Rules of Tournament

Lake Vermilion Laws and Rules must be followed. Any violation may result in disqualification. Engine kill switches (if equipped) must be used.

1.           All entry fees must be received by mail Monday, before tournament.

2.           Only prepaid entries, in no particular order, will be placed in the random drawing for starting positions. An entry received after Monday or at boat ramp will assess $10.00 late fee, and you will be assigned a starting position.

3.           All black bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth when in season & Spotted) qualify for weigh-in  and must be over 15 inches in length.

4.           Any bass in anyway altered from natural living condition will not be weighed. Dead fish will be assessed a 5/10 of LB. PENALTY PER FISH.

5.           All short fish will result in a 2 lb. penalty and will be subtracted from your total weight.  PLUS you will start last in place for the next tournament. Golden Rule - official bump board.

6.           All fish will be released to Lake Vermilion excluding trophy fish of 6 lbs. and up.

7.           All tournament rules and lake rules must be obeyed Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

8.           NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED.

9.           Only artificial baits will be allowed.(NO TROLLING)

10.       No contestant shall leave the lake during tournament hours.

11.       Any disqualification will result in forfeiture of entry fee and prize money and denial of entry to remaining tournaments.

12.       Starting numbers will be drawn at pre-tournament meeting.

13.       All live wells will be check prior to launching boat and all boats must have working live well.

14.       Lake OFF LIMITS Friday before all contests.

         Finals OFF LIMITS 12:01am Sunday 9-28-08  start of Finals on Saturday 10-04-08

15.       Any boat not checked in 30 minutes before start will start last.

16.       Finishing places will be determined by total weight with 6 fish limit per boat.

17.       All participants must have a signed liability waiver and participants under 18 years of age must have a liability waiver signed by parent or guardian and will be required prior to start.

18.       All boats must be checking in by designated quitting time. Late check in will be a 1 lb. per minute penalty up to 15 minutes. (DISQUALIFICATION AFTER 15 MINUTES.)

19.       Anything not covered by rules or any protest will be ruled on by tournament committee and their decision will be final.

20.     All contestants agree to submit to a polygraph test. All results will be final.

21.       Life jackets must be worn at all times the boat is over idle speed.

22.       A team that splits up at any time will lose all weight.

23.       Each team is allowed 1 substitute per year. Unless approved by tournament committee.(CLASSIC EXEMPT).

24.       1 dead fish per team will be allowed with 8 ounce penalty. No dead fish will be weighed for Big Bass

25.       Teams must paid or have participated in at least 4 tournaments to be eligible for finals.

26.       Any contestant wishing to protest a rules violation must do so in writing before the pay out starts, first penalty two lb, off total weight,2nd penalty disqualification lose all team weight, and fees, 3rd. penalty disqualification for rest of year and lose all team weight for year. Tournament committee has final say on weather any penalty, on any violation.

27.       “Budweiser Team of the Year” will be determined by your total finishing position points for all 6 contests with the lowest number being the winner. All teams, in a tournament, with no weight will receive the same last place points which will be 1 place worse than the last place team with fish. If you do not fish a contest you will receive the maximum points (last place) for that tournament plus 10 additional points.

28.       "Bud Light Big Bass of the Year" will be determined by the weight of the largest living bass weighed in during the year. No dead fish will be weighed for Bud Light Big Bass.