RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ARC OF THE OZARKS OPEN BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT - Saturday, April 24, 2021.
1. The Decisions-of the judges and tournament officials shall be final in all matters.
2. Participants and eligibility-One of the team members must be at least 18 years of age of have at least one adult and a permission slip from a legal guardian accompanying the minor.
3. Pre-tournament practice-There will be no off-limit days, but practice must cease at sundown on Friday, April 23, 2021
4. Check-in-At least one member of each team must check-in in person at the tournament site on the evening before (4/23)
or the morning of the tournament. The registration will be at the Picnic Shelter at Table Rock State Park. Registration on 4/23 will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and starting at 5:00 A.M. the morning of the tournament.
5. Safety-Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times and a Coast Guard approved life preserver must be worn when the motor is running. The life preserver must be strapped, zipped or snapped securely. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification.
6. Sportsmanship-Follow the Golden Rule, competitors are expected to follow high levels of sportsmanship. Maximum courtesy must be observed, especially when fishing close to non-competitors in tournament waters. No alcoholic beverages or non-prescription stimulants will be allowed in the boats or in the weigh-in area.
7. Tackle and Equipment-Artificial lures only.
8. Boat and Motor-Kill switches must be operational and attached to the boat driver whenever the outboard motor is in use.
9. Basic Boat Equipment-All boats must have basic Coast Guard safety equipment as well as an operational aerator and live well large enough for 5 fish.
10. Trolling-As a method of fishing is prohibited.
11. Permitted fishing locations-Table Rock Lake except within the no wake zones of State Park Marina and State Park Boat
Ramp, and within 50 yards of another contestant’s boat. No fishing in any area posted off limits to public fishing.
12. Contestants-must remain in the boat to fish and land fish.
13. Official Checkpoint-The State Park Boat Ramp will be the site of the take-off and weigh-in. Take off position will be determined by order of entry.
14. Scoring-Five fish limit per boat. 15-inch minimum. Only largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass may be weighed. No stringers at any time.
15. Keep the fish alive-Contestants will receive an 8-ounce penalty for any dead fish weighed in.
16. Late penalty-Competitors will be penalized one pound per minute that they are late to the check-in point. If competitor is 10 minutes late for weigh-in, disqualification will result.
17. Total Creel Ties-Will be broken by earliest boat number. Big bass ties will be broken by largest creel weight.
18. Polygraph Test-May be administered to any contestant at the discretion of the tournament committee.
19. Rule Changes and Modifications-Rules are subject to change with state game laws. Officials of the tournament will make the final decisions regarding all rules, rule changes, and the interpretation of said rules.
