1. There will be a mandatory meeting 5 minutes prior to take off on the water.
2.
Boat order will be determined by random draw for the first 20 boats, after which, teams will be numbered by order of registration.
3. Livewells must be open while idling by the Start Boat. All boats must pass by the Start Boat with their livewells open for inspection.
4. Five fish limit: Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass.
5. Dead fish weighed will result in ¼ pound penalty from total weight. A dead fish cannot be weighed for a team's big fish. Note: state law prohibits returning dead fish to water.
6.
Weighing in a short fish will result in the loss of that fish as well the loss of 1 additional pound. A courtesy bump is provided to speed the process. The bump must be requested in advance for up to only 1 fish.
7. Any team coming to the weigh-in with more than 5 bass will be disqualified.
8. Check-in time will be announced at the pre-tournament meeting. THERE WILL BE NO GRACE TIME. IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
9. Safety, good sportsmanship, and courtesy will be expected and enforced. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
10. All tournaments, except the classic, are open for 2024.
11.
Tournaments cost $130 (this includes $10 paid to the Big Bass Pot) and must be paid before the tournament. Only cash will be accepted at the ramp. The big bass money will pay back two spots: 60% and 40% respectively.
12.
Payback will be 1 team for every 5 teams participating with a maximum of 10 paid spots starting with boat #6. 90% of entry fees will be paid back at each tournament. The remaining 10% will be placed in the Classic pot. $10 of each entry is placed into the big bass pot. All money collected will be tracked on the website for transparency.
13. In the event of a tie, spots will be added together and the money split evenly.
14. A cash prize up to $150 will be awarded to the Team of the Year.
- 20 points for participation at each tournament.
- 60 points for 1st place, 58 points for 2nd place, 56 points for 3rd place etc.
YTD points will be calculated based on the highest 6 finishes for the year. If a team fishes fewer than 6 tournaments, all tournaments will be included in YTD totals.
15. Teams fishing for points and Classic qualification may use up to 2 substitutes per year. A member may fish solo anytime. No substitutes are allowed at the Classic.
It is mandatory for the team members to present their substitute to the tournament director at registration, and that the substitute fill out a release of liability (entry form) either in person or online. Failure to do so will result in the team forfeiting their points and the tournament will not count toward eligibility for the Classic. Teams found in violation will not be eligible for a refund.
16.
Top 50% of teams from the average field in the final standings will qualify for the classic. Also, any team participating in 4 Tournaments will automatically qualify for the classic.
17. Trolling is not allowed.
18. Only artificial baits may be used with only a single rod at any one time.
19. All State and Federal rules/laws will be strictly enforced: this includes boating laws.
20. Life Jackets are required and must be worn anytime the boat is on plane.
21. All boats must have an aerated livewell in working order.
22. All boat owners must have sufficient liability insurance to cover any accident.
23. Unless worked out with tournament directors in advance, teams must be present to claim their prize and/or cash.
24. All alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited at all times.
25. Tournament “hours” begin the moment a team arrives and does not end until the last prize has been handed out.
26. Failure to comply with any rule may result in penalties, including loss of weight or disqualification.
27. All protests must be given to the Tournament Director in writing within 5 minutes of weigh-in scales being closed. Rule interpretation will be determined by the Tournament Director and their decision is final.
28. Any rules infraction may result in consequences, which may or may not be disqualification.
29. In signing registration forms, participants submit truthful verification for the tournament directors and R&B Bass Circuit. Participants have read and understand all rules listed on the R&B website. Participants have sufficient liability insurance to cover any accident. Participants acknowledge the tournament directors' decisions are final on all matters and will accept all protests as explained in rule 27. Tournament Directors, Sponsors, and R&B Bass Circuit will not be held responsible or liable for any damages or injuries to participants or their property. Participants also waive the right to sue.