These rules have been approved by the Tournament Committee and will be in effect from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. It is up to each fisherman to become familiar with these rules and abide by them at all times during a event. Unless mentioned hereafter, we will abide by TWRA and State of TN boating and fishing regulations.
PARTICIPANTS: tournaments are open to males and females. An eligible boat may contain one or two fishermen. (A THIRD PERSON IS ALLOWED TO FISH IN THE BOAT IF THEY ARE 10 AND UNDER) IF THEY ARE OLDER A 3RD IS ALLOWED AS A SPECTATOR OR BOAT CAPTIAN ONLY NO NETTING OF FISH TIEING OF LURES ECT.. Officials retain the right to refuse entry to anyone.
FEES: The daily entry fee is $50 per boat - $10 will go to LUNKER.. Entry fees are non-refundable. There is a yearly $50 membership fee for each fisherman which is due at the time of registration for that fisherman’s first tournament.
FISH: There is a 5 bass limit per boat – only Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass will count. All fish must be caught in a legal and sporting manner - trolling is prohibited. Fish must be transported from the boat to the weigh-in area in a water-filled bag. Weighed-in fish will become property of club and will be released alive. An exception may be made for a trophy fish if you so choose. Bass will be measured with the mouth closed using a Golden Rule. If your fish are weighed seperately for “big fish”, they will be placed altogether in a single bag and weighed one time for your official total weight.
Smallmouth Bass – 18” minimum length
Largemouth Bass - 15” minimum length
Spotted Bass – 12” minimum length
SHORT/DEAD FISH: A short fish results in immediate disqualification. There is no courtesy check. Director will have a Golden Rule available to you prior to you bringing your fish to the scales if you need it. One dead fish is allowed. The dead fish results in a one-half pound penalty on the total weight. The dead fish cannot be wighed for lunker.
SPORTSMANSHIP: Participants acting in a way to give themselves an unfair advantage over a fellow competitor will be disqualified. Anyone causing dissension before, during or after any event could be disqualified for the entire season. Competitors must maintain a 150 feet buffer zone from a fellow competitor – anchored or free-floating. Officials may board your boat at any time if there is reason to believe you are disregarding the rules set forth.
SAFETY: A US Coast Guard approved life jacket must be worn while the combustion engine is running and the boat is on plane.. Running lights must be in working order at the start of the event.
REGISTRATION: You may register only on the day of each tournament. This will occur at the ramp location . Numbers will be assigned on a first come first serve basis if a large number of boats are on hand. . . .
CHECK-IN / REGISTRATION: Prior to blast-off, your live well may be checked. Fees must be paid and registration form must be filled out before the start of the event. Registration ends 15 minutes prior to the start time. If you know you will not make it to the ramp by the designated launch time, you must call ahead to one of the tournament committee. It is your responsibility to find a committeeman on the water to pay your fee and have your live well checked. If you have fish in your live well, you will not be allowed to participate.
DUAL ENTRIES: You may fish in another tournament in conjunction with our Tournament, but our rules must be followed at all times or you will be disqualified.
LOCKING THROUGH: Is strickly prohibited if you are caught it will result in immediate disqualification!
TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: No live bait. Artificial bait only – pork trailers are permitted. Only one rod per angler at any given time may be used. Aerator must be in working order at start of the event. If you have a mechanical failure during tournament hours, only a fellow participant may bring you and your fish to the weigh-in at the designated time. If your boat is trailered during the tournament, you must have tournament committee permission to relaunch. The tournament committee retains all rights and sayso regarding tackle and equipment.
WEIGH-IN: No grace period for the weigh-in deadline. If you are late, you will be disqualified and receive last place points. Boat may be trailered before weigh-in, but you must remain at the weigh-in site. If you leave the weigh-in site for any reason or go home early, you will be considered a no-show and receive last place points.
PRIZES & AWARDS: Payout will be one place for every five boats. A tie for first place will be broken by a coin toss with the loser taking 2nd place. All other ties will split that place and the next place prizes. You must be present to receive your prizes or awards..
RULINGS & DECISIONS: All rulings and decisions by the Tournament Committee are final. Any protest must be in writing and made known within fifteen minutes of the final fish being weighed.
AWARDS: There will be an award for big fish of the year and for big bag of the year. You must qualify for the classic to be eligible. (in case of tie multiple awards will be given)
2017 CLASSIC: $50 dollar entry fee $10 dollars will go to lunker. Anyone that participates in 10 of the tournaments and at least 2 per lake will be qualified for the Classic . YOU MAY BUY 1 TOURNAMENTS the money will go the classic. (You MUST however fish at least 2 tournaments on each lake this cannot be bought). Big Fish of the Year and big bag can be caught during the Classic.
2017 TOURNAMENT TRAIL COMMITTEE:
Waymon Cox : 423-827-6369
Michael Fitzgerald: 423-285-7467
Jason Palmer : 423-421-5141
Scott Iles : 423-779-272
Matt Shelton : 423-421-5179
