Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation - bass fishing

Tournament Rules

Tournament Application | Tournament Schedule | Tournament Rules | 2 Day Tournament | Open Tournaments | Tournament Standings | Tournament Results

Rule Changes | Media Comment, Public Attacks | Registration, Participation, and Eligibility | Refunds | Pairing if Contestants | Safety | Sportsmanship | Tackle and Equipment | Basic Boat Equipment | Boat Identification | Boat Operation and Expenses | Permitted Fishing Locations | Official Checkpoint | Scoring | Penalty Points | Late Penalty | Ties | Protect Procedure | Boat Launching | Tournament Trail Format | Qualification | Worker Fees | Payouts | Communication Devices | Anglers Check List

1. RULE CHANGES:

Rule changes are applicable to all C.B.F.N. Tournaments. Changes may be implemented by a majority vote of the C.B.F.N. Tournament Committee and subsequent approval by the C.B.F.N. Board of Directors. Interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director and committee members. Their decision shall be final in all matters unless specifically noted otherwise. These rules do not apply to the State Championship event.

Tournament Rules in PDF

2 Day Tournament Rules in PDF

2. MEDIA COMMENTS, PUBLIC ATTACKS:

The favorable public reputation of B.A.S.S. as a sanctioning organization in the sport of fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for B.A.S.S. Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from comments to the media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers or the B.A.S.S. organization. Competitors are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question the rules officials. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with B.A.S.S. and C.B.F.N. policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules officials. However, public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of B.A.S.S./C.B.F.N., B.A.S.S./C.B.F.N. officials or sponsors, shall be considered conduct unbecoming a professional and will result in disciplinary action.

3. REGISTRATION, PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:

Participation in C.B.F.N. Tournament Trail events is open to C.B.F.N. members 16 years of age or older. You must be a member in good standing with the C.B.F.N. and B.A.S.S.

(a) For all events, a properly completed and signed official application form along with the entry fee must be postmarked fifteen (15) days prior to tournament date as indicated on the tournament form. Any application postmarked after the (fifteen day) cutoff will be subject to a $25.00 late fee. All applications and fees must be received by the Tournament Director prior to the pairings for that event. It is your responsibility to get your application and fees to the Tournament Director prior to the pairings. The pairings will be held on the Sunday (one week) prior to the event. Any applications received after the pairings will not be accepted. All late fees must be paid prior to pairings. NO EXCEPTIONS.
All late fees will be deposited into the tournament trail account.

(b) When entering the first C.B.F.N. tournament of the season; If you are competing as a Boater, you must submit a copy of your boat insurance policy (declaration page, showing effective & expiration dates with a minimum of $300,000 liability) and a copy of your Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. These must be kept current and on file with the Tournament Director. Membership Eligibility with B.A.S.S. and C.B.F.N. will be checked using the online roster system. All info will be kept in your personal tournament records for the year.

(c) Non-Mothering Members - If you are a member of another state's Federation Nation, in order to fish with the C.B.F.N., you have to declare which state you are Mothering with. (Which state is your primary state organization?) This requirement has been set forth by B.A.S.S. To accomplish this you must complete a Declaration Form. (See the Tournament Director prior to event or contact the C.B.F.N. Secretary.)

If you are NOT Mothering in Connecticut, you are not be eligible to qualify for the C.B.F.N. State Team. You are not eligible to fish the C.B.F.N. State Championship - Two Day event, Mr. BASS or qualify for the State Team from the regular trail. You are allowed to compete / fish the trail, but will not be eligible for the State Team positions.

4. REFUNDS:

Refunds will be granted if the Tournament Director is notified at least 72 hours prior to the start of the tournament (less any late fees). In case of an emergency, refunds will be handled at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

5. PAIRING OF CONTESTANTS:

For all tournament trail events, computerized pairings will be conducted on the Sunday (one week) prior to tournament date. Each Co-Angler (non boater) is responsible for contacting the Angler to discuss any details for the event. It is strongly recommended that the Angler and Co-Angler try to meet at an off site location and ride together to keep down the number of vehicles at the ramp location.

6. SAFETY:

(a) Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by tournament competitors. Caution and safety on the morning starts must be observed. Each competitor must supply and wear a life vest (Coast Guard Approved PFD) properly zipped, buckled, or snapped at all times when the craft's gasoline engine is running. Tournament boats may not be powered by an engine which has a horsepower rating in excess of the boat's Coast Guard rating. The boat's "Kill Switch" must be properly affixed to the driver at all times when the gasoline engine is running.

(b) Tournament officials have the right to delay, shorten or cancel the start of the event because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather.

(c) In the event of an emergency situation, competitors should call 911 first and then notify tournament officials.

7. SPORTSMANSHIP:

Competitors in all C.B.F.N. Tournaments are expected to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Any infraction of the state rules and regulations may be deemed as cause for disqualification. “No Wake Zones” and “Speed Limits” must be observed at all times. Drunkenness by any competitor during the tournament or at the weigh-in will not be tolerated and shall be cause for immediate disqualification from this and all future tournaments. The use of illegal drugs or alcohol during the tournament (between "check in" in the morning and the closing of the scales in the afternoon) shall be considered cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a participant, which reflects unfavorably upon the C.B.F.N.’s effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, shall be reason for immediate disqualification.

8. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:

Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" or "prepared bait" with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc. are permissible. Rods over 8 feet long are prohibited. Only one spinning, spin casting, or casting rod and reel may be in use at one time. All others are prohibited. Other rigs as specified above may be in the boat ready for use; however, only one wet line is allowed at any time. All bass must be caught in a conventional sporting manner. Trolling (using the gas or electric motor to move a bait) is not allowed.

9. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT:

Every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment. Each boat must have a working engine kill switch and a mechanically aerated live well in good working condition. All tournament boats must be adequately equipped, including a fishing seat for a Co-Angler (non-boating partner), and provide sufficient room for two fishermen, their equipment, and two limits of fish. The boat must be deemed adequate for the body of water being fished at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

10. BOAT IDENTIFICATION:

Each boat will be given, prior to the start a numbered flag, card or paddle which must remain with your boat until turned in at the weigh-in. This flag or card must be displayed upon the request of tournament officials and turned in at the weigh-in (refer to Rule 13).

11. BOAT OPERATION AND EXPENSES:

(a) The Angler (boater) is responsible for the entire operation and expenses of running the boat with the Angler and Co-Angler format.
(b) Any competitor who, in the judgment of the officials, operates the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his/her partner shall be disqualified.

12. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:

During the tournament, fishing on the tournament waters is permitted anywhere except within 50 yards of another competitor’s boat, which was first anchored or secured in a fixed position with trolling motor out of the water. All such boats are required to advise any other competitor when such boat believes the competitor is close to being within the 50-yard radius. No such boat shall permit selected competitors to fish within the 50-yard circle claimed by him/her to the exclusion of any other competitor. All angling must be done from the boat. Competitors wishing to change the habitat by placing any object in the tournament waters may do so if such action does not violate state or federal regulations. Contestants must not depart the boat to land a fish. Boats must remain in tournament waters during the tournament day. Contestants must depart from and return to the official checkpoint by boat. Both contestants (if paired) must remain in the boat at all times except in the event of a dire emergency. In the event of an emergency, and at all other times, partners must remain together, in sight of each other and each other's catch under the conditions cited above in order for their catch to be scored in the tournament.

13. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT:

There will be only one official location for the morning check-out and afternoon check-in.

(a) Morning check-out: All anglers shall check-in with the check-in table prior to 6:00 a.m. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with the rules set forth in these tournament regulations. Boats must be in the water prior to 6:30 a.m. to allow sufficient time for the tournament committee to launch.

(b) Afternoon check-in: All boats shall identify themselves by means of the numbered flag, card or paddle to the “Check-in Boat” and then proceed immediately to the designated weigh-in area.

Partners must stay together until their catch is weighed and verified. The Co-Angler (non-boater) is required to stay with the Angler (boater) until the boat is secured on the trailer or the Angler releases him. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. All fish must be brought to the scales in official weigh-in bags, which will be provided by tournament officials. All competitors are required to check-in and turn in their numbered flag, card or paddle regardless of whether or not they have caught fish. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

14. SCORING:

Tournament standings, auxiliary awards, and final winners shall be determined by the weight of each competitor's catch during the tournament. Weights will be measured in 1/100 of pound increments. Only largemouth and smallmouth bass will be weighed. The limit shall be five of the above species. All competitors are bound by the prevailing statues and regulations of the state. At no time shall a competitor have in their possession more than the limits described above and Tournament officials will conduct checks for violations of this provision. In the event a competitor is found to have more than the above-described limits in their possession, then they shall cull the largest bass first, down to the limit prescribed. Only Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass which measure (twelve) 12 inches or more in length on the longest straight line should be presented for weigh-in. However, a courtesy measurement is available upon request by the contestant before he/she presents fish for weigh-in. Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to measure 12 inches, shall disqualify the competitor. Any bass, which appears to be mangled, mashed or otherwise altered, will be weighed and credited only at the discretion of tournament officials. After the competitor has delivered their catch to the weigh-master, they may not touch said catch until the weigh-in is completed. Bass may not be stringered at any time during the tournament or weigh-in. No Dead fish may be weighed for the lunker fish.

15. PENALTY POINTS:

For each dead fish brought to the scales there will be a .50 (8 oz.) penalty taken from the total weight of the competitors catch. THE CULLING OF DEAD FISH IS PROHIBITED IN ALL CBFN EVENTS. ALL DEAD FISH MUST BE WEIGHED IN. No Dead fish may be weighed for the lunker fish.

16. LATE PENALTY:

Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area as described in Rule 13 at the appointed time shall be penalized .50 (8 oz.) from their total weight for every minute they are late. This will include any weight to be counted toward a "lunker award". Any competitor more than fifteen minutes late shall lose all credit for that day's catch. There shall be no excuse for tardiness, and in no case, shall a competitor be allowed to make up "lost time". After proper recognition at the checkpoint, competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site; however, all fishing must cease upon check-in. After commencement of a tournament, fishing is prohibited except during tournament hours. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced.

17. TIES:

Ties will be broken in the following manner:
       1. By weight of the largest fish.
       2. By total number of fish.
       3. By a flip of a coin.

18. PROTEST PROCEDURE:

Protests must be brought to the attention of the TD or their designated representative prior to completion of the weigh-in on the tournament day. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Committee may impose such sanctions, as it deems appropriate.

19. BOAT LAUNCHING:

All boats shall be in the water and ready to leave one-half hour prior to the start time of the tournament. Boats not in the water by the specified time will not be allowed to launch until the last boat has taken off. Official time and special rules (if any) will be at the check-in table. Tournament departure will be by boat number. YOU MUST LAUNCH FROM ASSIGNED LAUNCH SITES !! This will be posted on The Members Forum prior to each Tournament.

20. TOURNAMENT TRAIL FORMAT:

A. The tournament trail will be an Angler/Co-Angler format. The Angler position (boater) will pay a $50.00 entry fee and the Co-Angler position (non-boater) will pay a $25.00 entry fee. The lunker fee is not optional and is included in each entry fee. The sum of $2.00 will be taken from each entry fee to cover tournament expenses. The standings will be based on the following points system; in each regular trail event the individual competitor who finishes in first place will receive 300 points. For each place below first, the points will drop in 2 point increments down to the lowest weight. All contestants who do not catch a fish will receive 50 points less than the individual with the lowest recorded weight. There will be no drop tournament. All anglers must enter a blind draw and there will be no club pre-pairings. Open boats will be allowed if not paired. The non-boater is not required to reimburse the boater for gas.

B. The top two (2) anglers from the Year end Pro Trail results will become members of the State Team. 1st Place Pro Angler will become Boater #5 and 2nd Place Pro Angler will become 1st Alternate Boater, position #7.

21. QUALIFICATION:

The top thirty (30) point anglers in each division of the final Year-end standings will qualify for the CBFN Classic and State Championship. These qualifying Anglers are in addition to the 50% participating from each club in the State Championship.

22. WORKER FEES:

One person will be paid $100 per event for the position of Trailer Hauler to cover fuel and wear and tear on their vehicle. This individual will be responsible for the safe delivery and return of the trailer during the above state events. One photographer may be paid up to $50 per event.

23. PAYOUTS:

After the lunker fees and worker expenses are deducted, 20% of the gross monies will be deducted from each division (Angler and Co-Angler) and allocated to the Classic pool. Tournament payments will then be determined by a computer program so all applicable monies are distributed to 10% of the field in both the Angler and Co-Angler divisions.

24. COMMUNICATION DEVICES:

During the tournament, a competitor must NOT use a CB radio, a VHF marine band-radio, a cellular phone, or any other type of communication device for the purpose of locating and/or catching fish. Cellular phones and other communication devises shall only be used in the case of an emergency or to contact the tournament officials. Any competitor witnessed using a communication devise for reasons other than those stated above may be subject to disqualification.

ANGLERS CHECK LIST

1. Applications must be post marked 15 days prior to event. Refer to Rule #3

2. Pairings list with the contact information will be posted on the Message Board. If you have not registered for the Message Board you will need to do so. Or you can obtain view only access by contacting your Federation Rep or one of the Tournament Officials.

3. Co-Angler – responsible for contacting the Angler once pairings are posted, prior to the day of the event. The morning of the event is not the time to be making first contact with your partner. Refer to Rule #5

4. Co-Angler – must bring a Coast Guard approved Life Jacket. Refer to Rule #6

5. Angler (Boater) – must provide a seat for Co-Angler. Refer to Rule #9

6. Angler (Boater) – must ensure all equipment is in good working condition. (live wells, running lights, pumps, kill switch, etc..) Refer to Rule #6 & 9

7. Angler and Co-Angler – must be checked in with Tournament Officials prior to 6:00 a.m. Boats must be in the water by 6:30 a.m. Refer to Rule #13 & 19.

Boats that are not in the water by 6:30 a.m., will not be allowed to launch until the last boat has taken off. Official time and special rules (if any) will be at the check-in table. Tournament departure will be by boat number. Refer to Rule #19.

© 2009 Connecticut Bass Federation
Membership - Carl Pedersen: ctbassclubs@cox.net
Sponsorship - Bob Nelson: cbfnsponsorship@yahoo.com