Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

KBFN Youth Tournament Rules

Amended February 22, 2010

1. RULE CHANGES: Great effort, study and research have gone into the formulation of these rules. The rules for this tournament will remain unchanged. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions as he deems appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, and forfeiture of prizes, hotel allowance and prohibition in subsequent tournaments. The decision of the Tournament Director and tournament officials shall be final in all matters.

2. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY: (i) Participation in this tournament is by invitation only. This tournament is open only to members of KBFN who are active members of a KBFN-affiliated Junior Bassmaster Chapter and who have participated in appropriate KBFN club level events that have prepared them for this tournament. However, employees, officers and directors of BASS or its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies and members of their immediate families (spouse, parents, children and siblings, regardless of where they live) are ineligible. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is the responsibility of the competitor. Contenders must meet age and eligibility requirements as set forth by the following: Contenders must have obtained the age of 11-14 years, but not yet 15 years on December 31 of Junior Bassmaster World Championship competition year, or 15-18, but not yet 19 years, on December 31 of Junior Bassmaster World Championship competition year. BASS allows one (1) properly qualified Junior Bassmaster in each age group to represent their state B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Divisional. Any contestant that is handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his partner or endanger the safety and well-being of his partner, boat captain or himself shall not be eligible. (ii) In the event local or state laws prohibit the operation of a boat by use of trolling motor or any other means for anglers under a set legal age; the Tournament Director reserves the right to impose specific guidelines to conduct the event within the boundaries of prevailing laws. Whether or not to impose specific guidelines to conduct the event within boundaries of prevailing laws or the limitations of any specific guidelines for the safe conduct of Junior Bassmaster events shall be left exclusively to the discretion of the Tournament Director. (iii) A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM MUST BE MAILED TO THE KBFN YOUTH DIRECTOR SO AS TO BE POSTMARKED AT LEAST FOURTEEN (14) DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRST EVENT ENTERED.  The Tournament Director reserves the right to discontinue acceptance of applications prior to deadline and also the right to extend the acceptance date. As a participant in KBFN tournaments, you agree that while participating at Junior Bassmaster competitions and events, to use any and all official products and equipment so specified and provided by KBFN.

3. ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT: Anglers/parents participating in any KBFN sanctioned event shall observe the code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. To this end, anglers/parents shall use their best efforts to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in support of the sport of fishing. Anglers/parents shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming of these basic sporting principles and in a manner that will not reflect unfavorably on KBFN, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments or sponsors. MEDIA COMMENTS, PUBLIC ATTACKS The favorable public reputation of KBFN as a sanctioning organization in the sport of fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for KBFN. Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors or family members to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers and the KBFN organization. Competitors/parents are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question the rules officials. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with KBFN policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules or officials. However, public comments that an angler or family member knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of KBFN, KBFN officials or sponsors shall be considered conduct unbecoming of KBFN’ sportsmanship principles and will result in disciplinary action. Any angler/parent who violates any of the provisions of the Angler Code of Conduct may be subject to penalties, forfeiture of tournament winnings, forfeiture of hotel costs, suspension from competing in individual KBFN sanctioned vents, permanent ban from competition, or any combination thereof deemed appropriate by KBFN.

4. PRE-TOURNAMENT PRACTICE: The exact dates and times of practice or off-limit periods must be obtained from the KBFN Youth Director. The competitor must know and observe these dates and unless otherwise specified, all times are time zone specific to the local community. During off-limit periods, competitors cannot solicit, receive, or gather any information via phone, electronic devices, or any other means with regard to locating or catching fish on tournament waters unless that information comes from another KBFN Junior Bassmaster competitor. Adults, including parents who are not competing in these events are not permitted to practice on tournament waters during the off-limit periods or during the tournament dates for the purpose of sharing information with KBFN Junior Bassmaster competitors. No competitor may buy or barter a fishing location from guides or other competitors for use during any competition day. During official practice and during the tournament, a competitor may not “SKIN DIVE” or “SCUBA DIVE” in the tournament waters.  During competition days of the tournament, a contender may not use a CB Radio, VHF marine band radio, a cellular phone, or any other type of communication device for the purpose of locating or catching fish. Contenders are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone only in the event of an emergency. If so equipped, contestants may listen to the marine-band weather information. A designated tournament official must be granted access to the competitor’s boat at any time during the official practice or competition days. Failure to grant such access may result in immediate disqualification. Each competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director any violation or infraction of these Tournament Rules. Failure to report violations or suggestions to another competitor that they violate these Rules or false verification of weigh-in forms will be cause for disqualification. By his/her signature on the official tournament entry form, each competitor agrees to submit to a polygraph examination and abide by its conclusion should he/she be accused of any rule violation. The KBFN Tournament Director or such person designated by the Tournament Director or rules committee or such person designated by the Tournament Director shall have the discretion to determine the need for a polygraph examination. The KBFN tournament Director or his/her designee shall be responsible for selecting an independent expert to administer and interpret the results and establishing, in  consultation with the expert administrator, the scope of the questions which may be asked during the polygraph examination. The KBFN Tournament Director or his/her designee shall attempt to have the location of such polygraph examination as close in proximity to the angler’s permanent address or such other mutually convenient location as possible. The competitor shall make himself/ herself available at the location selected by the Tournament Director and shall cooperate in all respects with such examination.

5. REGISTRATION: Each competitor must register in person with official KBFN staff at the designated launch ramp. Tournament start times are listed on the entry form, on KBCFN.com, and are available from the KBFN Youth Director. Competitors should be registered one hour before start time. Competitors must be registered no later than ½ hour before start time. Failure to register in person during the prescribed time frame may result in a penalty of 100 points off of your total catch, unless previously cleared by the Tournament Director. It shall be the contender’s responsibility to either check the schedule of events for registration time and location or obtain times from the KBFN Youth Director.

6. SPORTSMANSHIP AND SAFETY:  Competitors in KBFN tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. (i) Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any contender during the tournament will not be tolerated and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future KBFN tournaments. No alcoholic beverages or other stimulants or depressants, prescription or otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during the official practice or competition days or when in the weigh-in area. (ii) 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. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy shall be reason for disqualification. (iii) All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish. Competitors are responsible for research of fishing and boating regulations. (iv)  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/or for disqualification after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. Any disqualification, suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding any tournament or fishing organization, shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation in a KBFN tournament and/or for disqualification from a KBFN tournament after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. SAFETY: (i) Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by tournament contenders, observers and boat captains. During the official practice and competition, each competitor must wear a Coast Guard approved chest-type life preserver. The preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition AT ALL TIMES. Junior contenders must wear their life preservers AT ALL TIMES. The adult angler must wear his life preserver anytime the combustion engine is operating. Inflatable life vest indicators must be checked daily. Inflatable life vests will not be permitted if competitor does not meet the required specifications noted on life vest safety label. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification. (ii) 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. Weather delays resulting in half of the tournament day being lost (first flight take-off and check in) shall result in cancellation. (iii) KBFN reserves the right to impose 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. All persons in a tournament boat shall remain seated in a recommended on-plane seating location when the combustion engine is running. Sitting on pedestal seats while the combustion engine is in operation is not permitted. (iv) IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, COMPETITORS SHOULD CALL 911 FIRST AND THEN NOTIFY TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS. (v) COMPETITORS ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE BOAT AND SEEK SAFE SHELTER IN BAD WEATHER WHERE DANGER MAY BE IMMINENT.

7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: The use of grippers in landing bass is prohibited. Only artificial lures and biodegradable artificial lures may be used. No “live bait” or prepared bait will be permitted during official practice and competition, with the exception of pork strips, rinds. Only ONE casting, spin-casting, or spinning rod (8 ft. max. length from butt of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. Other rigs as specified above may be in the boat ready for use; however, only ONE is permitted in use at any given time. Each junior competitor will be allowed six rods and reels, as specified above, and one tackle box/bag.. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner. Anyone guilty of snatching or snagging visible fish will have his/her catch disqualified. When visually fishing for bedding bass, to be counted as a legal fish all bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by your partner before being unhooked. Competitors are allowed to share baits and tackle at all times including competitors who have been cut from competition. Dip nets will be allowed, but not provided.

8. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER FOR ALL OUTBOARD MOTORBOATS USED IN OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT PRACTICE AND IN TOURNAMENT COMPETITION WILL BE 250 HP. Horsepower cannot exceed the limitations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. When required, each boat MUST have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must NOT exceed the rating specified on this plate or the horsepower maximum set by KBFN. Normal maintenance of engines is allowed. Changing or altering standard factory parts of a competitor’s engine 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 engine is also cause for immediate disqualification from KBFN tournaments. Posted speed limits must be observed and all boats must be operated in a safe manner.

9. BOAT AND MOTOR: For the safety of all competitors, during official practice and competition, all boats must be equipped with an approved type operable ignition kill switch and lanyard. Only one manufactured lanyard may be used and it 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 that are 16 feet or more in length may be used. Any raised platform or decks cannot be higher than the gunnels of the boat. Standing on the outboard or seats while fishing is not allowed. An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering; however, trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. All bladder tanks and any other 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 a manufacturer’s authorized dealer are permitted. 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. During the official practice and during the tournament, no portable gas tanks or containers capable of holding gasoline can be placed anywhere on the tournament waters or shoreline for use by any tournament competitor. No “barges” or similar craft will be permitted. No boat equipped with “stick steering” shall be permitted to be used by any competitor. “Stick steering” shall be as defined by the Tournament Director.

10. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT: During official practice and competition, every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment and a functional bilge pump. If deemed necessary by the Tournament Director, every boat must have live well space, properly aerated, to adequately maintain alive a limit catch of bass by both competitors using the boat. KBFN recommends live-wells be maintained at full level and aerators/re-circulators on manual. Tournament officials shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is proper and adequate. Boaters must make a back seat available each competition day.

11. BOAT OPERATION: A full discussion between partners must be held prior to the start time 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 operate the trolling motor, so as to afford each partner the opportunity to fish his/her selected water 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 competitor waives the above rights, he/she shall retain the right to select the fishing water for one-half the tournament day. Any contestant who, in the judgment of the officials, operates the boat in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his/her partner shall be disqualified. The boat captain has sole discretion to repudiate any selected location for safety reasons.

12. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Tournament waters shall be established by the Tournament Director for each tournament. Each competitor must obtain this information from the KBFN Youth Director. Any water within these boundaries posted Off-Limits or No Fishing by state or federal agencies as well as the live-bass release area established by the Tournament Director will be OFF-LIMITS and will be announced at the Tournament Briefing. Only that water open to ALL public fishing will be considered tournament waters. All angling must be done from the boat. During official practice and competition, competitors wishing to change fish habitat by placing any object in the tournament waters may do so if such action does not violate state or federal regulations.

13. COMPETITORS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT: During the competition day(s), competitors must not depart the boat to land fish or make the boats more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament days. Competitors must leave from and return to official checkpoints by boat. Competitors must remain in the boat at all times except in case of dire emergency or with permission from the Tournament Director. In such an emergency, or with the permission from the Tournament Director, competitors may be removed from their boat to either a boat operated by other competitors or a rescue boat designated by the Tournament Director. 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 scored in the tournament. In the event of a needed restroom break, competitors are allowed to leave the boat upon which all fishing must cease until the partners are back together in the boat. If a competitor experiences any of the above conditions, they should contact a tournament official by phone or other means 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 for the competitors to resume fishing, a RESTART will be allowed, the competitors will continue and their catch will be counted. This applies only to dire emergency situations as determined by the Tournament Director or his/her designee. Towing boats on trailers during tournament hours is prohibited, except by the direction of tournament officials.

14. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINTS: There shall be only one official checkpoint in the morning and one official checkpoint point in the afternoon, which points shall be designated at the Tournament Briefing. Failure to go through the check-out in the morning or failure to check-in at the checkpoint in the afternoon may result in disqualification. At the time of check-out, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformity with all rules set forth by the Tournament Director.

15. SCORING: Tournament standings, auxiliary awards and final winners shall be determined by using the KBFN Tournament Scorecard during the competition days of the tournament. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Redeye or Shoal bass will be weighed. The limit shall be 5 of the above species and varieties per day, unless otherwise specified by tournament officials. The official minimum length for bass shall be twelve (12) inches. Fish must be immediately measured to the nearest ¼ inch while being verified by either the boat captain or the partner, and then released. It is the responsibility of the angler to keep their own scorecard. The person who verified the measure length should verify the scorecard entry. Only bass as described above which measure the official length or more on the longest straight line, shall be entered on the scorecard. After competitors check-in at the official checkpoint, they must present their completed and totaled scorecard to a tournament official.

16. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who are not at the official check-in point, as described in Rule 14, at the appointed time shall be disqualified. There shall be no excuse for tardiness, and in no case shall a competitor be allowed to make up “lost time.” Junior Bassmaster tournaments are unique in that the competitor ultimately fishes at the discretion of the boater. The Tournament Director can assess issues and consider justification after discussion with the boater. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the Tournament Briefing. It is the competitor’s responsibility to confirm check-in times each day at the daily pairings.

17. TIES: In case of a tie, the following tie-breakers will be used in order: 1) The individual with the largest number of legal fish weighed in during the competition; 2) if the tie is not broken, the individual with the biggest bass weighed in during the competition. In the unlikely event that individuals remain tied, then a flip of a coin will be used to determine the winner(s), and the awards, if any, will be equally split. Ties for lesser positions shall be resolved by means selected by the Tournament Director.

18. PAIRING OF COMPETITORS: KBFN Youth Tournaments will be by blind draw. Whenever possible, two competitors in different age groups will be assigned to each boat, with one boat captain. If for any reason only one contestant is available to go with a boat captain, an observer may be assigned to ride in that boat with them. Announcement of your partner and boat captain will be made at the tournament briefing, which must be attended by each competitor. It will be the responsibility of each partner to appear at a mutually agreed upon location with sufficient time remaining to check-out at the official checkpoint and start on time. Tournament officials shall have no responsibility for finding missing partners. The Tournament Director, at his/her sole discretion, may reassign partners prior to the morning take-off. It is suggested that a minimum of 10 minutes is required for preparation from the check-out point. When competitors check-out at the beginning of the day, they must stay together and within sight of each other throughout the day until the check-in; except in case of dire emergency (see Rule 13). A competitor must not allow any bass caught by them to be counted on the score of another competitor. In such cases, both competitors shall be disqualified from this tournament and from all future tournaments conducted by KBFN.

19. APPEALS: An appeals committee will be established by KBFN, which shall be comprised of one KBFN E-board member not affiliated with the Tournament Department, and two anglers who are not competitors in the event in question. Appeals must be sent, in writing, seven days from the date of ruling, to the Tournament Director. If a competitor admits to a rule violation, he/she may not file an appeal of either the finding that he/she has violated the rules or the penalty imposed for the violation. Decisions of the appeals committee shall be final..

20. PATCHES AND/OR SIGNAGE: Anglers are encouraged to wear their own clothing which may bear patches, logos and other signage promoting the angler’s sponsors or state BASS Federation Nation sponsors. KBFN  may, however, restrict the use of patches, logos, signage, etc., that promote or advertise products that are, in KBFN’ sole judgment, in poor taste. KBFN will provide as much advance notice as possible to the competitors in such instances. By signing this document, each competitor agrees to wear (if requested) an official BASS patch (2 1/4” x 2 3/4”) on either their left or right chest or upper arm, vest or hat during competition, including the awards ceremony.. This patch may be embroidered or part of a sublimation jersey. In addition, if KBFN provides any ancillary clothing or products (such as life vests) bearing the logos of KBFN or the official sponsors of KBFN, each competitor shall wear such clothing or utilize such products in a manner requested by KBFN.

21. BOATS. When using   boats at KBFN Youth Tournaments, anglers are responsible for physical care of the boat. Damage to the boat which is determined by the Tournament Director to be excessive or wanton shall result in the angler being responsible for all costs of repair.

22. TAXES:  Anglers are responsible for all applicable taxes on scholarship awards and merchandise awards.

23. WAIVER AND RELEASE: As a condition of participation in each tournament, each competitor must execute a waiver and release of liability and a name and likeness release.

24. ADULT BOAT CAPTAINS: Adult boat captains will be permitted to fish with Junior Bassmaster competitors on an official “practice day” if an official “practice day” exists for Junior Bassmaster events. Adult boaters will not fish during the official “competition” day of the Junior Bassmaster event. Adult boaters are to act as boat captains and observers. They are encouraged to act as mentors by providing general information such as: seasonal patterns, frontal patterns, how/why to fish structure/cover, windy vs. calm days, effects of water temperature, choosing bait size, depth/colors, boat positioning,  how to read electronics, how to run the trolling motor etc. They cannot give specific help concerning what to fish with, or where to fish. They must allow the competitor to fish where and how they want, while retaining the right to repudiate any selected location for safety reasons. They cannot assist in casting, reeling, playing or landing fish, with the exception of netting fish. They may not give equipment or baits to any competitor unless they give all competitors the same equipment or baits prior to the event. Adult boater’s assistance will be reviewed by the Tournament Director during the Tournament Briefing.

25. BOAT CAPTAIN APPRECIATION: Competitors must be aware that boat captains are volunteers and have donated time and, in some cases money to ensure that you have the opportunity to compete. Be courteous at all times and thank them for the chance to compete!  Make sure and remove all trash from the boat no mater whose it is. Wipe you feet off in an effort to keep their boat clean. Offer to help load, unload, and wipe down their boat. Once again, thank the boater for the chance to compete!