BY-LAWS, RULES and FAQ -Rules are being re-wriiten and website is being updated as of 8.01.2024;

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 for any reason it sees fit. If you are an angler, spectator, participant for weigh-in, etc (see above definition for Participants in the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations section). and you think you may not agree to these rules, and or violate any of these rules, by-laws and or regulations pertaining to this program; please do not sign up nor participate. People who violate rules, by-laws and or regulations automatically disqualify themselves 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

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, By-Laws and Regulations. Anyone not meeting any of these may be deemed ineligible from competing in any Bass Tactix event.

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 2 or  3-day event. Teams get to fish each day.

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

1. 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.

2. 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 3 in JR & HS in each Division Tournament and or Top 25 in any Bass Tactix State championship. 

3. 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. 

 1a.  LIABILITY INSURANCE

All boaters must carry a minimum of $200,000 of liability insurance on any boat they use during any and All Bass Tactix Tournaments. Failure to do so and or reporting 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. ALL Policies for such coverage must be legally binding and or not expired; it must be current.

1b. OFF-LIMITS for Events: Anglers and or participants must be off tournament waters the day of the meeting by 3PM. 

ALL PARTICIPANTS but not limited to the following ( see definition for Participants in the Rules section of this website and or call 601.307.8492 or see a Tournament Official ) In the event of an emergency, please call 911 first and then notify the tournament director as quickly as possible.

 1c. Bylaws, Rules and Regulation ENFORCEMENT: These rules and its Interpretation and or enforcement of these rules will be left up to the Bass Tactix  tournament Official. Decisions of the tournament director are final in all situations and are not subject to challenge. ALL Participants agree to report any rule violation to the tournament director immediately without hesitation. Failure to do so may result in disqualification for not reporting the violation.  Violation of a rule may result in, but is not limited to, disqualification from said event,

1d. Photo- Media Usage: All participants to include but not limited to, Spectators, Anglers, Parents etc. give Bass Tactix the right to use any and all but not limited to photos, video footage etc. for promotional purposes. These photos, videos etc. will be used on social media, radio, TV, newspapers etc. 

2a.  Protests are to be in writing by a legal participating witness before 3PM CST or within 15 minutes of the official start time for weigh-in on day of said event. So please be aware of any weigh-in time changes. Tournament Director and its officials reserve the right to determine if and or a rule, regulation and or by-law violation(s) has actually occurred, 

2b. Who Can Compete: 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 an emergency, where one partner is unable to attend and no time is left to find another partner, only then may a tournament allow an observer to be in the boat in place of a fishing partner. Participants are required to follow all federal, state, and local regulations and laws. Violation of any such rules, laws and or regulations may result in disqualification from not only the said event but future events as well. 

2c. Paying for INFORMATION: A team may not pay a boat captain for their services. Anglers and or Parents may reimburse a boat captain for fuel and travel expenses related to the tournament. The purchasing of information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters to include GPS points and the hiring of fishing guide services by contestants, coaches, boat captains or anyone working on a team’s behalf within 3 days of the start of a tournament is not permitted. 

3a. OFF-LIMITS for Events: If there are any off-Limits areas for an event the tournament Director will let you know prior to blast-ff. At all events where a Wall Over-Flow Dam and or a Turbine Generation system is in place; ALL Participants must not be within 1000 feet of the Upper or Lower sides. Anyone failing to follow these rules will automatically disqualify themselves as well will the tournament Director. Anglers and or participants may be on tournament waters the day of the meeting, but must MUST BE OFF the water by 3PM. Contestants can practice with any adult and or coach, parent such as father, brother, etc  as long as that person meets the minimum age of 19 and not in school, except for college. All adults operating the boat as a coach and has a kid besides his or her own must have permission from the other parent and or guardian.

3b. Tournament Meeting: at least one Angler to include at least one parent MUST be at the mandatory meetings. For work related issues, the Parent, Guardian and or Boat Captain must contact Bass Tactix and explain the reason he or she cannot attend. call or text 601.307.8492

4a. Using Safety at all Times:  Each contestant, boat captain etc while on the water must fallow all Rules, By-Laws and or Regulations while participating in any and or all Bass Tactix events. Boats must have with an emergency ignition-shutoff device and attached to the driver’s body at all times while in the driver's seat and the outboard is running. ALL Participants in the boat MUST WEAR a full chest style life Vest while the engine is running and or while in the boat period, whether its running or not. READ all rules and regulations. When its still dark and or line of sight is not visible over 500 feet, the Bown and Stern light must be attached, and the lights must be illuminated and visible for others to see. 

4b. Blast-Off Numbers:  Will be computer generated unless otherwise done different. In some situations, a computer may not be available. If so, the tournament Director will issue the boat number. 

5a. Sportsmanship at Events: Whether a parent, kid, grandparent etc as in anyone that participates in a Bass Tactix event in any capacity shall show sportsmanship at all times. Sportsmanship at a minimum is defined as written in the English Dictionary. Bass Tactix reserves the right to also determine its on definition of Sportsmanship. 

5b. Operation of Boats: If an Angler is in the High School Division, he or she may operate the trolling motor if available and or capable of doing such. If an Angler is in the JR Division; he or She and or the Boat Captain may operate the trolling motor. ONLY Adult Boat Captains and or Parents can drive the boat while propelled by the outboard engine, unless an emergency. situation. During an emergency dial 911 and then call your tournament director or someone to come help.  Thats why it is important to follow all safety rules provided by the State, Federal and Bass Tactix organizations. REMEMBER to wear your full chest life vest while loading and unloading the boat as well as while the outboard engine is running. Wear the Ignition kill switch at all times while the outboard engine is running.

All persons in a tournament boat shall remain seated in a manufacturer-recommended 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 the front deck, back deck and or on a pedestal seat 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.

6a. Points: Points are awarded for each event in which an angler participates. Top spot for each event is 200 points. Each following position of finish is one less point. Example: 1st place is 200, 2nd place is 199 etc. All anglers coming in last place such as those not weighing a fish for scoring purposes will be awarded 5 points less than the last place that actually weighed at least one keeper aka scoreable bass.

7a. Artificial Baits Only: Only artificial bait shall be used during practice and or on tournament days when bass are being scored for official points. All anglers that vilote this rule with be disqualified.

7b. Late Weigh-In Penalty; All anglers will be assigned a time to be back for weigh-in. Its the Anglers/Coach's responsibility to know that time. If a team fails to return to that specified location by their offical due time; that team will be penalized 1 pound per minut for up to 15 minutes. Anyone later than 16 minutes will be disqualified from the tournament.

8a EMERGENCIES

ALL Anglers should remain with their partners in the boat at all times during the tournament, except in the event of sickness, bathroom breaks, severe storm or some emergencies such as those things that may cause bodily harm etc.. It is permitted for an Angler 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 is not permitted. 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.

8b. Tie Breakers: these are the steps for a tie breaker concerning payouts and points purposes: Steps #1 Most Bass weighed, #2 Biggest Bass (make sure to weigh your big fish, it's not the director's responsibility to remind you to do such). #3  

9a. Polygraph Test:

 Bass Tactix Outdoors Ministries 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. Participants/Anglers will be Soley responsible for the cost of the test being administered, NOT Bass Tactix. One way to avoid such cost is to simply follow the rules, By-Laws and regulations for fishing these 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,nt

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. 

1. The official practice days are ALWAYS the two days before a two or three -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 a Bass Tactix Tournament, 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 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 Championship. Winners get 200 points and declines by one point per place of finish.

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.

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.. UNDER FURTHER REVIEW for 2024-25 School Year

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.
 

P