Buddy Bass Tournament Rules

  1. RULES: The following rules for the tournament will be used. These rules will be interpreted solely by the tournament officials and the decisions are final.
  2. ELIGIBILITY: All individuals who have paid the appropriate entry fee. Anglers under the age 16 may compete as a non-boater if accompanied by a boater who must be their legal guardian.
  3. ENTRY FEE: $110.00 per boat. Entries will be accepted until take-off time. There will be a $20.00 late fee for any team that registers anytime after 10PM on the Friday night before the tournament. Entry fees may be paid by credit card, cash or check (checks not accepted less than 10 days prior to the tournament).  Credit cards payments will be charged a $3.30 fee.  Note:  boat numbers will not be issued until payment and a signed entry form are received in the office.  Maximum of 2 persons per boat. 
  4. TOURNAMENT TAKE OFF/WEIGH IN: Take off and weigh in at Alhonna Resort at the 8 mile marker of the Lake.   Saturday take off at 7:00 AM, weigh in begins at 4:00 PM.  Sunday take off at 7:00 AM, weigh in begins at 2:00 PM.  Take off may be delayed until safe light and/or safe conditions as determined by the tournament director.  If the tournament has more than 60 boats registered, take off will be done in flights.  10 minutes will be allotted to each flight.   Weigh in times for flights will be staggered by 10 minutes.  All fish must be caught during tournament hours.  Boat position will be determined by the sequence in which entry fees are received. 
  5. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: Only artificial bait or lures may be used. No trolling, all bass must be caught on rod and reel during tournament hours. Pork style baits are allowed.
  6. BOATS & MOTORS: Any motorized boat 14 feet or longer is acceptable. Boats may not be trailered during tournament hours.
  7. SAFETY & SPORTMANSHIP: Safe boating and fishing practices must be observed. Life jackets must be worn when boat is on Working kill switches are required and must be worn. All Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Water Patrol regulations apply.
  8. PERMITTED FISHING   LOCATIONS:   Anywhere on the tournament lake, except; 1) within 50 yards of another boat; 2) inside the buoys of any public launch area and 3) within the tournament take off cove.  No Fishing off docks.
  9. SCORING: Largemouth, Kentucky and Smallmouth Bass, 15″ or more in length, will be counted. Total stringer weight per team will determine place. Any short bass or dead fish presented for weigh in will cause 2 lbs. to be subtracted from total weight and loss of the short or dead Five (5) fish per team may be weighed each day.
  10. PROTESTS: Protest must be filed within 15 minutes after weigh in.
  11. TIES: Ties for total weight and biggest bass will be broken by earliest starting position of entry.
  12. LATE CHECK IN PENALTY: 1 lb. per minute up to 10 minutes, then disqualification. NO EXCUSES. For safety reasons, ALL PARTICIPANTS, even those with no fish, MUST CHECK IN each afternoon.
  13. TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION: If the tournament is completely canceled due to reasons of safety, etc. the entry fees will be No refunds will be made for any other reasons – in case the tournament is partially delayed or shortened for safety reasons the decisions of the tournament officials will be final.