Bass Tournament Rules

[jay bird]

I am doing my first set-up of a small Bass tournament for co-workers this weekend. I had a question asked me this week and I am hoping I had the rules right when I wrote them. The rule in questions was that there will be no trailering of boats during tournament hours. Had one of the teams question this saying that they fished semi-pro for years and they could trailer their boats anywhere on the lake after the livewells where checked. What are your guys thoughts on this that have done a ton of these small tourneys. Thanks in advance Jason

[techo]

I would think it is your tournament so you set the rules. In the ones I fish....you drive your boat by the dock with your livewells open. Impossible to do on the back of a truck. I like that we all take off from the same point. Makes it a bit more of a challenge for a smaller boat like mine as I either have to fish closer or spend valuable fishing time traveling. It takes those 150s and up a little less time to get up the James than my 90.

Still it is your tournament so.....

[dblades]

I am doing my first set-up of a small Bass tournament for co-workers this weekend. I had a question asked me this week and I am hoping I had the rules right when I wrote them. The rule in questions was that there will be no trailering of boats during tournament hours. Had one of the teams question this saying that they fished semi-pro for years and they could trailer their boats anywhere on the lake after the livewells where checked. What are your guys thoughts on this that have done a ton of these small tourneys. Thanks in advance Jason

I'd ask them what circuit, I've never seen a "pro" type tournament that trailering was allowed. I'd also expect this team to be the cause of any problems during the tournament.

[motoman]

I'd ask them what circuit, I've never seen a "pro" type tournament that trailering was allowed. I'd also expect this team to be the cause of any problems during the tournament.

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+1, This sounds a bit unusual to me too. Strange.

[ckjacks]

I know that the skeeter or triton used to let you trailer on Eufaula. This lake is huge. When the same trail goes to Grand they don't allow trailering. That might be the one the guy is talking about. These were 250+ boat tournaments, so there were atleast 10 or 15 boats at every ramp to keep the guys from taking off too early. There were also mandatory lie detectors for the top finishers.

I haven't fished a ton of tournaments. That being said, I have fished 1 where trailering was allowed. This was because Grand was 7' high, they were sucking water like mad, and the wind was blowing the opposite direction as the current. There were easily 7' waves in the main lake, but coves were pretty calm. So, to keep everyone from being idiots and running to the main lake, the 12 or so boats were allowed to trailer so they didnt have to go into the main lake. Worked well.

For your tourney, I wouldn't consider trailering unless your ramp is next to the dam or way up the james. I feel that on table rock, they are better driving their boat wherever they want to go, rather than trailering because the roads are so twisty they aren't going to be saving much time or gas.

[Slabhunter]

I just put on my first tournament last month and it was a pain. Its your tournament so its your rules. I would make everyone take out at the same ramp and just check live wells. I have a waiver i can email you that clears you from any problems. Just be sure everyone signs a waiver and tell everyone that shows up the rules and you shouldn't have any problems.

[jay bird]

Thanks guys Problem taken care of.