2008 QUALIFYING PRO-AM BASS TOURNAMENTS
OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. PREFACE-RULES: These
rules will remain unchanged during Central Pro-Am’s 2008 Pro-Am Bass
Tournaments. Interpretation and enforcement of the following rules and
regulations will be left exclusively to the Tournament Director. Decisions of
the Tournament Director and Tournament Officials shall be final in all matters. PROTESTS
MUST BE MADE IN WRITING WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF THE OFFICIAL CHECK-IN TIME OF THE
FINAL FLIGHT OF EACH TOURNAMENT DAY. Rules are in effect during competition
days of each 2008 Pro-Am Bass Tournament.
2. ELIGIBILITY:
In order to maintain the highest standards associated with the sport of
professional bass fishing, participation in this tournament will be by
invitation only. Anyone whose invitation has been accepted that is 16 years of
age or older, who is a current member of CPAA, and paid the appropriate entry
fee by the deadline date is eligible. Central Pro-Am Association reserves the
right to discontinue acceptance of the applications prior to the deadline date
and also reserves the right to extend the deadline date. Proof of age is the
responsibility of the potential competitor. Any potential competitor, who, in
the judgment of the Tournament Director, is handicapped in such a manner to
unfairly hinder other competitors or endanger the safety and well being of his
partner or himself shall not be eligible. For specific requirements
concerning Pro or Amateur eligibility, entrants must contact CPAA Tournament
Offices.
3. ENTRY FEE AND DEADLINE:
The entry fee for Central Pro-Am Association's 2008 Pro-Am Bass Tournaments will
be $300.00 for Pro Entrants and $150.00 for Amateur Entrants. Completed and
signed entry forms and entry fees must be received at CPAA Tournament Offices
prior to the deadline date for the tournament. The deadline date shall be
Wednesday, ten (10) days prior to each Pro-Am Bass Tournament Event. Proof of
boater's liability insurance in the amount of $100,000.00 must be received by
CPAA prior to the first day of official practice. No entrant may operate a
boat on tournament waters during official practice or during tournament days
unless boater's liability insurance ($100,000.00) has been verified by CPAA
Tournament Officials.
4. DEPOSITS:
Deposits of $100.00 for Pros and $50.00 for Amateurs will be accepted. Balance
of entry fee must be received by Central Pro-Am Association no later than the
deadline date. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of
date of cancellation, with the exception of those entrants (Pro or Amateur
Division) who are on waiting lists and are not placed and confirmed for the
tournament. Any balance of the entry fee paid in excess of the deposit, will
only be refunded or transferred if proper notification is made to CPAA's
Tournament Office on or before the entry deadline date. ALL MONIES HELD ON
ACCOUNT MUST BE USED BY THE END OF THE FOLLOWING SEASON OR IT IS FORFEIT. Exceptions
to this rule will only be granted due to emergencies and must be approved by the
President, CPAA, Inc.
5. OFF LIMITS/OFFICIAL
PRACTICE/COMPETITION PERIODS: THERE
WILL BE NO OFF LIMITS PERIOD. Tournament Hours on competition days will
begin at safe light for each 2008 Pro-Am Bass Tournament. Competitors must know
and observe the official times and dates. During competition, tournament anglers
may not procure the service of guides or local experts, participate in the
practice of "hole sitting", follow a non-competitor's boat to fishing
locations, use pre-set markers or buoys for determining fishing areas, nor may
they practice with anyone not entered in the tournament without prior approval
of CPAA's Tournament Director. Violations of this rule will result in immediate
disqualification from the tournament.
6. REGISTRATION:
Each competitor must register in person with the Tournament Officials
during a specified time and at a specified place described on the schedule of
events. FAILURE TO REGISTER PROPERLY WILL RESULT IN A PENALTY OF ONE POUND
BEING DEDUCTED FROM THE CONTESTANT'S TOTAL CATCH.
7. SAFETY:
Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by CPAA tournament
competitors. Each contestant is required to wear a coast-guard approved chest
type life preserver fully strapped, snapped or zipped securely any time the
combustion engine is on during official practice and competition days. (NO
SOS LIFE JACKETS PERMITTED) Violation of this rule will be grounds for
disqualification. The Tournament Director has the right to cancel or delay the
start of an official tournament day, or alter previously scheduled tournament
day return times, because of bad weather or any other factor that would endanger
the safety of the competitors. IF THE FIRST DAY OF A 2008 QUALIFYING PRO-AM
BASS TOURNAMENT IS CANCELLED, THEN THE TOURNAMENT WATERS WILL BE DECLARED OFF
LIMITS FOR THAT DAY.
8. SPORTSMANSHIP:
The professional bass fisherman and the tournament they are associated with are
under extreme scrutiny from the general public, conservation groups, local
fishermen, and state and federal agencies. Conservation, care and courtesy must
be observed at all times by all contestants. No alcoholic beverages may be
allowed in the boat or used by the competitors during official practice,
tournament hours and the weigh-in. No stimulants, depressants or other drugs
(other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a physician) shall
be used by any competitor during official practice, tournament hours, and the
weigh-in. Any competitor not practicing the highest standards of care,
courtesy, and conservation may be subject to disqualification. Any competitor
violating the other sections of the rule will be disqualified.
9. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:
Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" or "prepared
bait" will be permitted, with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc..
Only ONE casting, spin-casting or spinning rod (8 foot maximum length from butt
of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. All other types
prohibited. Other rigs as specified above may be in boat ready for use, however,
only ONE is permitted in use at any given time. Each cast must be completed
before another rod and reel may be used. All bass must be caught live and in a
conventional sporting manner. Gaffs may not be used nor be permitted in the boat
at any time. Landing nets may be used during CPAA Tournaments. Contestants may
not use electronic "bugging" devices, or chemicals during official
practice, tournament days or 30 days prior to official competition days on the
tournament waters. CONTESTANTS MAY NOT USE UNDERWATER CAMERAS DURING OFFICIAL
PRACTICE AND TOURNAMENT DAYS. Snagging or snatching bass on spawning beds is
prohibited.
10. BOAT, MOTOR, AND HORSEPOWER:
Each boat must have all the required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment.
All boats must be equipped with an ignition "kill switch" device which
must be attached to the driver anytime the combustion engine is on and running
during competition days. Each boat is required to have an operational bilge pump
and a properly aerated livewell adequate to maintain alive a limit catch of bass
by both fishermen. No boat may exceed the horsepower limitations set by the U.S.
Coast Guard in their ruling of November 1, 1972. Each boat must display a
maximum horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer.
Changing, altering or falsifying information on rating plates, motor cowling or
rating numbers on motor is strictly prohibited. All bladder tanks and any other
type of auxiliary gas tanks that are not installed by the boat manufacturers are
prohibited. By his signature on the entry form, each boater agrees to submit the
boat and motor used in the tournament to a complete inspection by the tournament
committee, factory trained personnel, and/or U. S. Coast Guard personnel.
Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited unless approved by
Tournament Officials. Electric trolling motors may be used for maneuvering but,
trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. Houseboats, barges, or other
cumbersome crafts will not be allowed. Boats with a stick steering present
greater than normal safety hazards and may not be used in CPAA Tournaments. The
boater may bring his own boat, rent a boat at the tournament site, or borrow a
boat provided any boat being used meets the rules and requirements specified for
the tournament. (Refusal to submit to an inspection or violation on any of the
rules in this section will be cause for disqualification.)
11. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:
Fishing on the tournament waters is permitted anywhere except: within 50
yards of another competitor's boat which was first anchored or secured in a
fixed position (with the trolling motor out of the water), unless that
competitor specifically allows any and all tournament boats the right to fish
within 50-yard radius claimed by him; within any area designated by state or
federal agencies as a "no fishing" area; within the buoyed areas of
the take-off cove. Other specific off limits shall be addressed at the
pre-tournament meeting.
12. SPECIAL SITUATIONS: Contestants
must not depart the boat to land fish. Contestants must leave and return to the
official checkpoint by boat. Neither competitor may depart the boat except in
the case of a dire emergency. In such an emergency, competitors may be removed
from their boat to another boat properly meeting the rules and requirements
specified for the tournament and inspected by tournament officials prior to the
competitors use; a boat operated by other competitors or a rescue boat so
designated by tournament officials. Boat partners must remain together and in
sight of each other and each other's catch from checkout through weigh-in. If a
competitor must violate 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 and the
competitors will continue and their catch will be counted. This applies only to
dire emergency situations. Trailering of boats during tournament hours is
prohibited unless approved by Tournament Officials.
13. SCORING/POSSESSION: Largemouth
bass,
14. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: There
shall be only one official point for check-out in the morning, and check-in in
the afternoon, and this point shall be designated at the tournament briefing. At
the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full
conformance with all rules set forth by Tournament Officials. At check-in, all
boats shall proceed immediately to the designated weigh-in area. Failure to turn
in boat numbers at the official checkpoint will result in late penalties being
imposed (See Rule #16).
15. PENALTY POINTS:
For each legal dead bass presented to weigh-in officials, the competitor shall
be penalized 0.25 pounds to be deducted from his daily score. The Tournament
Director and his designated appointees shall have sole authority for accessing
penalty points.
16. LATE PENALTY: Competitors
who are not in the official checkpoint area at the appointed time shall be
penalized at the rate of 1 pound per minute to be deducted from the total weight
of his catch that day, including any weight to be counted toward a "Big
Bass" award for each 1 minute he is late. 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 competitors have been properly recognized and have
turned in their boat number to CPAA Tournament Officials, they will be allowed
ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site; however, all fishing must cease upon
check-in. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the
pre-tournament meeting.
17. TIES: In
case of a first place tie, the winner will be determined by an overtime
fish-off. Special rules will be decided by Tournament Officials. Ties other than
first place shall be broken as decided by Tournament Officials.
18. CULLING:
Culling inside the host marina buoys shall be reason for immediate
disqualification.
19. PRO-AM RULES: Contestants
will be guaranteed entry in each tournament after being placed with a
corresponding Pro or Amateur Entrant. CPAA will only accept individual entries
(i.e. Pro only) and will guarantee entry when a corresponding entrant is found.
CPAA Tournament Officials may use "observers" in case of sickness,
emergency or disqualification in order to maintain an adequate number of Pros
and Amateurs. The Pro shall have complete control of boat operation and waters
to be fished. However, the Pro shall not operate the boat in such a manner as to
deliberately handicap the Amateur. In order that all Amateur Entrants receive
fair treatment, they will all fish from the back deck of the boat. They may move
to the front deck for safety reasons or for movement of the boat, but may not
fish from the front of the boat. Pro entrants may not fish from the back
deck of the boat. Amateur participants who share their Pro partners' fishing
locations with other competitors are subject to disqualification along with the
person utilizing this information. AMATEUR PARTICIPANTS CANNOT USE A GPS
DEVICE TO MARK ANY OF THE PRO ANGLERS FISHING LOCATIONS DURING THE TOURNAMENT
HOURS. With the large expense involved in operating and maintaining a
tournament bass boat, it is suggested that Amateur Division anglers at least
share part of the gas and oil expenses for the competition day. Other specific
"Pro-Am" rules will be discussed at the tournament briefing.
20. PARTNER PAIRINGS:
CONTESTANTS WILL BE ASSIGNED PARTNERS AT THE PRE-TOURNAMENT MEETING. All
contestants must attend this meeting. Contestants must stay in sight of their
partner throughout the day until the weigh-in is completed. In no way shall a
contestant allow a bass caught by him to be weighed in by anyone else. Violation
of this rule will disqualify all parties for present and future tournaments held
by Central Pro-Am Association. Partners are responsible for being in the water
and ready to take-off per the tournament hours discussed at the tournament
briefing.
22. QUALITY ASSURANCE TEST:
By his or her signature on this entry form and/or participation in this
tournament, contestants agree to submit to quality assurance tests if required
by the Tournament Director. These may include all or part of the following;
polygraph test, urinalysis, blood test, and observer, in or out of the boat.
Refusal to submit by anglers will result in immediate disqualification and
subsequent disqualification from any future CPAA Tournaments. If the angler is
unsuccessful with any or all of the above tests, that angler's weight shall be
0.00 pounds. None of the above rules shall prohibit a CPAA Tournament Official
from observing, approaching or boarding any competitor's boat during official
practice periods, or during tournament competition days.