WEST COAST BASS OFFICIAL RULES UPDATED January 1, 2010
Safety- Every Boat entered in a West Coast Bass Event must be a minimum of 16 feet long and powered by a minimum of 75 horsepower. Engines may not exceed the BIA rating for the hull. No engines exceeding 300 horsepower will be permitted. Every boat entered must have a working engine cut off switch. The engine cut off switch must be securely attached to the driver whenever the outboard motor is running. The driver must be sitting in the driver’s seat when operating the outboard motor. Whenever the outboard motor is running it is mandatory that all contestants wear a coast guard approved life vest. Suspender style life jackets are allowed. For additional safety it is suggested that all contestants wear at least a suspender style life jacket at all times during the hours of the tournament. No waist belt life preservers are allowed. Unsafe or reckless driving will be grounds for disqualification solely at the discretion of the tournament director. Any violations of local laws will be grounds for possible disqualification. Complaints from residents or other boaters related to any contestant may also result in disqualification solely at the discretion of the tournament director.
Insurance and Liability- All contestants entering a boat into the event are required to carry and have proof of public liability insurance covering them and any passengers. Failure to provide proof of insurance upon request is immediate grounds for disqualification. All contestants by entering the event understand that there is a risk of injury or death during the competition and assume all responsibility. Contestants agree to hold harmless tournament owners, directors, officials, sponsors or venues for damage or personal injury. All contestants agree to assume all risks both known and unknown related to participating in the event and are required to sign a release waiver as part of their entrance into the event.
Eligibility- All contestants will be accepted into the event over the age of 18 with no restrictions of race, gender or creed. Persons under the age of 18 must have written permission for each event entered from a parent or guardian and must be a minimum age of 16 with a valid driver’s license. All pro contestants are required to a have a minimum of two years experience to enter as a pro contestant. All contestants are required to have a valid fishing license. Boaters are required to have a valid boat registration and or any lake permits required by law. West Coast Bass reserves the right to refuse entry of contestants for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Format/Paybacks- The format for West Coast Bass Pro-Am events will be a shared weight two day format. The total for the two days weight for each individual will determine results on both sides of the field, Pro/Boater and Semi-Pro/Non-Boater. Paybacks are determined by a percentage of entry fees on each side of the field. Random draws will determine daily partners it is possible to draw the individual you signed up with to enter the event. Contestants must sign up as a team or be match up prior to acceptance of entry in order to be guaranteed to fish the event. The paybacks will be based on a minimum of an 80% return of fees collected. It is possible for the paybacks to exceed 80% based on sponsor support.
Entry Deadline- All entries must be in by the Friday one week prior to the event. Anyone entering after that time must enter with a partner and pay at the lake. Cash will be the only form of payment accepted at the lake. A twenty dollar late fee per contestant will be assed at that time.
Partner matching- Contestants are to realize that the shared weight concept takes two to make it work. Contestants are compelled to find a partner to sign up with prior to entering the event. If you do not sign up with a partner you are not guaranteed to fish the event. Pairing will be done by West Coast Bass as a courtesy and only on a first come first served basis of fully paid entrants.
Partner No Show- All contestants entering an event with a partner will be guaranteed to fish both days of the event. In the case of a semi-Pro non boater it is possible that circumstances will not allow him a Pro as odd man out. It is the responsibility of the partners to be sure his draw partner shows up to fish. West Coast Bass will not take responsibility of finding partners or new partners. Contestants without partners may be forced to drop out of the competition and will forfeit all fees.
Media Coverage and Attire- It is the intention of West Coast Bass to get as much media coverage as possible. It is the responsibility of each contestant to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Filming of West Coast Bass events could result in exposure to millions of people. Proper attire both during the competition at all official meetings and the weigh in is required. Shirts should be tucked in and no cut-off or muscle shirts are allowed. Contestants ignoring the rules of proper attire and the proper code of ethics are subject to disqualification and could forfeit any winnings as a part of this rule. Reasonable cooperation with the media is a requirement to fish any West Coast Bass Pro-am.
Permitted Fishing Methods- All Bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. Only artificial baits may be used. Trolling is prohibited. Nets for the use of landing fish are permitted. No contestant is allowed to leave the boat unless it is a medical emergency or using the rest room.
Live wells/size and bag limits- It is the responsibility of the boater to have a functioning aerated livewell. Only Black Bass will qualify Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass. The fish will be measured laying flat mouth open on a flat board and must be a minimum of 13 inches in length. The daily tournament limit will be five fish per boat. No more than the legal limit may be kept in the livewells at any time. Fish measured short will result in a one pound penalty and elimination of the short fish. Fish weighed in dead will result in a .20 penalty. Fish declared to be short or dead are solely the discretion of the weigh master.
Late Weigh-in- One pound per minute penalty will be assessed for contestants arriving late at the check in point. Designated flights and official time is solely at the discretion of the tournament official checking in contestants. Five minutes late will result in that day’s disqualification.
Ties- Daily big fish ties will be broken for rewards by the heavier bag weight of that day. Total weight ties will be broken by the biggest fish weighed in by either contestant. If a tie still remains the contestants will split the prize equally. Standings ties will be broken by the heaviest two day total recorded for that season by either contestant.
Protests- Official tournament protests must be made before the scales are officially closed for that day. Protests will only be considered if they are in writing and signed by the protesting contestant. To avoid the embarrassment of protests contestants should if possible first warn the offender that the infraction is taking place.
Lie Detector- Lie detector tests may be used at any time at the discretion of the tournament director. All contestants by virtue of entry must agree to submit to a lie detector test upon request or face immediate disqualification. Results of the test may also result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes.
Encroachment- No contestant may move within a twenty five yard limit of another contestant’s boat for the purpose of fishing. All four contestants will be interviewed separately to determine if an infraction has taken place. Once again a verbal warning should wart off possible protests.
Sight Fishing- All fish must be caught in the mouth or the lure first inhaled through the mouth to be considered a legal catch. Snagging will not be tolerated and be grounds for immediate disqualification from the event.
Weighing Fish- All fish must be brought to the scales in the prescribed manner by the tournament officials. Fish should not be bagged to transport to the scales until directed to do so by the tournament officials. Once the fish are presented to the weigh master they become the official catch of the contestant. No fish may be touched or added to the bag. Anglers must separate the big fish to be weighed before presenting the fish to the weigh master. A one time re-weigh may be requested prior to leaving the stage. The second weighing will become the official weight. Dead or short fish are solely the discretion of the weigh master. It is the angler’s responsibility to be sure the weight called corresponds with the weigh slip. Changes after the fact will not be considered.
Emergencies/Breakdowns/Restrooms- In the case of an emergency or breakdown cell phones may be used but they are strictly prohibited any other time during official tournament hours. Assistance by towing may be solicited for a breakdown. Anglers may leave their boat for the purpose of transporting fish to a weigh master. One angler should stay with the disabled boat but it is not mandatory. Once the fish are bagged for transport the disabled boat contestants may no longer fish for the day. This is the only time contestants may get near or in another contestant’s boat. Fish may only be transported to the scales by boat. Restroom breaks are allowed, however the angler left in the boat in that brief period may not fish until the partner is back in the boat.
Bacon Saver- Semi-Pros may register their boat as a bacon saver boat at registration. If a boat is needed due to a pro equipment failure that semi-pro will be paired with the Pro in need. The pro will be obligated to pay the semi-pro one hundred dollars for the day plus the cost of gas and oil for the day. The boat will be driven by the semi-pro or at his discretion. Decisions regarding the operation of the trolling motor and locations to fish will remain with the Pro.
Off Limits/Pre-Fishing/Check-In- *Effective January 1, 2010 there will be no official off limits prior to each event. Pre-fishing allowed until 3PM check-in Friday. Check-In is from 4pm to 6:30 pm on Friday evening. It is mandatory that you check-in Friday evening. The orientation and the draw for partners will start promptly at 7pm Friday. If for some reason you are not able to make the check-in a phone call to the director must be made or you will forfeit your entry and be disqualified. Members late for check-in without a call will be immediately disqualified and you will forfeit your entry. It is your responsibility to get any event rules and partner information needed to fish. No excuses will be accepted for misinformed contestants especially if you were not able to make the pre-event meeting. Off limits fishing areas and the official time will be announced at the event orientation meeting. No excuses for fishing in designated off limits areas or disputing the official time will be accepted. Underwater camera systems will be allowed during pre-fish days but not during the event. No scuba diving or overhead flying will be allowed during the pre-fish days. The official practice days will remain the Thursday and Friday (check-in day) just prior to the event. Restrictions apply only to those two official practice days. A contestant may not fish with anyone not participating in the tournament other than a member of their immediate family. Special permissions may be granted to pre-fish with members of the media or film crews for the West Coast Bass TV shows.
Unsafe Weather- “Safety First” will remain the number one policy of West Coast Bass. It is the responsibility of contestants to use common sense in possible unsafe weather conditions. Eight hours in a two day event will constitute a full tournament as the policy prior to cancellation.
Alcohol/Narcotics- Consumption of Alcohol or the use of narcotics or any other controlled or illegal substance is strictly prohibited during the hours of the tournament. Contestants deemed to be under the influence will be immediately disqualified and will forfeit all entry fees and or prizes.
Expenses- Semi-Pro contestants are expected to share expenses. Expenses will vary from day to day of course and it is proper to ask the pro in advance what he or she feels is a reasonable amount. It is common sense that it is expensive to run a boat in competition. Contestants not able to work out a reasonable amount can come to tournament officials to decide on a proper amount. Contestants not willing to share expenses should not fish the event and are subject to disqualification.
Awards- It is common courtesy to show up at the awards ceremony. However it is recognized that is not always possible. Any Trophies or product will be forfeited if you are not at the awards to accept the prize. Purse winnings will be mailed to the contestant.
Deposits/Refunds- A $50 Pro or Semi-Pro deposit will hold a spot for the purpose of pairing. Deposits are lost if full payment is not made prior to the event cutoff date. If a contestant calls prior to the event cutoff date he or she may transfer the deposit to another event. Returned checks or declined credit cards must be made good at the lake by cash only. A $20 returned fee and a $20 late fee will apply.
Final Decisions- All decisions made by West Coast Bass Tournament Directors are deemed to be final. Contestants who do not cooperate with final decisions risk being banned from future events.