = 1/2 pound penalty, 2nd dead fish = 1 pound penalty, 3rd dead fish = disqualification. 1st short fish culls the contestants large fish, 2nd short fish = disqualification. All contestants are entitled to ask for a courtesy bump for each fish in question.
28. WINNERS: Winners will be determined by the total weight of a legal catch of bass. In the event of a tie, the two (or more) places that have tied will evenly split the payout for the places qualified for according to the payout schedule.
29. BIG FISH: Each contestant is responsible for selecting their big fish for the weigh in. If it is not possible to determine the biggest fish by eye, the contestant may use the club scales to determine the largest fish. If a tie should occur for big bass honors, all contestants involved shall split any payout due evenly.
30. ANGLER OF THE YEAR: The award for angler of the year is determined by the tournament weight total of all regular season events.
31. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures are allowed to be used. No live, or prepared live bait is allowed ( except pork and commercially available scents). Trolling is not allowed as a primary means of moving a lure with the exception of drifting with out power of any kind. Only one rod and reel combination shall be used at a time.
32. CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: Members must meet the 80% participation rule of the regular season events to qualify for the club classic tournament. A predetermined meeting location will be decided prior to the day of the event, and all qualifiers will be notified of the time and place of the meeting. Classic qualifiers may pre-meet to work out details for this event. There will be three (3) places paid from the club account at the event or at the club banquet.
33. ON WATER ENFORCEMENT: None of these rules shall prohibit a properly designated tournament official from approaching and/or boarding any competitors boat at any time during a tournament. In this event, complete and total cooperation with the tournament official is expected ad required. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of any entry fees.
34. 10/10 INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT: The top 10 members of the weight standings at the end of the regular season events have the first option to participate in this multi club tournament. Descending weight standing places, (11,12,13, etc.), may be eligible fill any open spots.
35. INSURANCE: All boat owners must carry liability insurance that covers all occupants, especially minor (under age) occupants, or sign a waiver of liability. Minors (under age) participants must ride with an insured boat owner.
2. DISPUTES: Any challenges or protest MUST be delivered IN WRITING to a tournament committee member or at the weigh-in site PRIOR TO THE CONCLUTION of tournament activities (announcement of places and payment of monies).
3. CHANGES: These rules will apply to all regular club tournaments and the club classic tournament. The rules are not open for change on the day of any of these tournaments.
4. LATE FINISHERS: Late finishers will be disqualified. No exceptions.
5. ELIGIBILITY: All club tournaments, with the exception of some special events, are open only to paid members in good standing and their invited guests. Each guest is welcome to fish one tournament only before being required to pay club dues and officially join the club. Guests are only eligible to receive money from the event that they fished and not from any year end activities (either by placing or daily big bass).
6. ENTRY AND REGISTRATION: Members are strongly encouraged to register and pay entry fees at least 15 minutes prior to the tournament stating time. Late registration will be allowed by any club member as long as they immediately approach another member who is already on the water and have that member verify the time they entered , hold their entry fee, and check their live well.
7. PAIRING OF COMPETITORS: Entrants may voluntarily pair up prior to a random lot draw, or entrants not paired shall be paired by a random draw immediately prior to the start of the tournament. No two competitors shall be paired more than twice in a season.
8. RIDER FEES: It shall be the riders responsibility to offer the boater a $10.00 rider fee payable to the boater. it shall be the boaters discretion to share bow time to the rider.
9. LAUNCH FEES: Each member is responsible for any boat launch fees. The club may be required to pre pay fees at selected lakes. The repayment to the club will be collected at the tournament.
10. LEAVING THE BOAT: At no time will any competitor be allowed to leave the boat for any reason other than those of an emergency nature.
11. BOAT: Fishing boats may be used that are 12 feet or more in length. Boats must meet United States Coast Guard (USCG) safety guidelines, rules, and regulations.
12. LIVE WELL: All boats must be equipped with an operating aerated live well. Live wells will be checked by a tournament committee member prior to all tournaments.
13. HORSEPOWER: No competitor shall use in any tournament, a gas engine with horsepower above the boat manufacturer's rating plate.
14. LIGHTS: In case of darkness, all boats will be required to have and use approved running lights.
15. STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS: All members and/or guests are expected to know and abide by all State Laws and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Regulations that apply while actively participating in any club sponsored event. Any violation of State Laws and/or DNR Regulations will result in an immediate disqualification. These matters will be at the discretion of the tournament committee and their word is final.
16. THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND/OR NON-PERSCIPTION ILLEGAL DRUGS IS PROHIBITED: This is in effect from the start of the tournament until all tournament activities are completed.
17. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct will be observed at all times by all competitors during the tournaments. Each competitor is required to wear a USCG approved personal flotation device (PFD) during the initial gasoline engine run at the start of the tournament and also during the gasoline engine run to the weigh in site at the conclusion of the tournament fishing time. This means snapped, strapped, or otherwise held in place securely on the competitors body in an approved manner.
18. CHECKPOINT: The launch site will be the only official checkpoint in both the morning start and the afternoon finish of the tournament.
19. STARTING TIME: Starting times will vary during our tournament season. Each member should check individual lakes for tournament hours and dates. Tournaments will be eight (8) hours in length, unless otherwise decided by the tournament director and/or committee majority vote. This is only to be done in emergency situations.
20. START BOAT: The daily start boat will be the boat that draws the highest number token, the start token, or a volunteer. All boats must idle past the start boat prior to fishing. Once past the start boat throttle may be increased. Contestants who wish to fish between the launch and the start boat must move off to the side and idle back to their desired spot after passing the start boat.
21. STARTING: Numbered tokens will be drawn at registration to determine the starting order with the lowest number starting first. there will be no shotgun starts. start numbers may be transferred to paper plates so they can be easily seen at the start.
22. GAS ENGINES: No fishing with the gas engine running is allowed during the tournament.
23. ENTRY FEES: The entry fee per contestant, per tournament, will be $35.00. The money, per contestant, will be dispersed as follows: $18.00 = daily tournament payout, $2.00 = daily big bass, $4.00 = classic tournament, and $2.00 = angler of the year.
24. FINISHING PLACES: Payable finishing places will be based on the number of contestants using the current pay schedule. This will be available for member review.
25. SCORING: Tournament standings, awards, and final winners shall be determined by pounds and hundredths of a pound weight (per club scales) of each competitors catch during the tournament (minus any penalties).
26. LEGAL FISH: Any largemouth or smallmouth bass, 14 inches or longer, measured on the longest straight line with the mouth closed. The daily creel limit is five (5) legal bass in any combination of largemouth and smallmouth. State laws must be followed.
27. PENALTIES: 1st dead fish = 1/2 pound penalty, 2nd dead fish = 1 pound penalty, 3rd dead fish = disqualification. 1st short fish culls the contestants large fish, 2nd short fish = disqualification. All contestants are entitled to ask for a courtesy bump for each fish in question.
28. WINNERS: Winners will be determined by the total weight of a legal catch of bass. In the event of a tie, the two (or more) places that have tied will evenly split the payout for the places qualified for according to the payout schedule.
29. BIG FISH: Each contestant is responsible for selecting their big fish for the weigh in. If it is not possible to determine the biggest fish by eye, the contestant may use the club scales to determine the largest fish. If a tie should occur for big bass honors, all contestants involved shall split any payout due evenly.
30. ANGLER OF THE YEAR: The award for angler of the year is determined by the tournament weight total of all regular season events.
31. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures are allowed to be used. No live, or prepared live bait is allowed ( except pork and commercially available scents). Trolling is not allowed as a primary means of moving a lure with the exception of drifting with out power of any kind. Only one rod and reel combination shall be used at a time.
32. CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: Members must meet the 80% participation rule of the regular season events to qualify for the club classic tournament. A predetermined meeting location will be decided prior to the day of the event, and all qualifiers will be notified of the time and place of the meeting. Classic qualifiers may pre-meet to work out details for this event. There will be three (3) places paid from the club account at the event or at the club banquet.
33. ON WATER ENFORCEMENT: None of these rules shall prohibit a properly designated tournament official from approaching and/or boarding any competitors boat at any time during a tournament. In this event, complete and total cooperation with the tournament official is expected ad required. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of any entry fees.
34. 10/10 INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT: The top 10 members of the weight standings at the end of the regular season events have the first option to participate in this multi club tournament. Descending weight standing places, (11,12,13, etc.), may be eligible fill any open spots.
35. INSURANCE: All boat owners must carry liability insurance that covers all occupants, especially minor (under age) occupants, or sign a waiver of liability. Minors (under age) participants must ride with an insured boat owner.