PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY
• A team will consist of two anglers per boat (it is a "buddy" bass tournament); only registered contestants may be in the boat during official tournament hours.
• Contestants under 18 years of age must have parental consent.
• Anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, must have Boater Education Certification to operate boat, including at launch.
 
ENTRY FEE
• $160.00 entry fee per team (fee includes entry for Big Bass Pot)
 
TOURNAMENT PAYOUT
• Cash prizes for 1^st - 3^rd places.
• Big Bass 1^st and 2^nd places; pot will be split 60/40.
• In the event of a tie, prize money is added together and split evenly between the involved teams.
 
SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT
• All participants are expected to always exhibit good sportsmanship. Poor sportsmanship of any kind will not be tolerated.
• No culling of dead fish.
• No fishing within 25 yards of another contestant unless there is a mutual agreement between teams.
• Fishing in areas marked as off-limits is to be observed.
• No alcohol or non-prescribed narcotics are allowed anytime during tournament hours. Contestants that violate this rule will be disqualified.
• Contestants cannot leave the boat to land a fish.
 
PERMITTED FISHING METHODS
• Each contestant may only use 1 rod at a time. No more than 1 line in the water at a time per angler. A cast must be completed before another rod may be used by the same angler.
• Artificial bait only. Pork rind trailers are acceptable.
• Trolling with the big motor is not permitted.
• All fish must be caught in a sporting manner. Fish caught while sight fishing must be hooked inside the mouth. Snagging fish is not permitted.

PRE-FISHING
• No off limits.
 
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION
• Online pre-registration is available through October 2nd.
• Onsite Tournament registration / check-in will begin at 5:00 AM, the day of the tournament at Isle du Bois State Park.
$10 ADDITIONAL FEE FOR ONSITE REGISTRATIONS
• Contestants will be launching from Isle du Bois State Park in a numbered fashion. Boat numbers will be assigned upon registration. 
• Boats & livewells may be inspected at check-in. Boats must have a permanently installed live well and an operating aeration system. 
• Tournament Hours and Checkpoints will be given the morning of registration and morning briefing and are the responsibility of each entrant. Weigh-In times may be staggered in flight intervals. 
 
SAFETY
• All Texas Parks and Wildlife rules must be followed during tournament hours.
• Lifejackets with the kill switch attached to the boat must be worn anytime the big motor is in gear.
• Tournament will have a 5 fish limit with 14" minimum length. (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Guadalupe Bass Only). Teams may keep no more than 5 bass in the live well. There can be no culling of dead fish.
• Tournament hours may be altered at the sole discretion of the tournament director. 
 
WEIGH-IN
• Every attempt shall be made to ensure the survival of each team's catch. Fish shall be brought to the weigh-in line in an acceptable weigh-in bag with enough water to promote the live release.
• Any dead fish will result in 1/2-pound deduction per infraction. Any fish brought in below the 14" minimum length will result in 5-pound deduction per infraction. 
• Scales will open at 12:30 PM.
• Contestants must be checked in with tournament staff by the designated check-in time provided at registration. Contestants must be in the weigh-in line no later than 30 minutes past their designated check-in time. 
• See additional rules / infractions for detailed penalties.
 
Rule Infractions and Resulting Penalties 
“Any protest must be received in signed writing and/or picture/video within ten minutes of the final check-in deadline to be taken literally.” 
 
I - Infraction of these rules mandate Disqualification: 
1) Altering of bass weight, size, or length 
2) Staking out/basketing of bass 
3) Insulting, cursing or profane language used at tournament director and or staff 
4) Failure to take and/or pass a polygraph test 
5) Receiving a citation from a Game Warden during tournament hours 
6) Culling of dead bass 
7) Entering and/or bassing in legally restricted waters or off-limits area 
 
II - Infraction of these rules mandate Ineligibility: 
1) Non-compliance of off-limits rule 
2) Guiding for black bass within 14 days of tournament
3) Any person who has failed a polygraph test in connection with any bass tournament for cheating 
4) Any person who has outstanding debts owed to Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce (i.e. bad checks) 
5) Non-compliance of afternoon check-in as prescribed by Director 
6) Bass fishing during tournament hours without a valid fishing license 
7) Anglers who participate in a National Circuit and have winnings of $50,000.00 or more during the previous calendar year. 
 
III - Infraction of any of these rules will result in a 5 lb. Penalty: 
1) Any bass not meeting the prescribed length limit for given tournament by director (and minus same bass) 
2) Failure to have boat inspected prior to bassing (without Director’s authorization) 
3) Use of more than one rod and reel by one person at the same time 
4) Use of more than two separate lures with hooks on one bassing line 
5) For Teams - One penalty for each bass in the livewell over the prescribed 5 bass limit 
 
IV - Infraction of these rules will result in a 2 lb. Penalty: 
1) Failure to comply with lifejacket rule 
2) Failure to comply with courtesy and sportsmanship rules 
3) Non-compliance of posted ‘No Wake’ areas 
 
V - Infraction of this rule will result in a 1/2 lb. penalty: 
1) Any dead bass brought to scales and weighed in (this shall be deducted from the total weight of all bass presented)
 
PROTESTS
• Any protest must be received in signed writing and/or picture/video within ten (10) minutes of the final check-in deadline to be taken literally. 
• All decisions made by the tournament director are final. 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY
• Upon entering the tournament contestants release Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce from liability for accidents, losses, thefts, etc.
• The Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to refuse entry of a contestant for any reason.
• By registering for the Buddy Bass Tournament, contestants acknowledge and agree to adhere to the rules.