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. 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.
g. 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.
h. 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.
i. 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.
j. All registered participants must check in with tournament
officials prior to 12:00 noon on Thursday prior to the event.
k. 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.
