BY-LAWS, RULES and FAQ

Attention Anglers, Captains, Coaches and or Spectators: Bass Tactix reserves the right to make changes to any rules, add rules, allow any person(s) to fish or participate at an event, and or disqualify any person(s) from fishing or participating at a Bass Tactix event at any given time. If you are an angler, spectator for weigh-in, etc. and you think you may not agree to these rules, and or violate any of these rules and or regulations pertaining to this program; please do not sign up nor participate. People who violate rules and or regulations may be removed immediately or later at your own cost. Bass Tactix is not liable and nor are we responsible for any damages and or cost for those that violate our rules and any other rules or regulations adopted by this program.

Captains are considered Anglers as they are a vital part of the team and a requirement.

The following will outline how a team(s) must qualify for the Bass Tactix State Championships:

Divisions

MS South: Highway 84 South

MS North Central: Highway 84 North

Upper Tombigbee TBF

North Mississippi TBF

Louisiana: Statewide

Alabama North Central

Alabama Delta 

Tennessee Central 

TEAM/Person in good standings, meeting all rules & regulation requirements and has COMPETED in 1 or more Bass Tactix regular season events may fish all the Bass Tactix state championship tournaments regardless of the location. No other requirements. 

AOY (Angler of the Year): Is determined by the team / person with the most accumulated points for all events to include Division, State and or Nationals.

Attention: Bass Tactix reserves the right to make changes to any rules, add rules, allow any person(s) to fish an event, and or disqualify any person(s) from fishing a Bass Tactix event at any given time. If you think you may intentionally violate any of these rules and or regulations, please do not sign up for this program. 

NOTE: The Invitational side of this event is NO LONGER available !

Definition of GOOD STANDINGS: a Person and or Team that has completed an updated membership, with no pending violations, and presents themselves in a professional manner etc. are considered in Good Standings. See Rules and regulations. Anyone not meeting any of these may be deemed ineligible from competing in any Bass Tactix event.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS to these Qualifications, Rules, and or Regulations:

Teams must qualify for the National Championship by meeting requirements listed below, plus abide by all rules, regulations, and be in good standings for that particular season in order to participate.

The Bass Tactix National Championships will be a 3-day event. Teams get to fish all 3 days.

These are AUTOMATIC qualifiers for JR Teams, HS teams, and or Person for the Bass Tactix/G.G. King National Championship:

1. Any Team / Person that has Competed in 4 or more Bass Tactix qualifying events for the season.

2. A Team / Person who has Competed in 3 Bass Tactix qualifying events for the season; and one of those MUST BE a Bass Tactix state championship that you actually competed in.

3. A Team / Person who has actually Entered in and or COMPETED in only 2 regular season Bass Tactix  qualifying events and finishes inside the Top 25 in any Bass Tactix State championship. 

4.Teams / Persons that finish in the Top 25 in any TBF SAF HS or TBF SAF JR State Championships in MS, AL, LA, GA, AR, FL and or TN for that season and has COMPETED in 1 or more Bass Tactix qualifying events for the season.

5. Teams / Person who finishes in the Top 20 in any Bass Tactix State Championship.

See Schedules here on this website for ALL qualifying tournaments in MS, AL, LA, and TN

These rules are subject to modification for angler and or Bass Tactix benefit. 

 Bass Tactix has adopted the following rules and regulations. As a participant of any kind on any level you have agreed to abide by these rules and regulations. 

TBF/SAF and MLF expect strict adherence to the following rules by all contestants. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 first and then notify the tournament director.  2021-2022 High School Fishing State Championship, Open, and Challenge Event Rules:

 1. INTERPRETATION & ENFORCEMENT • These rules will remain unchanged during the 2021-2022 High School Fishing season. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to the tournament director. Decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Each contestant, coach, and boat captain agrees to report any suspected rule violation to the tournament director immediately upon discovery. Failure to report a violation may be cause for disqualification.  The violation of a tournament rule may result in, but is not limited to, disqualification from the event, weight loss (in whole or in part, for part of a day or for one or more days, for the heaviest bag, single fish or largest fish, or any combination thereof) or ineligibility to participate in future tournaments. Protests and/or alleged rule violations are to be documented in writing by a witness or boat captain within 30 minutes of the check-in time of the final flight of each tournament day. Tournament officials, in their sole discretion, reserve the right to consider rule violations reported or discovered at any time for any reason, by any persons, before or after a tournament has ended and assess penalties for any past or future event including denying entry to compete.

2. PARTICIPATION & ELIGIBILITY • Participation is open to all  ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students.  Participation by one (1) seventh or eighth-grade student per team is permitted. Each team will consist of two contestants and one coach. Pursuant to federal law guidelines under the Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, there MUST be three people to a boat at all times. No exceptions. No angler may register or plan to fish alone. In the case of a verifiable, unplanned emergency, where one partner is unable to attend and no time is left to find another partner, only then may a tournament official, at their sole discretion, allow an observer in the boat in place of a fishing partner. The observer may not fish. If this benefit is approved, however, it can only be used once per season, including any championships and regardless of the reason. For state championships, each team must compete in the state in which their school is located. Teams from all states can participate in open tournaments and challenge events. If a contestant fishes multiple qualifying events, only the first paired team that qualifies will advance to the National  Championship. A contestant cannot qualify for the National Championship as a member of two different teams. With prior approval from the tournament director and mutual consent by both members of a team, a team may forfeit their entry into the  National Championship and try to requalify. Contestants must be Student Angler Federation members. There is no entry fee to participate for SAF members. Contestants registering on-site, however, will be charged a $20 late fee. Contestants must have the signature of a parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form. Contestants must have in their possession a valid fishing license for the waters they fish if required by law and a current student identification card from the school they represent or other proof of grade level. Random checks will be conducted at each tournament. Failure to provide proof of a valid fishing license within a reasonable amount of time when requested will result in disqualification for that day and any preceding days in which the license was required for the tournament. Contestants are required to follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and laws. Any violation of such regulations and laws may result in disqualification. Entries for state championships and challenge events should be made at highschoolfishing.org or by calling TBF at 580.765.9031. Entries for opens should be made at majorleaguefishing.com or by calling MLF at 270.252.1000. Please do not make entry by more than one method. TBF and MLF reserve the right to review team names and reject any names that are deemed inappropriate for any reason. There is no limit to the number of teams accepted into a tournament from each school or club. Accepted teams will be confirmed and notified via e-mail prior to each tournament. Tournament officials reserve the right to reject any application to compete for any reason whatsoever.  See additional below in Bass Tactix additional rules & regulations: 

Coaches are considered Anglers as they are a vital part of the team and a requirement.

3. PURCHASING OF INFORMATION • The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available sources) and the hiring of fishing guide services is not permitted by contestants, coaches, boat captains or anyone working on a team’s behalf within 10 days of the start of any tournament. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. A team may not pay a boat captain for their services. A team may reimburse a boat captain for actual fuel and travel expenses related to the tournament. However, a team or anyone acting on a team’s behalf, may NOT pay or “hire” a Boat Captain for their time or knowledge. Contestants, coaches, boat captains, parents (anyone acting on a team’s behalf) may not buy or barter a fishing location from anyone.

4. OFF-LIMITS, PRACTICE & COMPETITION • There is no practice period or off-limits period prior to the start of onsite registration. There are, however, specific rules defined below that govern practice within 10 days of each tournament. Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may be on tournament waters until the start of onsite registration. Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not enter tournament waters to locate bass or potential fishing waters or sightsee after the start of onsite registration except during tournament hours. Testing equipment on tournament waters after the start of onsite registration is permitted only with prior approval from the tournament director. Within 10 days of the tournament no contestant, coach, or boat captain may practice with, hire, barter for, or engage in services with, for the purposes of locating or catching bass on the tournament waters, any person who has been a bass guide for hire on the tournament waters within the last 12 months unless such person is the parent or documented permanent legal guardian of a contestant on a team in the event. Written proof of permanent legal guardianship to the satisfaction of tournament officials may be required. Within 10 days of the tournament, contestants may only practice with another SAF member that is confirmed in the tournament, their coach, their boat captain, or an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, or grandparent) who also meets the above criteria concerning guides or be a registered active participant in an another TBF or MLF sanctioned event during this time frame. Nobody else, except a media representative or official approved by the tournament director, is allowed in the boat. Within 10 days of the tournament and extending through competition, contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not solicit and/or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except contestants, coaches, and boat captains confirmed in the tournament and through publicly available sources. Unsolicited information received at MLF and/or TBF weigh-ins is considered a publicly available source. Quasi-public websites, blogs, and/or social media pages, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Periscope, set up for the specific purpose of sharing information with individuals or a small group of individuals are not publicly available sources. Within 10 days of the tournament and extending through competition, contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not follow a noncontestant's boat or participate in the placing of markers, brush, or other physical fish attractors by noncontestants or the practice of “hole sitting” by anyone. During competition days, contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not place brush or other physical fish attractors, including chum of any kind, in tournament waters. Flights over tournament waters, including drones, for the express purpose of locating fish or fishing locations, are not permitted on competition days. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification.

5. REGISTRATION & PRETOURNAMENT MEETING • Unless prior approval is received from tournament officials, both contestants comprising a team and their coach or boat captain must register and check-in at the designated registration site at the times listed in the tournament confirmation. Contestants and/or coaches or boat captains who fail to notify the tournament director and are more than 15 minutes late for registration check-in may not be entered in the tournament. It is mandatory that all contestants and their coaches or boat captains attend the pretournament meeting at the time and place set forth in the tournament confirmation unless prior approval is received from the tournament director. Contestants and/or coaches or boat captains not present for the pretournament meeting may not be entered in the tournament. Virtual pretournament meetings may be held in place of in-person meetings when such meetings are not possible.

 6. BOAT ASSIGNMENTS • Takeoff order (boat number) is determined by tournament officials. Most events, including all opens, are random draw. Some events may be based on date and time of entry. Onsite entries may receive the last available boat numbers.  Each team must be accompanied on the water by a coach or boat captain who will supply a boat but is not permitted to fish. 

7. SAFETY • Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant, coach, and boat captain on the water is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved chest-type personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is running from boat check until weigh-in each day of the tournament. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition-shutoff device that must be securely attached to the driver’s body whenever the combustion engine is running. All persons in a tournament boat shall remain seated in a manufacturer-recommended on-plane seating location with a driver behind the steering wheel or at the tiller in full control of the boat whenever it is on plane or the combustion engine is running and in gear. Sitting on pedestal seats while the combustion engine is in operation and in gear is not permitted. Contestants are not permitted to drive the boat when the combustion engine is running. Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by contestants, coaches, and boat captains. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed, or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.  Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may leave their boat and seek shelter in bad weather or when danger is imminent. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. 

8. SPORTSMANSHIP • All contestants, coaches, and boat captains are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, TBF, SAF, MLF, tournaments sponsors, the school the team is representing, the sport of fishing, and our combined efforts to promote the sport. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: • Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules for the 2021-2022 High School Fishing season. • Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during registration, the pretournament meeting, or during tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure. • Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances. • Conviction of a felony within the past 36 months. • Suspension/disqualification, probation, or ban from any tournament or fishing organization. • Boat operation in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike manner. • Violation of a posted no-wake area. • Publicly criticizing or questioning the integrity of TBF/SAF or MLF or their officials, including but not limited to any rules, policies, and procedures. • Dissemination of disparaging content or content that one should reasonably know would harm the reputation of TBF/SAF and/or MLF companies, officials, and sponsors. • Any other words, conduct, or actions reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the first sentence of paragraph 8. In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, tournament officials have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete, to disqualify a contestant, or impose any penalty outlined herein.

9. BOAT OPERATION • Coaches will supply and drive boats for their teams or arrange boat captains to supply and drive boats for their teams. To qualify as a coach or boat captain, the person or persons accompanying a team must be at least 19 years old and reside in the same state as the students comprising the team or be an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister or grandparent) that is at least 19 years old regardless of residence. For students living near state borders, coaches or boat captains may reside in a neighboring state so long as they reside within 60 miles of one of the students comprising the team. In the event of boat or engine failure after a team is onsite for a tournament, the tournament director may, at his sole discretion, arrange for a volunteer boat captain to assist a team. Bass guides who operate or have operated for hire at any time during the previous 12 months from the tournament date on the designated tournament waters are not permitted as coaches or boat captains unless they are the parent or documented permanent legal guardian of one of the contestants on a team in the event. A guide is defined as anyone who is paid for their time and knowledge to take someone fishing. Written proof of permanent legal guardianship to the satisfaction of the tournament director may be required. The use of a guide as defined above will result in disqualification.  Contestants may operate the trolling motor. Coaches and boat captains may provide assistance, including information about locating and catching fish, but are not permitted to fish on competition days. Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not use mobile communication devices of any kind, including but not limited to, phones, tablets, radios, etc., to communicate with anyone about locating or catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours. Mobile communication devices may be used during tournament hours to communicate with lockmasters about locking, or to communicate with designated tournament officials. Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may use smartphones and/or tablets during tournament hours for GPS, mapping, weather, power generation, barge traffic updates, tidal charts, personal fishing notes, and related data. At no time during tournament hours may contestants, coaches, and boat captains read or discuss social media posts from other contestants. If a special circumstance arises that inhibits a contestant’s ability to compete, the tournament director may allow the contestant to withdraw from competition and maintain the weight caught to that point.

10. BOAT & HORSEPOWER REGULATION • All boats must be propeller-driven and a minimum of 16 feet in length. No barges or similarly cumbersome craft will be permitted. Pontoon and tritoon boats that meet all other requirements under this rule are permitted. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain alive a limit catch of bass. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition shall not exceed the horsepower capacity set forth on the “Maximum Capacities” placard described below. Each boat must have a clearly legible  “Maximum Capacities” (or comparably titled) placard that includes a maximum horsepower rating affixed to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must not exceed the maximum horsepower capacity specified on this placard.  By signing the entry form, contestants, coaches, and boat captains agree to submit their boat and/or motor to an inspection by tournament officials. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower numbers on the motor or rating placard will be cause for disqualification from the tournament and may result in ineligibility to compete in future High School Fishing tournaments.  Fishing platforms must be factory-installed equipment or commercially available aftermarket equipment that is permanently installed in the boat. No portable platforms may be used in tournament competitions. Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks or auxiliary fuel tanks that are securely strapped or otherwise fastened to the boat. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle. The use of generators, other than solar or wind-powered generators, is prohibited in contestant boats during tournament hours.

11. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS • Fishing is defined as having a lure attached to a line and a rod and reel with the rod in hand. All bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. All lures must adhere to state regulations. Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits. Alabama rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are limited to a maximum of five wires with a maximum of five spinners, five lures and three hooks (single or treble) unless state regulations are more restrictive, in which case state regulations prevail. Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling as a method of fishing is strictly prohibited. Trolling is defined as operating any combustion engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve or using any mechanical propulsion device to move the boat as the sole means of imparting action to the lure. All bass caught while sight-fishing must be hooked inside the mouth and immediately shown to your coach or boat captain for verification.

12. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS & BOUNDARIES • Teams may fish anywhere on tournament waters within the boundaries defined by the tournament director that are available to the public and accessible by boat except areas designated as  “off-limits,” “no boats,” “keep out,” “restricted,” “no trespassing” or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access) by tournament officials, commercial property owners and/or local, state or federal officials, or within 50  yards of a contestant’s boat that was first anchored. An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight or by a Power-Pole, Talon, or similar shallow water anchor with the trolling motor in the up position. All fishing must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. The cutting of trees, bushes, and/or logs after the start of onsite registration and/or the removal of official commercial, local, state, or federal barricades at any time to make an area more accessible by boat or gain access for fishing is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification from the tournament. The use of cables, ropes, chains, or any type of block and tackle system to maneuver a boat into fishing waters is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification from the tournament. Teams must leave and return to the check-in by boat. The boat must remain in the tournament waters during the tournament day. No tournament boat may be loaded on a trailer before the team using the boat presents their catch for weigh-in, except with the permission of the tournament director. In the event of equipment failure or emergency, the tournament director must be notified as soon as it is safe to do so. There are then three permitted methods of returning to the check-in: (1) by both contestants remaining in their boat and being towed by water, (2) with permission from the tournament director, by one contestant entering the boat of another team or (3) both contestants entering a rescue boat so designated by the tournament director. Under these three conditions the team’s catch may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties, or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules) provided each team’s fish are adequately marked or separated so as to provide clear distinction of each catch to the tournament director. Teams that elect to return to the check-in by any other means than cited above will forfeit their day’s catch to that point in time of the tournament day. Abandoning a boat and leaving it adrift without proper tie-off or anchoring after a mechanical failure may result in disqualification of that day’s weight. Any team returning to the check-in point will be eligible to restart and resume competition under the supervision of the tournament director or his designated tournament official. It is the sole responsibility of teams to locate the tournament director to request a restart. Teams must remain together at all times and within sight of their coach or boat captain until check-in. The momentary condition of being out of sight of each other for restroom breaks is permitted. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. 

13. CHECKPOINTS • There will be only one checkpoint for boat check in the morning and one check-in point in the afternoon.  Failure to go through boat check and checkout in the morning or failure to check in at the check-in point will result in disqualification. All fishing must cease upon check-in. 

14. LATE PENALTY • Teams that are not at the designated afternoon checkpoint at the appointed time will be penalized 1 pound per minute, deducted from the total weight. Teams more than 15 minutes late will lose credit for that day’s weight.

15. LIVE FISH • Every effort must be made to keep bass alive through the use of a properly aerated livewell. Eight ounces will be deducted from the total weight for each dead bass presented for weigh-in.

16. SCORING • Scoring is determined by the pounds and ounces of each team’s catch during each tournament. Only largemouth, spotted, redeye or smallmouth bass are accepted species. No regurgitated forage or other foreign matter may be placed in a bass.  The daily limit will be five bass per team unless conditions dictate a reduced limit or the state or lake limit is less than five, in which case those limits will prevail. After possessing the daily limit, teams must cull immediately upon their next catch. Teams possessing more than the daily limit must notify the tournament director immediately upon discovery of the infraction and reduce their catch to the daily limit by releasing live bass. Teams possessing more than the daily limit will be penalized 2 pounds for each bass over the limit. The minimum length limit for bass will be 12 inches unless the state or lake limit is more than 12 inches or tournament officials set a longer limit for a specific tournament, in which case, the state or lake limit or longer limit set by tournament officials for the tournament will prevail. Bass presented for weigh-in that fail to measure the prescribed length limit will be penalized at the rate of 1 pound for each short bass presented. Bass presented for weigh-in with weight clips attached will be penalized at the rate of 4 ounces for each clip. After competitors check in at the official checkpoint, they must present all fish in possession that meet the tournament size limit to tournament officials to be counted, measured and weighed. Once a team’s catch has been presented to tournament officials, that day’s catch is final. No one may return to a boat to retrieve a bass mistakenly left behind. After being weighed, each team’s catch must be turned over to tournament officials unless otherwise instructed. Each team’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag. The winning team is determined by the day’s heaviest catch. The top 10 percent of teams in each state championship and open tournament advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.  Tournaments held June 14, 2021, through June 13, 2022, will advance teams to the 2022 National Championship. Tournaments held June 14, 2022, through June 13, 2023, will advance teams to the 2023 National Championship. All participating SAF teams automatically qualify to compete in the High School Fishing World Finals that runs concurrently with the National Championship and has a separate prize pool.

17. TIES • Total number of fish for the tournament will break ties followed by the total number of live fish. If a tie remains, it will be broken first by earliest entry for the tournament and then by lottery. 

18. LOGO DISPLAY & MEDIA COVERAGE • Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may wear their own apparel.  Tournament officials reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to prohibit any contestant, coach, or boat captain’s apparel that is determined to be offensive.

19. ALCOHOL & TOBACCO • During all days of competition any and all alcohol and tobacco logos are prohibited and may not be worn or displayed. Contestants, coaches, and boat captains may not smoke or use tobacco products during tournament hours, including weigh-in, at any event.

20. TRUTH VERIFICATION TEST • Each contestant and coach agrees to submit, by signature on the tournament entry form, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination and to abide by its conclusion. Failure to pass an examination will result in disqualification from the tournament. Truth verification tests will be used at the sole discretion of tournament officials, and the determination of the meaning of the results will be made solely by tournament officials. 

21. INSURANCE • Liability insurance with coverage in reasonable amounts is required on all boats used in High School Fishing tournaments. Proof of insurance must be with the boat being used and must cover all passengers in the boat. Random checks will be conducted. Failure to provide proof of insurance when requested by the tournament director may result in disqualification.

22. CAPTIONS • The captions at the beginning of each paragraph are intended to facilitate convenience in referring to the various rules. The captions are not part of the substance of the paragraph and should not be used in construction of any paragraph or of this overall set of rules. 

PARTICIPANT RELEASE OF LIABILITY READ BEFORE SIGNING .........Team # List Everyone In The Boat By Name I/We,  in consideration for permission to voluntarily participate in ANY event(s), an\or related activities conducted by any Federation Angler affiliated  groups including but not limited to; The Bass Federation,(TBF), Student Anglers Federation,(SAF), National Bass Anglers Association, (NBAA),  The Walleye Federation, (TWF) and\or MLF,LLC and all other affiliated events, either jointly or separately, I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree  that: The risk of injury, disability, death, loss or damage to my person or property from the activities involved in this program is significant,  including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; AND, I have been advised by the event organizers and have had the opportunity to seek legal counsel  with respect to the legal effect of this document; AND, I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL RISKS REFERRED TO ABOVE,  BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE ORGANIZERS and\or, their officers, officials,  directors, shareholders, agents, and/or employees, other participants, and sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, their parent and affiliate  companies and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises and property used to conduct the event OR any others connected to the event  (collectively “RELEASEES”), AND HEREBY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RISKS ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION; AND, I willingly agree to comply with the terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the immediate attention of the nearest official; AND I, FOR  MYSELF AND ON BEHALF OF MY HEIRS, ASSIGNS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND NEXT OF KIN, HEREBY RELEASE,  INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS “RELEASEES”, WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS  OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHICH I SUFFER OR WHICH I AM FOUND TO HAVE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART  BY MY NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASE OR OTHERWISE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. I agree to submit, by signature on this document, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination. Hereinafter known as a truth verification test and abide by its conclusion. Truth verification test(s) will be used at the organizer’s sole discretion and administered by its agents. I understand that failure to pass the examination as determined by the event organizers will result in disqualification. I certify that the number shown on my entry forms (if required) is my correct taxpayer identification number. Having fully acquainted myself with the tournament rules, I have completed this application and submit it for my entry. In signing this application, and by my presence at the event, I hereby agree to be bound by and comply with all tournament rules, participant release of liability, and safety regulations. I expressly assume all risks associated with the tournament. If I am using a boat during the official practice or the event, I certify that I now have, or will obtain prior to the event, property damage\ watercraft liability insurance having a reasonable limit. Said insurance must cover injury and/or damage incurred in connection with the event. Upon request, I will provide satisfactory evidence of said insurance. I certify that training compliant with the Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 has been made available to me this year if I am participating in a youth event.  I hereby wave my rights of privacy or publicity with regard to the unconditional right to use my name, voice, photographic likeness, video, and biographical information and fishing tips and instructions in connection with any reproduction of same, video\audio productions and\or articles and press releases by the event organizers, their parent or affiliate companies, and those acting under their permission, anywhere at any time,  through any medium or media. I shall not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use I further understand and agree that the tournament officials reserve the right to reject my application for any reason whatsoever.  The Participant(s) signifies by their signature below that they have read and understand the foregoing provisions. Angler A- Dated___________Age Signed Angler B - Dated___________Age Signed Boat Captain (if applicable) - Dated___________Age Signed PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF MINORITY AGE PARTICIPANTS This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do consent and agree to his/her release as provided above of all the Releasees, and, for myself, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin,  I release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any and all liabilities, incidents to my minor child's involvement or participation in these programs as provided above, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE of the Releasees to the fullest extent permitted by law. X A - PARENT/GUARDIAN'S SIGNATURE EMERGENCY. PH # (s) : Date  X B - PARENT/GUARDIAN'S SIGNATURE EMERGENCY. PH # (s) : Date 

FISHERS OF MEN

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT TRAIL

SHAKESPEARE LEGACY SERIES RULES AND REGULATIONS 2022

1.         PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY

Open to all individuals, male and female, except;

Any angler who has competed in:

a BASS Elite Series event (excluding the Bassmaster Classic and BASS Bass-Fest),

an FLW Tour event (excluding the FLW Cup), or

an MLF Bass Pro Tour event during the 12 months prior to any Fishers of Men regular season or championship event, is not eligible to compete in that FOM event.

Each Legacy team must consist of one adult and one or more juniors with only two members fishing at one time. No solo fishing in Legacy Tournaments. An Adult/Junior team is defined as a team with one member who has reached his/her nineteenth birthday before January 1 of the current year and at least one other member who has not reached his/her nineteenth birthday on or before January 1, of the current year. Those under 18 years of age, not fishing with a parent, must have written permission from a parent or guardian. Each competitor in each tournament, including championships, must be a current Fishers of Men member in good standing. No membership is required for a legal substitute, as described in rule #16, fishing one tournament as a sub. Fishers of Men division directors are eligible to compete in two-day events in the division in which they are the director, provided they follow all of the guidelines set by the National Office. A copy of these guidelines will be made available, by the National Office, to anyone upon request.

*Fishers of Men reserves the right to reject any entries which we feel are not in the best interest of the tournament.*

Membership fees are as follows:

Individual membership                                           $40 per person

Family Membership                                                 $60 per family

Memberships are to be completed online or submitted to the division director prior to fishing your first tournament.

Individual Membership Benefits: Eligibility to compete in any Fishers of Men Tournament.

Family Membership Benefits: Eligibility for the member and any immediate family member residing in the same household to compete in any Fishers of Men Tournament. **Any junior partner can be included in a family membership, whether that junior is an immediate family member residing in the same household or not.

2.         ENTRY FEES

Shakespeare Legacy Series regular season tournament entry fees shall be $80.00 per team per tournament, which includes Big Fish. Entry fees for divisional tournaments should be mailed to the division director, paid to the director in person, or paid online by the late fee deadline to avoid the $25 late fee. The late fee deadline for divisional tournaments will be the Friday 8 days prior the tournament, unless otherwise specified by the director.

***In two day events, any team paying an entry at the pretournament meeting must have at least one competing team member in attendance prior to the beginning of the inspirational message, and remain until the end of the meeting. A non-competing substitute can NOT represent a team for the purpose of obtaining the 50 meeting points.

In two day events, no entries will be accepted after the introduction of the main speaker at the pre-tournament meeting.

In two day events, no entries will be accepted the morning of the tournament.

There will be a fee charged on all checks returned for insufficient funds.

3.         PRIZE PAYOUT

Prize money will be awarded following the weigh-in at each two day divisional event, and following the meeting at each one day divisional event. One place will be paid out per three teams entered. The big bass pot will be paid to the team with the biggest bass of the tournament. Winners are responsible for any and all taxes on any moneys or prizes won. In the event of a tie, prize money for the place tied for and the subsequent place will be combined and evenly split between the tying teams.

4.         BONUS BUCKS

The "Bonus Bucks" program is designed to increase tournament payout for those who wish to compete for a higher purse. This totally optional program features 100% payback of a $25 per team entry, in a 50%; 30%; 20% split, which will be paid to the three highest finishing teams who elect to enter the "Bonus Bucks" program. Bonus Bucks entries for the National Championships must be prepaid with the tournament entry. No bonus bucks entries will be accepted at the pretournament meeting at the National Championships. National Championship Bonus Bucks entry is $50.

5.         OFF LIMITS

There will be no off limits or official practice days for Legacy events except during the pre-tournament meeting hours. Teams may not have the assistance of any non-competitor for the purpose of locating or catching fish on the competition day. The use of electronic communication devices for the purpose of sharing fishing information during tournament hours is also prohibited.

All teams assume responsibility of finding out the time and location of the tournament meeting from their respective director.

 6.        PURCHASING OF INFORMATION

The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available sources) and the hiring of fishing guide services is not permitted by contestants or anyone working on a team’s behalf within 10 days of the start of any tournament. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. Contestants, parents, or anyone acting on a team’s behalf may not buy or barter a fishing location from anyone.

7.         TOURNAMENT HOURS

Tournament hours will be from safe light to 1:00 p.m. We reserve the right to assign flights and change hours if necessary.

8.         LAUNCH SEQUENCE

Starting positions for teams who entered before the late fee deadline will be determined by either a drawing or a random number assignment by a computer prior to the meeting. Teams that enter the tournament at the meeting may be assigned blast-off numbers in the order in which they entered. In two day divisional tournaments, participants not in attendance at the meeting (whether preregistered or not) will be assigned a starting position at the back of the line by the division director.

9.         SAFETY

 Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times. All competitors are required to wear Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices, securely fastened at all times while the boat is being propelled by the combustion engine.

***A “chest type” Life vest must be worn by all junior anglers. Inflatable life preservers are NOT allowed for junior anglers. ***

Inflatable devices may only be worn by adult member of the team, and a “chest type” life vest of the correct size MUST be on board for the adult member. Furthermore, a kill switch must be fastened to the driver any time the combustion engine is propelling the boat. Failure to do so is grounds for disqualification.

All persons in a tournament boat shall remain seated in a manufacturer-recommended on-plane seating location with a driver behind the steering wheel or at the tiller in full control of the boat whenever it is on plane or the combustion engine is running and in gear. Sitting on pedestal seats while the combustion engine is in operation and in gear is not permitted. Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by all contestants.

Running lights must be operational and turned on at the blast off of each tournament.

10.         SPORTSMANSHIP

Each contestant is expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation. No team may fish within 50 yards of any other boat which is anchored with the trolling motor up. Furthermore, no team may fish within 25 yards of any other boat without the other boater’s permission. Permission may not be granted to any team at the exclusion of any other team. No hole sitting by a non-competitor or by another competitor, to aid a tournament participant will be allowed. Violators will have their catch disqualified.

11.       TACKLE AND FISHING METHODS 

Only artificial baits may be used. No live or cut bait is permitted (pork baits are permitted). All bass must be caught alive in a legal and sporting manner. No snagging. Each competitor may only use 1 rod at a time. No more than 1 line in the water at a time per angler. Trolling with the combustion motor is not permitted. No competitor may leave the boat to land or catch fish.

12.       STATE AND FEDERAL GAME REGULATIONS

All participants are expected to abide by all state and federal laws and game regulations. Any team who intentionally violates a law or regulation in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage will have their catch disqualified. Bringing short fish or slot fish to the scales will be penalized as described in rule 12. In the case of multiple governing authorities, the strictest law is applicable. Any participant who consumes, or is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, stimulants or depressants during any Fishers of Men function will have their catch disqualified. (Prescribed medications taken per doctor’s instructions are excluded)

13.       SCORING

A limit of 5 (or 3, in some cases) bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass) may be weighed in. The tournament director may reduce the limit from 5 fish to 3 fish in cases where he/she deems necessary. Minimum lengths will be set at the discretion of the division director but at no time will be less than the legal limit. Lengths will be measured with mouth closed. A short fish or slot fish brought to the scales will not be weighed, and will result in a 1 pound penalty. Dead fish will be penalized .25 (1/4) pound. The dead fish penalty will also apply to any fish weighed as a Big Fish if that fish is dead. All culling must be done at the time the 6th (or 4th, if the limit is 3) fish is caught; no team may continue fishing with more than the tournament limit in the livewell at any time during the tournament, with the exception of dead fish that is not included in their limit. The penalty for possessing more than a limit of fish, bringing more than a limit of fish to the scales, or culling at the ramp will be 1 pound. That 1 pound will be deducted from the total weight of the team’s best limit of fish. On any water where State or local laws prohibit culling or impose limits of less than 5 fish, the state or local laws will replace the above as the rule. The tournament director may reduce the limit from 5 fish to 3 fish in cases where he/she deems necessary.

14.       EMERGENCIES

Competitors shall remain with their partners in the boat at all times during the tournament, except in the event of sickness or brief excursions for "nature calling", severe storm or other such hazard. It is permitted for a competitor to leave the boat for marina services. On competition days, competitors may leave the boat to dislodge it, but only to return the boat in the direction it came from. Leaving the boat, on a competition day, to advance it is not permitted. (In falling water conditions, a team may leave the boat to advance it only to return from water they accessed without leaving the boat.) If for any reason either or both team members decide to leave the tournament waters early, both members shall bear full responsibility for notifying a tournament official. If one team member leaves the water early, he/she must notify the director before returning to fish and the other team member may continue fishing in his/her absence. In the event that he/she does not intend to return, his/her partner may continue fishing alone for the remainder of the tournament hours. In case of a breakdown, one partner may return with fish by another tournament boat or a boat designated by FOM tournament staff while the other partner is permitted to stay with the disabled boat.

15.       WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES

Weigh-in will be on a first come first serve basis. Once fish have been presented to a tournament official to be weighed-in, all fish become the property of the F.O.M.N.T.T. and no additional fish may be brought to the scales. Bags will be limited in order to avoid a bottleneck at the weigh-in tanks.  Teams not weighing any fish are still required to check in with tournament officials in order to account for all teams. Once a team member has checked in or left the boat for the purpose of checking in, neither team member may fish or continue fishing.

16.       AFTERNOON CHECK AND LATE PENALTIES

All teams must be back and checked in by their appointed time. Competitors who are not checked in by their check in deadline will be penalized at a rate of 1 pound per minute, up to 15 minutes at which time their catch will be disqualified. The contestants will retain their participation points for their yearly total. Late penalties will be deducted from "Big Fish" weight as well as total weight. The check in procedure may be a staff person with a check in list, a check in board with numbered chips, or other process as deemed necessary by the director. It is each competitor’s responsibility to know their check in time and the check in procedure.

17.       CHANGE OF PARTNERS & USE OF SUBS 

Substitutes, in Legacy Series events, are permitted as long as the team's adult/junior status is maintained.  A permanent partner change may only be made prior to the start of the team’s second tournament within the division with all points retained. In the event of a team split where both original partners obtain new partners to continue competing in the division, both new teams shall be entitled to the points earned by the original team in their first tournament. There will be no solo fishing in Legacy. The following may serve as sub at any time while retaining all points:

• Grandparent
• Parent
• Spouse
• Sibling
• Child
• Grandchild
• Aunt
• Uncle
• Niece
• Nephew
• First Cousin
• Any in-law of the above relations
• Any youth who has not reached his/her nineteenth birthday on or before December 31 of the current year

A legal substitute may serve as a sub in as many tournaments as needed, however, before serving as a sub for a second time, he/she must become a member. A substitute may not fish alone. In multiple day events a team may use any combination of original partners and legal subs to have two anglers in the boat each day. One of the team members must always be one of the original partners.

At least one of the original team members must compete in the tournament for the team to receive tournament points. No other substitutions will be allowed. Hardship cases may be appealed to the National Office. Partner disagreements do not constitute hardship cases.  

18.       PROTEST AND POLYGRAPH TEST

Any protest must be submitted in writing to the tournament director within 15 minutes of the close of the weigh-in. In any case when a written protest is filed with the director, it is required that the director must contact the National Office before making a ruling. The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail reserves the right to give a polygraph or other truth verification test to any participant at any time. This test does not have to be administered on site and may be set up by the tournament director at his discretion. All participants agree to abide by the results of any polygraph or other truth verification test administered. In the event of a protest and an off-site polygraph or other truth verification test the tournament director will have the option of mailing all the checks to the teams in the money pending the outcome of the test.

19.       CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

In each divisional tournament, the winning team will receive 150 points, 2nd place149 points, 3rd place 148 points, and so on. In the event of a tie in a tournament both teams will receive the points for the place they are tied at, and the subsequent place will remain vacant. (Example: A tie for 3rd place would result in both 3rd place teams receiving 148 points. The next team behind them would be the 5th place team and would receive 146 points.) Teams not weighing any fish will receive 1 less point than the last place team(s) with fish. Furthermore, all teams who attend the pre-tournament meeting (whether entered in the tournament or not) will receive an additional 50 points, which will be applied to the teams cumulative point total for the year, for the purpose of qualifying for the District Championship Tournament. To earn these points, at least one competing team member must be in attendance prior to the beginning of the inspirational message, and remain until the end of the meeting. A non-competing substitute can NOT represent a team for the purpose of obtaining the 50 meeting points. Tournament points and meeting points will run through all regularly scheduled tournaments, excluding “Open” tournaments, within that division and may not be transferred to any other division. There will be a maximum of 150 meeting points that a team can accumulate per season, per division. All ties in the year-end standings will be broken by the cumulative weight of fish caught during the season.

20.       LEGACY SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

The Legacy Championship Tournament will be a two-day event. Any team who enters and actually competes in any “Legacy Series” tournament is eligible to compete in a Legacy Series Championship Tournament There will be no off limits or official practice days for Legacy Championships. Exception: "See Rule #5" All teams are required to attend the meeting to be held the evening prior to the first day of competition. Those teams who do not have at least one member in attendance at the meeting will be declared ineligible to compete. Substitutions are allowed in the Legacy Championship. "See Rule #16". National Championship entries fees will be $100.00. This entry includes big bass. One big bass award will be paid each day. Deadline for entry will be set by the National Office and will be announced at a later date. In the event of a tie for first place in the National Championship Tournament, the team who weighed in the largest number of fish during the National Championship Tournament will be declared the winner. If all of the tying teams weighed in the same number of fish, then the team who had the heaviest single day weight during the event will be declared the winner. In the event there is still a tie, a fish-off will determine the winner, if possible. The details of the fish off will be arranged by the tournament director. In the event that bad weather forces the cancellation of one day of competition, the standings from one day of competition will be considered the final standings for the event.

Teams finishing in the top 15% or top 10, whichever is greater, in a Legacy Championship will be qualified to fish in the Team Series National Championship for that year.  Teams that have earned their birth into the National Championship as one of the top teams in the Legacy Series Championship must compete in the Team series National Championship with their original partner or a substitute that doesn't change their Adult/Junior team status.

Teams that compete in Legacy Series divisional tournaments that take place during the calendar year but after the Legacy Series Championship will qualify for the next Legacy Series Championship.

21.       LIABILITY INSURANCE

All boaters must carry a minimum of $100,000 of liability insurance on any boat they use during any Fishers of Men Tournament. Failure to do so, or reporting of false information will result in disqualification of catch. Participants must include the company name and either the policy number or the name of the agent binding the coverage on the entry form for each tournament.

22.       VIOLATION OF RULES AND DISQUALIFICATION

The violation of a tournament rule by either team member may result in weight loss, the loss of weight up to a particular time in the tournament day (eligible for a restart), loss of weight for the entire day, disqualification for the entire tournament or, in an extreme circumstance, ineligibility to participate in future FOM events. If a team is disqualified from a tournament their weight will be recorded as 0 lb. However, they will still receive tournament points as if they had just caught no fish. If the director feels that their violation was a willful attempt to gain an unfair advantage or to intentionally cheat, then the director has the right to refuse entry from that team or team members in the future and may inform all other Fishers of Men directors of the situation.

23.       RULES ENFORCEMENT

It is the tournament director’s responsibility to enforce all of these rules as they are written. Infractions of any rule may result in a penalty or disqualification of catch. In any issue not specifically covered in these rules the director must contact the National Office before making a ruling.

 NOTE: Bass Tactix reserves the right tomodify and / or add to these rules at any time without the permission of others. Any questions or concerns should be directed to 601.307.8492.

Attention Jr Teams, Coaches and or Spectators: Bass Tactix reserves the right to make changes to any rules, add rules, allow any person(s) to fish or participate at an event, and or disqualify any person(s) from fishing or participating at a Bass Tactix event at any given time. If you are an Angler, spectator for weigh-in, etc. and you think you may not agree to these rules, and or violate any of these rules and or regulations pertaining to this program; please do not sign up nor participate. People who violate rules and or regulations may be removed immediately or later at your own cost. Bass Tactix is not liable and nor are we responsible for any damages and or cost for those that violate our rules and any other rules or regulations adopted by this program.

Off Limits for all BASS TACTIX Events

1. Must be off the water at 4 p.m. the day of the meeting. 

2. NO FISHING within 1000 Feet of the downside of a dam release area. 

3. NO Fishing in areas marked off limits nor areas of restriction mentioned by the Director. When in doubt, call or text 601.307.8492 for details.

Launch and Check-In Times:

1. All boats should be launched and ready before blast-off at safe light.

2. Any boat not ready to blast off when their number is called will wait at the end of the blast-off line - or - refer to the Director’s instructions.

3. All boats must be in at or before check-in times. Anglers that do not check in on time will be penalized 1 pound per minute for up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, anglers will be disqualified from the event.

Boat Occupation/Family Participation

With special permission from the director or the assistant director, an immediate family, identified as husband, wife, son, daughter, father, or mother, is allowed to be present in the boat if all safety precautions are met for weight limits and the number of life vests required for the purpose of videoing or photography or special safety needs. These people CAN NOT FISH during this time. Any boat caught breaking this rule will be considered for disqualification of the fishing team for that tournament. 

Explanation of Official Practice Days for BASS TACTIX Championship Tournaments Only

**This is for BASS TACTIX Championship Tournaments ONLY. There are no official practice days for division tournaments. See rules at www.highschoolfishing.org for all other events hosted by TBF/MLF/SAF.  

1. The official practice days are ALWAYS the two days before a two-day competition. 

Example: Two-day tournaments such as the State Championship that are held on Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday, the Official Practice days are Wednesday and Thursday or Thursday and or Friday before the first competition day.

2. Official practice days are like a tournament competition day, except that fish are not being weighed. No more than one adult in the boat on official practice days. **See Boat 

Occupation/Family Participation above.

3. The coach in the boat with the youth during official practice day must be the same coach on tournament day. Emergency or work-related issues will be considered case-by-case, but the director or assistant director must give prior permission. Call the director as soon as possible to alert them of the emergency. 601.307.8492 

4. A coach can practice alone during official practice, as we know some youths have testing or school obligations - OR – if there is a safety or medical reason, the coach may be given permission by the director or the assistant director to have another person accompany. 

5. Bartering for information, using the assistance of a guide, or other communication with any person concerning the fishing area is strictly prohibited and may result in the team's disqualification.

Catches, Limits, and Culling

1. Any fish caught within the slot or does not meet the minimum requirements of the rules for that particular body of water must be released immediately.

2. Bass Tactix Opens Youth teams have a three-fish limit per team. Youth anglers can cull.

3. If a coach fishes in the Bass Tactix TBF/MLF Adult Division, there is a two-fish limit. Adults can cull.

4. Dead fish CAN NOT be culled and will be assessed a 0.25 lb. penalty.

5. If a coach and youth are fishing the Legacy only—see www.fomntt.com for Legacy rules. There is a link on the “Rules” page.

Coach Rules and Regulations

1. Coach can only fish in Bass Tactix open events identified for adult participation. These do not include Youth state or national events. 

2. Coach can keep up to two bass that meets each event's rules and regulations unless special conditions exist and the director declares special instructions. The coach is responsible for knowing the rules.

3. Coach CAN cull fish.

4. Coach must bring his or her Bass to the weigh-in tanks in their separate bag. Bass Tactix will provide such a bag if the coach does not have one.

5. Coach must come to the weigh-in tanks with the youth team at every event, even if the coach is not weighing fish.

6. If a Coach is fishing the Adult Series, the coach may also register to fish the Legacy Series. The coach can add their catch (2 bass) with the youth catch (3 bass) for a five-fish limit for Legacy points.  BUT the Coach MUST weigh their catch first, THEN add to the youth catch at the scales for a total of up to 5 fish weighed for Legacy.

7. If a coach and kid(s) are fishing Legacy only, then see Legacy rules at www.fomntt.com. None of the above rules apply.

8. Coach must NOT run the trolling motor for High School age kids unless there is an emergency concern for weather, illness, injury, or safety.  Then at that time, the coach is encouraged to take proper control of the boat. Safety is a priority. If the trolling motor operation is a concern for any Youth, please consult Bass Tactix @ 601.307.8492

9. Coaches may operate the trolling motor for a JR team. Safety is a Priority 

10. Coaches that have competed in at least one Bass Tactix Adult Tournament qualifies for the Adult TBF/MLF State Championship.

11. Coaches will be awarded cash payouts for the top 5 spots and Lunker per event. Winners of monies will be responsible for taxes from winnings.

12. Bass Tactix reserves the right at all times to disapprove an entry and to modify or add to these rules without the permission of others.

Scholarships

Opportunities for scholarships are made available by the educational institution and presented through Bass Tactix. Bass Tactix is not responsible for setting scholarship amounts or the terms of the scholarship. The process for accepting a scholarship opportunity is as follows:

1. Any angler who receives a scholarship opportunity offer awarded through a Bass Tactix event and wants to accept or consider the scholarship opportunity shall contact Bass Tactix first within 30 days of being awarded the scholarship opportunity. DO NOT Contact the School before you contact Bass Tactix at 601.307.8492 within the 30-day time frame for details.

2. Bass Tactix will assist parents of anglers with the proper information to contact the educational institution. Most scholarships are dedicated to 11th and 12th graders, but some apply to 7th thru 12th grades.

3. If scholarship opportunities are not used within the following college semester or college school year after you received them; or the Angler and or Parent has not properly secured the scholarship opportunity as lined out here in this set of rules, the opportunity may not be available after a period of time. These scholarship opportunities are like other opportunities; they sometimes disappear or may be reduced due but not limited to the economy, the person(s), company and or organization supporting the scholarship opportunity. As you sign any waiver to participate in any Bass Tactix event, on or off the water; you agree that Bass Tactix is not liable nor responsible for your scholarship opportunities for any reason. Anglers and or parents; prior to participating in any Bass Tactix event should inquire about such scholarship opportunities by calling Bass Tactix at 601.307.8492.

4. If for some reason Bass Tactix does not respond to your call within 72 hours, PLEASE call the Educational institution or college which offered the scholarship opportunity through Bass Tactix. Then make Bass Tactix aware of such actions withing 24 hours of such call.

5. Person (s) discussing scholarship opportunities without the written knowledge or consent of Bass Tactix;  is not the responsibility nor liability of Bass Tactix. Such claims or actions are void.

​​​​6. Failure to abide by any of these directions, breaking any rules or regulations within Bass Tactix or its affiliating trails or programs, violating community, state and or federal laws in any manner can disqualify your scholarship opportunity (ies).

Points

Bass Tactix uses a point system to determine end-of-year awards and qualifiers for National and World events.

1. Teams competing in an event and not weighing fish are given last-place points minus 5. Example: If the last-place team weighing fish gets 150 points, then a competing team not weighing fish gets 145 points.

2. The Top Team(s) with the most points will advance to the HS Nationals. If any of such team(s) elect to advance through another trail, then such team will be removed, and the next team in line will advance. Once the said team has declared their qualifying trail for HS Nationals, it is final. The Final number of teams advancing is made by TBF/MLF/SAF.

Angler of the Year (AOY) 

Competing for AOY--For Adult,  JR and HS anglers in each division. AOY will be determined at the State or National Championships.  The top 3 teams / Person from each division will compete for AOY at the State or National Championship.

During the State Championship, the anglers with the highest finish that have qualified for AOY., as shown above, will be named AOY for both JR and HS.

School of the Year Division 1 and 2

School teams with the most points after the final day of the State Championship within each state will be considered State Champions.  These points will be accumulated annually from anglers competing in all Bass Tactix Tournaments in each state.
 

Participation in TBF/SAF/MLF Nationals and World Finals

All Bass Tactix Anglers must be in good standing, meeting all qualifications, and paying all dues to advance to the TBF/MLF/SAF State, High School National, and World Championships.

BASS Tactix reserves the right to change and or modify rules without the consent of others at any time. PLEASE read all rules at www.basstacticsmshs.com and or www.flwfishing.com