Miracle Makers Bass Tournament Rules
Boating
1. All boats used for the tournament must comply with all U.S. Coast Guard regulations and requirements for that size vessel and must comply with the laws required by the state in which it is registered.
2. All vessels must be equipped with an active kill switch. This kill switch must be connected to the operator of the vessel while the main motor is in motion. Failure to do so at launch will void the angler’s launch sequence until corrected. In addition, if the anglers are found to have operated the boat without a kill switch attached to the operator while in motion with the main motor, it will result in disqualification.
3. There are no minimum or maximum requirements for length, size, or horsepower. Each angler has complete freedom in this regard; however, rules 1 and 2 still apply.
4. Competitors must make every effort to avoid harming fish. Anglers must have fully functioning live wells that can sustain the allowed limit of fish. Steps should be taken to ensure that fish receive sufficient oxygen, including fizzing.
5. All anglers in the boat must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times when the main motor is running and in gear. No fishing is allowed while the main motor is in gear and running.
6. Boats are allowed to navigate freely on the water, including passing through locks. At no time should a boat be out of the water, as this will result in immediate disqualification. Jumping onto land is not permitted. If a situation arises, such as maintenance, that requires the boat to leave the tournament waters, you must contact the tournament director for permission before doing so.
2. All vessels must be equipped with an active kill switch. This kill switch must be connected to the operator of the vessel while the main motor is in motion. Failure to do so at launch will void the angler’s launch sequence until corrected. In addition, if the anglers are found to have operated the boat without a kill switch attached to the operator while in motion with the main motor, it will result in disqualification.
3. There are no minimum or maximum requirements for length, size, or horsepower. Each angler has complete freedom in this regard; however, rules 1 and 2 still apply.
4. Competitors must make every effort to avoid harming fish. Anglers must have fully functioning live wells that can sustain the allowed limit of fish. Steps should be taken to ensure that fish receive sufficient oxygen, including fizzing.
5. All anglers in the boat must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times when the main motor is running and in gear. No fishing is allowed while the main motor is in gear and running.
6. Boats are allowed to navigate freely on the water, including passing through locks. At no time should a boat be out of the water, as this will result in immediate disqualification. Jumping onto land is not permitted. If a situation arises, such as maintenance, that requires the boat to leave the tournament waters, you must contact the tournament director for permission before doing so.
Fishing
7. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass will count toward each team's total weight. All fish must be a minimum length of 15 inches, regardless of species, as measured using the official ruler located at the 'bump station.' A courtesy ruler will be available at the weigh-in station to help ensure compliance. Once a fish has been presented at the bump station, it cannot be removed. Any fish that does not meet the minimum length requirement will result in a penalty.
8. All fish will be measured with the mouth closed and against the stop plate. The tail will be pinched together to the longest possible measurement. If the line is touched at all, it will be considered a legal fish and weighed. If the fish does not touch the line, it will not count toward the overall weight, and a penalty will be enforced.
9. Only artificial baits are allowed; live or cut baits are not permitted (pork baits are allowed). All bass must be caught alive and in a legal and sportsmanlike manner. Snagging is prohibited. Each competitor may use only one rod at a time and can have no more than one line in the water at a time. Trolling with a combustion motor is not allowed. Competitors must remain in the boat and are not permitted to leave it to land or catch fish.
10. All fishing methods must comply with the laws and regulations of the state where the fish are caught.
11. All anglers must fully comply with all state and federal laws while participating in this tournament. This includes, but is not limited to, fishing regulations, boating laws, criminal laws, and any directives issued by governing authorities. Additionally, fishing in tournament waters within Alabama requires completion of an approved Boater's Safety Course.
12. Each boat may weigh in a maximum of four fish. Anglers cannot request an early weigh-in (see rule 4). Weigh-in will begin at 2 PM.
13. Fishing is prohibited in the Pickwick State Park marina, from the first dock closest to the river all the way back to the road bridge.
14. Anglers are prohibited from fishing within 150 feet of each other. However, narrow passages like creek mouths and bridges must remain unobstructed to allow other anglers to enter or exit, even if they are not currently fishing.
8. All fish will be measured with the mouth closed and against the stop plate. The tail will be pinched together to the longest possible measurement. If the line is touched at all, it will be considered a legal fish and weighed. If the fish does not touch the line, it will not count toward the overall weight, and a penalty will be enforced.
9. Only artificial baits are allowed; live or cut baits are not permitted (pork baits are allowed). All bass must be caught alive and in a legal and sportsmanlike manner. Snagging is prohibited. Each competitor may use only one rod at a time and can have no more than one line in the water at a time. Trolling with a combustion motor is not allowed. Competitors must remain in the boat and are not permitted to leave it to land or catch fish.
10. All fishing methods must comply with the laws and regulations of the state where the fish are caught.
11. All anglers must fully comply with all state and federal laws while participating in this tournament. This includes, but is not limited to, fishing regulations, boating laws, criminal laws, and any directives issued by governing authorities. Additionally, fishing in tournament waters within Alabama requires completion of an approved Boater's Safety Course.
12. Each boat may weigh in a maximum of four fish. Anglers cannot request an early weigh-in (see rule 4). Weigh-in will begin at 2 PM.
13. Fishing is prohibited in the Pickwick State Park marina, from the first dock closest to the river all the way back to the road bridge.
14. Anglers are prohibited from fishing within 150 feet of each other. However, narrow passages like creek mouths and bridges must remain unobstructed to allow other anglers to enter or exit, even if they are not currently fishing.
Miscellaneous Rules
15. If any violations are observed by other anglers, they must report them to the tournament director(s) immediately. A written statement detailing what was witnessed should be signed and submitted to the tournament director(s) before the weigh-in procedures are completed. Failing to report any witnessed violations may lead to disqualification.
16. The tournament director will have the final authority regarding any rule violation or question brought to their attention. This includes, but is not limited to, outcomes, interpretations, punishments, disqualifications, and/or penalties.
17. If an angler has a question or emergency during the tournament, they must notify the tournament director by phone. The tournament director will then provide follow-on instructions.
18. 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. Late penalties will be deducted from the total weight. The check-in procedure may be a staff person with a check-in list, a check-in board with numbered chips, or another process as deemed necessary by the director. It is each competitor’s responsibility to know their check-in time and the check-in procedure.
16. The tournament director will have the final authority regarding any rule violation or question brought to their attention. This includes, but is not limited to, outcomes, interpretations, punishments, disqualifications, and/or penalties.
17. If an angler has a question or emergency during the tournament, they must notify the tournament director by phone. The tournament director will then provide follow-on instructions.
18. 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. Late penalties will be deducted from the total weight. The check-in procedure may be a staff person with a check-in list, a check-in board with numbered chips, or another process as deemed necessary by the director. It is each competitor’s responsibility to know their check-in time and the check-in procedure.
