1) Eligibility: The tournament is open to all (two people) to fish as a team, provided the person operating the combustion engine is 18 years old or older. An adult choosing a minor as a partner will take full responsibility for that minor. Both members must hold a valid fishing license.

2) Applications: Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Ascension Living and Outdoor located @ 202 W. Ascension St. Gonzales, LA, and Ascension Golf Carts, 11025 Reiger Rd, Baton Rouge, or by 5:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026. Boat numbers will be assigned in the order in which the applications are received.

3) Safety: Safe boating conduct & all safety precautions must always be observed. Unsafe operations of a boat could disqualify the team. All boats must be equipped with USCG-approved life jackets, which must be worn and secured when the combustible engine is in gear. In an emergency or when dictates, one or both anglers may take their catch & get into another tournament boat. All boats must be equipped with approved running lights and a working engine kill switch.

4) Sportsmanship: All competitors are expected to show courtesy to other competitors & non-competitors alike. NO ALCOHOLIC beverages or ILLEGAL DRUGS will be allowed in boats during tournament hours. Drunkenness will not be tolerated. Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules or violates the Fish and Game laws of the State of Louisiana can be disqualified.

5) Protest: Complaints or protests must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director within 15 minutes after scales are closed. The Tournament Director must be informed of such action before or during weigh-ins.

6) Tackle: Only artificial lures can be used, no prepared or live bait, other than pork rind strips may be used. All bass must be caught live and conventionally using a rod and reel. No trolling will be permitted at any time during tournament hours. A contestant may use only one rod at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat for substitute purposes. Maximum rod length shall be 8 feet.

7) Boat Equipment: Safety equipment adequate to pass Coast Guard regulations must be in the boat at all times. All boats must be equipped with a functional emergency kill switch and live well. Both the driver and passenger who participate in boats that are equipped with motors that exceed the BIA horsepower rating accept full liability and responsibility for any personal injury or property damage that may occur. Carelessness or unsafe operation of any boat and motor shall not be tolerated and is grounds for disqualification. Each boat should have a functional bilge pump and attempts must be made to keep the fish alive.

8) Pre-Tournament Practice: There is no off-limit period before the tournament. Anglers are not permitted to catch bass anytime before the tournament and transport them to be released in another part of tournament waters, to establish a population of bass in a selected area.

9) Permitted Fishing Water: No fishing permitted within 50 yards of the host landing area or 50 yards of another competitor’s boat which was first anchored or secured in a fixed position. No such boat shall permit selected competitors to fish within the 50-yard circle claimed by him, to the exclusion of any other competitor fishing the tournament. CB radio, walkie-talkie, and fixed or portable phones cannot be used between competitors during tournament hours to locate or acquire fish. NO competitors shall have a non-competitor scout out a hole or hold a hole for him during tournament hours to obtain fish. Crossovers are not allowed. Doiron’s Canal is off limits and tournament waters that are posted (off limits, no fishing, no trespassing & private property) by the State and Local authorities or any posted water where the public is not allowed is off limits to all competitors. You cannot cross any of the above-listed waters to gain access to open or public fishing water.     SOUTH OF 90 IS OFF LIMITS

10) Fishing Hours: The tournament will begin in safe daylight. All fish weighed in must be caught on the day of the tournament (during official hours). Weigh-in will be at 3:00 p.m. at the landing site according to flights. Teams should be checked in by 5:30 a.m. at the landing. All boats must be checked by a tournament official to receive the ribbon and launch pass.

11) Penalties: Teams who have not checked in at the official checkpoint on time after the tournament will be disqualified.        The minimum length of the bass is 12 inches measured on a straight/flat board. Any team weighing in fish shorter than 12 inches in length will be disqualified. The limit is 5 bass per team. Any team weighing in more than 5 bass will be disqualified. There will be eight (8) ounces deducted per dead fish. All State and Federal laws will be adhered to during tournament hours. If the dead fish is the largest, the dead fish penalty will apply to that fish.

12) Official Boats: Officials will be on the waters during tournament hours and can approach or observe any contestant’s boat. Each contestant is requested to cooperate with all reasonable requests.

13) Damage: Damage of any nature to a contestant’s boat, equipment, or fishing tackle is the responsibility of the tournament contestant.

14) Launch Fees: All launch fees are included in the entry fee.

15) Ties: The largest bass weight shall decide a tie. Total weight will decide a tie for Big Bass.

16) Rule Changes: Rules will remain unchanged throughout the event. Tournament Directors and Officers have the right to accept or refuse any person/persons entry fee if deemed detrimental to the tournament.

17) Registration begins at 4 a.m., the day of the tournament. May begin to launch any time after “check-in”, polygraphs will be taken on any winners at random. Boats will be released at “Safe Daylight”.

18) Five (5) fish per team is the limit, 12 inches in length is the limit, and only five (5) fish in the boat at check-in. No culling at landing.

19) The Tournament Director’s decision is final. Weigh Master may refuse to weigh in any fish. Questions will be resolved by tournament officials. This will be final.

20) THERE WILL BE NO CROSSING SOUTH OF 90!!!