Join us for a day of fishing at the 2025 Open Buddy Bass Tournament on Table Rock Lake. All fishmen welcome including pros, guides, and high school teams! Please see rules for more details. Entry fee includes Big Bass and lunch. Prizes and raffles available. Proceeds will benefit people with disabilities served by The Arc’s Educational and Recreational Services.
For registration, if you have two boaters, enter “N/A” in the third boater space. Third boater registration is only used for participant under age 18.
We will contact sponsors for their boater registration if they register online.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ARC OF THE OZARKS OPEN BUDDY BASS TOURNAMENT
Saturday, March 29th, 2025
1. The Decisions of the judges and tournament officials shall be final in all matters.
2. All individuals, 18 years of age or older with a paid entry fee are eligible to fish. A parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under 18 years of age. A team may consist of one (1) angler per boat or two (2) anglers per boat or three (3) anglers per boat. The 3rd angler must be a 2025 high school senior or younger.
3. Pre-tournament practice: There will be no off-limit days, but practice must cease at sundown on Friday, March 28, 2025.
4. Check-in and Take-off: the morning of the tournament beginning at 5:00AM, March 29, 2025, check-in and register at the registration tent at State Park Marina. Take-off will be at State Park Marina and will be determined by order of entry. Table Rock Lake State Park Marina will be the site for the weigh-in.
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 50yards 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.
12. Scoring: Five fish limit per boat. 15-inch minimum. Only largemouth, smallmouth, mean mouth and spotted bass may be weighed. No culling of dead fish.
13. Keep the fish alive: Contestants will receive a 1-pound penalty for any dead fish weighed in.
14. Late penalty: All anglers are due back at announced check-in time. Being late will result in DISQUALIFICATION.
15. Total Creel Ties: Will be broken by earliest boat number. Big bass ties will be broken by largest creel weight.
16. Polygraph Test: May be administered to any contestant at the discretion of the tournament committee.
17. 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.
18. All Protests must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes of weigh-in completion.
19. Payback: One (1) place for every five (5) teams entered, twenty (20) places paid maximum. 50% payback of paid entries. Two (2) independent Big Bass will be paid in Gift Cards. Only one (1) bass weighed per team chosen by team member. A DEAD FISH CAN NOT BE WEIGHED FOR Big Bass or Smallest Weight.
20. Insurance: Boat owners must have at least $100,000 in Boating Liability Insurance. Proof of Insurance may be asked for at any time.
