Tournament Rules

Official Puddle Fisher’s Bass Tournament Rules

1) Eligibility: All participants must have a valid Florida fishing license.The tournament is open to all (one or two people) to fish as a team, providing the person operating the vessel is of legal age and licensed. An  adult choosing a minor as a partner will take full responsibility for that minor. Those under 18 years of age may participate with the completion of the appropriate  release/waiver on the previous page. No forward facing sonar!

2) Registration: All competitors must complete and sign the registration form. Boat numbers will be drawn once all boats are registered. The last boat to register will be assigned to calling out numbers for launch. Big Fish participation is optional, however, if participating, please submit fees with registration.  Those choosing not to pay into the big fish pot will not be eligible for the big fish winnings. 

3) Safety: Safe boat conduct and all safety precautions must be observed at all times. All boats must be equipped with United States Coast Guard (USCG)  approved life jackets, which must be worn secured when a combustible engine is in gear. All boats must be equipped with approved running lights and working  engine kill switch. Both must be fully operational. Furthermore a kill switch must be fastened to the driver anytime the combustion engine is propelling the  boat. Any boat equipped with a motor that exceeds the horsepower rating of the boat according to the manufacturer is prohibited from being used.All boats  must have a whistle and a fire extinguisher. MUST FOLLOW ALL FWC GUIDELINES. 

4) Sportsmanship: All competitors are expected to show courtesy to other competitors and non-competitors alike. NO ALCOHOLIC beverages or  ILLEGAL DRUGS will be allowed during tournament hours. Drunkenness will not be tolerated. Any sportsmanship issues will result in loss of points. Second offense will be expulsion from the club. 

5) Protest: Complaints or protests must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director within fifteen (15) minutes after scales are closed. Tournament  Director must be informed of such action prior to or during weigh-ins. 

6) Tackle: Only artificial lures can be used. No prepared or live bait may be used. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional manner using a rod  and reel. No trolling will be permitted at any time during tournament hours. A contestant may use only one rod at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat  for substitute purposes. No jigger poling. 

7) Boat Equipment: All boats must be equipped with functional live well, no exceptions. Each boat should have a functional bilge pump and attempts must be made to  keep the fish alive. Tournament committee reserves the right to inspect any and all live wells and boats prior to the start of the tournament. 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. (See also  Safety in Section 3) 

8) Pre-Tournament Practice: Waters are off limits between the hours of 6am of the day prior to the tournament until the tournament begins. 

9) Permitted Fishing: No fishing permitted within (75) yards of the host landing area or (25) yards of another participant’s boat which was first positioned  on a hole. No competitors shall have a non-competitor scout out a hole or hold a hole for him during tournament hours to obtain fish. Tournament waters that  are posted (off limits, no fishing, no trespassing and private property) by the State or Local authorities or any posted water where the public is not allowed are off limits to all competitors. Competitors cannot cross any of the above listed water to gain access to open or public fishing water. Competitors shall remain  with their partners in the boat at all times during the tournament, except in the event of sickness or brief excursions for “nature calling”, severe storm or other  such hazard. Competitors may leave the boat to dislodge it. If for any reason either or both team members decide to leave the tournament waters early, both  members shall bear full responsibility for notifying a tournament official. If one team member leaves the water early, he/she may not return and resume fishing.  However, his/her partner may continue fishing for the remainder of the tournament hours. In case of a breakdown, one partner may return with fish by another  tournament boat while the other partner is permitted to stay with the disabled boat. 

10) Penalties: Teams who have not checked in at the official check point on time at the conclusion of the tournament will be disqualified. Late penalties will  be deducted from “Big Fish” weight as well as total weight. Competitors who are not checked in by the check-in deadline will be penalized at a rate of 1 pound  per minute, up to 15 minutes at which time their catch will be disqualified. Limit of five bass per team. Any dead fish brought to the weigh in scale will result in a five-ounce penalty. A maximum of two (2) dead fish will be weighed per boat, more than 2 dead fish will result in disqualification. The five-ounce  penalty applies to the overall weight of the catch, but does not apply to the individual weight of any one fish. In order for a bass to qualify for big bass, the bass must be alive. Each boat may only weigh in once. 

11) Fishing Hours: Tournament will begin at safe light. All fish weighed in must be caught the day of the tournament (during official hours). Weigh in will  be the landing site and scheduled according to flights. Teams should be checked in 30 minutes prior to launch. All boats must be checked in by a tournament  official to receive the launch pass. Teams not weighing any fish are still required to check in with tournament officials in order to account for all teams. Once  a team member has checked in or left the boat for the purpose of checking in, neither team member may fish or continue fishing. 

12) Damage: Damage of any nature is the responsibility of the tournament participant. Both the driver and the passenger who participate accept full liability  and responsibility for any and all personal injury or property damage that may occur. 

13) Ties: Largest bass weighed shall decide a tie for total weight. Total weight will decide a tie for Big Fish. 

14) Rule Changes: Rules will remain unchanged throughout the event. Tournament Director may acquire assistance from Tournament Officials. Tournament Director and Officials have the right to accept or refuse any person/persons entry fee. 

15) Cancellations: Tournament scheduled rain or shine. If cancellation by host is necessary, the tournament may be held on the next available weekend. If a participant  cancels his/her registration or does not make the tournament, no refunds will be given. If less than 6 boats register for the event, the event will be  canceled/rescheduled. If canceled the payout scale will be abandoned and all fees returned. 

16) Payout: Winners are responsible for any and all taxes on any money or prizes won. 20% will be donated to the club for member  events(ex:BBQ,meeting,ect.).10% will be for the championship tournament. Participants who violate any of the above rules, or violate the Fish and Game laws  of the State of Florida will be disqualified. Reference the payout sheet.

17) Point System: 

1: Total bag weight will be added as points for each team. 

2: 10 points will be added for showing up to each event.

3: Any team that does not weigh in will only receive show up points.

4: 1 point per fish 

5: Big fish weight is applied to big fish boat.

18) Classic: Must fish 8 out of the 11 tournaments. Teams also have the option to buy up to 2 tournaments to make the classic. If a team only fish’s 6 tournaments, you must purchase the other 2 tournaments to qualify for the classic.

19) Club Fee: Annual club fee per member will be $30 and this will go toward classic as well as points leader at the end of the season. If there is a change in partners, club fees and points stick with the boater. If the new partner is not already part of the club there will be a $30 membership fee that will go toward the classic. If it is a member changing boats a $10 fee will be charged and go toward the classic. Cut off date to become a member is Feb 4th.