1. GENERAL:
The flowing will be applied in conducting all bass fishing tournaments of the club. Implementation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the officers of the club. The decision of the club officers shall be final in all matters.
2. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:
Participation in tournaments will be open to only members and perspective members of the club or guest of members. The authorization to fish and pairing of fishing partners will be done at the regular club meeting preceding the tournament.
(I) All tournaments are open only to members of BMNA who are 16 years of age or older (Guests younger than age 16 may fish with a club member who is a parent or guardian). Proof of age to the satisfaction of Tournament Director may be required.
(II) DURING THE OFFICIAL PRACTICE AND COMPETITION DAYS OF ANY BMNA TOURNAMENT, NO COMPETITOR MAY OPERATE A BOAT UNLESS COMPETITOR HAS PROOF OF A MINIMUM OF $100,000 CURRENT BOATING LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERING THE BOAT BEING USED IN THE TOURNAMENT. PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE WITH THE BOAT BEING USED AND MUST COVER THE COMPETITORS USING THAT BOAT. THE DOCUMENTED PROOF MUST SHOW AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BEFORE AND DURING THE TOURNAMENT. THE TORURNAMENT DIRECTOR MAY REQUIRE RANDOM CHECKS AND ANY COMPETITOR WHO DOES NOT HAVE PROOF OF IN-FORCE INSURANCE WITH A MINIMUM OF $100,000 COVERAGE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
(III) Any candidate for competition who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director or his/her designee, is handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his/her partner or endanger the safety and well being of his/her partner or himself/herself shall not be eligible to participate in the tournament.
3. SAFETY:
A. Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by tournament competitors. During any practice and the tournament, each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard-approved chest-type life preserver any time the combustion engine is running. This preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is shut off. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification.
B. Tournament officials have the right to delay, shorten, or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather.
C. BMNA reserves the right to impose boat speed limits and the area covered by the speed limit in `any or all tournaments. Whether or not to impose a speed limit, the area covered by the speed limit and/or the actual speed limit imposed shall be left exclusively to the discretion of the Tournament Director or his/her designee.
4. ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT:
Anglers participating in any BMNA event shall observe the Angler Code of Conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. Anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming of anglers that will not reflect unfavorably on BMNA, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments or sponsors. Anglers participating in BMNA events shall use their best efforts to demonstrate good conduct and integrity in support of the sport of bass fishing. Any angler who violates any of the provisions of the Angler Code of Conduct may be subject to any of the penalties authorized by these By-Laws. (ii) The favorable reputation of BMNA, the integrity of its officials, and its reputation before the general public are valuable assets and tangible benefits for BMNA. Therefore, it is an obligation of our member anglers to refrain from comments to the media or general public that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers of BMNA. Members are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question the rules or officials. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with BMNA rules, procedures, or policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules or the officials. Public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of BMNA, BMNA officials, or sponsors shall be considered conduct unbecoming a BMNA angler and will result in disciplinary action.
5. SPORTSMANSHIP:
Competitors in BMNA tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification.
A. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any competitor during the official practice, during the tournament, or at the weigh-in will not be tolerated and shall be cause for disqualification from this and all future BMNA tournaments.
B. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regards boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on the 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.
C. The prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which we fish BMNA tournaments bind all competitors.
D. Chemical-substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for disqualification from any BMNA tournament or event.
E. Any disqualification or suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding any other tournament or fishing organization, shall be grounds for disqualification from any BMNA tournament or event. Disqualification from an BMNA tournament shall be based on the sole judgment of the Tournament Director or his/her designee.
F. During a tournament ( from launch until end of tournament ), communication with other competitors, other then your partner, for the purposes of locating or catching fish is prohibited and will deem cause for disqualification.
6. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:
Only artificial lures may be used. No “ live bait “ or “prepared bait “ will be permitted, however, pork or pork type strips, rinds, etc, may be used. Only bait casting, spinning or spin cast reels and rods may be used. Only one (1) Rod may be used per contestant at any one time. Other rigged rods may be in the boat for substitution purposes; however only one (1) “Rig” per contestant is permitted in use and in the water at any one time.
7. BOATING RULES:
A. BOATS AND MOTORS. Any boat considered inadequate to safely fish two contestants for an eight hour day will not be allowed to be used. Determination with cause is solely at the tournament director’s discretion. All boats must be equipped with some type of safety-stop switch. No boat under fourteen (14) Feet may be used during tournament hours. Each boat must also have a properly aerated or recirculation live-well to maintain a five (5) Fish catch of bass by each contestant for a total of ten (10) Bass.
B. BOAT OPERATION: Any competitor answering yes to the question: “Will you enter a boat” will be expected to make that boat available for the tournament. Partners must discuss boat operation prior to blast off. Each partner is entitled to an equal time in front of the boat and trolling motor operation. Each partner is entitled to an equal number of hours to fish his or hers selected waters. Any contestant who, in the judgment of the tournament director, operates the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his or her partner shall be disqualified. Contestant not furnishing a boat and motor will provided the payment of boater entry fee for the tournament.
8. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
A one (1) year tournament schedule will be developed by a tournament committee and be presented at the first club meeting of each new club year. This one (1) year tournament schedule will list all club meeting dates, fishing tournament dates, lakes and launch ramps where these tournaments will be held, and other dated club functions. A tournament on this schedule can only be changed by a majority vote of the tournament committee present at the meeting prior to that tournament for the safety of contestant and / or their equipment.
“ WHEN A CHANGE IS MADE, ALL CLUB MEMBERS NOT PRESENT AT THE MEETING MUST BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT.”
9. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE:
The tournament committee will consist of seven (7) members, the tournament director and six (6) other club members. The six (6) other club members will be those club members who finished in even number positions, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, in the year prior to the year for which the schedule is being developed. If the tournament director is in one of the even finishing positions then position 13 will become the 7th member of the committee. Should an even number person choose not to be a member of the tournament committee, the next highest numbered position will be selected until there are six (6) members and the tournament director. Should this still not fill the tournament committee, start at position one (1) and select any member not already selected or asked. If a full committee still not be established, then the tournament director has the authority to have the meeting with the members available, but not less then four (4) Club members. Each committee member present at the tournament committee meeting will have a vote on the dates, lakes, and ramps, etc, and a majority vote of the tournament committee will rule in setting each event on the tournament schedule. The tournament committee, along with the elected officers, will be listed at the end of the tournament schedule.
10. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:
Fishing will be permitted any place in the tournament lake unless restricted through the tournament schedule or by the tournament director. Fishing will not be permitted within the boat confines or in any marina where such activity may constitute a hazard to navigation or safety or may cause inconvenience to other boaters. At no time will fishing be permitted within fifty (50) yards of another contestant’s boat that was first at a location unless mutual agreement is made between boats. All fishing must be done from the boat. No bank fishing will be permitted at any time. All contestants must leave the official dock by boat unless excused by the tournament director prior to the start of the tournament. Trailing of boats during the tournament is strictly prohibited. (Exception to this rule may be granted by the tournament committee in case of emergencies.)
11. LAKE HEADQUARTERS:
Lake headquarters will be announced at the time the tournament is announced. All contestants and boats must start and end each tournament day at this point. Official weigh-in shall also be at the lake headquarters.
12. TOURNAMENT FISHING HOURS:
Exact fishing hours will be announced at the regular club meeting preceding each club tournament.
13. PENALTIES:
A. Any failure to notify your tournament partner and an officer of the club of your inability to attend a tournament will result in a maximum club fine of $ 10.00 and a forfeiture of 20 championship points. Notification must be give at least 12 hours prior to the tournament reporting time.
B. All contestants should report to the official docking area 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each club tournament. Anglers late for the actual blast-off, unless a late start has been authorized by the tournament director, shall forfeit 15 championship points.
C. Contestants not in the official docking area on time at the end of the tournament shall forfeit 5% of the angler’s day’s total fish weight for each one (1) minute the angler is late.
D. Any penalty or adjustment shall be made by the tournament director at the next club meeting.
14. SCORING – WEIGH-IN SHALL BEGIN AFTER ALL CONTESTANTS ARE AT THE SCALES.
A. Tournament scoring will be determined by total weight of each tournament catch.
B. Points will be awarded for black bass only (large-mouth, small-mouth, and spotted bass)
C. Five (5) fish limit per contestant.
D. Bass which measure less then 12 inches (or less then lake limit) will be returned to the water immediately.
E. Measurement of fish will be with the mouth closed and the tail fanned.
F. Contestants scores will be in pounds and tenths.
G. Contestants will transport all fish from live-well to scales in plastic bags.
H. Contestants who fail to bring fish to the scales in a plastic bag will be penalized one (1) pound in weigh from the angler’s total weight.
I. Any fish submitted for weigh-in measuring less then 12 inches (or lake limit ) will result in the contestant being penalized his largest fish, then next largest, etc, for each fish under 12 inches (or the lake limit).
J. Courtesy measurements by the Tournament Director or any other contestant are prohibited.
K. All fish taken from the live-well shall remain in the possession of the contestant until submitted to the Tournament Director at the “ Official Weigh-In “.
L. CULLING OF DEAD FISH WILL BE PROHIBITED. For each legal dead bass presented to the Tournament Director, the angler shall be penalized the following, to be deducted from their tournament weight:
(1) Dead Fish - .25 lb.
(2) Dead Fish - .75 lb.
(3) Dead Fish – 1.25 lb.
(4) Dead Fish – 2.5 lb
(5) Dead Fish – 3.50 lb.
M. All fish shall remain with each contestant until lunker bass and all scoring has been determined.
N. Culling of fish shall be done on the water only. Contestants will be disqualified for culling out of the water.
O. All decisions of the Tournament Director at the official weigh-in are final no other contestants other then the Weigh Master shall measure or weigh fish.
P. All championship points for year-end awards will be determined by the following point system.
(1) Five (5) Points will be awarded for each meeting and five (5) points for each tournament fished. A club member who is absent from an official meeting because of job related or school attendance will be awarded the five (5) points for attendance if the angler:
a. Is at the time of the meeting performing duties required by the job from which he or she earns his or her livelihood, is attending school, or is absent due to illness or injury.
b. Provides notification to a club officer by the start of the meeting for which the angler is to be awarded the attendance points. Notification must include the angler’s intention to be paired for the following tournament.
c. The angler must officially participate in the following tournament.
(2) Two (2) points will be awarded for catching the largest bass at each tournament.
(3) Three (3) points will be awarded to each member who weighs in one or more fish at each tournament.
(4) At each tournament, points will be awarded to the top ten places by fish weight on the following basis:
1st place - 20 points 6th place - 10 points
2nd place - 18 points 7th place - 8 points
3rd place - 16 points 8th place - 6 points
4th place - 14 points 9th place - 4 points
5th place - 12 points 10th place - 2 points
15. TIES (PRIZES AND AWARDS):
A. Ties for largest stringer weight in a tournament shall be determined by the largest bass in each angler’s stringer. The same premise shall apply to total boat weight.
B. Ties for largest bass, regression to the next largest fish will determine the winner.
C. Ties for “ANGLER of the YEAR” award by points awarded shall be determined by the total weight of recorded tournament catches during the tournament year for each angler.
16. DISPOSITION OF TOURNAMENT CATCH:
Club members are encouraged to take care in handling, transporting and weighing all fish taken during club sponsored tournaments. All live fish shall be returned to the water following official weigh-in unless their condition prevents successful release. The Tournament Director shall be responsible for making all decisions associated with the release and retention of bass.
17. SELECTION OF PARTNERS AND BOATS:
A. Partners will be matched during the regular club meeting proceeding each tournament. Prospective club members and guests of club members must be introduced at this time. “EACH CLUB MEMBER WISHING TO FISH MUST DECLARE AS A BOATER OR NON- BOATER”. Boaters and club member non-boaters will be matched first. If there are more boaters than club non-boaters for the tournament, then the prospective club members will be matched with remaining, non-match boaters. If there are still boaters left, the members desiring to have relatives as guest non-boaters may do so. It is desirous to have all club members be able to fish, then prospective members, then related guests- in that order. The member bringing the non-related guest will not necessarily fish with that guest. A member is permitted to fish with a guest up to twice in a club year and all guests must be approved by the Tournament Director,
B. When there are more boaters then non-boaters, which member’s boat to be used should be by mutual agreement. If no mutual agreement can be reached and these partners have fished together this club year, they will alternate boats. If they have not fished together this club year, the first named drawn will have the choice to use his or her boat.
C. No two individuals shall fish together in two consecutive tournaments in one club year. No two individuals shall fish together in more then two tournaments in one club year unless approved by the tournament director.
D. In the event of a mechanical break down of a boat , the non- boater may be allowed to change boats, provided it is in agreement with the Tournament Director or appointed Tournament Director for the event.
18. DEVIATION FROM RULES:
Any conscious deviation from any of the rules will result in disqualification from the tournament.
19. PRIZES AND AWARDS:
Tournament prizes shall be awarded as follows:
A. A BIG BOAT and BIG FISH pot will be established for each tournament. The entry fee shall be $20.00 per contestant with $2.00 allocated to the BIG FISH pot; $13.00 to the BIG BOAT pot; and $5.00 to be retained by the club as a tournament fee. Any money unearned from the BIG BOAT pot will be carried over to the next tournament. If no fish are caught during the tournament, all entry fee funds are to be retained by the club;
B. The BIG BOAT pot will be awarded to the boat with the heaviest weight of bass. The BIG BOAT pot will be paid as follows with all amounts rounded to the nearest dollar.
First Place - 50% of the TOTAL $13.00 entry fee amount collected from each contestant
Second Place - 30% of the TOTAL $13.00 entry fee amount collected from each contestant
Third place - 20% of the TOTAL $13.00 entry fee amount colleted from each contestant;
C. An angler that fishes without a partner shall add their weight to the club average weight of all non-boaters participating in the tournament to determine the total boat weight for the angler without a partner for determination of eligibility of placement in the tournament. If the angler without a partner does not have a legal fish, the angler’s boat weight is zero, and the club average does not apply.
D. Annual club awards will be presented on the basis of the following, with determination made by the club officers as to whether trophies or plaques will be awarded, with consideration given to the award winners’ preferences:
(1) Angler of the Year (6 Awards)
First Place Fourth Place
Second Place Fifth Place
Third Place Sixth Place
(2) Perpetual Angler of the Year Plaque listing First Place Finisher (Continuing)
(3) Annual Lunker Bass Award
(4) Heaviest Individual Single Day Catch Tournament Award
20. CHANGE IN TOURNAMENT RULES:
Tournament rules may be changed in accordance with the Bassmasters of North Alabama By-Laws, Article IV.
Rev. 10-13-09
