September 28, 2016
GENERAL RULES:
1. Safe boating must be conducted at all times. All contestants must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD when the gas engine is running.
2. A "Tournament Ready" boat is defined as a boat that meets US Coast Guard safety standards, has enough livewell capacity to maintain 2 limits, be at least 16 feet in length and have a working outboard engine of at least 50 horse power. Any boats that do not meet these requirements will not be allowed. Each member is responsible for notifying the chapter secretary as soon as his/her position (boater/non-boater) changes. This must be done to correctly monitor the clubs 50/50 % membership ratio as described in the chapter bylaws.
3. All boats must be equipped with a working "kill switch" (cutoff-device). It must be attached to driver whenever the gas engine is running.
4. All boats must be equipped with a working livewell. A livewell check must be done prior to the event. Any boat arriving at the launch after the ooze off must find a non-partner contestant and have their liveewell checked prior to fishing. Any boater refusing to show a working livewell will be considered to have a non-working livewell. See penalties for dead fish.
5. The daily limit in all points events will be 5 fish. Only Black Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth)
will count towards total weight.
6. Sign-up for all points events will be at the club meeting prior to the event. If you want to fish and cannot make the meeting you must contact the tournament director in advance. At one week to go empty boats will be filled with available guests. Anyone wishing to fish after the one week cutoff will only be allowed if room is available or a boat is willing to take you as a third person in the boat . It is your responsibility to find a boat , NOT the tournament Directors.
7. There will be a random drawing at the sign-up meeting to determine the ooze off starting order and partners. Tournament director discretion will be used to minimize repetitive partner/boaters.
8. In the event that there are more non-boaters than boaters, a third angler will be allowed in a boat if both parties agree. If a boat can not be found, the angler will be guaranteed a spot in the next event they choose.
9. The entry fee will be $25.00 per person per points event. Or 20.00 if paid at the meeting. Once signed up the entry fee is not refundable, except for a hardship
10. Each tournament non-boater contribution to the boater pool is $30 minimum, however, if there are two non-boaters (guest or tournament entrant) they would be able to split this cost.
11. Alcohol & Drugs are prohibited in the boats or within view of the tournament site until 30 minutes after the official weigh in.
12. You must remain in the boat during the tournament except in the case of an emergency. Anyone leaving the boat during tournament hours must report this to the tournament director prior to the weigh in.
13. Guest will be allowed only if: A) The guest follows all club rules and safety regulations. B) The guests' partner will be determined by the tournament director. C) Guests will not receive any points. D) A guest may not pay an entry fee or compete for prize money. E) A guest can be a youth and or third person in a boat provided the boater and non-boater agree. If an agreement can not be made, contact the Tournament Director a.s.a.p. so that other arrangements can be made. F.) An entrant may not fish with a guest he has brought. The tournament director will work out the pairing so that It is fair and equitable for everyone.
14. Tournament hours and official checkpoint will be determined prior to the start of the event.
15. The Tournament Director will keep the official time.
16. The Tournament Committee's decision is final. Any appeal must be documented in writing to the Board of Directors before the next meeting.
SPORTSMANSHIP :
1. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially when around non-competitors.
2. All rules for the tournament waters (Speed limits, No wake zones, etc...) must be observed at all times.
Any infraction will be cause for disqualification
3. Fishing is not permitted within 25 yards of an anchored contestant or on any water that is deemed not "fishable" water (off limits to fishing) by local, state or federal authorities..
4. All complaints or infractions must be reported to the Tournament Committee and documented in writing within thirty minutes of the official check-in.
5. Use of mobile communication devices ( 2 way radio, CB, cell phones, etc...) will be limited to emergencies and for communicating with Lock Masters and Dock Keepers.
METHODS :
1. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait with the exception of pork rind, strips, or similar baits.
2. Trolling is prohibited in all points events.
3. Only one rod "wet line" may be fished at any given time.
4. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional manner.
PENALTIES :
1. The minimum length for black bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth) is 12
inches as measured on the club's "Golden Rule".
2. There will be a 1 pound penalty for any "healthy" fish not returned to the water. This is deducted from your total weight as well as lunker (if the fish was entered as lunker).
3. There will be a ¼ pound penalty (4 oz or .25 lb.) for each dead fish brought to the scales. This penalty will be deducted from lunker if the fish you enter as lunker is dead. This penalty will be doubled to ½ pound (8 oz or .5 lb.) if your boat does not pass the working livewell check. This penalty will have a progressive 1 pound penalty for each successive tournament fished with a non-working livewell. Use of a "Catch and Release" style water treatment will help in maintaining a live catch.
4. There will be a 1 pound penalty for each minute late to the official check-in point. This penalty will be deducted from total weight and lunker. After 15 minutes the boat will be disqualified. This rule will be applied to the boater and non-boater.
PRIZES/STANDINGS :
1. Pay out schedule - Payouts will be done at the first meeting after the tournament. See page 5 (Payout - Schedule) for payout amounts.
2. Points - Final year end standings will be based on your best eight events. Perspective members will
acumulate Points from the time of their paid membership application. See page 4 (Points).
3. In the event of a tie for lunker, the money will be divided with both anglers.
4. In the event of a tie for total weight prize, the prize money will be combined with the money from the next position and then divided in half. Both anglers will receive the points. For example: A tie for 2nd place would result in combining 2nd & 3rd place money and dividing in half. Both anglers would receive 2nd place points and the next angler in weight would receive 4th place points and money.
5. In the event that there is prize money left over due to a lack of fish caught, the extra money will go to the club.
6. Year end awards - Trophies will be awarded for
1st, 2nd 3rd, 4th 5th and 6th place. Lunker of the year, most improved angler, Rookie of the year , The overall winner of our two day classic will also receive a trophy. Angler of the year will receive a club jacket. Perspective members will qualify for year end awards if they have been voted in as members before the end of the tournament season. In the event of a most improved award, the candidate must have fished at least 8 tournaments the year prior.
7. Final year end standings will determine eligibility to fish the New York State Club Team Event. You must pay your State dues before the start of the tournament season to qualify for this event.
Hudson Valley Bassmasters, Inc Points Schedule
Standing Points
1st Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
2nd Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
3rd Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
5th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
6th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
7th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
8th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
9th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
10th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
11th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
12th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
13th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
14th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
15th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
16th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
17th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
18th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
19th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
20th Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . etc..
NO FISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
NO SHOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0