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Rules

Howmet Bassmasters 2008

Rules and Information

 

 

A) TOURNAMENT RULES

 

  • Only largemouth and small mouth bass at a minimum length of 12 inches are allowed to be weighed.
        • Note: 1 When fishing North Carolina waters, local game laws are to be observed. While fishing Lake Kerr, Carolina rules must be observed. (2 fish per person no less than 12 inches balance must be 14 inches or larger)
        • Note: 2 When fishing Chowan River “ALL” bass must be at least 14-inch minimum.
  • Only those fish caught the day of the tournament, during official tournament hours, in the designated body of water can be weighed.
  • Only fish caught by the 2 occupants in the same boat may be weighed.
  • The only grace period for the weigh-in deadline will be an emergency situation of helping a distressed boat or being towed. Club officers are obligated to investigate the situation should one arise. All other situations resulting in a late weigh-in will result in disqualification exception as not in a penalty section.
  • Fishing alone is allowed (except for visitors).
  • If for any reason a team is disqualified at a tournament, the team is ineligible to receive any cash prize or weight for that tournament.
  • Only artificial baits are allowed.
  • A total of seven bass per team or five bass for an individual may be weighed in. To bring in more than the daily creel will result in a disqualification.
  • All paid entrants are entitled to any prize money for which they qualify.
  • It is the intent of the club officials that all tournaments proceed as scheduled. However, a tournament may be delayed due to poor visibility at the scheduled time to start. If this situation arises, the weigh-in time will be adjusted accordingly. A tournament will only be canceled or rescheduled due to adverse weather.
  • All boats are required to have an aerated live well. All fish must be released at the tournament site, except for VA Citation. All boats must comply with any Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries and Coast Guard rules.
  • Littering (worms, line, cans, paper, etc.) is prohibited and disciplinary action will be taken if you are reported. This may lead to membership termination for the remainder of the year.
  • All ties will be broken as follows:
    • The team with the greater number of fish will receive the higher place.
    • If the teams involved have the same number of fish, that team with the largest fish will receive the higher place.
    • A tie for the tournament big fish will result in the money being split equally between the anglers involved and both will receive a trophy.
  • Visitors are allowed to fish only two tournaments, visitors fee is $5.00 extra plus 
  •     Tournament fees.
  • No Trolling for fish allowed
  • 16. U.S.C.G. approved personal floatation devises must be worn at blastoff on all
  •    “Unlimited Horsepower” bodies of water.
  • All boaters not attending “Weigh In” or leaving a tournament early must notify an
  • Official.

 

B) PENALTIES

 

  • An eight-ounce per dead fish penalty will be deducted from the total weight of the angler bringing in dead fish. This also applies to the big fish weight.
  • Any fish brought to the weigh-in that does not meet the minimum length required will result in the loss of the short fish plus an eight-ounce penalty.
  • Anglers will be assessed a 1 pound penalty for each minute late for up to 5 minutes. After 5 minutes the late anglers will be disqualified.
  • Note: To avoid late penalties, you must be within 50 yards of the boat
  •   ramp by the time specified on the schedule (the end of the
  •   Tournament).
  • C) TOURNAMENT FEES AND PAYOUT

 

  • Due to the problems of collecting money for each Tournament, the Club Officers can be paid by either of these methods.
  • Prepay – Pay for the next tournament at the previous tournament.
        • Make payment in ¼ installments.
        • Pay in full for the full yr.
        • Money must be turned in by Wednesday before the tournament date.
  • All tournaments cost are $10.00/person per tournament and optional Big Fish of      $5.00/person. Both team members must enter to be eligible.
      • Children 12 yrs. of age and younger fish for free with the exception of $5.00 Big Fish
      • Payout of Big Fish & Entry fee money will be as follows:
      • Big fish 100% of money collected
  •              First prize 50% of entry fees
  •            Second prize 30% of entry fees
  •             Third prize 20% of entry fees
  • It is the member’s responsibility to pay the entry fee to a club official.
  • Once Money is paid for a tournament the money is forfeit if member fails to show (no call ins).
  • D) WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE

 

  • As a courtesy, the club officers request that the members waiting to trailer boats yield the ramp to those officers involved in weigh-in. The officers may have fish to get ready for weigh-in as well. Yielding the ramp to them will help to conduct the proceeding in an efficient and expedient manner.
  • A courtesy measure board is available for use by the angler. Culling must be done prior to coming to the scales, See section A item 8.
  • Only one team at a time will be allowed at the scales.

 

  • All fish brought to weigh-in must be in an official Howmet weigh-in bag. No fish will be weigh-in unless brought to the scales in the official Howmet weigh-in bag.
    • Note: The record book will be off limits to all participants until all prizes have been awarded. The book will then be available for examination to anyone who wishes to do so.
  • E) SCORE KEEPING AND AWARDS

 

  • Team standings will be kept by a point system. Points are awarded base on their finish determined by total weight. The point system will start with a number equal to the number of members divided by 2 and 1 point deducted for each descending finish place. (i.e. 20 members divided by 2 equal 10. 10 points for 1st place, 9 points for 2nd, 8 points for 3rd, etc) Teams must weigh fish to be awarded any points.  The cumulative points of team’s best eight tournaments will be used to determine the team of the year.
  • At the end of the season, trophies will be given out for the following achievement. Visitors are not eligible for these awards. All weights consist of the highest eight Tournament weigh-in’s.
    • 1 trophy for the largest fish of the year. Awarded to the angler who weighs in the largest fish during a club tournament.
    • 2 trophies for team of the year. Awarded to the team having the highest total weight.
    • 2 trophies for largest stringer of the year. Awarded to the team with the largest total stringer during a club tournament.

 

F) CLASSIC

 

  • At the end of the season, a Howmet Bassmasters Classic will take place. It will be open to club members only, and will be a team tournament. The balance of the club treasury will be awarded at this tournament as well as trophies. The only qualification is to have paid the entry fee for at least six regular season tournaments at the time of the tournaments. Payout will consist of a minimum of 5 places or $50.00. Details will be posted in the plant prior to the tournament.
  • Classic Distribution:
  • 1st----------25%
  • 2nd----------20%
  • 3rd----------15%
  • 4th----------10%
  • 5th-10th-----5%

 

G) MEMBERSHIP

 

  • Membership consists of the following:
    • Full Membership Members: Any 2005 Member on the roster and  continues to maintain membership each year after 2005. To maintain membership each member must sign up and pay dues. A two-week open period will be available after the 1st of the year tournament schedule meeting. Limited roster of 40 members will in effect for 2006.
    • Qualifying New Members: Members who do not meet the requirements of “A” are considered being “Qualifying Members”. In order to qualify for “Full Membership “ one must maintain membership for one year. Upon completion of year, the Club will consider “Full Membership”. Consideration will be based on the following criteria:
        • Sportsmanship and Conduct
        • 50 Percent Level of Participation
        • A Vote of Confidence by 90% Full Members attending 1st yr. tournament schedule meeting.
  •    c. A Qualifying Member can be asked to leave the club anytime during the year. This requires a 90% vote of NO Confidence by Full Members.

H) CLUB  OFFICERS

 

    • 1. Five Club Officers will be elected each year at the Awards Banquet/Ceremony.

 

I) SCHEDULE FORMAT

 

   1.Each year the Tournament schedule will have a format of 5ea. (Limited motor)    

Lakes/(Unlimited motor) Lake or Rivers.

 

  • A ¾ Major vote is required to change the Format of the # Lakes / rivers fished.     During 1st of the year tournament schedule meeting.

      NOTE: ¾ Major is of members present at meeting.