New England Bassmasters of RI
2005 Tournament Rules
1. As a member of NEBRI each member will conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner prior to, during, and at completion of all club events.
2. All boats will launch at the designated ramps for tournaments unless granted permission by the tournament committee to launch at an alternate location. Late arrivals must find and check-in with a tournament committee member, President or Vice President before starting to fish. Failure to do this will result in disqualification.
3. All boats used for tournaments must be equipped with livewell and aeration systems to insure the catch has the highest probability for survival. Non-compliance will prohibit use of the boat until this requirement is met.
4. Members are responsible to insure that boats used for tournaments are properly registered and required safety equipment is maintained. Non-compliance will prohibit use of the boat until this requirement is met.
5. No live bait or prepared bait other than pork rind products may be used during club tournaments. Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
6. Ponds are off limits 48 hours prior to any club tournament unless waived by the tournament committee. Infraction will disqualify the competitor from that event
7. Only ONE line per angler will be allowed in the water at any time. Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
8. All boats must arrive back at the weigh-in site at the official designated time. Boats arriving at the weigh-in site more than 5 minutes after the official designated time shall be penalized 8 oz per minute off their official weights. After 10 minutes, the boat shall not be allowed to weigh in and shall be considered disqualified from the tournament. Weather and breakdowns/ assistance will be considered.
9. Each member will be allowed ONE courtesy measurement at each club tournament. Attempting to weigh in an undersized fish will result in disqualification.
10. Landing nets may be used to land fish during club tournaments.
11. Tournaments will be conducted under the rules of the state in which the tournament is held in regards to limits and size. At no time should an angler�s catch exceed the state limit. Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
12. Competitors, while under way using the gas motor, shall allow at least 50 feet between other competitors� boats, anchored or under way. . Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
13. Competitors may not come within 50 feet of other competitors� boats while fishing provided the competitor�s boat is anchored with the trolling motor in the up position. . Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
14. The tournament committee shall be responsible for all weigh-ins, fish measurements, weight certification, and penalty assessment. Tournament participants may observe the weigh-in, but are not to handle fish or interfere with the tournament committee once fish are presented at the scale.
15. No alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are allowed from � hour before tournament hours and until after the completion of the weigh-in. Infraction of this rule
will disqualify the competitor from that event and all weight shall be forfeited.
16. Club standings for 2005 season will be calculated using an angler�s 10 best club tournament scores from the 2005 tournament schedule.
17. A 3 oz penalty will be assessed for each dead fish weighed in. Dead fish penalties will be assessed prior to awarding lunker awards for each event.
18. All tournaments shall start at the official designated time and will be started by the tournament committee chairman. In the absence of the chairperson, any tournament committee member or the club president may fill in as the starter.
19. On waters without horsepower restrictions, a staggered start will be used. The starting order will be determined by blind draw prior to the launch.
20. At the first indication of a thunderstorm, all competitors should seek cover and should remain sheltered until the threat of lightning has passed. The tournament shall end at the designated time regardless of the delay due to weather.
21. Only the Tournament Committee can terminate the tournament due to weather concerns. Once the tournament has officially started, any fish that has been caught will count if the tournament has been terminated.
22. All anglers must wear an approved flotation device and a working kill switch with cord attached to the driver when under way using Gasoline powered engine.
23. Livewells will be checked by a tournament committee member before EVERY club tournament.
24. All club members shall proceed with headway speed only on Massachusetts lakes prior to 7:00am. Infraction of this rule will disqualify the competitor from that event
25. Any competitor leaving the boat during a club tournament MUST check in with a tournament committee member prior to leaving the boat and immediately on return to the boat. At no time may a club member remove the boat from the water and return to the lake during a tournament event.
26. Boaters and Riders will be paired for each event in the following manner:
� Club members must declare themselves as a Boater or Rider at the beginning of the season.
� The Tournament Committee will set up a rotating Boater/Rider schedule for the entire season. This schedule will identify all pairings for each event and provide for spare boats if a boater will not attend a tournament.
� Each rider will contact his boater at least 48 hours prior to the event as a reminder and to arrange for meeting time, etc. Failure to do so may leave the rider without a boat for the up-coming event.
� Riders are responsible for their own equipment, including flotation device.
� The same boater and rider may not be paired for 2 consecutive tournaments.
� Boaters are expected to accommodate their scheduled Rider if they are participating in the tournament. Any boater that fails to accommodate a scheduled Rider will be referred to the Tournament Committee for disciplinary action, which may include a one-event suspension.
27. Any violation of the tournament rules or protest should be brought to the attention of the Tournament Committee in writing immediately following the event for action. The Tournament Committee shall present recommendations for handling disputes to the Board of Directors and recommendations for any tournament rule changes to the Membership.
