Clear-cut, straightforward rules make for good clean
fishing with no room for disgruntlements at weigh-in. Just go out and have fun,
be ethical and friendly. BUT KNOW THE
RULES, AS THEY WILL BE ADHEARED TO !!!!!!!!!!!
1. Participation is open to any licensed angler in the
State of Ohio who is 18 years of age or older and has agreed to waiver
liability to all sponsoring agencies and parties by signing a release and
indemnification agreement. You must be accompanied or approved by a
parent/guardian if under age. A $60 per event fee and one time $35 per
member annual organizational fee for any "qualifying" event must
have been paid prior to participation. Member fees will not be returned for any
reasons once paid.
2. Only artificial baits with the exception of pork
trailers are permitted for use. Trolling and drifting is permitted.
3. All fishing must be done from a boat. All boats must
meet local, state and federal laws and regulations. Please note specific rules concerning
Akron City Watersheds and LaDue Reservoir. Coast guard approved
vests/preservers are to be on board and ready for use. Any participant/team cited
during tournament hours for any violations will be DISQUALIFIED. GAS MOTORS ARE
NOT PERMITTED, even if tilted or prop removed. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO
LAUNCH WITH A GAS ENGINE ON YOUR BOAT.
4. A team may solidify a guaranteed 08’ season position by
paying in full a two person ($70) membership at anytime prior to the
CAPPED 55 team field being filled. An online roster of those registered can
be found at dobass.com. All event PREPAYS
must be postmarked 7 days prior to the event to avoid late fee.
Teams paying for the event the day of the tournament will pay an additional $20
late fee (event total $80, CASH ONLY). Teams
not PREPAID once the qualifying season begins, risks being removed from the
capped field and the position opened to a new team for the remainder of the
year.
5. A “team” consists of at least one, but no more than two
people in a single boat. Alternates must become paid members and can be used at
anytime after a team is formed, EXCEPT THE CHAMPIONSHIP. If a team divides
after the first event, only one person may continue to acquire points for that
team, the highest point standing AVAILABLE will be used to continue
calculations. The other partner must start at zero points. WHEN FORMING A NEW
TEAM MIDSEASON, A $35 NEW TEAM FEE MUST ACCOMPANY ENTRY PRIOR TO REGISTRATION.
6. All boats must be equipped with an aeration system
whether a livewell or large cooler with spray bar aerator. Tournament
officials will inspect all livewells at time of boat registration. The use of
ice, chemical water treatments and frequent water changes is strongly
encouraged. ABSOLUTELY NO STRINGED, CAGED, MANGLED OR DEAD FISH WILL BE
ACCEPTED. Any dead fish brought to scales for weight will result in
DISQUALIFICATION. A dead fish is determined by tournament officials only, based
on any one of the following present at bump tank –1) glossed or dulled eyes 2)
no gill movement. If the fish appears questionable, the contestant will be
asked to take the fish to water. After a period of resuscitation, the fish must
then be able to remain in an upright position, on it’s own, without sinking or
floating to one side during an official’s count to ten. Bringing fish to scales
in poor condition is frowned upon.
7. A “creel” will consist of a 5 fish limit of any
largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted BASS that is 14” or longer. If
more than 5 fish are provided to official for weight, the team is disqualified.
Fish must be culled immediately after a limit has been met.
8. One courtesy measurement is permitted if asked for prior
to placing fish in tub. There is a 1lb. penalty for each fish brought to scales
under 14” outside of courtesy fish. All questionable fish will be measured on a
precision rule, mouth closed, base of the tail moved up and down, and given
every reasonable chance to measure. All fish brought to scales for weight will be handled only by event officials
and immediately released alive.
9. Fishing is permitted anywhere within the LaDue Reservoir
and connecting waters accessible by boat. Any areas marked or buoyed as “no
boat” areas are considered off limits. The area known as Blackbrook creek is
offlimits. Participants may not leave their boats to land fish or for any
reason during competition hours, other than urgent restroom breaks or
emergencies.
10. Fishing is not allowed within 50 yards of another boat
that was first anchored. A boat is considered anchored only if tied to an
object or has a rope over the side with all trolling motors completely
out of the water. Boats are never to be within touching distance of each
other. Please exhibit sportsmanlike and courteous positioning when fishing
similar areas even if not anchored. Simple communication between boats can
often resolve potential issues. "Hole sitting" by another competitor
or non-competitors boat is prohibited as well.
11. All participants
must be registered with boats in water no later than 10 minutes prior to stated
start time. Boats arriving after the initial takeoff may not participate in
event. There is an official “off limits” of event waters for the 8 hours
preceding the start time. Any event is
subject to delays, cancellations and rescheduling.
12. All boats are
to be docked on land or trailer and participants must remain within the
boathouse ramp area upon the stated closing time of the event until the teams'
fish are weighed. A "chip of life" with your designated team number
will be provided to each team during morning registration. The chip of life is
to be placed by a team member in the designated location before the closing
time of the event. No further fishing is permitted once the chip is
surrendered. Lost, forgotten or untimely placed chips will result in DQ.
13. Only one casting or spinning rod may be in use for the
purpose of catching fish, per individual. You may have as many rods available
for use as deemed needed. All bass must be caught in a live sporting manner
with rod and reel. The use of a landing net is permitted.
14. The use of alcohol or illicit substances during event
hours and weigh-in is prohibited.
15. The use of cell phones or electronic communication
devices is prohibited during event hours unless for emergency or pre-approved
by the director.
16. Please be made aware the event director/team will fish
all the events indicated outside of payout as teams “a”-“b”-“c”. Another
participant will verify their catch. The director will remove any authority to
decide a protest involving himself/team and let a majority vote of remaining
participants rule.
17. Precision digital tournament scales will be the
"primary scales" used for determining weight. A "backup scale" will be
calibrated with the primary scale. In the event of primary scale failure the
backup scale will be used for remaining bags of fish.
18. All ties will be decided by a unanimous vote of tied
teams to split winnings or otherwise by the flip of a coin.
19. All protests must be made in writing within 10 minutes after “last call” for fish. Written
protests will result in a binding decision being made. If the director is
unable to resolve a dispute by substantiated evidence or admission by
the accused, a polygraph will be required as instituted by the director. The
results of that polygraph will be binding. Both the filing party and the
accused must post deposit for the cost of testing. Refusal to post deposit by
either party will result in a binding decision. Deposit will be returned to the
party in which the polygraph found in favor of. A decision of the protest will
be governed by event officials only, unless subject to rule #16. Any participant is subject to polygraph at
any time by request of the director, with or without cause. The formal
written protest as received and responded to, will be posted at dobass.com for
public review.
20. Any team or person found to be cheating or
unsportsmanlike by officials may be banned from further participation as well
as disqualified from participating event. FBFP2008 reserves the right to refuse
or accept any entry.
21. Any rules, interpretation of the rules, or rules not covered will be governed by event officials only and that decision will be binding.