2020 QUALIFYING 2 DAY ELITE BASS TOURNAMENTS

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. PREFACE-RULES: These rules will remain unchanged during Elite 2020 Qualifying 2 Day 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 15 MINUTES OF THE OFFICIAL CLOSE OF WEIGH-IN SCALES.  Rules are in effect during practice and competition days of each 2019 Elite 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 application only. Any Angler whose application has been accepted that is 18 years of age or older who is a current member of Webb Outdoors, and paid the appropriate entry fee by the deadline date is eligible. Webb Outdoors 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.

• No competitor that has been convicted of a felony within the last 36 months is allowed to fish any  Elite tournament.
• Any angler who has failed a quality assurance test (i.e. polygraph) in any previous event in any circuit is not eligible to fish any Webb Outdoors Tournament.
• No Angler that has been banned by any tournament organization for a Rules Violation is allowed to fish a Webb Outdoors Tournament
• Webb Outdoors reserves the right to refuse entry of any angler for any reason. The decision of the Tournament Director is final concerning angler eligibility. 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  himself or other competitors shall not be eligible.
• For specific requirements concerning Elite eligibility, entrants must contact Webb Outdoors Tournament Officials.

3. ENTRY FEE AND DEADLINE: The entry fee for Webb Outdoors Elite Bass Tournaments will be $305.00 ($20.00 of entry fee will go toward championship fund, $25 toward Big Bass Pot and $5 Lie Detector Fee). Completed and signed entry forms and entry fees must be received at Elite Tournament Offices prior to the deadline date for the tournament. The deadline date shall be 30 minutes prior to each Elite Bass Qualifying Tournament Event.

Angler Buy-In: An Elite angler can “Buy-In” for one (1) qualifying events per season. If an angler is unable to attend a qualifying event but would like to receive “show-up” points they are allowed to “Buy-In” to only one (1) events per season. Anglers must notified the Webb Outdoors Office they intend to “Buy- In” and pay the full entry for the event a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours prior to the qualifying tournament that they are buying into. The angler’s entry fee will be distributed to the tournament winners as if the angler attended the event and did not weigh-in fish.  Anglers buying into an event will receive “show up” points only. An angler must still qualify for the championship based on points earned throughout the season or by fishing the remaining two events, a “Buy-in” only earns “show-up” points and credit for attending a qualifying event.

Anglers MUST fish at least one full day of a qualifying event to be considered “at the event” and to receive “show-up points. Fishing consists of launching, going through take off with other competitors and checking in at the end of the tournament day. Mechanical breakdowns and other emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis and show up points will be awarded as determined by the Tournament Director.

Webb Outdoors reserves the right to discontinue acceptance of the applications prior to the deadline date and also reserves the right to extend the deadline date.

4. DEPOSITS: Deposits of $50.00 will be accepted. Balance of entry fee must be received by Webb Outdoors no later than the deadline date. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of date of cancellation. Any balance of the entry fee paid in excess of the deposit, will only be refunded or transferred if proper notification is made to Webb Outdoors Tournament Office on or before the entry deadline date. ALL MONIES OR FREE ENTRIES HELD ON ACCOUNT MUST BE USED BY THE END OF THE CURRENT SEASON OR IT IS FORFEITED.
5. OFF LIMITS/PRACTICE/COMPETITION PERIODS: THERE WILL BE NO OFF LIMITS PERIOD. Tournament Hours on competition days will begin at safe light for each 2020 Elite Bass Tournament. Competitors must know and observe the official times and dates. During competition, tournament anglers may not participate in the practice of “hole sitting”, follow a non-competitor’s boat to fishing locations or use pre-set buoys for determining fishing areas. Violations of these rules will result in immediate disqualification from the tournament. Proof of boater’s liability insurance in the amount of $100,000.00 must be received by Webb Outdoors prior to the first day of competition. No entrant may operate a boat on tournament waters during tournament days unless boater’s liability insurance ($100,000.00) has been verified by Webb Outdoors Tournament Officials.
6. REGISTRATION:  There will be no pre-tournament meeting (with the exception of the championship)
7. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by Elite tournament competitors. Each contestant is required to wear a coast-guard approved life preserver, fully strapped, snapped or zipped securely anytime the combustion engine is operated above an idle speed  while fishing any Webb Outdoors tournaments. 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.Navigational lights must be left on until the angler makes their first cast of the tournament. In the case of fog lights must be left on until the fog clears.  Any angler running in dense fog will be disqualified
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. Therefore all contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, fisherman courtesy, safety and conservation.  Examples of conduct to include but not be limited to the following: 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 practice, during tournament hours or until a competitor’s fish have been weighed 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  tournament hours and the weigh-in. 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 both parties for present and future tournaments held by Webb Outdoors. Any competitor not practicing the highest standards of care, courtesy, and conservation will be subject to disqualification. Any competitor violating any rule will be disqualified. Webb Outdoors highly recommends encourages all of our anglers to use “Non-Penetrating” Cull Systems and Cull Bulbs in our tournaments. 
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…

Umbrella Rigs (i.e. Alabama Rig) cannot be used during competition in any Elite Tournament.

ONE LINE ONE LURE NO MULTIPLE LURE RIGS CAN BE USED IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION

Mutli-arm baits and rigs:

The goal of Elite Tournaments is promote traditional fishing, professional level competition and fishing ethics. In recent years umbrella rigs have come onto the market that have been banned for competition by other nationally respected tournament organizations.

All multi-armed baits and rigs are banned regardless of materials used in construction with the exception of 2 arm spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Two arm spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are allowed for use in Elite tournament competition provided the arms are no longer than 5” (five inches) from the “R” bend or line tie to the end of the wire. Spinner or buzz blades CANNOT BE CHANGED TO TEASER BAITS, only spinner or buzz blades may be used. Umbrella type rigs are prohibited for use in Elite competition regardless of materials they are constructed with. Use of prohibited rigs and baits will result in immediate disqualification from a Elite Tournament.

Any rig or bait that is in question should be presented to Elite  Tournament Officials prior to competition, ruling on baits that can or cannot be used by Elite Officials will be final.

Only ONE casting, spin-casting or spinning rod (10 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 Elite Tournaments. Contestants may not use electronic “bugging” devices or chemicals during practice, tournament days or 30 days prior to competition days on the tournament waters. CONTESTANTS MAY NOT USE UNDERWATER CAMERAS DURING PRACTICE OR 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 above idle speed while practicing for or while fishing any Elite tournament. Each boat is required to have an operational bilge pump and a properly aerated livewell adequate to maintain a limit of bass. 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 angler 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. Tournament hours are over when a competitor’s fish have been weighed in. 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 stick steering present greater than normal safety hazards and may not be used in Elite 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 a 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 or within any area designated by state or federal agencies as a “no fishing” area or within the buoyed areas of the take-off cove. Corps of Engineer lakes in the White River Chain have specific off limits in and around “Concession Areas” (Marinas) detailed maps of these areas are available on the Webb Outdoors website. Fishing within these areas is cause for disqualification.  Other specific off limits shall be addressed prior to take-off
12. SPECIAL SITUATIONS: Contestants must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.  Contestants must leave and return to the official checkpoint by boat. No competitor may depart from the boat except in the case of a dire emergency or a restroom break.  In such an emergency, a competitor may be moved from their boat to another boat operated by other competitor or a rescue boat. Anglers may call Sea Tow to either be towed in or transported to the weigh in. Competitors must call a tournament official prior to switching boats. It is the responsibility of the anglers to keep their fish separated and in water during transport to the tournament weigh-in site.  Anglers involved in any special situation must notify an official tournament staff member upon their arrival to weigh-in.
13. SCORING/POSSESSION: Largemouth bass, Kentucky (spotted) bass, Meanmouth bass and Smallmouth bass will be counted. There will be a five (5) fish limit. The official length limit for bass will be determined by the Tournament Director and will be announced at takeoff. Normally, the length limit will be the longest state or lake limit covering the tournament waters. Bass shall be measured on a flat board with mouth closed. There will be a courtesy bump station provided for anglers in to use at the weigh in area.

Short Fish: Any bass brought to weigh in that do not meet state minimum length will result in disqualification of the anglers catch for that day. No short fish may be brought to the weigh in, possessing a short fish is a violation of state regulation and will result in disqualification of that day’s catch.

At no time during tournament hours shall an Elite contestant possess more than a 5-fish limit. Contestants must stop fishing and cull down to their limit before continuing to fish.

14. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: There shall be only one official checkpoint for check-out in the morning, and check-in in the afternoon, and this checkpoint 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 may result in late penalties being imposed (See Rule #16). Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited unless approved by Tournament Officials. Angler’s tournament hours are complete when their fish have been weighed in.Anglers must launch and load from the same ramp (the only exception is in the case of breakdown or emergency that is approved by the tournament director).

15. PENALTY POINTS: For each legal dead bass presented to weigh-in officials, the competitor shall be penalized 1.0 pounds which will be deducted from the total weight, if an angler’s big bass is dead the 1.0 penalty will be deducted from the big bass. The Tournament Director and his designated appointees shall have sole authority for accessing penalty points.
16. LATE PENALTY: No Late Check In: Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area at the appointed time 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”.
17. STANDARD TOURNAMENT HOURS: Tournament hours will be announced prior to take off. Standard tournament hours will be from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm on day one and 7:00 am – 3:00 pm on day two and will be adjusted seasonally as daylight allows.

After competitors have been properly recognized and have turned in their boat number to Webb Outdoors 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 takeoff briefing.

18. TIES: All ties will be broken by earliest angler entry.
19. CULLING: No culling of dead fish is allowed. An angler must stop fishing and cull down to their limit before making another cast.
20. 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 or blood test. Refusal to submit by anglers will result in immediate disqualification and subsequent disqualification from any future Webb Outdoors 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 an Elite Tournament Official from observing, approaching or boarding any competitor’s boat during official practice periods, or during tournament competition days.
21. ELITE CHAMPIONSHIP AND POINT SYSTEM: There will be four (4) qualifying tournaments. Each angler’s year end point total will be determined by total points earned in all four (4) qualifying tournaments.  The entry fee will be $305.00. Those qualifying for the championship will be the top 35 anglers based upon year to date point standings. Additional spots in the Championship will be filled by anglers that have fished all four events (or bought into 1 event and fish 3 additional events.) Anglers finishing in the top 35 in points standings must fish a minimum of three events to qualify for the championship. Anglers must fish a minimum of 3 Elite Tournaments to qualify for the championship.

Entry fees for the year end championship must be paid at least 14 days prior to the first day of the year end championship, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Anglers MUST fish at least one full day of a qualifying event to be considered “at the event” and to receive “show-up points. Fishing consists of launching, going through take off with other competitors and checking in at the end of the tournament day. Mechanical breakdowns and other emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis and show up points will be awarded as determined by the Tournament Director.

Points shall be awarded in the following manner: 150 points for 1^st place descending to 1 point for 150^th place. In addition, the contestant’s total weight and 25 show points will be added to his/her point’s award for a final point total. Anglers will earn double show points at the final event of the year; 50 show points will be awarded to each Pro Angler fishing the final event.

Show-up points are only awarded if contestants are present for takeoff and check in on one full day of a given qualifying tournament or if an angler has previously registered for the event as a “Buy In” tournament.

Exceptions (mechanical breakdown or other emergencies) can only be made with the approval of the Tournament Director.

Championship Off Limits: Anglers can practice for the year end championship at anytime up to 3:00 pm the day before the championship tournament.  

Championship qualifiers are not allowed to discuss the tournament waters, fishing conditions or patterns with anyone not fishing the championship beginning 12:01 am the Monday prior to the championship. In addition championship qualifiers cannot fish with anyone not qualified for the championship on the championship waters beginning 12:01 am the Monday prior to the championship.

Anglers MUST attend the Mandatory Championship Banquet / Meeting the evening before the year end championship. Location and time will be announced a week prior to the meeting. In order to ensure angler attendance the official practice shall end at 3:00 pm the day before the championship, all anglers must be off the water by 3:00 pm.   

22. COMMUNICATION DEVICES. The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, C.B.’s, etc., to communicate fishing locations or fishing information during tournament hours is strictly prohibited.
23. BONUS AWARD ELIGIBILITY: BONUS AWARDS ARE BASED ON AVAILABILITY AND TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS DISCRETION. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK UNDER TOURNAMENT INCENTIVES FOR DETAILS ON BONUS AWARDS AND ELIGIBILITY.  IT IS THE ANGLER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO FILL OUT AND SUBMIT ALL PAPERWORK FOR REWARD BONUS PROGRAMS.
24. Any announcement made by Webb Outdoors directors or officials made at tournament site may take precedence over written rules.