Open Rules for 2008
RULES: These rules shall remain unchanged throughout 2008 season. Interpretation and enforcement of Team Bass Tournament Series Open rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament director. Federal, state, local and lake laws and rules must be obeyed at all times and shall supersede Team Bass Tournament Series rules when in conflict. Regional and local circuits' rules may differ from these rules at the discretion of the tournament director or regional vice president.
PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: Tournament eligibility and entry is open to all participants in good standing with at least one team member at least 18 years of age or older.
APPLICATION & ENTRY FEES: Entry Fee per tournament is $150.00 per team, including Big Bass. Please make checks payable to Team Bass Tournament Series and mail to: 1105 0riole Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401, or go to our on-line store at www.teambasstournamentseries.net. All entry fees paid at the ramp must be paid in cash. Team Bass Tournament Series will charge a $30.00 fee for any check returned for insufficient funds.
LIVEWELL CHECK: A Team Bass Tournament Series official will physically inspect the live well of each participating boat and “tag” the boat at the time of the pre-tournament Check-In. “Tag” is defined as the marking of an inspected boat.
PRE-TOURNAMENT MEETING: A pre-tournament meeting will be held at the Team Bass Tournament Series trailer fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled take off. This meeting is mandatory. At least one (1) team member must attend. Late arrival is defined as: Arrival after the last boat leaves the take-off area. In case of late arrival, the late team must find a tournament official and have their live well checked and pay the entry fee. A cell phone may be used for the purpose of locating a tournament official.
POST-TOURNAMENT WEIGH-IN: The post-tournament weigh-in/Check-in will be held at the Team Bass Tournament trailer 15 minutes after the official end of the tournament. Holding tanks will be setup for the purpose of KEEPING FISH ALIVE prior to the start of the official weigh-in. If a team decides to exit the tournament early, they must: 1.) Notify a tournament official. 2.) Notify another participant, who will notify a tournament official, prior to the official weigh-in. Failure to do so will result in the loss of tournament points for the day.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS: During tournament hours no alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs may be consumed or allowed in the boat while on the water, except prescription medications.
SPORTSMANSHIP: Displaying of poor sportsmanship and bringing unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing shall be grounds for disqualification. If one team member is disqualified, the team shall be disqualified.
BOATS & MOTORS: There is no horsepower limit; however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat in use. All boats must meet US Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have an emergency kill switch. All boats must have a functioning aerated live well suitable to sustain a tournament limit in reasonable condition. Extra gas tanks are not allowed. Standing on seats, or motor or the use of ladder or raised platform for the purpose locating or fishing for bedding fish in not permitted. Boats used in Team Bass Tournament Series tournaments must have an insurance policy in effect with a minimum of $100,000.00 liability coverage.
SAFETY: Boating safety must be observed at all times during practice and competition. A US Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver (PFD) Type III or higher, must be worn and properly fastened any time the combustible engine is operative and the kill switch must be attached to the driver with a lanyard no longer than fourty-eight-48) inches.
TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. Trolling with the aid of combustion or electric motors is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait permitted with the exception of pork rinds. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat and ready for use, however, every cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is made. Rods may not exceed eight feet in length. The use of underwater cameras is not allowed during competition.
PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing prior to the official closing of the scales.
POLYGRAPH: All contestants are subject to a polygraph testing. Failure to submit is grounds for disqualification. Any contestant who has failed a polygraph test for cheating in a bass tournament or whose results are found to be inconclusive shall not be eligible to compete in Team Bass Tournament Series tournaments. Polygraph and voice stress testing are performed at the discretion of the tournament director and all participants are bound by the findings and any penalties resulting from a failed test. Including but not limited to disqualification and forfeiture of prizes.
SCORING FISH: Each team may weigh-in five (5) fish per day, a minimum of 12 inches in length unless state or lake limits are greater, measured on a flat board with mouth closed and tail compressed. Any team weighing-in a fish shorter than the legal tournament length will be assessed a one (1) lb. penalty plus the loss of the short fish. Any team bringing more than five (5) fish to the scales will be disqualified. A penalty of one (1) lb. per dead fish will be deducted from the total weight. Any big bass brought to the scales deceased, will be directly subject to the 1 lb. penalty. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass will be scored. Any team returning to the checkpoint late will be disqualified.
BREAKDOWNS: Contestants must leave and return to official checkpoint by boat. In the event of equipment failure, there shall be two permitted methods of returning to the check-in and weighing fish. (1) By both partners remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) By one partner entering the boat of another Team Bass Tournament Series contestant or staff member along with the days catch. Team's fish must be kept separate.
PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: No fishing is allowed within 50 yards of another anchored or tied tournament boat with trolling motor out of the water, without the anchored boat's permission. Both team partners must fish from the same boat. Only contestants may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Having anyone hole-sit for anyone shall be grounds for disqualification. Contestants cannot leave the boat to land a fish or gain access to a fishing area. Restricting natural movement of fish by any means is automatic disqualification.
OFF LIMITS PERIOD: Team Bass Tournament Series does not impose an "Off limits period" however, each tournament director at their discretion may do so. Clarify this rule with your tournament director.