Fall Tournament Rules and Regulations
• Safe boating must be
observed at all times. Life jackets must be worn any time the gas engine is
running. At the discretion of the Tournament Directors, tournament days may be
shortened, postponed, or cancelled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed during fishing hours.
• Invasive species
notice: It is each angler/boaters’ responsibility to abide by all DNR
regulations intended to prevent the spread of invasive species.
• Inclement weather
notice: Tournament director has authority to cancel, quit early with weigh in,
or to continue with tournament as scheduled, at any time due to inclement
weather that the director deems unsafe. It is the participants’ responsibility
to call tournament director to check status of tournament. If tournament is called
early with weigh in and team is not present it is considered forfeit. It is
boaters’ responsibility for their own safety.
• All boats must be a
minimum of 16 feet in length with a properly aerated live-well space to
maintain a live tournament limit of bass. Each boat must have all required U.S.
Coast Guard safety equipment. All tournament boats must be cleaned of all
harmful exotic aquatic plants, including milfoil and zebra mussels prior to entering
the tournament waters. Live wells may be checked at any time by a Tournament
Director.
• Tournaments will be
limited to 50 boats.
• Entry Fees will be
non-refundable if tournament director is not notified of team not attending 10
days prior to tournament.
• Persons under the age
of 16 must fish with a parent or guardian. Persons under age of 18 are required
to have parent or guardian also sign entry form.
• Boat draw will be
drawn five days before the tournament. All entries paid after boat draw will be
moved to end in order they were received.
• Bass must be caught
in a conventional sporting manner. Only artificial lures may be used, with the
exception of pork trailers. All Minnesota fishing regulations apply. Landing
nets are permitted.
• Pre-fishing off limit
starts at 8pm the day before an event.
• 5 bass limit (largemouth only) 12" minimum (mouth closed tail pinched).
• No more than 6 bass
in live wells at one time. Dead fish are included in 5 fish limit and cannot be
culled. No culling at access or weigh in.
• Fish weighed in at
under 12" will cost your team that fish and your largest fish.
• All fish will be
released after weigh-in. All boats must have a good working live well.
• Dead fish penalty
will be .25lb per dead fish weighed in. Be responsible anglers, dead fish will
happen, let’s not give tournaments bad names by releasing dead fish.
• Late to weigh in
penalty will be loss of one pound of fish for every minute late.
• Winners of tournament
are determined by highest total bag weight not to exceed 5 bass.
• Ties will be broken
by 1.) Number of bass (5 max). 2.) Weight of biggest bass. 3.) Coin flip. Except
if there is a tie for first place a fish off will ensue, for first place and
second place. The first legal bass caught will determine first place. The fish
off will take place immediately after the weigh in and will last no longer than
two hours. If no legal bass is caught within the two hours, a coin flip will
determine first place.
• Competitors must
maintain a minimum distance of 75 feet(approximately 4 boat lengths) from
another competitor unless you have their permission. You must obey all buoys
and signs on the lake. All Minnesota fishing and boating regulations apply.
• Full boat inspections
will be done the morning of the tournament.
• Tournament
director(s) decisions are final.
• Any protest made must
be presented to Tournament Director(s) prior to awarding of prizes. Any
disputes will be determined by teams three and seven. Tournaments director(s)
will rule on any impass.
• All boats must be
checked in by 7:30am the morning of the tournament.
Anglers
waiver & acknowledgement Participation Agreement:
I understand that this
is a professional sporting event governed by the rules that have been
established by tournament officials. I acknowledge that I have read and
understand these rules and that these rules relate to the safety of all
participants as well as the fair sporting conduct of this event. The Tournament
Official(s) shall act as the referee in all disputes and their decision is
based on their interpretations of the rules will be final and without legal
appeal. I understand there are never refunds for tournament entry fees. Release
of Liability: I acknowledge that I am participating voluntarily in the Granite
City Fall Invitational Bass Tournament. I agree to assume all risk of injury,
death, damages, theft and loss to personal property, which may result from my participation
in the tournament. I recognize that loss of property, injury or death could
arise from the fishing and boating activities contemplated by the tournament
and the risks normally encountered in open water fishing from a boat may be
enhanced by exposure to the elements and other risks inherent in outdoor competition.
I warrant that I am in good physical and mental health and am physically
capable of withstanding the rigors and requirements of a professional
competition.
Photo & Video Release:
I understand and agree
that any and all photographs, videos or films taken during the course of my participation
in the tournament which includes me, my name and/or my boat maybe be used by
the tournament organizers.
If completing form via printout and mail:
Make Checks Payable to Granite City Bassmasters
Mail checks to: Robert Beaman 726 8th St N Sauk Rapids, MN 56379