Tournament Rules

FORMAT

This club will fish as a draw club with the tournament being run and paid out as a pro-am style with the boaters being the pros and non-boaters being the amateurs. Payout and points will be based against pros against pros and amateurs against amateurs. Payout based on 1 place for every 7 people.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be a club member, Club guest or brought in by a club advertisement. Must be a member of FLW. Guests must be present at the meeting or represented at the meeting by a club member. Previous year club members have priority for membership for the New Year for the first 2 months. After that, new memberships will be taken. All members must read and sign a membership application. If you are voted out of the club for any reason you lose all rights to participate in any club function

TOURNAMENTS

Will be the weekend following the meeting. They will not be changed for any other tournament except for a Florida Federation tournament on Okeechobee. The tournament committee shall select all tournament sites and times. All decisions made by the tournament director are final. No alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted during tournament hours. If this takes place you will be dismissed from the club.

WEIGH-INS

The minimum length is 12” measured on a golden rule with mouth closed and tail pinched. There will be a 5 fish limit unless regulated by the state. If you bring an extra fish to the scales your catch will be disqualified. You may ask the tournament director for a courtesy check if you think your fish might be short. If you weigh it and do not ask for it and it is short you will lose that fish plus your largest fish. Ties that are eligible for money will result in both place money being split evenly.

PENALTIES

If you are late at weigh-ins you will be penalized 1 pound for every minute and after 15 minutes you will be disqualified. An additional 30 minutes will be allowed for a broken down boat and must be verified by tournament director. Dead fish will result in a .25 penalty. You may not cull a dead fish.

PROTESTS

Verbal protests must be given to the President or the Tournament director at the weigh in before the prizes are given out. After that the tournament is final. Un-sportsman like conduct (back boating, moving in on others) to other fisherman during the tournament if protested or observed will result in disqualification

ENTRY FEES

The clubs annual dues are $100.00.

One day: Pro= $55.00 minus 35.00 if paired with a non-boater for gas money total $20.00.

Am=$70.00 this includes your boaters gas money.

Two Day: Pro=$65.00 Minus 45.00 if paired with a non-boater for gas money total $20.00.

Am=$90.00 this includes your boaters gas money for 2 days

You can pay at the meeting or the ramp cash only. All tournament prizes are given out in cash and only cash is accepted as payment.

Pros Not in the draw at the meeting will have a choice to fish as a amateur, Bring an amateur or pay $100.00 entry fee.

Amateurs Not in the draw at the meeting will have pay an additional 20.00 to enter.

PAYOUT

$100.00 Membership fee. $15.00 sent to The Bass Federation Inc. $15.00 sent to Florida Bass Federation. $35.00 to FLW

$35.00 per member goes into the general account.

Tournament entry fee payout is as follows.

$1.00 A.O.T.Y.

$5.00 to the club general account.

Pro entry fee one day $55.00 49.00 per person paid out. 44.00+5.00 big fish

Pro entry fee two day $65.00 54.00 per person paid out. 44.00+10.00 big fish

Am entry fee one day $35.00 29.00 per person paid out. 24.00+5.00 big fish

Am entry fee two day $45.00 34.00 per person paid out. 24.00+10.00 big fish

FEDERATION 2-3-4-6 RULE

You must fish at least 2 club tournaments to be included in the draw for guaranteed boater status for the Feb. qualifier. You must fish at least 3 club tournaments to be included in the draw for guaranteed boater status for the March qualifier. You must fish at least 4 club tournaments to be included in the draw for guaranteed boater status for the May qualifier. Boaters who did not have a guaranteed status in the 1st qualifier will have priority in the next one as long as they meet the 2-3-4-6 rules. To be eligible for guaranteed boater in the State Championship you must fish at least 6 club tournaments. Anyone that does not meet these requirements can still fish in the federation but has the chance not be a Guaranteed boater.

POINTS

Meetings will be worth 5 points each. Members that live outside of palm beach county will be able to call Scott' cell phone (561) 308-4785 or Mikes Nextel 158*48974*2 between 7-8 pm on the night of the meeting to receive there 5 points. All tournament points will be split based on boater and non-boater status. Tournament points will be 100 points for 1st place, 98 for 2nd ECT, minus 2 point for every place. All ties are split points. If you fish and zero you will receive 25 points. We will drop 4 tournaments for the year and your total points at the end of the year will be determined from your best 8. All other points for meetings and events will be kept as well as big fish points. In the event of a Federation tournament falling on our club tournament date, Outside of Okeechobee or Toho and you fish in it. You will be awarded 2 points under the last place weighed in that tournament you missed. Big fish will also get 5 points.

PAIRINGS

Pros and amateurs will be paired at the meeting by random on computer. The computer program keeps a pairing history in order to try to pair as equal as possible. The pairing is official and you may fish with the same partner again. If you are in the draw and do not show up that morning or do not call Scott=s cell phone (561) 308-4785 prior to the tournament to cancel before 6pm the night before the tournament. You will be required to pay entry fees and/or hotel fees if the room cannot be changed or canceled. Club members have the right to fish before non-members. When amateurs out number the Pros, the pros that agree to take more then one partner will be drawn. When the pros out number the amateurs they have the option to pair with another pro who has not been drawn, bring a guest or fish alone. The boater has the say over the amateur as to where they are fishing. Amateurs are not limited to where they can or cannot cast.

AMATEURS

All amateurs must be responsible for bringing there own life jackets and any other personal items with them. (Drinks, food, rain suit)

GUESTS

A pro can bring a guest to fish as long as there are enough pros in the draw for the club members. The club president must be informed that a guest is coming and in the order of when the president is told, is the order of being able to bring a guest. A guest can only fish one time per year. If they want to fish again they must join and their points will be included for year to date. A member can bring a maximum of 3 guests per year. A amateur may bring guests also. All guests are subjected to the amount of available boats and members come before guests in the event there is a shortage of boats.

ETIQUETTE

Be a good sport, don=t interfere with anyone=s fishing spot or do anything that would create tension among the others. Stay at least casting distance from other boats unless given permission by the other party. Please do everything to keep your catch alive. Do not forget to have a great time and remember this is a club.

CLASSIC

The top 4 pros and top 4 amateurs, Determined by points. Will advance to the year-end classic. You must also have at least 30 meeting points as well as working an environmental or kids event. You must fish at least 8 tournaments or 2/3rd of the time you have been a member but No less then 3. If you do not meet all of the requirements the person next in line will move up. 1 wild card Pro and Am will be drawn from people that have met these requirements but did not make the top 4.

BOAT AND MOTOR

Minimum length 17ft. Life jacket and kill switch must be worn when boat is on plane. Live wells must be in working order with aerators. All boats must be equipped with Coast Guard safety equipment. The tournament director may inspect boats prior Too launch and is subject to disqualification if not equipped. No over powered boats. Pros are required to bring enough ice and cooler room for amateur or let them know in advance to bring there own.

CELL PHONE AND RADIO COMMUNICATION

Communication during club tournaments is allowed for any reason.

TACKLE

Rod and reel with any pound test line. Only one rod in use at a time. No live bait or trolling