TOURNAMENT RULES

Failure to comply to any of these rules can and likely will result in an immediate or delayed disqualification.

BASS

5 biggest bass per team will be weighed in at the end of each day. Weights for both days will be totaled at the end to determine the winning team. Legal size is 12" minimum in length. Spotted Bass, Largemouth, Smallmouth, Black Bass, Hybrid Bass all apply. Bass will need to be released far away from the weigh in docks.

BOATING RULES

All boats must have running lights in full working order for blast off.

Livewells must be inspected prior to blast off by a tournament volunteer. 

If you do not have a livewell, see drift boat rules for more information on what to do. 

Life vests must be warn at any point if a gas engine or main engine is running. 

GEAR RULES

No conventional rods can be on board boat. No bait scents can be on board. Boat owners/participants must be willing to allow a boat search for any conventional gear if need be. We are not going to make you clean out your boat of all conventional tackle, just no conventional rods, reels, and scent. 

Only fly rods & fly reels can be used. 12.5’ maximum rod length. 

No spinning or casting rods may be on board or used at any point. Breaking this rule will result in an automatic disqualification.

Only fly lines may be used. Anglers cannot use mono, fluoro, or braid as a replacement to the fly line. The only mono line that will be permitted would be for running line to a reasonable shooting head line, and to the leader itself.

Angler’s must stay in the boat at all times while fishing. However it is ok to get off for a bathroom break.

Leaders 

Leaders with strike indicators may be no longer than 18’ max.

Leaders for streamers or anything else must be no longer than 9’ max.

Culling balls 

Culling balls must be ones designed with some sort of a clip. Setups that require piercing fish’s mouths will not be permitted. If you want a cheap pair, Amazon is an ok option. Click here for the product. Visit your local tackle shop for a higher quality set.

Plastic weigh in bags will be covered by the tournament. But feel free to use your own instead.

FLY RULES

Flies must be within reason. There must be feathers, or furr, or synthetics, using typical or even a-typical fly materials. Said materials must be tied on using thread. Thick single pieces of rubber or plastic over 1/8” thick will not be permitted on flies. 

No soft plastics such as senkos or roboworms, tube jigs, etc on hooks. If you think the fly could be put in to question, it is your job to bring this up to the tournament director prior, showing the fly.

Any added weight to a fly over 1/8oz is not permitted. 

Flies cannot have any scent added. 

BIG FISH PROTOCAL (WEIGH IN)

For bass 5lbs or more, by law anglers must put fish in a separate dedicated bag when transporting from boat to weigh in scales.

If competitors have a tie with matching total weights, the big fish will be the deciding factor. So it's important for anglers to mark their big fish with a culling ball for a quick distinction at the scales if weighing a big fish. 

PENALTIES

Anglers will have roughly 8 hours from blast off to check in time. Late penalties will be 1/2lb per minute. 

If any fish are deceased, there will be a 1.5lb penalty.

DRIFT BOAT RULES

Drift boat team may consist of up to 3 people. This way they can have a rower. This person is considered the trolling motor. ONLY 2 ANGLERS CAN FISH AT A TIME. Rower and anglers can be switched out, allowing everyone to fish in rotation. But no more than 2 rods can be in the water at once. Drift boats must legally have bow and stern lights for blastoff. Easy clamp on lights powered by AA batteries can be purchased for cheap on Amazon. Click here for the product.

Drift boats must also have a live well. A simple live well can be rigged with a designated ice chest & aerators. Water must be replenished to some degree every 15-20 minutes while fish are inside. Drift boat’s must have at least a good bucket to replenish water.

The tournament director will contact all drift boat captains prior to tournament to make sure the fish care protocol is up to par. 

Drift boats will blast off last for safety reasons.