1. Courtesy and Sportsmanship
   All competitors are expected to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of the fundamental principles of good sportsmanship or state fishing regulations may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who are on tournament waters. All bass must be caught alive and in a sporting manner. Anyone caught intentionally snagging fish will be immediately disqualified and can face further disciplinary action from Cape Cod Bass. Any act by a competitor which reflects unfavorably on the Society and Cape Cod Bass' effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy shall be cause for disqualification. No alcoholic beverages, stimulants or antidepressants will be allowed (unless prescribed by a doctor) before, during or after tournament hours at the tournament site or weigh-in area.

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2. Bait and Tackle
   Only artificial bait will be permitted. Live bait or prepared bait will not be allowed, with the exception of pork strips, rinds, etc. Only one rod (8 foot maximum length from but or handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. (with up to two (2) baits per line) per angler. Other rigs as specified above may be in the boat ready to use. No electronically controlled lures may be used.

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3. Safety Inspection
   The Tournament Director will conduct a safety inspection of each boat prior to the first event of each year and any other time he deems necessary during the year. If the inspection does not meet his or her satisfaction, a check will be made at the next event and a disqualification may result if requirements are not met.

   Proper Safety Includes:
   Proper numbering
   Certificate of registration
   Working navigational lighting, front and back
   Sound device (bell, horn, etc.)
   P.F.D. - for each person, plus a floatation device
   Type 1B-1 fire extinguisher
   Anchor and anchor line
   Alternate propulsion (oar, etc.)
   Bilge pump or large can
   Wiring in good condition
   Batteries secured to prevents arcing and movement
   Functional, aerated livewell space for 10 fish
   Proper and current insurance wavers

   The Tournament Director also reserves the right to disqualify a boat immediately if he does not believe it should be used in a Tournament at any time during the year.

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4. Arrival TIme
   All members planning to compete in a Tournament must arrive before 6:30 am (for 7:00 am start) and have their boats in the water by that time or they will be disqualified. A vote by the Tournament Director can overturn this rule if a valid excuse is given. Anyone arriving after this time must find an officer and check in or they will be unable to weigh in any fish.

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5. Lunker Pool
   A lunker pool will be collected by the Tournament Director or Secretary before an event and it is entirely optional. The total amount per angler that will be collected is $7.00. $5.00 collected from each competitor will go to the largest fish caught (dead or alive). It will be a cash payment. The remaining two (2) will go to the purchase of the Hog Hat that is also rewarded for the largest fish.

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6. Time Check
   A time check will be made at the beginning of each event, prior to launch by the Tournament Director. He and only he is responsible for determining the proper time. All events begin at 7:00 am and end at 3:00 pm, unless otherwise notified by the Tournament Director. All members are responsible for the time called out by the Tournament Director.

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7. Blind Draw
   A blind draw will be used in all Tournaments, pairing the non-boaters to boaters picking the same numbers. If there are extra non-boaters, the highest number picked must sit out the event. However, they will receive the equivalent of last place points (tying the place competitor) for the event and can never be asked to sit out an event again in the same season.

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8. Boat Distance
   During a Tournament, a distance of 25 yards in every direction (approximately 4-5 boat lengths) is required between all boats. If a boat is anchored, the distance increases to 50 yards. The Rule Does Not Apply In These Two Cases:

   The infringement is not made known by the "Infringe"

   The boat is blocking a navigable channel or cove access

   If the rule is broken by the infringing boat, upon being warned off by the infringe, a protest can be made and ruling will follow at the end of the event.

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9. Protests
   Protests made following an event must be made verbally within fifteen minutes of weigh-in. (normally 3:15) All decisions will be made at the ramp and finalized by the club officers or Tournament Director. Protests or problems must be resolved immediately.

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10. Weigh-In
    All anglers must accompany their fish to the scale to be weighed in. Fish will be weighed in while boats are still in the water. (Beached) Unless otherwise notified by the Tournament Director or club officer. If a boater does not have fish but his non-boater does, that boater will not pull their boat. If a competitor pulls their boat before weighing in, they will be disqualified. (boater and non-boater).

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11. Penalties

Penalties will be as follows:

1. Four (4) ounce penalty for each dead fish weighed-in, from total weight only. This does not apply to lunker pool in anyway, even if the lunker id dead.
2. A one (1) pound penalty for each fish shorter than the legal limit of 12 inches weighed-in, from total weight. All fish under the legal limit will not count toward total weight. A courtesy measurement can be requested by at weigh-in by any member of that angler's measuring device, before any fish are weighed. This measurement is made by the angler, not the Tournament Director.
3. Only largemouth and smallmouth bass can be weighed in. All other fish will be disqualified.
4. Competitors who are not at the official checkpoint at the appropriate time shall be penalized. The penalty shall be at a rate of one (1) pound per minute, to be deducted from the total weight of their catch that day. This will include any weight to be counted toward lunker award. After being fifteen (15) minutes late, the competitor will be disqualified. All fishing must cease upon check in. If a boat in distress signals for assistance, you must stop and render such assistance. Anyone not stopping to assist a boat in distress can be disqualified. Anyone who stops to assist a boat in distress will not be disqualified if the attending club officers feel said person has proven they did stop to render assistance. A name and phone number will be required if the boat helped was not in the club tournament.
5. No foreign objects can be added to fish before weigh-in (including weigh-in pins, weights, etc.). Such objects must be removed or a penalty will be given, said penalty to be determined by the attending club officers.
6. Culling into another lcompetitor's live well or tampering in any way with another competitor's fish is grounds for immediate disqualification and expulsion from Cape Cod Bass membership. This is an honor rule unless otherwise provable by two or more eye witnesses.
7. Ties will be broken as follows: Number of live fish
   Number of fish (dead or alive)
   Largest fish from each competitor (weight, than length)
   If a tie still exists, points are added for two places, and then split (i.e. 3rd and 4th tie = 4300 points/2150 for each angler)

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