Tournament Rules
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 25 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 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 livewell 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. You can not cull a dead fish
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. Anyone failing to sign-up by the meeting will be charged a
$5.00 late sign-up fee. There will be a 1 week cutoff for late sign-ups. At one
week to go, empty boats will be filled with available guests and youths. Anyone wishing to fish after the 1 week cutoff will
only be allowed if room is available or a boat is willing to take you as a
third person in a boat. It will be 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. Only a repetitive partner will be examined
as an exception to the random draw.
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 $20.00 per person per points event which includes entry for lunker. Once signed up the entry fee is not refundable,
except for a hardship which must be submitted to the Tournament Director before the
next meeting for consideration. You must sign-up for and pay the entry fee by
the meeting before the tournament. Entry fee's mailed
to the Tournament Director or Treasurer must be post marked one week prior to
tournament date or they will be charged a $5.00 late fee.
10. Each
tournament non-boater contribution to partner is $25.00 minimum,
however, if there are two non-boaters (guest or tournament entrant) they would
be able to split this cost. Due to the rising cost of fuel a $30.00
contribution is suggested on the larger bodies of water we fish.
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. The
number of angler's in a boat will be two, however, if there are not enough
non-boaters, one boater
may fish alone, the rest will be paired together. The two paired
boater's will discuss who's boat will be used, if an
agreement can not be made, a coin toss will decide for them. Lone boaters may
choose to have a qualified youth as a partner or be paired with other boaters.
15.
Tournament hours and official checkpoint will be determined prior to the start
of the event.
16. The
Tournament Director will keep the official time.
17. The
Tournament Committee's decision is final. Any appeal must be documented in
writing to the Board of Directors before the next meeting.
18. A current
and valid fishing license will be inspected prior to the first tournament of
the season for each state we fish in. CT
license needed by April 1st
or first CT Tournament and NY June 1st or first NY tournament
whichever comes first. Failure to show
a valid license will be means for DQ until such time as you can provide
one. NO EXCEPTIONS
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. A snagged line must
be either retrieved or cut prior to another cast.
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". If you have a questionable fish
you may borrow the golden rule or ask for a courtesy measurement prior to
bringing your fish to the scale. You will be penalized the short fish plus one
pound off your weight for each short fish. If you do not have enough weight to
cover the penalty, it will be applied to the next event (s) you fish
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.
Addendum
A: If you bring a dead fish to the
scale it is the participants responsibility to dispose
of the fish. (you
killed it you own it)
4. There
will be a ¼ pound penalty (4 oz or .25 lb.) 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.
2. Points -
Final year end standings will be based on your best eight events. Perspective
members will accumulate 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 to the top 6 club members and make up our 6 man team. Lunker of the year
will also receive a trophy. Angler of the year will receive a club jacket or
gift certificate (his/her choice). 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 Rookie of the year award, the candidate
must have fished at least 8 tournaments. In the event of a most improved award,
the candidate must have fished at least 7 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
17-
40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . etc..
NO
FISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
NO
SHOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0