Tournament Waters:  The official tournament waters are all bodies of fresh water reachable from the launch point without removing the boat from the water, having to ford natural or man made banks, or lock through for fishing purposes. 

Eligibility: The tournament is open to all persons.  Each boat must have no more than two (2) persons in it.  All participants must be eighteen (18) years of age with a valid Florida fishing license.

Registration: All anglers will attend a pre-tournament meeting and registration the Friday night before the tournament. The meeting will be at the Clewiston High School. Registrations will start at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. Boat numbers, rules briefing and exemption cards will be given at this meeting. Late registration will take place the morning of the tournament, however those who register late will be in the last flight each day. Angler must check-in at the tournament site and participate in a boat check and safety review each morning of the tournament prior to take off.

Safety:  Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times.  Each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life vest securely fastened, whenever the combustion engine is running.

Sportsmanship:  All competitors are expected to show courtesy to all persons in the water.  No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are to be consumed during tournament hours.  No competitor shall have a non-competitor “sit” on a hole/spot or scout for him. Cell phone, Nextel, or two-way-radio communication is forbidden, except in case of emergency situations.   Each contestant’s boat is expected to maintain a considerate and safe separation between other boats while fishing.

Protests:  There are two (2) opportunities to protest.  The first is prior to the morning of take off for violations before the start of the tournament.  The second is after the completion of weigh-in, but before the awards are made.  The results are official.  In the event of a protest, the disputed awards will not be made until the matter is resolved.  Each competitor agrees, by signing the application form, to submit to a polygraph examination if required by tournament officials.  The findings of a polygraph examination are final.

Tackle and Equipment:  Only artificial baits may be used.  No live bait.  All bass must be taken in a sporting manner.  Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.  Fly rods may not be used.

Boat and Equipment:  Each boat must have safety equipment, adequate to pass Coast Guard regulations, aboard at all times.  All engines must have a functioning kill switch attached to the driver whenever the combustion engine is operating.  Live wells or other equipment to keep all bass alive during the tournament is required.

Scoring:  Only Large Mouth Bass will be weighed.  The limit is 5 fish per boat 14” minimum length.  No culling of fish at the launch site or adjacent areas is allowed.  All bass must be released unharmed immediately after the weigh-in.  For dead fish there is a 4-ounce penalty per fish.

Late Penalty:  A penalty of 16 ounces per minute will be deducted from the total catch weight to competitors who are not at the checkpoint area at their designated time.  Any team more than 15 minutes late will lose all credit for their day’s catch.

Emergencies:  Competitors must remain with their partners and in their boats at all times during the tournament except for use of the restrooms or in the event of sickness, severe storm, or serious hazard.  In the event of a breakdown, competitors must stay with their partner and their fish.  They may transfer their catch to another boat operated by another tournament competitor or tournament official ('s) ONLY providing that both team members accompany their catch and that the catch is separate and in sight of both assisting team and entering team member ('s).  Any such assistance under this rule must be declared upon bringing both catches to the grading table.  Failure to abide by the specifications of this section will result in automatic disqualification of both teams.

Rule Changes:  Interpretation of these rules shall be left to the tournament officials.  Decisions of the officials are final.  Infraction of these rules is grounds for disqualification from this and future tournaments.

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*REGISTRATION FORM*

Pre-register by mail to CLEWISTON BASS ANGLERS, 

P.O. Box 2996, Clewiston, FL  33440

Make checks payable to: CLEWISTON BASS ANGLERS Deadline for paying by check is September 30, 2003. Cash only after September 30, 2003

Registration is Friday, 4-7 p.m. Late registration is at 4 a.m. on Saturday            

For more information call: M. Reynolds at (863) 902-9890

PLEASE PRINT

Name # 1 ______________________________________ Name # 2 _____________________________________

Address: _______________________________________ Address: ______________________________________

City: __________________________________________  City: _________________________________________

State, Zip: _____________________________________   State, Zip: _____________________________________

Phone: (____)___________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________

E-Mail: ________________________________________ E-Mail: _______________________________________

Club: __________________________________________ Club:_________________________________________

My signature releases all individuals, officials, sponsors, organizations, state and local governments from any and all liability in any form for any occurrences resulting whatsoever from my participating in this event.  I agree to submit to a polygraph examination if requested by tournament officials.  I understand that the results of a polygraph are final.  I further agree to abide by the rules and regulations.

Signature: ______________________ Date______________ Signature:______________________  Date _____________

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