1. These rules apply to all entrants of this tournament. Violation of any of these rules will warrant appropriate disciplinary action by Tournament Director. Any protest must be received in writing and signed within fifteen minutes of final check-in deadline to be taken literally. Tournament Director’s decisions will be final in all matters.

 2. State, Federal, and Local Laws must be obeyed.

 3. Membership Fee is $35 per person and is good for all winter 2014/15 and summer 2015 tournaments. Membership expires after the 2015 Championship.   Membership may be paid by mail, during tournament registration, or any other time prior to competing. Participation is open to all individuals, male and female, 18 years or older.   Any individual under 18 may participate with a parent or guardian.

 4. Entry Fee is $150.00 per team (Optional Big Bass $20.00). Checks or money orders are preferred (payable to Mississippi River Anglers Association). Full entry fee may be transferred to another tournament, if notified five days prior to tournament. There will be a $10.00 late fee for any team paying on Saturday Morning day of the tournament.

 5. Firearms are not allowed in tournament boats during tournament hours or carried during registration or weigh-in. Law Enforcement Officers are the only exception to this rule.

 6. Alcohol and Narcotics will not be allowed in the possession of contestants during tournament hours, unless prescription medicine.

 7. Courtesy, Safe Boating, Sportsmanship and Conservation must be displayed at all times by contestants. A U.S. Coast Guard approved chest type PFD must be on and fastened anytime the combustion engine is running and in gear. (Failure to follow this rule will be grounds for disqualification). All boats must have an emergency kill-switch and must be attached to the driver anytime the combustion engine is in gear.

 8. All fishing must be done with artificial lures only. Pork is permitted. Only one rod and reel may be used at a time by contestants. No trolling with the combustion­ engine is allowed. All fish must be caught in a legal and sporting manner during tournament hours from tournament waters. Contestants may not use any communication or video device for the sole purpose of locating or catching bass during tournament hours. Tracking devices inserted in bass may not be used by any contestant during or before the Tournament.

 9. Off limits: NO OFF LIMITS, however entry must be paid before fishing the week before the tournament.

 10. Boats must have an operational live well with an aeration system. Teams may keep no more than 5 bass in the live well at one time; teams must cull immediately upon catching a 6th fish. (Anyone found in violation of this rule will be disqualified).

 11. Scoring will be determined by the total weight of not more than 5 bass (largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass) per team meeting designated size requirements. Fish will be measured on golden rule with the mouth closed. Ties for cash prizes will be settled by combining two cash awards and splitting the total between tied teams. Points will be awarded equally for tying teams.

 12. No fishing is allowed within 50 yards of another tournament boat which is anchored, with trolling motor up (in a stored position), or 25 yards of another tournament boat without mutual consent, permission may not be granted to any team at the exclusion of any other team. No tube, bank, or wade fishing is allowed. Hole-Sitting by or for entrants is not allowed. (Violators will have their catch disqualified).

 13. Trailering to and from the weigh-in during tournament hours is not allowed, unless permitted by the Tournament Director for safety or emergency reasons.  Competitors shall remain with their partners in the boat at all times during the tournament. If for any reason, a team decides to leave the tournament waters early, both members shall bear responsibility for notifying a tournament official. In case of breakdown, one partner may return with their catch by another tournament boat, while the other partner is permitted to stay with the disabled boat. All fishing must be from a previously inspected boat.

 14. Mississippi River Anglers Association allows no more than two persons per boat. All persons in a boat must be a registered contestant, unless cases of emergency.

15. Teams will receive boat I.D. numbers by drawing morning of tournament. Last boat drawn will call out boat numbers.

 16. Tournament Hours will be safe light to 2 or 3 P.M. Any boat ramp may be used, however all boats will take-off in a numbered order at first safe-light from host marina. Weigh-In will be staggered in flight intervals. Weigh bags will be supplied at weigh-in.

 17. Fishing Guides who have guided for black bass on tournament lakes during two-months (60 days) prior to tournament will not be eligible to compete, unless person has fished in a preceding tournament. Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse entry of any person.

 18. Upon entering this fishing tournament, contestants release Mississippi River Anglers Association officials, sponsors and host boat ramp owners from liability of accidents, losses or thefts. Contestants are responsible for knowing and understanding these rules.

 19. Penalties: There will be a 0.5 pound penalty deducted for each dead fish weighed-in. There will be a one (1) pound penalty deducted for any fish not meeting the predeter­mined size requirement brought to the scales, plus, a loss of same fish. Competitors not checked in by tournament deadline will be penalized at a rate of 1 pound per minute, up to 15 minutes at which they will be disqualified. 

 20. Championship Qualification: Teams finishing in the top 50% in points who have fished in at least 5 tournaments, plus any team fishing in all 6 tournaments qualify for the championship. Fish a total of 6 tournaments combined winter/summer and qualify for the classic.

If for some reason a team cannot fish a tournament, they may pay their entry fee at that time and still retain their Championship qualification.

 21. Yearly Point Standings will be determined by a points and pounds system. First place will receive 100 points plus, actual daily weight. Points will descend in increments of one. Example would be 1st place plus 15.05 pounds would be 115.05 points. Teams not weighing any fish will receive 10 points less than the last place team with fish. 

 22. Anglers of the Year will be the team which accumulates the most points after all tournaments. (Ties in the final point standings will be broken by season cumulative weight.) This team will also receive free entries in the 2016 season.

 23. Substitution: A permanent partner change may only be made prior to the start of the second tournament with all points retained.  After the second tournament only two substitutes will be allowed.  A participant may fish solo in as many tournaments as becomes necessary and retain all points. No substitution at the championship without director consent.

 24. Weigh-in will be on a first come first serve basis, once fish have been weighed they become the property of tournament officials and all fish will be returned to the lake.

 25. All Entrants are subject to take a Polygraph Test. Failure to take and/or pass such a test will result in disqualification. Any person who has failed a polygraph test in connection with any bass tournament for cheating will not be eligible.

Sample payout on 30 boats:

1st   1350.00

2nd     675.00

3rd     400.00

4th     325.00

5th     240.00

6th     160.00

7th     150.00