NC B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Rules

1. Purpose

These rules are designed to ensure fair competition, promote safety on the water, and support the conservation of bass fisheries through proper fish handling and tournament procedures.

2. Rule Interpretation

All tournament rules are subject to interpretation solely by the Tournament Director and/or NC Bass Nation Leadership and Board of Directors. All decisions made by the Tournament Director are final. NC B.A.S.S. Nation reserves the right to deny or revoke tournament entry at its discretion.

3. Eligibility

Participation is open to anglers 16 years or older.
All anglers must be current B.A.S.S. and NC B.A.S.S. Nation members with a valid fishing license for the tournament waters.
NC B.A.S.S. Nation reserves the right to refuse any entry.

4. Tournament Pairings

Tournament Pairings: All tournament participants will be paired at random until all non-boaters are paired with a boater. If there is not an even number of co-anglers, an attempt will be made by the tournament committee to find additional co-anglers and/or marshal for the remaining boaters not paired. If un-able to find anyone, the remaining boaters will fish solo. After pairings have been sent, they are final, and no refunds will be made after that time. Pairings will be sent out the day before the event so Boaters and Coanglers can contact each other prior to the event.

5. Entry Fees & Big Fish Award

Entry fees must be paid by the posted deadline unless extended by the Tournament Director and/or Committee.
If we are within 7 days of the event, there will be no refunds issued unless unanimously accepted after being voted on by the NC Bass Nation Board of Directors.
Each angler may submit one fish for Big Fish, unless both a largemouth and smallmouth Big Fish award is specified.

6. Off-Limits & Practice Period

There are no off-limits for NC B.A.S.S. Nation Events unless otherwise posted.
Hole sitting during tournament hours is prohibited.

7. Safety & Weather Conditions

Safety is the highest priority.
All competitors must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket and have the kill switch attached any time the combustion engine is in gear.
Navigation lights must be operational for blast-off.
Tournament officials may delay, shorten, or cancel an event due to unsafe weather or water conditions.
Unsafe boats or equipment may be disqualified from competition at the discretion of tournament officials.

8. Boat Requirements & Insurance

Minimum boat length: 16 feet.
All boats must have a functional livewell and meet Coast Guard horsepower ratings.
Each boat must have at least $100,000 liability insurance, proof of which must be provided upon request.
All boats must pass through a livewell and safety inspection before launch.

9. Registration & Blast-Off

Morning check-in begins 90 minutes before blast-off.
Blast-off order will be determined by entry order or random draw if specified.
Blast-off at safe light as determined by the Tournament Director.
All anglers must check in with a tournament official upon completion of the event, even if not weighing fish.

10. Tournament Waters

Tournament waters are defined as any publicly accessible water connected to the launch site.
All fishing must be done from the boat on tournament waters.
No fishing within 50 yards of another competitor’s anchored boat without permission.
Trailering to a separate body of water is not permitted.

11. Tackle & Fishing Methods

No live bait; only artificial lures may be used. Pork trailers are permitted.
Trolling is prohibited.
Only one rod and reel may be in use per angler at a time unless your bait is hung out of the water.
No Alabama rigs or other dual bait rigs allowed. Penalty: disqualification of day’s catch.

12. Emergencies & Breakdowns

If a boat breaks down, anglers may ride with another competitor to return to weigh-in after notifying the Tournament Director.
Competitors must not leave their boat except in cases of emergency, restroom breaks at marinas, or with Tournament Director approval.
All fishing must cease during these breaks.

13. Fish Limits & Penalties

5-fish limit per boater.
3 fish limit per co-angler.
Minimum length: 14 inches (or as specified by state law).
Dead fish penalty: 0.25 lb per fish.
Short fish penalty: 1 lb + loss of fish.
Culling of dead fish is prohibited.
Bringing more than 5 fish to the scales results in disqualification.
No culling at the ramp. Cull when the 6th fish is brought in the boat.

14. Timeliness

1 lb penalty for each minute late.
Disqualification after 15 minutes.
Penalty applies to Big Fish as well.

15. Weigh-In Procedures

Teams must check in at the designated check-in point.
All live fish must be released at the weigh-in site or designated release area.
Mangled or damaged fish will be credited at the weighmaster’s discretion.
All decisions made at the scales are final.

16. Ties

1. Biggest fish.
2. Most live fish.
3. Coin flip if necessary.
Big Fish ties will split payout evenly.

17. Sportsmanship & Code of Conduct

Competitors must maintain high standards of ethics, courtesy, and safety.
Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited during competition hours.
All parties must act in a manner that reflects positively on NC B.A.S.S. Nation and the sport of bass fishing.

18. Protests & Violations

Protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of weigh-in conclusion and before awards begin.
All decisions by the Tournament Director and Committee are final.
Violation of any rule or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification, suspension, or permanent ban.

19. Polygraph

Any participant may be required to submit to a polygraph test at the discretion of tournament officials.
Failure to pass or refusal to take a polygraph will result in disqualification.

20. Media & Likeness Release

By participating, anglers grant NC B.A.S.S. Nation the right to use their name, image, and likeness in any tournament-related promotion or media.

21. Right of Refusal

NC B.A.S.S. Nation reserves the right to refuse entry or participation to any individual or team at any time at the discretion of the Tournament Director.