Bass Tournament Rules
1. The decision of the Head Tournament Director shall be final in all matters.
2. SPORTSMANSHIP:  Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship and/or violates these rules or the state fishing laws or lake rules may be disqualified.  Misconduct is a bad reflection on organized fishing.  Misconduct may be deemed as an infraction of our sportsmanship rule and is grounds for disqualification.
3. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to all property owners of Horsehead  and John Brown Lakes and any immediate family member of said property owner.  At least one partner of each team shall be at least 18 years of age or older.  A team consists of 2 anglers.
4. BOAT AND HORSEPOWER REGULATION: There is no minimum length or minimum horsepower requirements to compete.  Boats must contain a properly aerated or re-circulating livewell to maintain live fish, or any other means in which to keep fish alive.  Safe boating shall be observed at all times.  During competition, each contestant is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket anytime the combustion engine is in operation.  All boats 16 ft. or longer must have a floatation cushion on board.  It is not the responsibility of the tournament sponsor to provide assistance in on-the-water repairs or rescue at any time.  Each contestanct shall provide their own on-the-water assistance if needed.  The sponsor is not responsible to assure that all contestants have returned at the end of the tournament. 
5. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS AND TACKLE: All fish must be caught live in a conventional and sporting manner.  No foul hooked fish is permitted.  Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork rind or deer hide.
6. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: Contestants may fish anywhere accessible by boat, except areas designated as "off limits" or "no fishing".  At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a fish.  The boat must remain in tournament waters during tournament day.  Contestants must leave and return to the official check in site by boat.
7.  ENCROACHMENT: A "25 yard rule" is in effect at all times during competition.  A boat moving from one area to another area may infringe upon this zone as long as the parties that are moving do not fish and do not intentionally disrupt this area. As a general rule of sportsmanship, all anglers should give all others enough room to make a reasonable cast to fish in an area.  No boat shall "tie up" or "protect" more than a single dock at one time.
8. EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND EMERGENCY:  In the event of equipment failure or emergency, the contestants boat may be towed to check-in.  If it is necessary to transfer fish to another boat, it must be to another contestants boat.  At least one member of the team must accompany the fish to the weigh-in site.
9. FISHING HOURS AND LATE PENALTY: Official fishing hours will be announced at tournament sign up prior to the event.  All contestants must check in at the weigh-in site.  Contestants who are not at the official check-in area at the appointed time may be disqualified.  No culling of fish in the marina or weigh-in area.  Don't be late!
10. LIVE FISH: Contestants shall make every attempt to keep all fish alive through the use of properly aerated livewell or other device.  Culling of dead fish is prohibited and may result in disqualification.
11. SCORING: Scoring will be determined by the total weight of each teams catch in pounds and ounces.  Big Bass will be determined by the largest weight of one fish.