SPECIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
for Lake Erie
- All competitors are expected to follow the highest standards of Sportsmanship, Courtesy,
Safety, and Conservation. Any infraction of these principles may be cause for
disqualification.
- Only artificial lures may be used (pork baits are O.K.) and trolling is not allowed.
- Only largemouth and smallmouth bass will be weighed. No more than one
(1) bass per angler may be brought to the scales and all
must be at least 20" in length (measured closed mouth
and tail fanned). Short fish will not be weighed and the angler will be
disqualified.
- All boats must have a suitable aerated container to keep a tournament limit of bass
alive. A four ounce penalty will be deducted for each dead fish weighed. Culling of
dead fish is not allowed.
- There will be an Official Checkpoint for boat check and check-in for every tournament.
Contestants must leave and return to it by boat, and contestants must remain in the boat
during tournament hours except for emergency situations.
- Every boat must be checked for adherence to the rules before you fish.
- A one pound penalty will be assessed for each minute you are late to check-in. All
fishing ceases upon check-in.
- Each contestant may use only one rod at a time.
- There will be no fishing within 25 yards of: another tournament boat that is at anchor;
an active marina gas pump; or the Official Checkpoint.
- Cutting ahead of another competitor fishing a shoreline will not be tolerated (see rule
#1).
- All contestants must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device in the boat at
all times and it must be worn and securely fastened whenever the combustion motor is
running. The use of a "kill" switch is mandatory whenever the boat is so
equipped.
- Anyone caught adding to or altering a fish in any manner will be disqualified.
- No drugs and/or alcohol shall be consumed or allowed in the boat during tournament
hours. Being "under the influence" is prohibited and will result in
disqualification.
- In case of a tie, cash prizes will be combined and split. Coin toss determines plaques.
- The Tournament Director's decision is final at the event. A formal written appeal must
be filed with the Tournament Director within 10 minutes of his final decision. Any and all
complaints against another contestant must be filed before the end of the weigh-in. No
complaints will be heard or acted upon thereafter.
- The weigh-in will begin approximately 15 minutes after tournament hours. You are
expected to check in. Call or tell another contestant if you cannot make the weigh-in or
expect to be more than one-half hour late.
- Every contestant is responsible for his/her own insurance coverage.
This page was last updated on:
November 26, 2006