Rules & Regulations for the 2024 39th Annual Buddy Bass Tournament

39th Annual Buddy Bass Tournament

September 7, 2024

Sponsored by the

Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Interpretation of the following rules shall be the exclusive right of the tournament director. Decisions of the tournament director shall be final in all matters.

1. ELIGIBILITY: At least one member of the team must be 16 years of age or older and be responsible for operating the boat. There is no age limit on the partner. One-man teams are not encouraged but will be allowed to enter at the regular entry rate. Arkansas Game and Fish Boater Safety rules and regulations apply to the operator of the boat.

2. REGISTRATION & ENTRY: $130 entry fee per boat. Optional Big Bass Pot $20 per boat (one Big Bass Payout per team). Total for both entry and Big Bass Pot is $150 per team through Friday, August 30th. Every team must submit an entry form.

Registration forms will be available and accepted at the Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce, most days, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday beginning Aug. 5 through Friday, Aug. 30. After that date, the week prior to the tournament, there will be a $20 late fee making registration $150 per boat ($170 to include Big Bass).

PAY BY PHONE: Chamber Cell (870) 415-2080 or*

PAY ONLINE using the QR code at the top of page*

*During the registration dates

Day of Tournament – Registration will also be open starting at 4:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7th with a $40 late fee. The entry fee for registration on the day of the tournament will be $170 per boat. ($190 to include Big Bass)

NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.

3. TOURNAMENT TIME: Official fishing hours shall be 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Contestants cannot make their first cast until 6:00 a.m. The 3:00 p.m. finish time will be adhered to strictly. You must be checked in at the Crossett Harbor by 3:00 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. Official Weigh in time 3:00 pm. Scales open at 2 pm.

4. FISHING LOCATIONS: The Ouachita and Saline Rivers and their tributaries. All angling must be done from the boat. Both contestants MUST remain in the boat after leaving the launching area, except in the case of an emergency. No pulling, dragging or carrying the boat across land in order to fish another area.

Contestants must motor by boat to the Crossett Harbor if planning to weigh-in fish. Both contestants must stay in boat.

5. LAUNCH SITES: The Crossett Harbor Ramp - Highway 82 bridge on the east side of the river.

All teams must check in prior to launching. Boats must be checked by tournament officials before launching. No boats will be allowed to launch prior to 4:30 a.m.

6. SAFETY: Life vests must be worn during operation of a large motor. Coast Guard sanctioned running lights will be required if launching before daylight. Otherwise launching will be delayed by tournament officials until daylight. No alcoholic beverages will be consumed during tournament hours or at weigh-in activities. All participants will display safe, courteous and good sportsman-like conduct. All boats must comply with Arkansas boating regulations. All Arkansas Game & Fish laws and Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge laws will be strictly enforced. Current Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Permit required and must be signed. CROSSETT SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR HELP. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR BREAKDOWN, CALL

(870) 500-1613 or (870) 304-1715.

7. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: Ice chests and live wells will be checked by tournament officials before launching. Only artificial lures may be used. No “live” or “prepared” bait will be allowed. Only one standard bait-casting rig may be used at a time per man. No trolling allowed. Tournament producers are not responsible for injury, damage or loss of equipment.

8. WEIGH-IN: Tournament officials will conduct the official weigh-in. Fish must be brought to the weigh-in in a weigh in bag. Bags may be supplied as needed. Only Black, Small Mouth and Kentucky Bass qualify for weigh-in.

9. LIVE FISH REQUIRED: The Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce tournament is a required catch and release tournament. All fish caught during the tournament shall be relinquished to Chamber officials for release.

10. SCORING: Winners shall be determined by total weight of each catch. A maximum number of five (5) fish per boat, no less than fourteen (14) inches in length shall be weighed. Questionable fish shall be measured following current Arkansas Fish Commission Guidelines. Flat measuring boards will be used to measure all fish.

11. PENALTIES: A one (1) pound penalty and loss of that fish will be assessed against anyone bringing fish to the scales under fourteen (14) inches long. A half (.50) pound penalty will be assessed for each fish brought to weigh-in that is not alive (exception made for the Tim Gilbert Memorial - all fish must be alive).

12. IN CASE OF A TIE: Places will be combined and money and prizes divided evenly. For Big Bass, the pot will be divided evenly.

13. BOAT IDENTIFICATION: Your entry number must appear in 4-inch numbers on both sides of the engine cowling or other prominent locations during the tournament. Numbers will be furnished by the Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce.

14. POLYGRAPH TESTING: Polygraph testing may be required for ALL MONEY WINNERS. Any contestant may be subject to a polygraph test at the discretion of the tournament director. The decision whether or not to use a polygraph test is solely the responsibility of the tournament director. Failure to pass polygraph or refusal to take polygraph will result in immediate disqualification. You are not allowed to fish this tournament if you have failed a polygraph test in the last eighteen (18) months.

15. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY ENTRY WITH DUE CAUSE.

ENTRY FEE....$130 per boat + $20 Big Bass Pot = $150

A meal will be provided for each paid fisher

Tournament Hours 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fishing the Ouachita and Saline Rivers

Steve White, Tournament Director Venda White, Planning Committee Chair Chris Wall, Executive Director

Thanks for making this a great tournament! Chamber Cell Ph (870) 415-2080 Teams registered by 8.30.24 included in early bird prize drawing