The Texas B.A.S.S. Nation College Division, (here by known as TBN), board and its advisors expect strict adherence to the following rules by all contestants.
In the event of an emergency, please call 911 first and then notify the tournament director.

 

1. RULES AND PENALTIES: The following rules shall apply to all Texas Bass Nation (TBN) College Division tournaments, with the following exceptions:

a. Rules for special tournaments may differ from those contained herein

b. These rules may be changed by TBN College Division BOD immediately upon notice by TBN College Division BOD to its members, in which notice may be published on the TBN College Division website at https://texasbassnationyouth.org/college-division/ .

c. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director or his/her designee at a tournament. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director or a rules committee may impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate by them, including without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee, and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decision of the Tournament Director, his/her designee, or the rules committee, shall be final in all matters.

d. Except for very serious rules violations, as determined by TBN College Division, such as the no information and off-limits rules and any rules that might lead to disqualification of an angler from participation in the TBN College Division tournaments or other TBN circuits, rules violations must be reported to tournament officials within 24 hours of the final flight check-in on the day of the alleged violation.

e. Penalties for rules violations may include the following:

  i. reduction of practice hours or competition hours as determined by the Tournament Director

  ii. loss of one or more fish in question. All such fish must be marked verified by either your partner/observer/camera operator. If not verified the entire catch may be disqualified.

  iii. loss of catch for the day of the violation

  iv. disqualification from the tournament in question

  v. disqualification from future TBN College Division events, which may be from a specific number of events, a specific period of time, or may be a lifetime disqualification

  vi. any different or additional penalties determined by the Tournament Director, including but not limited to monetary fines and/or reduction of Angler of Year points.

2. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: This tournament is open only to current registered TBN College Division clubs and individuals. Each club must be an official organization on campus with a minimum of two (2) members. Only one club from an institution is allowed. Students must be a member of the fishing team of the institution where enrolled. You are not allowed to join a College Division fishing team at an institution where not enrolled. Each member must be currently enrolled and maintain a full-time status for the academic year. Each member must also be in good academic standing, and an active member of their fishing club. If a student has graduated the previous December or requires less than a full-time schedule to graduate, may be granted eligibility as long as they have not exceeded their five (5) years of eligibility. A letter requesting eligibility must be provided before tournament registration deadline to be considered. The TBN College Division BOD reserves the right to accept or deny any request. Each angler must be a member of Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), National BASS Nation, Texas BASS Nation (TBN) and the TBN College Division. Each College Division club must be in good standing with TBN College Division. B.A.S.S. memberships will be purchased individually from the B.A.S.S. website https://bassmaster.secure.darwin.cx/I2BCS21M for $12.00. National BASS Nation, Texas BASS Nation and TBN College Division memberships will be purchased through the TBN College Division Web page at https://texasbassnationyouth.org/college-division/ for $150.00. Each member is eligible for five (5) years of competition. Proof of age, to the satisfaction of tournament officials, is the responsibility of potential competitors. Any candidate for competition who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director, is disabled in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his/her partner or endanger the safety and well-being of his/her partner or themselves shall not be eligible. Tournament entry fees will be $150.00, with $130 going to overall payout and $20 going to First and Second place Big Bass of each tournament. TBN College Division will payout 100% of tournament entry fee money collected.

3. TEAMS: A team is defined as two TBN College Division Members from the same College team in good standing with TBN College Division fishing together in the same boat during a tournament. The team must register as a team through TBN College Division. Once a team has fished a tournament together, one of the team members may fish solo to represent the team. The entry fee does not change whether fishing together or solo. A team may split and choose a new partner; there will be a $50 change fee every time a new team has to be created. If a team decides to split fish with a different partner, all points earned up to that point with original team will be forfeited and the new team will start at zero from that point forward.

4. INSURANCE: During the official practice and competition days of any TBN College Division Tournament, no competitor may operate a boat unless that competitor has documented proof of a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence boat owner liability insurance covering the boat being used in the tournament. Proof of insurance must be with the boat being used and must cover all passengers in that boat. Random checks will be conducted and any competitor who does not have proof of in-force insurance with $300,000 coverage may be disqualified. Each policy must show an effective start and expiration date. Tournament officials have sole authority to determine if insurance policies meet TBN College Division requirements.

5. ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT: Anglers participating in any TBN College Division sanctioned event shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating.

a. Anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming of professional anglers that will not reflect unfavorably on TBN College Division, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments, or sponsors. To this end, anglers, coaches, advisors, parents, and family members shall use their best efforts to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in support of the sport of professional fishing. Any anglers, coaches, advisors, parents and family who violate any of the provisions of the Angler Code of Conduct may be subject to fines, reduction of points, forfeiture of tournament winnings, suspension from competing in TBN College Division sanctioned events, permanent ban from competition, or any combination thereof deemed appropriate by TBN College Division BOD.

b. Anglers are frequently in the public eye and are considered role models; therefore, it is imperative that tournament competitors demonstrate good sportsmanship in fishing.

c. Sportsmanship is defined as fair play, respect for opponents, and polite behavior while competing in the sport.

d. Following are examples of unacceptable behavior by competitors or on behalf of competitors in TBN College Division events that will be cause for penalties as outlined in this document.

  i. Heated public disagreements with TBN College Division officials, other competitors, fans, and volunteers during an event.

  ii. Public attacks through media, including social media, upon the integrity of TBN College Division rules or officials.

  iii. Public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of B.A.S.S., TBN College Division officials, or its sponsors

  iv. Displays of anger and displeasure for reasons related to fishing competitions where members of the public, including other anglers, spectators, and the media, are present.

  v. Publicly questioning or criticizing a tournament official or official decision, ruling, or penalty except through the proper channels.

  vi. Abuse (physical, verbal, threatening, or slanderous) of tournament officials, volunteers, fellow competitors, or others connected with a TBN College Division event including comments on social media.

  vii. Offensive or slanderous comments with racial, cultural, or sexual overtones regarding event officials, event personnel, or fellow anglers.

  viii. Intentionally interfering with an angler’s ability to compete.

Any disqualification, suspension, or other disciplinary action imposed by any tournament or fishing organization may result in disqualification from competition and from participation in a TBN College Division tournament.

6. MEDIA COMMENTS, PUBLIC ATTACKS: The favorable public reputation of TBN College Division as a sanctioning organization in the sport of fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for TBN College Division. Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers or the TBN College Division organization. Competitors are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question the rules officials. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with TBN College Division policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules or officials. However, public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of B.A.S.S., TBN College Division officials, or sponsors shall be considered conduct unbecoming a professional and may result in disciplinary action.

7. PRACTICE AND COMPETITION: Off-limits Period, Official Practice, and Official Tournament Waters. There is NO Off-Limits period, Official Practice or Off-Limit water unless otherwise specified by the tournament Director. No competitors will be allowed on Tournament waters if the Tournament Director has established those periods or areas. Unless otherwise specified, all official times are time zone-specific to the local host community. If posted by the Tournament Director, the competitor must know and observe these dates. During established Official practice and competition, all tournament rules apply. Anglers cannot solicit, gather or intentionally receive any information from anyone other than another competitor in the tournament, NO EXCEPTIONS. Competitors may only fish with other competitors during official practice and competition. Flying over tournament waters, other than a ticketed commercial airline, is prohibited during official practice and competition unless approved by the tournament director. The use of drones for the purposes of locating or catching fish or to gain a competitive advantage is prohibited in both official practice and competition. During the official practice competitors are not allowed to live well or keep any bass unless they have permission from tournament officials. During Official Practice, fishing at night is prohibited, including running to and from a fishing location. Night is defined as beginning 30 minutes after local sunset and ending 30 minutes before local sunrise. In practice and competition, when running in low light conditions, running lights shall be in operation. Anglers renting boat slips may launch boats and proceed immediately to slip location. Testing of engines after the weigh-in is only allowed with permission from the Tournament Director, NO EXCEPTIONS. During the official practice and during the tournament, a competitor may not “SKIN DIVE” OR “SCUBA DIVE” in the tournament waters. No competitor may buy or barter a fishing location from any other competitor for use during any competition day. During the official competition days of the tournament a competitor may not make cell calls for the purpose of locating or catching fish on tournament waters. Cell phones may be used for emergency situations. Competitors are allowed to call lockmasters for locking purposes only. Competitors are allowed to use smartphones for global maps, weather, notes, TBN College Division tournament updates, etc. However, using smartphones during competition to log into daily tournament blogs or participate in social media is not permitted. A designated tournament official must be granted access to the competitor’s boat at any time during the official practice or competition days. Failure to grant such access may result in immediate disqualification. Each competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director immediately any violation or infraction of any tournament rules. Failure to report violations, suggestions to another competitor that they violate these rules or false verification of weigh-in forms may be cause for disqualification. Official protests must be filed in writing formally with TBN College Division Tournament Director with in 1 hour of scales closing of tournament in question. All parties of interest will be provided a copy. By his/her signature on the official tournament entry form, each competitor agrees to submit to a truth verification test and abide by its conclusion should he/she be accused of any rule violation. The TBN College Division Tournament Director, rules committee, or such person designated by the Tournament Director, shall have the discretion to determine the need for a truth verification test. The TBN College Division Tournament Director or his/her designee shall be responsible for selecting an independent expert to administer and interpret the results and establishing, in consultation with the expert administrator, the scope of the questions that may be asked during the test. The TBN College Division Tournament Director or his/her designee shall have sole responsibility for selecting the location, date, and time of the test nearest TBN College Division headquarters with respect to all concerned parties schedule and travel costs. The competitor shall make himself/herself available at the location selected by the Tournament Director and shall cooperate in all respects with such test. Anglers taking a truth verification test may be responsible for any and all costs incurred. Random truth verification tests may be administered on-site during the course of a TBN College Division Event.

8. REGISTRATION/CHECK IN: Registration for Membership and tournaments will be conducted through the TBN College Division web page via the Fishing Chaos APP. Each competitor must check in in person with official TBN College Division staff at the time and place designated in the schedule of events. Failure to check-in in person during the prescribed hours may result in suspension from the tournament. Any competitor who has not contacted the TBN College Division Tournament Staff within 15 minutes after the closing of the posted on-site registration period may be removed from participating in the tournament. It shall be each competitor’s responsibility to either check the schedule of events for check-in time and location or obtain times from the TBN College Division Tournament Department. All anglers must check-in with tournament director upon completion of the tournament regardless of if they are going to weigh-in.

9. SAFETY: IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, COMPETITORS SHOULD CALL 911 FIRST. ONCE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, NOTIFY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. COMPETITORS ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE BOAT AND SEEK SAFE SHELTER IN BAD WEATHER WHERE DANGER MAY BE IMMINENT. Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by competitors. During the official practice and competition, each competitor must wear a Coast Guard-approved chest-type life preserver anytime the combustion engine is running. This preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely, and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is out of gear or shut off. Inflatable life vest indicators should be checked daily. Violation of this rule may be cause for penalty. When boating in low visibility situations i.e. fog, or heavy rain, during both practice and competition, competitors must operate their boats at a safe speed and in a safe manner as determined by tournament officials. Radar units permanently mounted in the boat, subject to approval by TBN College Division officials, may be approved for competition. It is suggested the Boater have a safety check with their partner each day prior to launch to familiarize the location of all safety equipment. It is mandatory that each Competitor successfully complete a boating safety course. Boating safety certification, or a “grandfathered” exception, may be required in certain states. Boating safety courses are available online and should carry an endorsement by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or NASBLA. Tournament officials have the right to delay, shorten, or cancel the start of an official tournament day, or official practice day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather. TBN College Division reserves the right to impose boat speed limits during any or all tournaments. Whether or not to impose a speed limit, the area covered by the speed limit, and/or the actual speed limit imposed, shall be left exclusively to the discretion of the tournament director.

10. SPORTSMANSHIP: Competitors in TBN College Division tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Use of alcohol or the use of drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any competitor, during the official practice or during the tournament, will not be tolerated and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future TBN College Division tournaments. No alcoholic beverages, other non-prescription stimulants or depressants shall be allowed in the boats during the official practice or competition days, or when in the weigh-in area. No smoking or vaping will be allowed in the weigh-in area. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy, may be reason for disqualification. All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states in which they fish. Some regulations may differ from these rules resulting in fines, citations or other penalties at the discretion of law enforcement and may or may not result in tournament penalties. Competitors are responsible for research of fishing and boating regulations. In both official practice and competition, competitors must have all required licenses and permits on the tournament waters in which they fish. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules, shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and/or for disqualification after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. Any disqualification, suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding any tournament or fishing organization, shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation in a TBN College Division tournament, and/or disqualification from a TBN College Division tournament after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. Code of Conduct violations will expire 5 years from the violation date.

11. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Use of grippers for landing bass is prohibited during tournament competition. During practice and competition no more than one artificial or biodegradable artificial lure may be attached to a line at one time. One lure is defined as a single manmade device designed to attract and/or catch one fish at a time. Adding trailer hooks, plastic trailers, blades, etc., to a single lure is acceptable. The use of braid or other lines to attach one stringer hook (single or treble) is allowed but cannot be over 2 inches in length. If multiple fish are caught on a single manmade lure, on a single cast, all fish are considered legal and may be added to the daily catch subject to Paragraph 17 (“Scoring”). No “live bait,” “dead bait,” or “prepared bait” will be permitted during official practice and competition, with the exception of pork strips or rinds. Any umbrella-type rigging, harness, or other device designed to hold more than one lure at a time – with or without hooks – is not allowed. Such rigging, harness, or device cannot be added to a single lure as described above. Twin arm spinnerbaits, twin arm under spins, and twin buzz baits are allowed. Trailer hooks and plastic trailers of twin arm baits must be on the main hook of the bait; only spinner blades can be affixed to the arms. The head on the main stem may be hinged. On twin arm spinnerbaits, under spins, and buzz baits, no more than two wires, with a maximum length of 6 inches, may extend off the main arm or body of the lure at the head or the line tie point. The bend of the main hook must be even with or trail behind where blades attach to the wires. TBN College Division officials have the sole authority to determine whether a lure is considered a single lure as defined above. Only ONE casting, spin casting, or spinning rod (10-foot maximum length from butt of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. A hung or snagged lure that is not in or on the water is not considered in use and may be set aside while another is in use. Other rigs as specified above may be in the boat ready for use; however, only ONE is permitted to be in use at any given time. If a competitor breaks their line while setting the hook or retrieving a fish, they are allowed to make an attempt with the rod being used or with their hands to secure the visible line and land the fish for it to be counted as legal. You may NOT hook the line with another lure, rod, reel, or other device. No competitor may intentionally snag or foul-hook a bass to be counted in their daily catch. Anyone guilty of intentionally snatching or snagging visible fish will have his catch disqualified. When visually fishing for bedding bass, to be counted as a legal fish, each bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by the assigned partner or other observer before being unhooked. With the fish’s mouth closed naturally, you must not be able to see where the hook point enters the fish for it to be considered hooked inside the mouth. Any fish hooked in the mouth where the hook did not enter through the mouth, but entered through the gills must be released. Competitors, including those who have been “cut” from competition in an event, are allowed to share baits and tackle with one another at any time.

12. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: Maximum horsepower for all outboard motorboats used in official tournament practice and in tournament competition will be 250 HP. Horsepower cannot exceed the limitations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. When required, each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower-rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must NOT exceed the rating specified on this plate nor the horsepower maximum set by TBN College Division officials. Each competitor agrees to submit, by their signature on the official entry form, the boat and outboard motor used in the tournament, to an inspection by factory-trained personnel, if there is reason to suspect the horsepower is in excess of the rating. Normal maintenance of engines is allowed. Changing or altering by any means, standard factory parts of a competitor’s engine to increase the horsepower over the factory horsepower rating, is forbidden and will result in disqualification. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower-rating numbers on the engine, is also cause for immediate disqualification from TBN College Division tournaments. Posted speed limits and those imposed by TBN College Division must be observed and all boats must be operated in a safe manner. Violations of speed limits shall result in loss of competition hours and not limited to disqualification.

13. BOAT AND MOTOR: These restrictions apply during official practice and competition. For the safety of all competitors, all boats must be equipped with an approved type of operable ignition kill switch and lanyard. Only one manufacturer’s lanyard may be used and must be attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is operating and in gear. Any time the combustion engine is operating and in gear there must be a driver in the driver’s seat in full control of the boat, and all competitors must be seated with their feet on the floor of the vessel. Fishing boats that are 16 feet or more in length may be used and must be equipped with wheel steering. No other steering device will be permitted. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be higher than the gunnels of the boat. Standing on the outboard engine or seats while fishing is not allowed. Trolling motor brackets and electronics are not considered “raised platforms”. An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering. However, trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. The “Long-Lining” or “Strolling” technique is NOT allowed in either practice or competition and defined as intentionally using a trolling motor or outboard to mechanically extend a cast. No exceptions. All bladder tanks and any other type of auxiliary gas tanks that are not installed by the boat manufacturer are prohibited. Additional gas tanks that are factory options and installed by a manufacturer’s authorized dealer are permitted. Boats that do not have factory-installed gas tanks are restricted to a maximum of 18 gallons of gasoline in tanks that meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Gas tanks must be properly secured or strapped in a boat. No portable gas tanks or containers capable of holding gasoline can be placed anywhere on the tournament waters or shoreline for use by any tournament competitor. No “barges” or similar craft will be permitted. No boat equipped with “stick steering” shall be permitted. “Stick steering” shall be as defined by the Tournament Director. Jet drive engines, and surface drive engines and tunnel hull boats are not allowed during both official practice and competition. Any boat/hull designs other than standard mass-produced units are only allowed at the discretion of tournament officials.

14. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT: During official practice and competition, every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment and a functional bilge pump. During official competition, every boat must have live-well space, properly aerated, to adequately maintain alive, a limit of caught bass by both competitors using the boat. TBN College Division recommends live-wells be maintained at full level and aerators/re-circulators on manual. Tournament officials shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is proper and adequate.

15. BOAT IDENTIFICATION: Prior to each day’s start, each boat must be inspected check by a tournament official. Each day, each boat may be given a number, which must remain with the boat. This number must be displayed upon the request of tournament officials, and at each check-in.

16. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Tournament waters shall be established by the Tournament Director for each tournament. Each competitor must obtain this information from the TBN College Division Tournament Department. Any water within these boundaries that are legally and obviously posted “Off-Limits” or “No Fishing,” as well as the live-fish release area established by the Tournament Director, will be off-limits to tournament competitors and will be announced at the Tournament Briefing. Only that water open to all public fishing will be considered tournament waters. Waters deemed off-limits by authorities or tournament officials should be treated like a wall. No boats or casting behind that boundary while fishing. All angling must be done from the boat. In states where landowners have the legal authority to claim private property, these areas must be posted or they will be considered tournament waters unless instructed otherwise by tournament officials at any time during the event. If forced to leave, a competitor must report the incident to tournament officials as soon as possible. Any water to which a competitor is barred access becomes off-limits to all competitors. Prior to 8 a.m. local time the day before the tournament is scheduled to begin, any questionable areas must be brought to the attention of tournament officials to be considered tournament waters. Questionable areas will be off-limits until a determination can be made with authorities and may be announced in the briefing or via text for all to know unless determined otherwise by tournament officials. Tournament officials reserve the right to restrict or enhance tournament waters based on conversations with local authorities. Competitors are not allowed to cut, remove, displace, or engage in any type of structure removal from private property (dry land) during off-limits, official practice, or competition. Moving structures to include sawing of logs or other obstructions in the water is only allowed if laws permit. No competitor may place any object that may impede or cause danger to boaters.

17. COMPETITORS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT: During the competition days, competitors must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. You are not allowed to use a winch, pulley, come along, cable, rope, or similar device/ tools to gain access to tournament waters. Competitors may not shift a majority of their weight outside the boat and onto a dock or other object outside the boat for the purpose of landing a bass or accessing a fishing spot. While keeping the majority of weight in the boat anglers are allowed for boat protection to push off or shove off objects while landing a fish to be counted as legal. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament hours. Competitors must leave from and return to official checkpoints by boat. Both competitors must remain in the boat at all times, except in case of dire emergency, or with permission from the Tournament Director. Exceptions spelled out in this Paragraph and Paragraphs 5 (“Safety”), and 16 (“Catch and Release”). In such an emergency, or with permission of the Tournament Director, competitors may be removed from their boat, either to a boat operated by other competitors, or a rescue boat designated by the Tournament Director. Partners must remain together at all times, in sight of each other and each other’s catch, under the conditions cited above, in order for their catch of that day to be scored in the tournament. In breakdown situations and with a tournament official’s permission, Co-anglers may transfer their boat’s (Pro’s and Co-angler’s) fish to another competitor’s boat and ride to check in, and they may leave their Pro with the disabled boat. In such cases, the co-angler must stay with their catches at all times and assisting boat’s partners should verify the catch. Any College Division team whose boat is disabled and rides with another competitor or rescue boat to weigh in is not allowed to fish. In the event of a needed restroom break or refueling situation at a marina gas pump, partners are allowed to leave the boat. If a competitor violates any of the above conditions (to contact a tournament official by phone or other means, or to report an emergency or breakdown), both competitors must cease fishing at this point and their catch must be verified by a tournament official in order to be counted in the tournament. If, after the emergency situation is resolved by tournament officials, and enough time is left for the competitors to resume fishing, a restart will be allowed, the competitors will continue, and their catch will be counted. This applies only to dire emergency situations as determined by the Tournament Director or his/her designee. Towing boats on trailers during tournament hours is prohibited, except by the direction of tournament officials. Competitors are allowed to leave the boat to retrieve a lure. All fishing by that competitor must cease until back in the boat before making another cast.

18. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINTS: There shall be only one official checkpoint for check-out in the morning, and one official check-in point in the afternoon, which points shall be designated at the tournament briefing. Failure to go through boat check in the morning or failure to check in at the check-in point in the afternoon may result in disqualification. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformity with all rules set forth by the Tournament Director. At check-in, all boats shall identify themselves by means of the numbers described in Paragraph 13 (“Boat Identification”) and proceed immediately to the designated weigh-in area. All anglers must check-in with tournament director upon completion of the tournament regardless of if they are going to weigh-in.

19. SCORING: Tournament standings, contingency awards and final winners shall be determined by the pound-and-ounce weight of each competitor’s catch during the competition days of the tournament. The official measuring stick will be a Check-it-Stick. Only largemouth, spotted, redeye or smallmouth bass are accepted species. The tournament limit is five (5) bass per team unless the state or lake limit is less than five, in which case the state or lake limit prevails. A team’s limit is equal to an individual’s limit. Any team possessing more than an individual legal limit of fish at any time during the tournament except when culling, will remove the fish of their choice from their bag to the legal number of fish and be assessed a 2 (two) pound penalty per fish over the limit from their total weight for the day. The team is responsible for contacting the Tournament Director and self-reporting the violation. The minimum length limit for bass is 14 inches (all species of bass must be 14” to weigh in) unless the state or lake limit is more than 14 inches, in which case, the state or lake limit prevails, and all species must meet the state or lake limit. Any team that presents one or more bass for weigh-in that fails to measure to the prescribed length limit will remove said fish from their bag and lose the weight of all short fish and be assessed a 1 (one) pound penalty from the total weight for the day. Each team’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag, not a personal weigh bag. The winning team is determined by the day’s heaviest limit of fish. Anglers are not allowed to add any foreign weight to the fish or bag.

NOTE: There will be a courtesy-bump station at a predetermined location at each tournament. It will be the team’s responsibility to check a fish at that station should they feel that they have a questionable length fish. There will be NO tournament official at that location to assist you. It is the team’s complete responsibility. However, once you bring the fish to the official bump station, it is considered turned in for weigh-in. Any team that presents one or more bass for weigh-in that fails to measure to the prescribed length limit will remove said fish from their bag and lose weight of all short fish and be assessed a 1 (one) pound penalty from the total weight for the day.

20. ALTERING OF A FISHES WEIGHT: No Angler shall perform any act that will alter the weight of a weigh bag or bass that is to be included in their stringer. Tournament officials reserve the right to use any means necessary to inspect any bass that is in question which includes, but not limited to, physical inspection, x-rays, metal detectors, necropsy, etc.

21. CATCH AND RELEASE: CULLING OF DEAD BASS IS PROHIBITED. For each legal dead bass presented to weigh in officials, the competitor shall be penalized ¼ pound to be deducted from their daily score. A dead fish will not be allowed to be weighed in for a Big Bass prize. The Tournament Director, or his/her designee, shall have sole authority for assessing penalty points. In addition, the Tournament Director, or his/her designee, may reduce tournament hours or tournament limits for fish care purposes. It is suggested in warm weather tournament anglers keep extra ice for fish care. Competitors are allowed to purchase ice on the water. Competitors are allowed to obtain ice and other items for fish care from contestants and/or non-competitors. The scales will open one hour prior to the check-in time of the first flight. SMALL DIP NETS FOR CULLING PURPOSES ARE ENCOURAGED. It is recommended competitors keep all bass in live wells during the culling process. Placing bass on the boat carpet during culling is not an advised practice. Only non-penetrating culling clips and culling beams are allowed. Any clip or device that penetrates or is designed to penetrate the skin or mouth of a fish is not allowed. Proper fizzing technique is suggested when needed. For instructions on acceptable fizzing practices please contact TBN College Division officials.

22. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who are not at the official check-in point, as described in Paragraph 16 (“Official Checkpoints”) at the appointed time, shall be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute late; to be deducted from the total weight of his/her catch that day, including any weight to be counted toward a “big bass award”. Any competitor more than 15 minutes late shall lose all credit for that day’s catch. There shall be no excuse for tardiness, and in no case, shall a competitor be allowed to make up “lost time.” After proper recognition at the check-in point, competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site; however, all fishing must cease upon check-in. After the tournament begins, fishing the tournament waters is prohibited except during tournament hours. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the Tournament Briefing. It is each competitor’s responsibility to confirm check-in times each day on the daily pairings.

23. TIES: A tie for first place will be broken first by a team with no penalties winning, next a total number of fish weighed in for the tournament, if a tie remains, it will be broken by a coin toss. All other ties will be split between that place and the next place’s money.

24. QUALIFICATION FOR TBN COLLEGE DIVISION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT: Must be in good standing with TBN College Division and physically fishes 3 of the 4 qualifying tournaments during the current year will be eligible for the TBN College Division State Championship. TBN College will take the top 65% of the eligible field to the Championship.

25. QUALIFICATION TO BASSMASTER COLLEGE DIVISION NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: We will follow Bassmaster’s rules each year to qualify a certain number of teams to the National College Division Championship. It is always based on how many active teams our tournament has fishing. Once the National Berths have been awarded to TBN College Division, TBN College Division BOD will determine how those berths will be handed out, based on how many we have for that year.

26. ANGLERS OF THE YEAR (AOY): Points will be awarded to teams based on position of finish + stringer weight for that tournament.

Example: 1st place – 200 pts + 23.26 lbs. = 223.26 overall points 2nd place – 199 pts + 22.19 lbs. = 221.19 overall points

All points are subject to change based on the number of teams participating in the tournament. The above examples are based on a 200-boat field. Teams that fail to weigh-in fish in any given tournament will receive 50 points less than the last place team that weighs in fish. Teams that fail to check-in with zero (0) fish will be awarded zero (0) points for that tournament and will not be permitted to fish in their next tournament. AOY points will be published to Fishing Chaos within a week of each tournament. Once points have been posted to Fishing Chaos, a team must notify the the TBN College Division Tournament Director of any inaccuracies. This must be done PRIOR TO THE NEXT SCHEDULE TOURNAMENT. Once the next tournament has begun, all prior points are locked in place. AOY (Anglers of the Year) Payout will be based on available funds agreed upon by the TBN College Division BOD.

27. RULES VIOLATIONS AND APPEALS: Any Rules Violations or appeals will be handled and addressed by the TBN College Division BOD. Appeals for penalties assessed under Paragraph 1.C. (“Penalties), sections (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) must be presented in writing 48 hours from the time and date of ruling to the Tournament Director. Appeals hearings shall take place within seven (7) business days, if possible from the date of receipt of the written appeal and all parties must make themselves available at prescribed time of hearing. If competitors admit to a rule’s violation, they may not file an appeal of either the finding that they have violated the rules or the penalty imposed for the violation. Decisions of the TBN College Division BOD shall be final. Competitors

are allowed to compete under appeal for penalties assessed under Paragraph 1.C. “Penalties”, sections (v) & (vi) until final ruling by Appeals Committee. Competitors are allowed to compete while under appeal. Standings, including points and monetary awards, may be adjusted after appeals final ruling and all affected anglers shall comply with all details of the final ruling.

28. PATCHES AND/OR SIGNAGE: Anglers are encouraged to wear their own clothing which may bear patches, logos and other signage promoting the angler’s sponsors. TBN College Division may, however, restrict the use of patches, logos, signage, etc. that promote or advertise products which are, in TBN College Division sole judgment, in competition with the products or services of official TBN College Division sponsors, or which are, in TBN College Divisions’ sole judgment, in poor taste. TBN College Division will provide as much advance notice as possible to the competitors in such instances. By signing this document, each angler agrees to wear an official TBN College Division shield on either left/right chest, with the top of the patch hitting the left/right collarbone during competition, including the weigh in. This patch may be embroidered. In addition, if TBN College Division provides any ancillary clothing or products (such as life vests) bearing the logos of TBN College Division or the official sponsors of TBN College Division, each competitor shall wear such clothing or utilize such products in a manner requested by TBN College Division.

29. WAIVER AND RELEASE: As a condition of participation in each tournament, each competitor must execute a waiver and release of liability, and a name and likeness release and consent to the use of an electronic or digital signature in the execution thereof.

30. SCHOOL OF THE YEAR: A school of the year trophy will be awarded at the end of each year; money will be awarded based on available funds agreed upon by the TBN College Division BOD. School of the year will be determined by the following.

I. Points for Fishing

  a. Based on the 3 Highest Finishing Teams from each school

  b. Points will be awarded for each place.

II. Conservation Points

  a. Based on Projects across the State

  b. Points based on Size and Scope of Project

  c. Based on a 100-point scale

  d. Determined by Conservation Director

III. Promotional Points

  a. Assist at TBN Events Adult or Youth – 25 points per person must organize with TBN

  b. Help to promote TBN to younger anglers at a school or an Expo to other college or adult anglers – 25 per person must organize through TBN

IV. Public Service Points

  a. Going to Junior or High School events, adult events or other events for kids

  b. Help at tournaments, cast for kids, toys for tots, etc.