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1. RULE CHANGES: The following rules will remain unchanged throughout the event. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions, as he deems appropriate, including without limitation, disqualification, and forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decision of the Tournament Director and tournament officials shall be final in all matters. It is at the Tournament Director's discretion to make a change where safety of the contestants is a concern. All Federal, State and Local laws must be obeyed and it is the contestant's responsibility to know these laws. All contestants must read and sign the entry form. Your signature will constitute a certification that the contestant has read and understands the rules and entry form participant's agreement, release and acknowledgment of risk. All applications for entry in the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament, determinations of winners and rights to awards and prizes and interpretation of all rules are subject to the sole approval and discretion of the Tournament officials. DECISIONS BY THE TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS ARE FINAL.
2. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation in the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament will be open to all persons. Contestants must have a valid Texas Fishing License (unless exempt) and another form of identification, as required by law, on their person. However, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult with written parental permission. All fishing must be done from a boat and you must pay the registration fee prior to competing in the event.
3. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS: At no time during tournament hours are any alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than prescription drugs) allowed in the boat or may be consumed while on the water. Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all entry fees. If you think you may qualify for cash or prizes, do not consume alcohol or drugs until all polygraphs are completed.
4. SPORTSMANSHIP: All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any contestant, who displays poor sportsmanship or violates these rules or any State or Local laws or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing, will be disqualified.
5. BOATS & MOTORS: There is no horsepower limit; however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which it is used. All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have an operational shut off device. All boats must have an aerated livewell. Extra gas tanks must be secured and meet U.S. Coast Guard specifications.
6. SAFETY: Boating safety must be observed at all times. All life vests must be Coast Guard approved and must be on and fastened any time the combustible engine is operative and the shut off device must be attached to the driver. In case of an emergency or mechanical breakdown, contestants may take their catch, get into another contestant's boat and return to the weigh-in site.
7. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught in a legal sporting manner. Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. No trolling is permitted with main engine. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait is permitted, with the exception of pork rinds. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat and ready for use; however, every cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is made. Rods may not exceed eight feet (8') in length. The use of electronic tracking devices is not allowed.
8. PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes of the final weigh-in.
9. POLYGRAPH: All contestants, winners and non-winners, are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to submit to a polygraph test will result in immediate disqualification. Any contestant who has failed a polygraph test in connection with any bass tournament for cheating will not be eligible to compete in the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament. A contestant must submit to and successfully complete a polygraph test to be eligible to be awarded cash or prizes.
10. SCORING: Only largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass (Black bass) will be weighed in. There is a 14" minimum length and all fish must be alive. "Check-it Stik" is the official measuring stik of the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament. This is a Big Bass (one bass) Tournament. Tournament standings will be determined by the heaviest bass for payback. In case of a first place tie or second place tie, the fish that was weighed in first will be awarded top prize. All other ties will be decided by a flip of a coin. In case of a tie during hourly weigh-ins, the cash prizes will be combined and split between the two anglers. All bass caught by contestants fishing together will be disqualified if any of the said contestants are found to be in violation of any Tournament Rules and Regulations. Contestants must keep his or her bass separate from another contestant's bass. No more than three (3) bass per contestant is allowed in the boat at any one time. Contestant may weigh one fish per hour for hourly prizes. Only contestant's largest fish will be counted in top 40. The fish must be weighed in and entered by the contestant who caught the fish.
11. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: Fishing is restricted to the navigable waters of Lake Sam Rayburn. All fishing must be done from a boat. Contestants cannot leave boat to land fish. No tube or wade fishing is allowed. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another tournament boat without that boat's permission. Only contestants may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Having a non-contestant sit on a hole for you will not be tolerated. Navigable waters are the only waters to be fished during the tournament. Contestants must be able to drive the boat into the fishing area without getting out of the boat.
12. TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: David Concienne, (409)727-8941.
13. REGISTRATION: (see Participant Agreement)
14. FISHING HOURS: Start is 6:00 a.m. You must be in weigh-in line by 2:00 p.m. You may be on the lake beginning at 4:00 a.m., but no casting until 6:00 a.m. Late arrivals will not be eligible to weigh fish. The Tournament Director keeps official time. Tune your radio to KJCS 103.3 for official start and hourly updates. The first official hourly weigh-in will be between the 7 & 8 a.m. hour. Anglers weighing in bass will be required to have their boat with them at weigh-in site. Trailering fish to weigh-in site will be allowed.
15. OFF LIMITS: The lake will be off limits beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 25th until 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26th.
16. ENTRY FEE: Entry fee is $100 per person. Ten dollars ($10) of this entry fee is a voluntary contribution to Children's Miracle Network, Netcasters Youth Ministries, The Garth House, Boys & Girls Haven, and the Humane Society. Federal law requires that all entry fee money, above expenses, must be returned in the form of cash and/or prizes. The tournament will be held regardless of weather conditions and there will be no refunds of entry fees. Use extreme caution if adverse weather conditions exist.
17. CONSERVATION: This is a primary concern of the Tracy Byrd Big Bass Tournament. Adequate livewells are mandatory on each boat and must provide aeration to maintain fish in good condition, as every effort will be made to release as many live, releasable fish as possible following weigh-in.
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