Quick Summary of Rules

  • Fish limit is five (5) fish per team, largemouth or smallmouth bass, minimum of 12 inches in length unless altered by local rules.

  • Only artificial lures are allowed during competition.

  • Use of culling devices which penetrate the mouth of a fish are prohibited and will result in disqualification.

  • Each boat must return to the designated weigh-in location prior to its designated weigh-in time.

  • Each team should take one long timeout in a day. During  timeout period, all fishing must cease.

    • Each boat captain/coach may have one long timeout lasting no more than 5 minutes. Each angler should eat and drink for nutrition. The boat captain/coach may provide advice for the entire five-minute period.

  • During official competition (i.e., morning take-off until weigh-in), anytime the combustion engine is running, boat captain/coach and student anglers MUST be seated with the coach in the driver’s seat in full control of the boat with life jackets on and buckled. No exceptions.

    • All participants age 14 and under must wear their life jacket at all times.

    • Inflatable life jackets may only be worn if you are age 16 or older and weigh more than 80 pounds.

    • If a participant is wearing an inflatable life jacket, they must wear it at all times during the tournament.

  • During official competition (i.e., morning take-off until weigh-in), anytime the combustion engine is running, boat captain/coach must have a lanyard attaching the life jacket to the ignition kill switch.

  • Boat captain/coach is responsible for making safety decisions in accordance with B.A.S.S. tournament rules. Failure to adhere to safety procedures may result in disqualification.

  • No use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs during the event excluding prescription medication.

  • All practice pre-fishing must cease at 9 pm prior to the day of the tournament unless otherwise indicated by the conference commissioner.