These rules and safety regulations are "time tested" and represent great effort, study and research that have gone into them. The following rules will remain unchanged for the 2009 season.The rules set forth by the Board of Directors shall remain unchanged, except for special tournaments conducted by The North Coast Bassmasters. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director. In the event of a rules violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions, as they deem appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decisions of the Tournament Director and tournament officials shall be final in all matters.

2009 North Coast Bassmasters Rules

1. Participants and eligibility

• Participation in our club and its tournaments is by invitation only. A person must attend 3 events, at the end of the 3 events the " base six members " will vote on your membership into The North Coast Bassmasters. The North Coast Bassmasters will also reserve the right to control the boater, non-boater ratio of membership in the club to keep it a favorable mix when drawing for a tournament. 
• North Coast Bassmasters tournaments are open only to members and guests of the club who are 16 years of age or older. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is the responsibility of potential competitor.
• All participants must have in their possession a valid fishing license covering the waters to be fished.
• DURING THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION DAYS OF ANY NORTH COAST BASSMASTERS EVENT, NO CONTESTANT MAY OPERATE A BOAT UNLESS THAT CONTESTANT HAS DOCUMENTED PROOF OF A POLICY IN FORCE, THAT COVER THE EVENT DATES, WITH A MINIMUM OF $300,000 BOATING LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THAT PARTICULAR BOAT. PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE WITH THE BOAT BEING USED AND MUST COVER THE COMPETITOR USING THAT BOAT. RANDOM CHECKS WILL BE CONDUCTED. EACH POLICY MUST SHOW $300,000.00 LIABILITY AND A VALID EXPIRATION DATE. NOTE: Statements of "No fixed expiration date" are NOT acceptable.
• Any candidate for competition who, in the judgment of the Tournament Committee, is handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder their partner or endanger the safety and well-being of their partner or himself shall not be eligible.
• A PHONE CALL BETWEEN WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY THE WEEK OF THE EVENT IS REQUIRED TO THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR TO LET HIM KNOW IF YOU WILL ATTEND THE EVENT OR NOT. IN THE EVENT OF HAVING MORE NON-BOATERS THAN BOATERS FOR A TOURNAMENT, PLACEMENT OF THE NON-BOATERS WILL BE IN THE ORDER OF CALL IN TO TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR. FIRST TO CALL IN WILL BE FIRST TO BE PLACED IN A BOAT. IF NOT ENOUGH BOATS CAN BE SECURED,THE NON-BOATERS THAT WILL BE UNABLE TO FISH WILL BE NOTIFIED NO LATER THAN THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EVENT. 
• The Tournament Officials reserves the right to discontinue or extend the acceptance of a angler prior to or after the deadline.

2. Pretournament practice

• There will be no official practice period for any North Coast Bassmasters tournament event. All North Coast Bassmaster tournaments will not have any lock in area for any tournament. 
• There will be no off-limits period for any regular tournament unless specified by the Tournament Director.
• DURING THE TOURNAMENT, A COMPETITOR MAY NOT SEEK THE ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE OF ANYONE FOR THE PURPOSES OF LOCATING OR CATCHING BASS, NOR ENTER THE TOURNAMENT WATERS WITH ANYONE WHO IS DEEMED AN "EXPERT" ON THE TOURNAMENT WATERS BY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS, UNLESS HE/SHE IS A CONTESTANT IN THIS TOURNAMENT.During the tournament a competitor may use a CB radio, a VHF marine band radio, a cellular phone, or two way radio only to communicate with another angler in the tournament. Contestants are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone also in the event of an emergency. If so equipped, contestants may listen to the marine band weather info.
• EACH CONTESTANT AGREES TO REPORT TO THE TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS ANY VIOLATION OR INFRACTION OF THESE TOURNAMENT RULES. THE FAILURE TO REPORT VIOLATIONS OR SUGGESTIONS TO VIOLATE THESE RULES OR FALSE VERIFICATION OF WEIGH-IN SLIPS WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION.

3. Registration

• Each competitor must call in person the week of the event to the tournament director to register for each North Coast Bassmasters event. Failure to register in person during the prescribed times shall result in a penalty of 1 pound off your total catch. NO EXCEPTIONS. IT SHALL BE EACH COMPETITOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR REGISTRATION TIMES.
• Contestants are expected to compete in all days that they are qualified, failure to do so may result in ineligibility to compete in future events.

4. Safety

• Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by tournament competitors.
• During the tournament, each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard approved, Type III, chest-type life preserver. This preserver must be worn anytime the combustion engine is operating. This preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the competitor reaches their fishing location and the combustion engine is shut off. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification.
• Tournament officials have the right to delay or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather.
• The North Coast Bassmasters further reserves the right to impose boat speed limits on any or all tournaments. Whether or not to impose a speed limit, the area covered by the speed limit and/or the actual speed limit imposed shall be left exclusively to the discretion of the Tournament Director.

5. Sportsmanship

• Competitors in a North Coast Bassmasters tournament are expected to follow the very highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any violation of these basic sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification:
  • Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any competitor during the official practice or during the tournament or during the weigh-in will not be tolerated and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future North Coast Bassmasters tournaments.
  • Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Also the act of crowding another competitor to catch fish is strictly prohibited. This act will result in disqualification of the tournament and could result in further suspension. All decisions will be made by the CLUB OFFICIALS. 
  • Any act of any competitor which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy shall be reason for disqualification.
  • All competitors are bound by prevailing state statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish.
  • No alcoholic beverages or other stimulants or depressants, prescription or otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during competition days or when in the weigh-in area. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and for disqualification.
  • Any disqualification or suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding, any tournament or fishing organization, may be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and for disqualification.

6. Tackle and equipment

• Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" or "prepared bait" will be permitted, with the exception of pork rinds, strips, etc. only ONE fishing rod (8-foot maximum length from butt of the handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time.
• All bass must be caught alive in a conventional and sporting manner. Anyone guilty of snatching or snagging visible fish will have their day's catch disqualified. When fishing for bass you can see, all bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by your partner before being unhooked to be counted as a legal fish.
• No gaffs OR "GRIPPERS" may be used to land bass, nor will they be permitted in boats at any time.

7. Horsepower regulations

• MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER FOR ALL OUTBOARD MOTORS USED IN OFFICIAL PRACTICE AND IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION WILL BE 250 HP.
• WHERE REQUIRED, EACH BOAT MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A U.S. COAST GUARD RATING PLATE, WHICH MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE BOAT BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN NO CASE MAY THE HORSEPOWER OF YOUR OUTBOARD EXCEED THE RATING SPECIFIED ON THE RATING PLATE OR THE HP LIMIT SET BY THE NORTH COAST BASSMASTERS.
• Each competitor agrees that the boat and motor used in the tournament is subject to an inspection by factory-trained personal, if there is any reason to suspect the horsepower is in excess of the rating. Normal maintenance to increase the performance of your engine is allowed. Changing or altering standard factory parts of your motor to INCREASE THE HORSEPOWER OVER THE FACTORY HORSEPOWER RATING IS FORBIDDEN, and will result in disqualification. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower rating numbers on the motor or ratings plate also would be cause for immediate disqualification from North Coast Bassmasters Sanctioned Events.

8. Boat and motor

• For the safety of all contestants, ALL BOATS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH SOME TYPE OF OPERABLE IGNITION KILL SWITCH SAFETY DEVISE. This ignition kill device must be attached to the driver's body any time the combustion engine is operating. Anytime the combustion engine is operating and in gear, there must be a driver in the driver's seat in full control of the boat.
• Fishing boats may be used that are 17 feet in length or longer and must have a rear deck. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be higher than the gunnel of the boat.
• Trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.
• Any type of AUXILIARY gas tanks that are not installed by the boat manufacturer are prohibited. Additional gas tanks that are factory options and installed by an authorized dealer are legal. Boats that do not have factory installed gas tanks are restricted to a maximum of 18 gallons of gasoline in tanks that meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Gas tanks must be properly secured or strapped in a boat. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to all contenders and\or the public.
• No "barges" or similar cumbersome craft will be permitted.
• NO BOAT EQUIPPED WITH "STICK STEERING" SHALL BE PERMITTED TO BE USED DURING THE TOURNAMENT BY ANY COMPETITOR. The definition of "stick steering" shall be made by the Tournament Director.
• A competitor answering affirmatively the question "Will you bring a boat and motor?" will be expected to make that boat and motor available for tournament use by himself and his daily partner, if so requested by tournament officials. Those answering the same question negatively will be presumed not to have a boat available and will be paired with one who does when possible. It shall be the responsibility of the fishing partners to mutually agree on a meeting location, and the basis for sharing expenses. If partners are unable to agree, the Tournament Director shall make such determination, which shall be binding upon the partners.

9. Basic boat and safety equipment

• Every boat must have all the required Coast Guard safety equipment.
• In addition, it must have a functional bilge pump and livewell space, properly aerated, to sufficiently maintain, in a healthy condition, a limit catch by BOTH competitors using the boat. The North Coast Bassmasters recommends the use of livewell additives to promote a healthy release of all fish to their natural habitat. Further, The North Coast Bassmasters recommends the use of ICE to cool livewell water and improve oxygen levels during "summer" months. Tournament Director shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is "proper and adequate."

10. Boat identification

• Each boat MUST be given, prior to each day's start, a livewell and SAFETY INSPECTION check by a tournament official, also a boat marker, which MUST remain in the boat and turned in during check-in at the end of each day.

11. Boat operation and expense

• A full discussion MUST be held between the two partners prior to a morning departure as to the schedule of boat operations. This schedule MUST permit each partner equal time to fish from the front of the boat and to operate the trolling motor, so as to afford each partner the opportunity to fish his selected waters an equal number of hours. Distance traveled to fishing locations must be considered in order not to deprive either partner fishing time while traveling to and from fishing waters.
• If a contestant waives the above rights, he shall retain the right to select the fishing waters for one-half the tournament day.
• Any contestant who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director, operates the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his partner shall be disqualified.

12. Permitted fishing locations

• Tournament waters shall be established by the Tournament Director for each tournament. Each competitor must obtain this information.
• Fishing on Tournament waters is permitted anywhere except: Any water within these tournament boundaries posted "off-limits or no fishing" by state or federal agencies will be OFF-LIMITS. Also, the live-bass release area established by the Tournament Director will be OFF-LIMITS and will be announced at the Tournament Briefing.
• No contestant may "Buy" or "Barter" a fishing location. Only that water open to ALL public fishing will be considered tournament waters. Any water closed to public fishing will be closed to these tournament contestants.
• All angling must be done from the boat.

13. Contestants must remain together in boat

• Contestants must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament days.
• Contestants must leave and return to official checkpoint by boat. Both competitors must remain in boat at all times except in case of dire emergency or to use restroon facilities. In such an emergency, both competitors may be removed from their boat to: A BOAT OPERATED BY OTHER COMPETITORS OR A RESCUE BOAT.
• Partners must remain together at all times, in sight of each other and each other's catch under the conditions cited above, in order for their catch of that day to be counted. The momentary condition of being out of sight of each other for a restroom break is permitted, however ALL FISHING MUST CEASE until partners are back together.
• If a competitor must violate any of the above conditions (to use a phone to report an emergency or breakdown), both competitors must cease fishing at this point, and their catch must be verified by a tournament official in order to be counted in the tournament. If after the emergency situation is resolved by tournament officials and enough time is left to resume fishing, a RESTART will be allowed and the competitors will continue and their catch will be counted. This applies only to dire emergency situations.
• Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited, except by the direction of the Tournament Director.

14. Official checkpoint

• There shall be an official checkpoint for checkout in the morning and check-in in the afternoon, and this point shall be designated at the tournament briefing.
• At the time of checkout all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with all Safety and Tournament rules set forth by the Tournament Director; at check-in all boats shall identify themselves, and proceed immediately to the designated weigh-in area.
• Partners must stay together, through check-in and weigh-in. YOU MUST CHECK IN EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY FISH.

15. Scoring

• Tournament standing, auxiliary awards and final standings shall be determined by a method of scoring set forth and announced in the pre-tournament briefing.
• Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Red Eye or Shoal Bass will be weighed.
• The limit shall be 5 of the above species and varieties per day, unless the prevailing state limit is less than 5, or a special limit is established for a particular tournament by the Tournament Director, in which case the state limit or special limit shall be the tournament limit. At no time shall a competitor have in possession more than the tournament limit. Tournament Officials will conduct checks for violations of this provision, and in the event a competitor has in their possession more than the stated limit, shall cull, starting with the largest bass first, etc., down to the stated limit.
• The official length for bass shall be decided by Tournament Officials and announced at the tournament briefing. In most cases it will be the LONGEST state limit covering the tournament waters. Only bass which measure the official length or more on the longest straight line, shall be weighed in. Bass presented for weigh-in which fail to measure the official length shall accrue penalties at the rate of 1 pound for each non-legal bass. This penalty shall be deducted from the total score of the competitor.
• Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered will be weighed and credited only at the discretion of tournament officials.
• After a competitor checks in at the official checkpoint, he MUST present all LEGAL fish in his possession to a tournament official to be counted, measured and weighed. Once a competitor's catch has been measured, counted or verified by a tournament official, that contestant may not return to his boat until his catch has been weighed and recorded.
• Bass must not be stringered at any time during the tournament. This restriction includes livewell stringer systems used for culling, which are also prohibited.
• Each contestant's catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag, which is specially designed and controlled to increase survival rate and will be furnished by the Tournament Officials.

16. Catch and release

• For each legal dead bass presented to weigh-in officials, the competitor shall be penalized eight (8) ounces of weight, to be deducted from their daily score. The Tournament Officials shall have sole authority for assessing penalty points.

17. Late penalty

• Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area as described in rule 14 at the appointed time shall be penalized at the rate of 1 pound per minute to be deducted from the total weight of their catch that day, including any "Big Bass Award" for each one minute they are late.
• Any competitors more than 15 minutes late shall lose all credit for that day's catch. There shall be no excuse for tardiness and in no case will a competitor be allowed to make up "lost time."
• After proper recognition at the check-in point, competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site; however, all fishing must stop upon check-in.
• After the pretournament briefing begins, fishing the tournament waters is prohibited except during tournament hours. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the tournament briefing.

18. Ties

• In case of a tie for first-place the following tie breakers will be used in this order:
  1. The individual with the largest number of legal fish weighed in during the competition;
  2. The individual with the largest number of legal LIVE fish weighed in during the competition;
  3. The individual with the heaviest single day's catch during competition;
  4. The individual with the second-heaviest single day's catch during competition.
• In the unlikely event that teams or individuals remain tied after these four tiebreakers are employed, then a flip of a coin will be used to determine the winner(s) and the money, if any will be equally split. Ties for lesser positions shall be resolved by means selected by the Tournament Director.

19. Pairing of contestants

• Wherever possible, two contestants will be assigned to each boat, never will 3 anglers be put in any one boat. There is also a $20.00 maximum expense of the non-boater to the boater for fuel money. The boater may reduce this cost if the maximum is not required. 
• It is permitted that two boaters can pair together after the official club draw if neither boater has a co-angler partner.
• All co-angler pairings will be done before the morning of the tournament. Boaters and co-angler must be paired when you call in for the tournamet. Call ins are from midnight Tuesday night until Friday midnight the week of each tournament. Tournament officials shall have no responsibility for finding missing partners.
• The Tournament Director, at his sole discretion, may reassign partners prior to the morning takeoff.
• It is suggested that a minimum of 30 minutes is required for preparation to depart to the checkout point.
• Once you are paired you must inform tournament officials if you decided not to fish or fines and penalties will apply.
• When two contestants check out in the morning, they must stay together and in sight of each other and each other's catch throughout the day until the weigh-in is completed except in cases of dire emergency (See rules 13 &14).
• A contestant must not allow any bass caught by him to be counted on the score of another contestant. In such a case, both contestants shall be disqualified from this and all future tournaments conducted by The North Coast Bassmasters.

20. Club Championship 

• The North Coast Bassmasters club championship is for members only, guests cannot be invited to this event. A member must pay his/her $5.00 fees of any/all missing regular season events. The Club Championship is a regular season entry fee event, excluding the big bass pot. Their is a $5.00 big bass pot for each of the 2 day championship event. The big bass pot for the event is optional.