Open Buddy Bass Fishing Tournament 2023

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ARC OF THE OZARKS OPEN BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT
Saturday, April 29, 2023

• The Decisions-of the judges and tournament officials shall be final in all matters.
• Participants and eligibility-One of the team members must be at least 18 years of age or have at least one adult and a permission slip from a legal guardian accompanying the minor.
• Pre-tournament practice-There will be no off-limit days, but practice must cease at sundown on Friday, April 28, 2023.
• Check-in-At least one member of each team must check-in in person at The Arc of the Ozarks, 1501 E. Pythian St., Springfield, MO the week of the tournament (4/24/23 – 4/28/23, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) OR the morning of the tournament. The registration will be at Table Rock State Park. Registration on 4/29/23 will start at 5:00 a.m. the morning of the tournament.
• 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 the reason for disqualification.
• 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.
• Tackle and Equipment-Artificial lures only.
• Boat and Motor-Kill switches must be operational and attached to the boat driver whenever the outboard motor is in use.
• Basic Boat Equipment-All boats must have basic Coast Guard safety equipment as well as an operational aerator and livewell large enough for 5 fish.
• Trolling-As a method of fishing is prohibited.
• 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.
• Contestants-Must remain in the boat to fish and land fish.
• Official Checkpoint-Table Rock State Park boat ramp will be the site of the take-off. Table Rock State Park Marina will be the site for the weigh-in. Take off position will be determined by order of entry.
• Scoring-Five fish limit per boat.15-inch minimum. Only largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass may be weighed. No stringers at any time.
• Keep the fish alive-Contestants will receive a 1-pound penalty for any dead fish weighed in.
• Late penalty-Competitors will be penalized one pound per minute that they are late to the check-in point. If a competitor is 10 minutes late for weigh-in, disqualification will result.
• Total Creel Ties-Will be broken by the earliest boat number. Big bass ties will be broken by the largest creel weight.
• Polygraph Test-May be administered to any contestant at the discretion of the tournament committee.
• 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.
• All Protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes of weigh-in completion.