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2004 Rules and Regulations
Rules and Regulations*
Pre-tournament Registration
Contestants can enter by mailing a completed application and a check for $175.00 (includes big bass pot) payable United Way Bass Tournament, to 807 Knotty Pine Cove, Southaven, MS 38671. The early bird deadline is September 1, 2004. After that time the entry fee will increase to $200.00 up to midnight October 21, 2004. Any entries after midnight October 21, 2004 must be pre-approved by the tournament director which will include an additional $25 late fee. Each team must be present at the pre-tournament registration on October 22, 2004, unless arrangements have been made with the tournament director. You can register anytime between 4 P.M. and 7 P.M. at the Pickwick Landing State Park Resort (1-800-250-8615), P.O. Box 15, Pickwick Dam, TN 38365. You will receive information concerning times for boats in the water, blast off, and weigh in during our pre-tournament registration.
Pre-tournament practice
There will be no official practice period or off-limits period prior to the pre-tournament registration.
Safety
Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened, U.S. Coast Guard approved, personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check until weigh in. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition shut off device that must be securely attached to the driver's body whenever the combustion engine is in operation. At the discretion of the tournament director the tournament may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.
Sportsmanship
All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during tournament hours is strictly prohibited. Any contestant who does not adhere to all applicable state fish and game laws will be disqualified. This includes all applicable fishing licenses. All bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers. Only one fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. All fish caught will be immediately released after the weigh-in.
Boat and Horsepower Regulations
Boats must contain a properly aerated live well space to maintain a live a limit catch of five fish. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition cannot exceed the horsepower limitations as set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Fuel may be carried only in factory installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public.
Permitted Fishing Locations
Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters accessible by boat, except within 50 yards of a competitor's boat which was first anchored (An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight with the trolling motor in the up position). You may not move within 50 yards of a competitor's boat that has already established its presence, drop your anchor and demand that they leave the area. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Contestants must leave and return to the official checkpoint by boat. The boat must remain in the tournament waters during the tournament day. No fishing will be permitted within 25 yards of the release tube after the weigh in begins. Contestants may lock through to any waters that connect to Pickwick.
Penalties
Anyone that checks in after their weigh-in time will receive a late penalty of 1 pound per minute. Anyone 15 minutes late will be disqualified. Eight ounces will be deducted for any dead bass weighed in. You may only keep 5 fish in the live well at one time. After your sixth keeper fish you must cull immediately.
Standings
Total pounds will establish standings. Size limits will be Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass - 15 inches, and Spotted Bass - 12 inches. Fish will be measured using a golden rule. Pinch the tail and close the mouth to measure. Any short fish will not be included in the total weight and the largest fish will also be disqualified. No courtesy measurements will be allowed at the official weigh in. Ties will be broken by the team who has the most fish. If both teams have the same number of fish the two places will be combined for the payout.
No Fish Pot
Any team that chooses to not weigh in their catch is automatically entered into the no fish pot. You do not have to register again at the weigh in site to be eligible.
Prizes and Payouts
You must be present at the weigh in or establish a representative with the tournament director before you leave to be eligible for any raffle prizes or receive any prize money.
*Interpretation of these rules will be left exclusively to the tournament director. Decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Protests must be made in writing within 30 minutes of the official check-in time of the final flight on October 23, 2004.
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