1. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall belong exclusively to the Tournament Director. In the event of a “rules violation”, the Tournament Director (TD) may impose such sanctions as he/she deems appropriate, without limitations to include forfeiture of prizes and prohibiting participation in subsequent events/tournaments.
Any and all protests must be submitted in writing NLT 30 minutes after the last fish is weighed in and prior to the awards presentation. The decision of the TD and or the Tournament Committee shall be final in all matters.
 
2. Participation
Tournaments are open to members who are 16 years of age or older and are “active” members of Florida Bass Federation affiliated clubs and are in good standing. 16 and 17 year old contestants must have a signed release of liability from a parent or legal guardian and completed boater safety course documentation. During the competition days of any FBF tournament, no contestant may operate a boat unless that contestant has submitted documented proof of a MINIMUM of $300,000.00 boating liability insurance to the TD and is 18 years of age or older. This documentation must show your name, an effective date, expiration date and must be received by the TD on or prior to registration on Friday prior to the first tournament fished, and may be sent via email to the TD. If using a boat other than your own, you must attach an insurance certificate, including a “rider’ naming you as “ALSO INSURED,” for that boat. Any angler who, is handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his/her partner or endanger the safety and well- being of partner or themselves shall not be eligible to participate. A properly completed and signed “official entry form” must be received by the TD prior to 6PM on registration day (Friday prior to event).The TD reserves the right to refuse entries prior to the deadline or extend deadline for mail in entries. Observers may be used as a guarantee.  If no guarantee is available you may register as a boater for the tournament, but you will be paired with a non-boater or observer if possible. No one will fish both days alone. No one is guaranteed to fish alone.
 
3. Pre-Tournament Practice
Practice time will cease at 4:00 pm on the Friday prior to the tournament.  
 
4. Registration
Each competitor or their representative MUST register in person with the TD or their representative at the time and place prescribed on the schedule of events. Failure to register during the prescribed time will prohibit your fishing the tournament and forfeiture of entry fee. Times and locations may be obtained from the TD.
Boaters may guarantee the use of their boat by submitting a Non-Boater entry with their own (same envelope if possible). The entry form must be filled out completely to include the amount and check number. Credit card entries will be completed on the Florida Bass Federation web site and a copy will be automatically forwarded to the TD. Credit card entries will not be accepted at the pairings meeting.

5. Safety
Safe boat operation and conduct procedures must be observed at all times by tournament competitors. During the tournament each/all competitors are required to wear a Coast Guard approved Chest-type life preserver/flotation device. This device must strapped, snapped or zipped securely any time the combustion engine is running, to include loading and unloading from the trailer. It may be removed during the tournament when the fishing location is reached and engine shut off. Those wearing the SOSPENDER TYPE device must be aware of the specific STATE LAWS governing /restricting the wear/use of these devices while on the water and participating in a FLORIDA BASS FEDERATION INC. event. THE TD HAS THE RIGHT TO DELAY OR CANCEL THE START OF AN OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT DAY DUE TO WEATHER OR ANY OTHER FACTOR THAT WOULD ENDANGER THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE TOURNAMENT.
 
6. Sportsmanship
Each and every competitor in Florida Bass Federation Inc. tournaments is expected to follow and demonstrate high standards of conduct pertaining to sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Infractions of these principles may be deemed as cause for punitive actions by TD. It is imperative that extreme courtesy is observed while boating or fishing in the vicinity of others that are not competing in the tournament. Any act  which reflects unfavorably on the FLORIDA BASS FEDERATION’S efforts to promote conservation, clean waters and good will to those not competing in the tournament, may be grounds for disqualification from that event as well as future events. NO SHOW’S at the tournament site after completion of the pairings meeting will be viewed as a violation of the sportsmanship policy and dealt with as necessary. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those prescribed to you by a physician) during the tournament hours and pre-tournament meeting is absolutely prohibited and violation of this policy will result in disqualification from that tournament and all other tournaments of the Florida Bass Federation. No alcoholic beverages, stimulants, depressants or otherwise will be allowed in boats or weigh in areas during the official practice or tournament hours.
Substance abuse or addiction, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon the Florida Bass Federation Inc. Petitions may be submitted to the FBF Board Directors to entertain extenuating circumstances etc. for possible reinstatement of a suspension and or disqualification.
 
7. Tackle
Only artificial lures may be used. No “live bait” or “prepared bait” will be permitted, the exception being pork strips, rinds etc. Only one (1) rod and reel may be used at any time ( spin cast-spinning or bait caster) and may not exceed 8feet in length measured from the end of the butt to the tip of rod. Others may be in boat ready for use but only one (1) may be used at any given time. All Bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner. Anyone guilty of “snagging’ or snatching fish on spawning beds will have that days catch/weight disqualified from the tournament. When sight fishing for bedding bass, all bass must be hooked inside of the mouth and this must be verified by the partner in the boat before the hook is removed and the fish entered into your daily catch. The use of grippers in landing/boating bass is prohibited.
 
8. Horsepower Regulation
250 horsepower is the maximum size engine allowed in any tournament competition of the FBF. Outboard engines will not exceed the US Coast Guard rating established for the boat on the “rating plate” attached to the hull by the manufacturer. Any boat manufactured prior to November 1972 must adhere to the rating established by the US Coast Guard for similar boats. Each competitor agrees by his signature on the “entry Form”, to an inspection of their boat and/or motor is for any reason suspected to be exceed the legal limits. This inspection will be performed by factory trained personnel. Normal maintenance to increase/maintain the performance of your boat is allowed, but changing or altering standard factory parts of the motor to increase horsepower beyond the factory rating is prohibited. This may result in expulsion from the tournament.
 
9. Boat and Motor
All boats used in tournament must have an operable ignition “kill” switch. This device must be attached to the driver’s body anytime the combustion engine is operating. There must be a driver “in “the driver’s seat and in control of the boat anytime the combustion engine is operating. Only boats exceeding 17 feet in length may be used. Any raised platform or deck cannot be higher than the gunnels of the boat to include poling platforms and all rigging. An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering the boat, however trolling as a method of fishing utilizing the combustion engine is prohibited. Bladder tanks and any other fuel tanks not installed by the manufacturer are prohibited. Additional tanks offered as optional equipment and installed by a manufacturers authorized dealer are legal. Boats that do not have factory installed fuel tanks are restricted during the tournament NO portable fuel tanks may be utilized. No “barges” or similar cumbersome craft will be permitted. No boat equipped with “stick steering” will be allowed during the tournament. Tournament boats must be capable of reaching of all tournament waters and returning in reasonable time as to not handicap any contestant. The TD will have the solely have the responsibility to make the determination of the adequacy. Any competitor answering affirmatively the entry form question, “will you have a boat available” is expected to make that boat available for use by himself and another competitor, if requested by the TD. Those answering “no” will be presumed to not have boat and be paired with another person that does. It is the responsibility of the two anglers to discuss boat usage and the sharing of operational expenses. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached then the TD will make the decision and it shall be binding.
 
10. Basic Boat Equipment
Each boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment. In addition it must have functional bilge pump and live well system capable of aeration to keep a limit catch of bass alive for both competitors using the boat. The decision of proper size and aeration is the responsibility of the TD
 
11. Boat Identification
Each boat must receive, prior to each day’ start a numbered “chip” which must remain in possession of the boater at all times. This “chip” must be turned in at the designated check in time and location, to the designated check in person.
 
12. Boat Operation and Expense
A discussion between the two anglers prior to a morning departure as to possible fishing locations for that day’s competition should be held. Not withholding that the boater has final decision. FBF suggests that the non- boater share fuel expenses with their boater(s) to help offset the high cost of boat operation.
 
13. Permitted Fishing Locations
Tournament waters shall be established by the TD for each tournament. This information must be obtained from the TD. Prohibited waters will include 50 yards or of any marina’s gas pumps, any area declared OFF LIMITS by State or Federal Laws or regulation and the area around the “live release area”, as established by the TD. Fishing around another competitor’s boat which was first anchored or secured in a fixed position with the trolling motor in the stowed position, is prohibited within 50 yards of that boat. The anchored boat shall not allow “select boats” to fish within the claimed area, while excluding other competitors. Only that water open to public fishing will be considered tournament waters. All angling must be done from the boat. Competitors wishing to change the fish habitat may do so if this action does not violate any state or federal regulations.
 
14. Contestants must remain in boat
Competitors/anglers may not leave the boat to land any fish. Competitors must leave and return to the official check in sight by boat. Boats must remain in tournament waters during the tournament days. Both competitors must remain in the boat at all times except in case of dire emergency or nature calls. If a boat becomes disabled one or both competitors may be removed from their boat, to the boat of another competitor or rescue boat and returned immediately to the weigh in site. Should one competitor choose to remain with the boat, the fish of both anglers may be placed in the rescue boat, under the scrutiny of the rescue boat occupants, and transported to the weigh in site. The competitor remaining with the disabled boat waives his right to protest his/her weight. All competitors/anglers involved in the rescue must cease fishing at this point and their catch verified by a tournament official in order to be counted as part of the tournament. If the emergency situation is resolved and sufficient time remains, a rescued anglers may resume fishing to complete their limit.. This applies only to dire emergencies situations. Failure to render assistance in an emergency (competitor boat break down), when requested, may be cause for disqualification as determined by the TD. Trailering of boats during the tournament hours is prohibited, unless directed by TD.
 
15. Official Checkpoint
There will be only one (1) official point/location for check out in the morning and check in   in the afternoon. These locations will be designated and made known during the tournament briefing. At time out, all competitors and their boats will be in full conformance with all rules set forth by the TD. When returning/checking in all will identify themselves by boat number and return their numbered chip, (check in is defined as turning in your chip to tournament official at designated location), then proceed to the weigh in area. Partners must stay within sight of one another until their fish have been weighed and weigh slips turned in. Anglers remember to get your copy of weigh slip. You must check in (turn in boat chip) whether you have any fish to weigh or not. Your boat must remain in water until your fish are weighed or your chip turned in, unless direction is given by the TD to trailer your boat and then weigh your catch..
 
16. Scoring
Tournament standings, awards and final winners shall be determined utilizing the pound and ounce of each fish weighed in by a competitor during the tournament. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Red Eye, Shoal, and Suwannee Bass will be weighed. The daily limit shall be five (5) bass for the boater and 5 bass for the co- angler/ non – boater, unless state law prohibits this limit. All competitors/anglers are subject/bound by the current or prevailing statutes and regulations of the State of Florida. Culling of dead fish is prohibited. Competitors/anglers will at no time have more than a legal tournament limit of fish in their live well. The official length of fish is 14 inches unless state length is less than 14 inches, then the state size length will prevail. Only bass which measure 14 inches or greater measured on an “Official Golden Rule”, with mouth closed will be weighed (unless waivers have been obtained). Short fish will result in the loss of that fish PLUS the largest fish of that competitors daily catch. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will not be weighed. It has been determined that the use of stringers decreases the chances of a bass’s survival and therefore is prohibited; bass handled in this manner will subject the competitor/angler to disqualification. Designated bags issued by the tournament officials at the holding tank area are the acceptable means of transporting your catch to the weigh in scales. Bags issued by the official staff are the only ones allowed for use.
 
17. Don’t Kill Your Catch
Each competitor/angler is expected to make every effort keep his/her catch alive, thru the use of a properly filled and aerated live well system. The use of a chemical additive, to increase the likely hood of catch survival, is recommended to aid in the conservation of fish.
 
18. Penalty Points
Each legal dead bass presented to weigh officials will result in a four (4) (-.25) ounce loss from overall weight from his/her daily weight. The TD or their designated person has the sole responsibility/ authority for assessing penalty points. CULLING OF DEAD FISH IS NOT PERMITTED.
 
19. Late Penalty
Competitors/anglers that are not in the official check point area, as designated by the TD in Rule 15, at the appointed time will be penalized at the rate of one (1) pound per minute late. This will be deducted from his/her daily weight, this includes Big Bass. Any competitor more than fifteen (15) minutes late shall lose the total weight of that days catch. There will be no excuse for tardiness and under no circumstance will any competitor be allowed to make up “lost time”. After proper recognition and return of the chip has been completed sufficient time will be allowed to proceed to the weigh site, however all fishing must cease after check in. Once the tournament has officially commenced fishing on tournament water except during tournament hours is prohibited. The exact boat flights, start times and check in times will be announced the Tournament Briefing.
 
20. Ties
In the event of a tie for first (1st) place only, the following will be used in this order to break the tie:
      1. The individual with the largest number of legal fish weighed in during the competition
      2. The individual with the largest number of legal live fish weighed in during competition
       3. The individual with the heaviest single bass weighed in during the competition
 
      In the unlikely event that a tie still exists after the above is completed then it will be decided by a coin toss, to determine the winner. The prize monies if applicable will be split equally between the competitors. Ties for lessor positions will be resolved by a means selected by the TD.
 
21. Pairing of Contestants/Anglers
Two contestants/anglers will be randomly paired by computer to each boat. The announcement of partners will be made at the tournament briefing, by the TD. This briefing is a mandatory event and must be attended by all contestants or their designated representative. The TD will have the authority/ability to make changes in the best interests of the Florida Bass Federation. It is the responsibility of each partner to appear/meet at a mutually agreed on location with sufficient time remaining to complete check in and launch prior to start time. The exception to this the angler who utilized a representative in lieu of their attending the “registration and pairings meeting”, he/she must personally meet with the TD to verify his/her presence to compete. Tournament Officials are not responsible or obligated to assist any angler in the finding of a missing partner. No competitor/angler shall let his/her fish be used in the scoring of another angler/competitor.
 
22. All Contestants
Will obey all applicable rules, statutes and regulations pertaining to Florida Boating, and Fresh Water and Game Commission. Violations could result in “fines” and disqualification from that tournament. Repeated or flagrant violations could result in angler being “banned” from all Florida Bass Federation Inc. tournaments.
 
23. Tournament Officials
None of the rules prohibit a properly designated tournament official from approaching or boarding a competitor’s boat at any time during competition days. Any violation of these rules may result in disqualification and further action by FBF officials.