PRE-FISHING RULES

 

1.      Prior to launching boat all Participant(s) must have registered for the upcoming tournament and have read and fully understand all Pre-Fishing and Tournament Rules.

 

2.      Each teams entry fee’s includes, but is limited to one (1) day of pre-fishing per team at no additional charge. Pre-fishing times are from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday prior to each scheduled tournament. If you are a Participant(s), and a Bienville fishing member then normal fishing rules and times.  Participants that are NOT members must call 24 hours prior to using their one-day pass for pre-fishing.

 

3.      To pre-fish any other time is strictly prohibited unless:

 

a.    Any participant in the tournaments can only fish one time during the week leading up to the tournament.

 

b.   Participants in the tournament that are not members may not fish Lake Bienville the Friday prior to each tournament unless you have purchased The Tournament Lodging package, (please call for details – Participants in the tournament that are not members may not fish Lake Bienville that Friday 397-1989).

 

c.    Non-members can purchase one day passes between the dates of May 15^th through September 19^th, 2014, on selected days for $350.00 per boat.  All one day passes must be purchased 48 hours prior to the date you wish to fish.  Last minute arrivals will not be allowed to fish – so please contact us to place your reservation.

 

 

 

4.      All tournament Participant(s) must check-in prior to pre-fishing to receive a car pass at the Main Lodge prior to launching boat. The office will be open at 8:00 a.m.  Bienville is private property and all vehicles must have fishing passes located on the driver’s side dashboard, and in plain site.  Upon departure all Participant(s) must checkout and return the daily pass at the designated area prior to departing Bienville Plantation.  Please have all paperwork filled out to expedite the process so you may get on the water sooner

 

5.      All Bienville Bass pre-fishing idle speed only for safety reasons. This is a zero tolerance rule. At a minimum teams will be penalized up to one (3) pounds per/each occurrence, reduction of points, and/or disqualified from a tournament and/or the entire series. Any and all penalties and/or disqualifications is at the sole desecration of the designated tournament officials and/or director.

 

6.      Subject to availability for registered teams for the upcoming tournament only: Bienville bass fishing guides will be available during the pre-fishing weeks for $450.00 per. Most of our guides have 5 or more years of experience on the tournament lake.  If you use a guide it will count towards your teams one pre-fishing day

 

7.      At no time shall participant during pre-fishing place any type of fish in the live well, unless you are a Bienville Plantation fishing member. Members may still keep their daily limits of pan fish, except on tournament day. A violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification from entire series. Bienville Plantation is privately owned and all fish is the sole and exclusive property of Bienville Plantation and/or its affiliates.

 

8.      Any unauthorized or non-permitted vehicles will be towed immediately at the owner expense without notice.

 

TOURNAMENT RULES

 

9.      TOURNAMNET PAYOUT:  The proposed payout is determined by the number of boats that enter the tournament for that day.  The proposed payout will be based on the total weight of no more than three (3) fish with one out of every seven boats that enter the tournament that day (payout schedule is available upon request). Fifty percent of the entry fees will be paid out each week. If in the event one or more teams qualifies for a payout in total weight the first tie-breaker will be biggest fish each team weighed-in that day, the second tie break will be the lowest boat/team number.  So register early to get a lower team number.   

 

10.   OVERALL TEAM BIG BASS:  CASH ENTRIES THE MORNING OF TOURNAMNET ONLY. The side bet is for largest fish of the three (3) fish your team weighed in. This is a side bet and is NOT included in your team’s entry fee. The morning of each tournament prior to launch if any team wants to enter the big bass side bet it will be $50.00 per team (100% payout).  This payout is for the biggest bass.  If in the event there is one or more teams have the same weight for the big fish the tie break will be whichever team has the lowest boat/team number. So again register early!!

 

11.   BIENVILLE BASS SERIES: All current tournament rules are included herein. Tournament rules maybe amended at anytime for any reason to ensure safety, fairness, sportsmanship, and the overall integrity of the Bienville Big Bass Series. If tournament rules are amended; those amendments will be added to end of the rules sheet and highlighted in bold prior to each tournament. It shall be each Participant(s)’s sole responsibility to have read all tournament information so that each Participant(s) understands all rules and/or items prior to each tournament. Bienville Bass Series (hereinafter referred to as BBS) rules will apply in all events unless superseded by federal, state or local laws. BBS reserves the right to refuse any entries or Participant(s) fees or entry forms for any reason at any time.

 

12.   FINAL OUTCOME: Any and all BBS officials or its director’s decisions will be final in all matters, and are not subject to appeal.

 

13.   LEGAL FISH TO BE WEIGHED: Only large-mouth bass will be weigh-in.

 

14.   MANDATORY CHECK-IN & CHECK OUT POINTS: Each boat must go through a check-point in the morning prior to launch and a boat check-out prior to departure after trailering their boat. If a team does not go through both check points it will result in disqualification.

 

15.   WEIGH-IN: Fishing must immediately cease upon entering the marina area prior to weigh-in. All boats must be in the designated weigh-in area no later than 3:00 p.m. If you arrive any later than 3:00 P.M. there will be a one (1) pound deduction for each minute you are late and if you are more than five minutes (5) late your team will be disqualified from tournament.  After weigh-in the participant(s) must immediately proceed to the boat launch area and trailer their boat so they may go through checkout point.

 

16.   IDLE SPEED ONLY: All BBS tournaments and lakes are idle speed only for safety reasons; teams may be penalized up to one (1) pound per/each occurrence and/or disqualified. All penalties and/or disqualifications are at the sole desecration of the designated tournament officials and/or director.

 

17.   INSURANCE: All boats used in BBS tournaments must have a mandatory minimum of $100,000.00 liability insurance. This information needs to be submitted at time of registration or presented at check-in prior to each tournament. This is the user/owners responsibility.

 

18.   ELIGIBILITY: Participation in the BBS is open to any individual. Any person age 17 or under must be a team partner with a parent or a person age 18 or older. Persons under 18 must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the tournament entry form. Any BBS participant(s) may fish alone but is required to pay full tournament entry fees and must fish at least one tournament in the season there designated partner. All Participant(s) that qualify for the Bienville Classic may fish only with their designated partner at the classic. Each team must designate the partner as the Angler and Co-Angler during their initial registration.

 

19.   WEIGH-BAGS: All Participants must use care in handling and keeping fish alive for release after weigh-in. All fish will be brought to the weigh master in plastic bags with enough water to keep the fish covered until weigh-in. ALL TEAMS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR OWN WEIGH BAGS FOR TRANSPORTING FISH TO WEIGH-IN.

 

20.   FISH/BAG LIMITS:  All tournaments will be a maximum of three (3) fish. Unless specified by tournament director.  You may not have more than three (3) fish in your live well at any time. If you are caught with more than three (3) fish in your live well you may be immediately disqualified.

 

21.   FISH SIZE LIMITS: All fish must be a minimum of 14 inches that will be measured on a PRO RULE with mouth closed and tail compressed (pinched). If a team brings a short fish to weigh-in the team will be disqualified. Teams may ask the tournament director for a courtesy check, if desired prior to presenting fish for weigh-in.

 

22.   DEAD FISH:  Each dead fish weighed in will be a ½ pound deduction off your total weight.  No culling of dead fish at any time. If caught culling dead fish you will be immediately disqualified.

 

23.   TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: You may not fish on or from any structure above the deck. All fishing must be done from boat deck. Only artificial lures may be used, except for pork products. No wading or trolling is allowed. All fish must be caught from the boat. All traditional rods & reels are allowed including fly rods and flipping poles. Only one rod and reel may be used at any given time by each angler. No rod may be left unattended with line or lure in water.

 

24.   PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Anglers may not leave their boat except in a dire emergency. You must fish water that is available to all competitors. No fishing within 50 yards of any boat anchored, with trolling motor up. No fishing in areas designated off limits by tournament directors. No fishing within 50 yards of Launch Site.

 

25.   TOURNAMENT TEAM CHECK-IN: Check-In is between 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. the morning of each tournament at Lake 14 boat ramp. Any team checking in after his announced check-in time will be disqualified for that tournament but will still receive participation points. All Participants must present valid picture identification. 

 

26.   TOURNAMENT HOURS: Approximately 6:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., this may be adjusted by tournament director. Each team will be assigned a boat number at sign-up the morning of each tournament.

 

27.   EMERGENCY OR BREAKDOWN: One or both anglers must identify their fish with some sort of marker or separation system before entering the rescue boat with fish, to return to launch site. (No fishing from rescue boat, both teams may be subjected to a polygraph test).

 

28.   BOAT & HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. All boats must contain a properly working aerated live well space to maintain a live limit catch of bass. No boat will be allowed to launch unless it live wells is working properly. All boats must have an operating kill switch that must be attached to the operator at all times when the outboard motor is running and in gear. Violation of any of the above rules may be cause for penalties and/or disqualification. If running lights are not working you may be held at take off. BBS officials or directors reserve the right to refuse entry to any boats that does not meet tournament standards. No airboats, canoes, or pontoon boats are permitted.

 

29.   SPORTSMANSHIP: Each team is expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, safety, courtesy, and conservation. Any team found in violation of these rules or any federal, state, or local laws may be disqualified. The use, possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverages during tournament hours, which conclude upon the completion of payout, will not be tolerated and shall be cause for disqualification from current and future BBS events.

 

30.   PROTEST & POLYGRAPH TEST: BBS Participant(s) may submit a protest during the tournament morning prior to launch or immediately following the weigh-in of the last team’s catch, but before the start of the awards presentation. Protests shall be in writing and accompanied by a $200.00 deposit. The burden of proof of a rules infraction will be the responsibility of the angler filling the protest. This deposit will be refunded providing the protest is upheld; otherwise, the deposit shall be forfeited to BBS. Any particpant(s) may be required to submit to a Polygraph or truth verification test. Failure to submit to either of these tests will result in disqualification from this tournament and will not be eligible to fish in any future BBS tournaments. Any angler making an accusation against another contestant without submitting a written protest accompanied by a $100.00 deposit may be subject to disqualification from current and future Bienville Bass Tournaments.

 

31.   CELLULAR PHONES AND RADIOS: Cellular phones and radios are encouraged for safety reasons. Cellular phone maybe used for navigation or structure locations only. You are prohibited to use Cellular Phones or radios for any other reasons during tournament hours unless in the case of an emergency or communications with the tournament director.

 

32.   BIENVILLE CLASSIC QUALIFICATION & POINTS:  The maximum number of teams to fish in the Bienville Classic will be no more than (30) teams.  Each team must meet the criteria below to qualify for the Bienville Classic.

 

(1)   BIENVILLE CLASSIC QUALIFICATION:   Teams must have paid entry fees into at least four (4) out of five (5) tournaments to qualify for the Bienville Classic.

(2)   POINTS:  Every qualifying team that paid an entry fee will receive participation point plus additional bonus points for how they finish in each of the BBS tournaments.  At the conclusion of the BBS tournaments, the tournament director will total and calculate each team’s points less one drop, (lowest score of the five (5) tournaments or a no show at which point the top thirty (30) teams, (no ties) in points will qualify for the Classic.

 

33.   CLASSIC BOAT NUMBERS:  Boat numbers for the Bienville Classic will be assigned in order of finish per the points series totals.

 

34.    TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES:  The entry fee is $350.00 with $140.00 contributed to Lake Bienville Tournament Management fee, $35.00 to the classic fund, and $175.00 of the entry fee to be the cash payback for each tournament.

 

35.   BIENVILLE CLASSIC PAYOUT:  BBS is withholding 10% of the entry fee from each of the first five tournaments.  Those proceeds will be added to the Bienville Classic payout.  The payout for the Classic will be as follows:  1^st place 30%, 2^nd place 25%, 3^rd place 17%, 4^th place 10%, 5^th place 8%, Big Fish 6%, 2^nd Big Fish 4%.

 

36.   SCORING SYSTEMS:  Each team’s weight will be measured in the pounds and hundredths of ounces.  The highest weight will be 1^st place and will receive 100 points for the event.  Each descending weight will receive (1) point less than the previous weight until twenty-fifth place.  From twenty-sixth place to the last boat in the field that weighs in a fish will receive a minimum of (70) points.  All teams that paid an entry fee into the tournament and did not weigh a fish will receive 65 points.