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Effective:
01/01/2008
RULE
CHANGES: The following rules shall
apply to American Bass Anglers, Inc. American
Fishing Tour tournaments, with the following
exceptions: (i) rules for special tournaments
may differ from those contained herein and
(ii) these rules may be changed by American
Bass Anglers at any time upon notice by American
Bass Anglers to its members, which notice may
be published on the American Bass Anglers internet
site at www.americanbassanglers.com.
1.
Interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively
to the tournament director. In the event of a
rule violation, the tournament director and/or
American Bass Anglers, Inc. Headquarters may
impose such sanctions, as deemed appropriate,
including but not limited to, disqualification,
forfeiture of prizes, forfeiture of entry fee
and prohibition from participation in subsequent
tournaments. The decision of the tournament director/ABA
Headquarters shall be final in all matters. Protests
for any rule infraction must be made in writing
within 30 minutes of the official announcement, “the
scales are now closed”.
- a.
Each contestant agrees to report any tournament
rule infraction to the tournament director.
b. Failure to report to the tournament director
any tournament rules infractions or false reporting
of tournament rules infractions will be cause
for being disqualified.
c. Rules infractions will result in penalties
that may include
(1) Loss of weight for the day of the rules infraction.
(2) Disqualification from the event.
(3) Disqualification from future American Bass
Anglers, Inc. events for a period of time up
to a lifetime disqualification.
2. COMPETITOR'S
CONDUCT CODE
a.
Members that participate in American Bass Anglers,
Inc. events will at all times observe the Competitor's
Conduct Code and all applicable tournament/conduct
rules for the tournament event in which they
are participating as stated here. All Contestants
shall conduct themselves professionally at
all times. Their actions may not reflect unfavorably
on the sport of bass fishing, American Bass
Anglers, Inc., its members or affiliates, officers
or representatives, tournaments or sponsors.
b. All competitors will in their best efforts
provide a high degree of professionalism, integrity
and conservation in the sport of professional
angling. Any Competitor who violates any of the
Competitor's Conduct Code may be penalized which
may include: fines, disqualification from events,
forfeiture of winnings, and suspension or non-acceptance
of entries from ABA events to include permanent
suspension. American Bass Anglers, Inc. may use
these actions singularly or in combination as
deemed appropriate.
3. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY:
a.
Participation is open to current members of
American Bass Anglers, Inc. who are 16 years
of age or older. Proof of age to the satisfaction
of tournament officials is the responsibility
of the competitor.
b. Competitors must have a valid fishing license
for the body of water that the event is being
held on.
c. DURING THE OFFICIAL PRACTICE AND COMPETITION
DAYS OF AN American Bass Anglers, Inc. TOURNAMENT,
NO COMPETITOR MAY OPERATE A BOAT UNLESS THAT
CONTESTANT HAS DOCUMENTED PROOF OF A MINIMUM
OF $100,000 BOATING LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THAT
PARTICULAR BOAT. PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE WITH
THE BOAT BEING USED AND MUST COVER THE COMPETITOR
USING THAT BOAT. RANDOM CHECKS WILL BE CONDUCTED.
EACH POLICY MUST SHOW A MINIMUM OF $100,000 LIABILITY
AND VALID EXPIRATION DATE.
d. Anglers must sign the Release of Liability
form at the event and if not pre-registered with
headquarters must present their entry fee to
the tournament director prior to the tournament.
Tournament officials reserve the right to refund
any membership and/or entry fee, if they shall
choose for any reason not to accept the application
for entrance.
e. Any person entering a tournament that is under
18 years of age must have the signature of his/her
parent or legal guardian on the entry form.
4. POLYGRAPH: By
signing the official entry form contestants agree
to submit to a polygraph/voice test examination
should he/she be accused of any rule violation.
ABA may also conduct random polygraphy/voice
test examination throughout the year. Any person
convicted of violating tournament rules or failing
to successfully pass a polygraph/voice test in
this or any other tournament will not be allowed
membership or entry into any American Bass Angler,
Inc. events. The administration and interpretation
of the polygraph/voice test shall be solely the
responsibility of the American Bass Anglers,
Inc., its tournament Directors or agents, and
shall be used (or not used) at their discretion.
Without limiting the foregoing, the American
Bass Anglers, Inc. shall have sole discretion
to select the place at which such polygraph/voice
test shall be administered, the individual who
administers such polygraph/voice test, and the
scope of the questions, which may be asked during
such test. Failure to take and pass the polygraph/voice
test examination, if required, will result in
immediate disqualification without recourse.
5. PROFESSIONALS: Individuals
who have fished two or more tournaments as a
designated Professional in a Pro/Am event requiring
an individual entry fee of $675 or more in the
preceding six months are not eligible to fish.
This rule does not apply to Amateur status anglers.
6. GUIDES: Individuals
who are serving as a licensed guide or are paid
for guiding on tournament waters within the previous
30 day period are not eligible to compete in
American Bass Anglers, Inc. events on that lake(s).
7. PRE-TOURNAMENT
PRACTICE/OFF-LIMITS: There will be
no official practice period (Except for Regional
Championship, Angler of the Year Final Round
Championship and National Championship) prior
to the pre-tournament meeting. No contestant
may enter the tournament water for the purpose
of catching or locating possible fishing locations
after day one weigh-in in multiple day tournaments.
Off-limits areas not covered in Rule 17, will
be designated and explained at pre-tournament
meeting by the tournament director.
8. REGISTRATION: It
is recommended that contestants pre-register
through National headquarters. Contestant desiring
to register at the ramp must do so in person
during the official registration period. Registration
period is defined as 1 and ½ hours preceding
5am local time during daylight savings time and
6am local time during standard time or the time
established by the local tournament director.
Once the Safety and Rules briefing begins no
tournament entries can be accepted. Failure to
attend the pre-tournament meeting of any American
Bass Anglers, Inc. tournament will result in
forfeiture of entry fee and disqualification
from the tournament in question
9. ENTRY
FEE: Entry fee for Divisional Qualifying
events will be $70.00 which includes big bass.
Entry Fee for Divisional Championships will
be $140.00, which includes big bass. The entry
fee for a Regional Championship is $150.00
and does not include big bass.
10. LATE
FEE: All entries must be postmarked
or called-in to headquarters with a charge
card 10 days prior to the scheduled tournament.
Divisional Qualifying Events and Divisional
Championship Entries not meeting this deadline
will be subject to a $5.00 late fee (see Rule
24 for Regional Championship Late Fee). All
pre-registrations must be sent to the Athens
office only, except where noted on schedule.
New or renewing members signing up at the tournament,
active duty military members, life members,
visiting directors, assistant director for
that division, and 2007 frequent fishermen
anglers are not subject to the late fee for
Divisional Qualifying Events and Divisional
Championship tournaments ONLY.
11. SAFETY:
a.
Contestants understand that participating in
fishing tournaments in an open boat is inherently
dangerous. Safe boating conduct will be observed
at all times.
b. During the official practice and competition,
each competitor is required to wear a U.S. Coast
Guard approved chest-type life preserver (PFD).
This preserver must be worn any time the combustion
engine is in gear. This preserver must be strapped,
snapped or zippered securely and maintained in
that condition until the combustion engine is
shut off.
c. The boat operator must have a safety-stop
switch attached to his/her person when the combustion
engine is in gear. During practice and tournament
hours extreme caution must be exercised by boat
operator during bad weather.
d. In addition, extreme caution must be exercised
and boat operator must be aware that there could
be large cruisers and/or barges operating on
tournament waters that displace extremely large
volumes of water, which create unusually large
wakes and turbulence.
e. Weather and water turbulence can be extremely
hazardous and extreme caution should be exercised
at all times. Violation of either the PFD or
safety-stop switch portion of this rule will
result in disqualification.
12. SPORTSMANSHIP:
a.
All contestants are expected to follow high
standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety
and conservation.
b. All contestants must adhere to all State,
Federal and local laws governing water activities.
Any infraction of these fundamental sporting
principles may be deemed cause for disqualification.
c. No alcoholic beverages or other stimulants
or depressants, shall be allowed in the boats
during the official practice or competition days,
or when in the weigh-in area.
d. Each contestant must keep the waters clean
and bring trash back to the dock for disposal.
e. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction
of a felony or other crimes involving immoral
turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorable
upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship,
fair competition, and compliance with tournament
rules shall be grounds for rejecting applications
for membership, participation and for disqualification.
f. Any disqualification or suspension from, or
other disciplinary action regarding any tournament
or fishing organization, shall be grounds for
rejecting any application for membership, participation
and for disqualification.
13. TACKLE
AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures
may be used. No "live bait" or "prepared
bait" will be permitted during official
practice and competition, with the exception
of pork strips, rinds, etc. Only one rod and
reel combination may be used at one time. No
fly rods or rods over 8 ft. are allowed. Trolling
as a method of fishing is prohibited. All bass
must be caught live and in a conventional sporting
manner. All angling must be done from the boat
and anglers must stay on tournament waters
during tournament hours. Anglers are not permitted
to leave the boat to land a fish or leave the
boat to gain access to secluded waters. Boats
must remain in tournament waters during tournament
day/days. Competitors must leave and return
to official checkpoint by boat. Both competitors
must remain in boat at all times except in
case of dire emergency. In such an emergency,
competitors may be removed from their boat
to: A BOAT OPERATED BY OTHER COMPETITORS, A
RESCUE BOAT DESIGNATED BY THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
OR TO DISLODGE THEIR BOAT FROM A HAZZARD. Partners
must remain together at all times, in sight
of each other and each other's catch, under
the conditions cited above, in order for their
catch of that day to be scored in the tournament.
Citizen band radios, marine radios and cellular
phones are allowed in the boat for emergency
use only. Any transmission of information via
any communicative device concerning any aspect
of fishing is prohibited during tournament
hours.
14. HORSEPOWER
REGULATION: MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER FOR
ALL OUTBOARD MOTORBOATS USED IN OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT
PRACTICE AND IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION WILL
BE 250 HP. Horsepower cannot exceed the limitations
set by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is required
that all boats have a U.S. Coast Guard or Manufacturer's
horsepower-rating plate attached to the boat
by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the
outboard engine must not exceed the rating
specified on this plate nor the horsepower
maximum set by American Bass Anglers, Inc.
Each competitor agrees to submit, by their
signature on the official entry form, the boat
and outboard motor used in the tournament,
to an inspection by factory-trained personnel,
if there is any reason to suspect the horsepower
is in excess of the rating. Changing or altering
standard factory parts of your engine to increase
the horsepower over the factory horsepower
rating is forbidden, and will result in disqualification.
Falsifying information on entry forms or altering
the horsepower-rating numbers on the engine
also would be cause for immediate disqualification
from American Bass Anglers, Inc. tournaments.
15. BOAT
AND MOTOR: ALL BOATS MUST BE EQUIPPED
WITH SOME TYPE OF IGNITION STOP SWITCH. This
ignition-kill device must be attached to the
driver's body any time the combustion engine
is in gear. Also any time the combustion engine
is operating and in gear, there must by a driver
in the driver's seat in full control of the
boat. Fishing boats that are 16 feet or more
in length may be used. No barges, cumbersome
craft or boats without steering wheel will
be permitted. Contestants may not use boats
equipped with "stick steering" during
official practice or during tournament hours.
Each boat must also have a properly aerated
or re-circulating livewell to maintain a live
limit catch of bass by both contestants. Boaters
are required to provide a back fishing seat
for co-anglers.
16. BOAT
OPERATION: Any competitor answering
yes to the question: "Will you enter as
a boater?" will be expected to make that
boat available for the tournament. Partners
must discuss sharing time for his/her selected
waters prior to ooze-off. Each partner is entitled
to an equal number of hours to fish his/her
selected waters during divisional and regional
qualifying events. Any contestant who, in the
judgment of the tournament director, operates
the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap
their partner shall be disqualified. It is
the responsibility of the co-angler to reimburse
the boater in an amount mutually agreed. It
is suggested that reimbursement be ½ of
fuel cost to defray daily expenses. (Based
on current fuel prices and running time, cost
could be from $30.00 to $50.00). Co-anglers
not paying their share as prescribed here and
at the time of the event shall be cause for
being disqualified. This penalty is not limited
to the same event but may also result in entries
not being accepted into future American Bass
Anglers, Inc. events.
17. PERMITTED
FISHING LOCATIONS: Tournament Director
for each tournament shall establish Tournament
waters at the tournament briefing and define
any known OFF-LIMITS areas including locking
from established tournament waters. Fishing
on tournament waters is not permitted: within
50 yards of a marina gas pump or within 50
yards of another competitor's boat anchored
or not. Competitors invoking the 50-yard rule
must hold their boats steady. Any competitor
that allows any other competitor to fish within
50 yards of their boat has suspended the 50-yard
rule and opens the water to all competitors.
Any water within tournament boundaries posted
Off-Limits or No Fishing by state or federal
agencies will be OFF-LIMITS.
18. OFFICIAL
CHECKPOINT: There will be only one
official point for check-out in the morning
and check-in in the afternoon, as designated
by the tournament director. Competitors not
at the checkpoint at the designated time will
be penalized at the rate of 1 pound per minute,
deducted from their total weight for the day.
Any competitor more than 15 minutes late for
send-off or check-in will be disqualified for
the day. Official start and weigh-in times
will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting.
Our best effort will be given to allow at least
8 hours fishing time. In the case of adverse
weather conditions, the tournament director
will open weigh-in at 12 noon for safety.
19. SCORING: The
total weight of each competitors catch will determine
tournament standings and placement. Only largemouth,
spotted, red eye or smallmouth bass will be weighed.
The creel limit shall be five (5) unless the
prevailing state/lake limit is less. (The tournament
directors may impose a creel limit of less than
five fish if they deem weather and/or local conditions
warrants the reduction.) At no time shall a competitor
have in his/her possession more than the tournament
limit. Culling must be done immediately upon
catching a sixth fish. Minimum length will be
12 inches (measured on a flat board) unless the
prevailing state/lake rule is larger. In most
cases the state's longest length limit will be
used. A penalty of 1 pound will be deducted from
the total weight for each short fish and a penalty
of 4 ounces (.25 pounds) will be deducted from
the total weight for each dead fish. In the event
the anglers' big fish is dead a penalty of 4
ounces (.25 pounds) will be deducted from the
big fish total weight. A contestant that presents
more fish than the tournament limit will be disqualified
immediately. Mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise
altered fish will be weighed only at the discretion
of the tournament director. No regurgitated baitfish
will be weighed. Fish will not be put on a stringer
at any time. All fish presented at the weigh-in
become the property of American Bass Anglers,
Inc. All live fish will be returned to the tournament
waters and the tournament director will dispose
of any dead fish.
20. PAIRING: Assignments
of partners will be by open draw. All angling
must be accomplished from the boat. Competitors
must stay on tournament waters and in sight of
each other throughout the tournament day from
send-off until weigh-in (Exception: Nature call).
Any contestant refusing to take or go with another
contestant in his/her boat will be subject to
immediate disqualification. Tournament directors
have no responsibility for finding lost partners.
Each contestant is to meet his/her partner at
least 30 minutes prior to take-off. The tournament
director may reassign pairings prior to morning
ooze-off to accommodate problems or emergencies.
With prior approval from AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS,
INC. headquarters, the tournament director may
allow paired boaters to fish alone.
21. TIE: In
case of a tie, combining awards and dividing
them equally among the tied contestants shall
resolve positions. A form of lottery shall determine
trophy positions. The tournament director may
decide to break first place ties with a fish-off.
Duplicate points will be awarded to each tied
competitor.
22. TRANSFERS: Entry
fees may be transferred or refunded only if proper
notification is made to American Bass Anglers,
Inc. headquarters or tournament director by 12
noon on the Friday preceding the tournament.
Refunds will be assessed a 10% service charge
however, there is no fee for transfers. Refunds
for Regional Championship will only be accepted
up to 10 days prior to official practice.
23. POINT
SYSTEM: One-day divisional qualifying
tournaments are worth 200 points. Maximum points
are awarded for a minimum of 20 contestants.
For tournaments with less than 20 contestants,
1 point per person short of the minimum will
be deducted from the total points available.
Points will be awarded in 1 point decreasing
increments depending on place of finish. No
contestant weighing a fish in the tournament
will receive less than 75 points regardless
of place of finish. All contestants not weighing
fish will receive 50 show points. A contestant
may fish multiple one-day tournaments for point
accumulation, but only the best four places
of finish will be counted. The 2-day Divisional
Championships are worth 400 points. Maximum
points are awarded for a minimum of 20 contestants.
Points will be awarded in 2 point decreasing
increments depending on place of finish. For
tournaments with less than 20 contestants,
2 points per person short of minimum will be
deducted from the total points available. No
contestant weighing a fish in the tournament
will receive less than 100 points, and 75 points
will be awarded to those not weighing fish.
A contestant may fish multiple 2-day Divisional
Championships, however only their best two-day
finish will be counted. Contestants must have
fished at least four (4) one day tournaments,
with two (2) or more within a region to be
eligible to compete in any 2-day Divisional
Championship within that region. A perfect
score is 1200 points: 4 one-day tournaments
at 200 points each = 800 plus and 1 two-day
Divisional Championship at 400 points.
24. REGIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP:
a.
Contestants must have qualified within a Region
in order to qualify for that Region's Championship.
Minimum requirements for qualification are
the successful completion of four (4) one-day
tournaments, with two (2) or more within that
region and one two-day tournament within the
respective Region.
b. The top 500 regional point holders plus 30
Active Duty Military will be invited to compete
in the Regional Championship. If one or more
of the top 500 do not accept the invitation,
the remaining slots will be filled from a list
of qualified and pre-registered anglers.
c. Cut-off date for pre-registration for the
Regional Championship will be 15 days prior to
the first day of official practice. On the following
business day any slots not filled by the top
500 point holders will be filled from a qualified
and pre-registered waiting list based on highest
points in the same region.
d. Late Entries will be accepted through 12 noon
Wednesday the week of the Regional Championship.
Late entries will only be accepted to fill the
top 500 positions in the Regional. A late fee
of $25.00 will be charged for all late entries.
e. Contestants must be paid in full and American
Bass Anglers, Inc. headquarters must have a valid
copy of boat insurance declaration prior to going
on the water to practice.
f. The regional championship lake will be off
limits 30 days prior to the first official practice
day.
g. Contestants may not receive any assistance
or advice from anyone except another contestant
of that Regional Championship for the purpose
of locating or catching fish once the off limits
period begins.
h. During official practice contestants may only
pre-fish alone, with a member of his/her immediate
family, another contestant of the tournament,
a sponsor of American Bass Anglers, Inc. or a
member of American Bass Anglers, Inc. staff.
Contestants are not allowed to fish with anyone
that has been on the lake during the off limits
period.
i. The Regional Championship is worth 2000 points
to the winner. Points will be awarded in 5 point
decreasing increments depending on place of finish.
Regional Angler of the Year will be determined
by the best four one-day divisional qualifying
events (two must be from within the region) finishes
plus best 2 day Divisional Championship within
a Region plus points received at the Regional
Championship.
j. The Regional Championship will be a two day
event held on a Friday and Saturday. Official
practice will start on Saturday prior to the
first day of the event.
k. All registered participants must check in
with tournament officials prior to 12:00 noon
on Thursday prior to the event.
l. If a draw boat/motor is given away at a Regional
Championship only anglers that are registered
for that Regional Championship and are present
at the time of the draw will be eligible. A member
may not win more than one draw boat/motor in
the same calendar year.
25. Angler
of the Year (AOY):
a.
The top point holder from each Regional Championship
(by points) will be invited to complete in
the Angler of the Year Final Round.
b. The AOY Final Round will be a one-day practice
one-day tournament held on Friday and Saturday
prior to the first day of practice at the National
Championship
c. The Contestants will be allowed to practice
on Friday and will compete on Saturday, observer
provided.
d. The Final Round Championship lake will be
off limits 30 days prior to the first official
practice day.
e. Contestants may not receive any assistance
or advice from anyone except another contestant
of the Angler of the Year Final Round or National
Championship for the purpose of locating or catching
fish once the cut off period begins.
f. American Bass Anglers, Inc. will issue a complete
set of AOY Final Round Event Rules to the contestants.
g. The angler with the most total weight (five
fish limit) on Saturday will be crowned Angler
of the Year.
h. Anglers competing in the AOY Final Round will
not be allowed to practice for the National Championship
on the championship lake until Tuesday following
the AOY Final Round, if the Final Round Lake
is the same as the Championship Lake.
© 2008
American Bass Anglers MBAA Since 1975 - All Rights
Reserved American Bass Anglers, Inc. Logos and
other data within this website is the property
of American Bass Anglers, Inc and may not be
copied or reproduced without express permission
of American Bass Anglers, Inc.
American Bass Anglers, Inc PO Box 475 Athens, AL
35612 email:
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