1. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation in the Bass Cat Mercury National Team Championship will be open to all qualifying teams of a sanctioned series. All participants in this event which are under the age of eighteen (18) shall be required to notify the Tournament Officials at least 13 hours prior to take-off time. Minors shall also be required to provide a release signed by a parent or legal guardian should they not be participating with them.
2. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by all tournament participants. Caution and safety on morning take-offs must be observed. Each participant must wear a securely fastened U.S. Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver any time the combustible engine is operative. OPERABLE SAFETY SWITCHES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL GASOLINE MOTORS. Safety switches must be worn at all times when the gasoline engine is in operation. There will be no alcoholic beverages permitted in the boat during tournament hours. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. All rules are expected to be complied with in regards to navigable waterways regulations in the U.S.A.
3. TYPE OF TACKLE: Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" will be permitted; however, pork or pork-type strips, rinds, etc. may be used. Only casting, spinning or spin-casting rods and reels may be used. Only one rod may be used at any one time. Other rigged rods may be in the boat for substitute
purposes; however, only one "rig" is permitted in use at any one time. All tackle must be used in a conventional casting manner, no trolling, dragging, or similar manner is allowed. Maximum Rod length is 7' 10" for this event.
4. BOAT AND MOTORS: All boats must be a minimum 25 horsepower and in accordance with United States Coast Guard Regulations at their time of production. There will be no boats allowed which are over the recommended maximum horsepower rating. Maximum match rated boats and motors ONLY.
Altering of engines to increase performance above boat rating is not allowed. There will be NO fuel tanks or cans which are not either OEM installed or U.S.C.G approved installation and equipment. Boats without on board fuel tanks must use USCG approved engine fuel cans. NO storing or hiding of fuel
tanks or cans along any bank, or area, all “on water” fuel must be marina purchased, except in approved emergency with approval of Tournament Director.
Boats are required to have sufficient operating aerated livewell space for the fish to survive during transport and competition. Proof of Liability Insurance on your boat is required. All boats must be registered, or, have authorized registration numbers posted. Navigation lights must be on during take off in all flights, until first location is reached, or in the event that fog is present any time while angling or running.
5. FISHING LOCATIONS: Off Limits has been Waived for the Bass Cat Mercury National Team Championship. The “Official Practice” period begins November 12th at 12:01AM. All rules must be adhered to after this date/time.Fishing is permitted any place on the lake with the following exceptions: No fishing within 50 yards of any Commercial Dock Structure. No fishing within 50 yards of another contestants anchored boat or state regulated off limits. All fishing must be done from the boat, no departing boat to land fish, or access areas for fishing will be allowed. Boats must stay in the water during tournament day. All contestants must leave the official dock by boat, and return by boat.
B. There shall be an Idle Only zone established in the area of take off, including the Columbus Marina, This is an Idle speed zone for all contestants! 1 of 3
C. All craft using the locks are fully expected to comply and cooperate with Lockmasters on duty during Their locking. Failure to comply or be found in violation of lock rules may/will be grounds for a 1 hour delay on takeoff, or/and a 3 pound penalty, or total disqualification. Depending on the severity of the
infraction.
6. BOAT REGISTRATION: All boats must have registration numbers posted and be either registered or posting approved registration numbers identifying the craft from the state in which it is from. NO craft shall be allowed without approved State registration. Adequate Liability Insurance will also be Required.
7. LATE PENALTY: At the end of each tournament day and any contestant not within the markers of the designated dock will be determined late. Contestants who are not in the official docking area on time shall be penalized one pound for each one (1) minute they are late. All contestants must proceed directly
to weigh-in upon returning to dock. Any contestants more than 10 minutes late shall lose all poundage credit for that date. Boat and motor trouble and other problems will not be an excuse for tardiness. In no case shall a tardy contestant be allowed to make up lost time. Flight Tubes will be capped at the ending time for each flight.
8. SCORING: 5 fish - 12" Limit. The legal limit shall be five (5) fish per day, per team. Scoring and ALL TIES shall be determined by total poundage, most fish, largest one day stringer and big bass. The Tournament winners will be determined by total poundage accumulated during the day of tournament
fishing. Only black bass, largemouth, spotted, red eye or smallmouth bass, which are legally caught are permitted. After his fish have been handed to weigh-in officials NO PERSON EXCEPT OFFICIALS shall touch said fish. A contestant bringing in more than his limit will be disqualified for that days catch. The legal length limits will be 12 inches for all Bass. Any bass brought to the scales under the legal limit shall be subtracted at the rate of one pound per infraction from the total catch. Any fish that appears to be mangled, mashed, or mauled, will be measured separately on a flat board and credited only at the discretion of the weigh-in officials. Dead fish penalty will be eight (8) ounces per fish. All fish will be measured with mouth closed. The Gator Grip Golden Rule will be the official measuring board.
9. PROTEST: Any contestant wishing to protest the score of a fellow contestant must do so in writing within forty-five (45) minutes after their flight time. A tournament committee will be appointed and shall make a decision on initial matter in question when asked by the tournament director.
10. TIES: In case of ties, the most number of fish will determine the winner, followed by the largest one day stringer weight, and then big bass. In case of a tie for Big Bass in the Tournament, tie will be broken by the most fish and largest stringer.
11. SPORTSMANSHIP, COURTESY, SAFETY AND CONSERVATION are expected from each participant. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principals may be deemed cause for disqualification. Possession, or, use of alcohol on the part of any contestant during the tournament hours will not be tolerated,
and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this tournament. The intentional snagging of a fish shall be reason for disqualification under this paragraph as shall on the water conflicts and issues.
12. TOURNAMENT FISHING HOURS: All contestants must be signed-out and inspected by the tournament officials and shall begin the day from the official dock at Columbus Marina. At the day's end, all contestants must be at the official dock and signed-in with the tournament officials by or before the ending
time for that day. 2 of 3
13. LAKE HEADQUARTERS: Lake headquarters shall be the marina or accompanying offices established at the weigh in area. All fishermen must start and end each tournament day at this point.
14. ENTRY FEES: Each Director will be responsible for entering their entire fleet of teams as one group entity representing organization. There are no single team entries allowed. Entry is charged based on the formula presented or as approved to be modified form the Open Championship flyer. All entries must be
made and produced on spread sheets provided with bulk entry listing by qualification placing. Entry can be either faxed or e-mailed with a 2% fee for credit card entries. Cash Payout will be posted for the event once entries are finalized. Entry is due by Novembe 6th at noon (12:00) Thursday. Late entries may be made for adjustments only. No re-imbursement of entry fee monies after November 6th.
A: OPTIONAL ENTRY: An optional entry of $50.00 per Team is available for the enrichment of the payout on this event. The Optional Entry will be 100% paid out to 15% of participating teams. Including the winners as it is a separate entry. Wild Card positions will be 25th, 51st and 76th.
15. LIABILITY: A release of liability will be required at the time of registration. Signature of release of liability issues permission of submission to a lie detector (polygraph), or Voice Stress analysis test. Every tournament boat captain shall have in their possession a certificate proving of Liability Insurance on their craft.
16. Great effort, study, and research has gone into the formation of these rules. The rules of this Tournament will be interpreted and amended solely by the judges and Tournament Officials and shall be final in all matters. A non partial tournament committee of three (3) participants will be appointed to witness
rulings and decisions.
17. All fish must be submitted to, and will only be received by, the weigh-in officials in bags supplied or approved by tournament officials. Outer protective support will be allowed as a supplement. Second only to participants safety is the care of the fish for release, and research purposes.
18. REGISTRATION: Registration is to be at the Country Club in Columbus, MS. Beginning at 3:00 PM on Thursday November 13th and ending at 6:00 PM with a Welcome and Rules presentation following the Registration at 6:30 PM. Participation is required at Registration, unless directorship of organization has made other arrangements. There will be no dinner this year. Phone Numbers on site will be established for maximum communication opportunities in Columbus.
For Further information Contact Bass Cat Boats (870) 481-5135 or through e-mail at; Brochures@BassCat.com. Phone Numbers on site will be established for maximum communication opportunities in Columbus. We look forward to a very enjoyable event!
