: A yearly $30.00 membership fee per team/boat is required to become a member and be eligible to fish in the Tri-County Bass Trail, per Board of Directors approval.
TEAM:
Shall consist of no more than two (2) persons on the regular roster.
BREAK UP OF TEAM
: In the event that a team decides to split, those points shall be split 50/50 between both members if they both choose to remain in the club. If only one member remains, that individual shall retain all points accrued throughout the year.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
: Each paid team is allowed the use of an alternate, if one member is unable to attend a tournament, the remaining team member must call one member of the Board of Directors BEFORE the tournament to sign up their alternate. If this is not done, that alternate will not be able to participate in that tournament. The alternate must also pay a one time alternate fee of $15. Then, that person will become an associate member in the club. They will be eligible to be an alternate for any team. This rule will be enforced.
MEMBER ALTERNATES
: Paid club members from two (2) different teams are allowed to fish together. Any points and money won by this team will be split according to their agreement prior to the tournament. For both members to receive full credit for participation/tournament points and credit towards the annual classic in November, the full $50 tournament fee must be paid by both members.
ENTRY FEE
: There will be a $50 entry fee per team. This fee will be the same even if you fish alone.
BIG BASS
: The Big Bass pot is $10.00 and is totally optional. This is to be paid at the same time as the entry fee. This is 100% payback. Two places will be paid out. One team cannot win both first and second big bass. See rule #10 for payback information.
YEARLY BIG BASS
: This is an optional fee of $25.00 per team. Each team must join in the pot before they fish their first tournament to be eligible. This is 100% payback. This is to be paid out at the Classic in November. The winning team must be at the Classic to receive the money. The pot is only effective for the regular season tournaments between February and October. (not at the Classic)
REFUNDS
: Once a team has paid its membership, tournament, and an optional pot, those fees will be non-refundable.
PAYBACK
: The payback will be as followed:
1st place------50% of entry fee Classic fund-----10% of entry fee
2nd place-----25% of entry fee Club expenses---2.5% of entry fee
3rd place-----12.5% of entry fee
Big Bass: 1st place------- 70% 2nd place------ 30%
BOAT CHECK
: All boats are subject to be randomly checked by one of the Board of Directors prior to being launched. Teams will then be given an indicator to place on their trolling motor. This will make it easier to determine who is in the tournament while on the water.
MORNING LAUNCH
: After a team has paid their appropriate tournament dues, that team will pick a number to determine their launch position. Anyone leaving before his or her number is called will be disqualified. This number will be used again at weigh in time.
LATE ARRIVALS
: For any reason, a team arrives late they MUST find a member of the tournament committee to check their boat and live wells (you will be provided with cell numbers of any one that can check you in). You will be responsible in checking in with one of these members before you begin fishing. The late team must tell the team checking them which fees they wish to pay. The late team must pay their entry fee before they weigh-in; any team failing to pay the proper fees will be dropped from the club.
TOURNAMENT DURATION
: The starting time will be no earlier than safe daylight. Launch time and weigh in maybe held until later due to weather or any other conditions. Official weigh in time will be at 2:00 PM. The Board of Directors will decide launch time and weigh in.
SAFETY/BOAT REGULATIONS
: Safety regulations will be observed. All boats must be U.S. Coast Guard equipped and all state local regulations adhered to. Boats over 25hp must be equipped with a working kill switch. The horsepower may not exceed the rating on the U.S. Coast Guard data plate or BIA. If this is found out to be true the team will be disqualified. An Approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) will be worn by all participants when main engine is running, even at idle. If a team fails to follow club and state rules that team maybe disqualified.
FISHING:
Only (1) rod shall be used at a time. No rods over 8’. Only artificial baits shall be used (excluding pork rinds). No trolling of any kind. Violations will result in disqualification.
FISHING DISTANCE
: No team shall fish within fifty (50) yards from another boat with anchor down and trolling motor up. There will be no saving spots for another team or blocking off water. (ex. canal entrance) Respect your fellow competitors at all times.
FISH LIMIT
: There will be a five- (5) fish limit with a state minimum of 14" each. One fish over 22" per person. The "Golden Rule" is the official measuring board with the fishes nose butted up on the board and tail squeezed together, pinched closed. Any team weighing in more than 5 fish will have their limit culled back starting with the largest. Only 5 bass will be allowed in the live well at a time. Culling must be done in the lake not at the weigh-in or at the ramp. Any team bringing in a fish that does not measure 14" will lose that fish and their biggest fish. ALL fish become the property of the club and will be returned to the water alive. Any fish not returned alive will be counted as a DEAD fish. Dead legal size fish maybe taken home to eat by a club member when approved by the Board of Directors after the tournament is finalized.
CARE OF FISH
: All boats must have a least one livewell with working live well pump. Catch and Release will be enforced. Fish will be brought up to the scales in a plastic fish bag. The weigh in bag must have enough water to completely cover the fish.
LEAVING EARLY
: Any team, which leaves early, must place their number on the tournament board before leaving. If this is not done, the Board of Directors may call you to make sure you are not out on the water. If you launch from a different location other than the official ramp you must call one member of the Board of Directors to let them know you left the water.
WEIGH IN OF FISH
: You will only bring fish up after the Board of Directors call for them. Weigh in will be done in same order as the morning launch. Each team must keep their boat in the water until their fish have been weighed. One member from each team is encouraged to witness the weighing/calling of their catch. This will help ease any questions about their big bass weight or total daily weight.
PENALTIES
: If a team brings up a dead fish they will be penalized four (4) ounces PER dead fish. After three (3) dead fish that team could be DISQUALIFIED.
LATE PENALTY
: Any boat/team that is late for the official weigh in will lose one (1) pound per minute and will be DISQUALIFIED after fifteen (15) minutes.
SCORING SYSTEM
: The points system to determine Angler of the Year will be as follows: 1st through 25th will earn a point per position (i.e.: 1st = 25 points, 2nd = 24 points and so on…ALL teams will receive 5 participation points per tournament. The place first big bass winners per tournament will receive 5 additional points. Second place big bass will receive 3 addition points. Maximum amount a team can get in each event is 35 points. No points will be awarded at the Classic in November.
TIEBREAKER
: The following will break ties in this order. The team with the most fish, the team with the heaviest individual fish, if still tied the money will be split among teams involved.
PROTESTS
: The deadline for protest/arguments will be at the end of the weigh in. The Board of Directors has the FINAL say in all disputes.
DAY OF TOURNAMENT
: The first Saturday will be the tournament date for each month, including the Classic. If this date falls on a major holiday the Board of Directors have the right to move it. No team or individual that pays to fish this tournament may participate in any other tournament trail, club, open boat tournament, etc, in the same day. If this is found to be true that team will be disqualified and ejected from the club.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
: The club will be limited to 25 teams/boats. No exceptions. A current paid club member must sponsor new teams. The Board of Directors shall approve each new member/team. Any new team joining after the April tournament will not be able to fish the Classic.
PARTICAPATION
:Should you miss more than (3) three tournaments consecutively in (1) one calendar year you will be replaced by the first available team on the waiting list should we have a full roster of (25) twenty-five teams.
CLASSIC
: Any team who has showed the effort/participation of fishing 6 out of 9 tournaments for the year will be able to fish the Classic. The Classic will be a two- (2) day event. All teams will pay a one-day entry fee to fish the Classic. The optional Big Bass pot will be paid out both days, $10.00 each day. Both team members must have fished one regular tournament. Non members may not fish at the Classic. Only a paid club member from another team that has not qualified for the Classic may fish as an alternate.
CLASSIC PAYBACK
: The Classic payback will be 100% of all the Classic funds collected during the year. The Classic payback will be as followed:
1st ------50% of Classic fund 2nd ------30% of Classic fund 3rd ------20% of Classic fund
ANGLERS OF THE YEAR
: The team finishing at the top of the points after the October tournament will be awarded Anglers of the Year at the Classic. The Anglers of the Year shall receive a free entry into the Classic along with an additional award. Tiebreaker will be as follows: Most 1st place finishes, most 2nd place finishes, most 3rd place finishes, biggest bass of the year, and most tournaments fished.
OCCURANCES
: The Board of Directors will handle any problems that occur during the year accordingly. The Board of Directors will finalize all rules and regulations.
EJECTION FROM CLUB
: Fighting, cheating, drinking or any breaking of club rules or state laws are grounds for DISQUALIFICATION and immediate TERMINATION from the club. This will be at the Board of Directors discretion.
"Fishing Camps/Ramps"
Bannons Fishing Camp, Lake Marion
7970 Bannon Fish Camp Road, Haines City, FL 33844
(863) 422-1223
Bob’s Landing, Crooked Lake
Babson Park, FL (863) 638-1912
(863) 638-4408
Jennings Resort Inc, Lake Pierce
3600 Jennings Road, Haines City, FL 33844
(863) 439-3811
LIABILITY STATEMENT/DISCLAIMIER: By agreeing to fish with Tri-County Bass Trail. Both team members and there families hereby release all liability for accidents and or injuries sustained during any fishing event from Tri-County Bass Trail, all club members not involved in any circumstance and the Board of Directors. Furthermore, having acquainted myself with the rules, I have completed this application, I hereby waive and release all other contestants not involved in an innocent/accident, the host, sponsors, and tournament officials from all claims or injury/damage incurred in connection with this tournament. I swear that the facts given are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I agree to conduct myself in a sportsman like manner and adhere to all local and state laws.
