Tennessee Federation Nation

Junior State Tournament Rules & Regulations

Revised: June 8, 2006

1. RULES CHANGES:

These rules can only be changed by review of the annual joint meeting of the youth director and state officers or their representatives.  Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director. The Tennessee state officers will appoint and fund an impartial youth event and tournament director who will be responsible to make all final decisions at any Tennessee Federation Nation (TFN) junior event. In the event of a rules violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions, as he deems appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decisions of the Tournament Director shall be final in all matters.

2. PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY:

Participation in this tournament is by invitation only. This tournament is open only to members in good standing of a state Federation Nation Jr. Bassmasters club that is in good standing with its home state federation. Contestants must meet age and eligibility requirements set forth as follows: Contenders must have obtained the age of 11 years, but not yet 19 years, on March 31 of tournament competition year. TFN tournaments will allow six (6) contenders per junior club team; three (3) members who have attained the age of 11, but not yet 15 years of age as of DEC 31 ,2009 and a MAXIMUM of three (3) members who have attained the age of 15, but not yet 19 years as of August 31st of the tournament competition year. Clubs may send two alternates with the team, one from each age group under the same age guidelines. Club team rosters and completed entry forms, which MUST include proof of age, (copy of birth certificate or government issued passport), along with completed liability waivers and medical form release must be submitted to the state Tournament Director for entry into any TFN event 15 days prior to the tournament. The Tournament Director reserves the right to discontinue or extend the acceptance of applications prior to or after this deadline. The TFN Youth Director will work closely with the state junior clubs to forward needed information to them. Tournament Director may reject applications improperly completed or unsigned. Changes to team rosters are permitted prior to pairings for said tournament with proper notification and paperwork to the Tournament Director. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is the responsibility of potential competitor and is required. State junior clubs sending a team or any part thereof to a TFN event must send in a team roster to include any team member participating in the event. Junior clubs which are not sponsored by a B.A.S.S. Federation Nation affiliated adult club are required to send a $12.00 tournament entry fee along with their roster. Each club must designate an adult team manager to be in full control and responsible for that club’s team at all times during the event.

During the official practice and competition days of any TFN event, no one may use or operate a boat unless that contestant has on board the vessel at all times, documented proof of a minimum of $300,000.00 boating liability insurance. State and Federal laws may apply. This proof must show an effective start and expiration date covering the full range of the event(s). NOTE: Statements of "No fixed expiration date" are NOT acceptable. Boats without proof of insurance meeting the above requirements and coverage or permissions listing the boat captain by name will not be allowed.

Any candidate for competition who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director, is handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder their partner or endanger the safety and well-being of their partner or himself shall not be eligible.

3. PRE-TOURNAMENT PRACTICE:

There will be ONE official practice day immediately proceeding the official tournament day, which shall be held on a Friday or a Saturday. During the official practice and during the tournament, a junior competitor may not operate the combustion engine or drive the boat for any reason, except in the case of an emergency.

During the official practice and during the tournament, a competitor may not "SKIN DIVE” or "SCUBA DIVE" on the tournament waters. During the tournament a competitor may not use a CB radio, a VHF marine band radio, a cellular phone, or any other type of communication device for the purpose of locating or catching fish. Contestants are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone only in the event of an emergency. If so equipped, contestants may listen to the marine band weather info.

Each participant agrees to report to the Tournament Director any violation or infraction of these tournament rules. The failure to report violations or suggestions to violate these rules or false verification of weigh-in forms will be cause for disqualification.

Each participant agrees to submit, by their signature on this document, to a polygraph test, should they be asked to for any reason. The administration and interpretation of the polygraph test shall be solely the responsibility of the Tournament Director, and shall be used (or not used) at the discretion of the Tournament Director. Without limiting the foregoing, the Tournament Director shall have sole discretion to select the place, at which such polygraph test shall be administered, the individual who administers such polygraph test, and the scope of the questions, which may be asked during such test. The participant shall be available, at his/her own expense, at the location selected by the Tournament Director and shall cooperate in all respects with such examination.

4. REGISTRATION:

Each competitor is required to PRE- REGISTER, complete entries, (completed entry form, signed, proof of age, etc. must be postmarked no less than 15 days prior to the official practice day. Any incomplete, inaccurate or late entries, (postmarked after the deadline), maybe be rejected by tournament officials. It shall be each competitor's responsibility to obtain registration times and location from the TFN Youth Director.

5. SAFETY:

Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by all participants, competitors, observers and Boat Captains. During the official practice and during the tournament, everyone, including the Boat Captain, in a tournament boat must wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times.  No exceptions. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification. Tournament officials have the right to delay or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors. Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather.

ALL PERSONS IN A TOURNAMENT BOAT SHALL REMAIN SEATED IN THE RECOMMENDED ON-PLANE SEATING LOCATION WITH THEIR FEET RESTING ON THE MAIN FLOOR OF THE BOAT WHEN THE COMBUSTION ENGINE IS RUNNING.
SITTING ON PEDESTAL SEATS WHILE THE COMBUSTION ENGINE IS IN OPERATION IS NOT PERMITTED. VIOLATION OF THIS RULE SHALL BE REASON FOR IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

6. SPORTSMANSHIP:

Competitors in a TFN event are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any participant during the official practice or during the tournament or during the weigh-in will not be tolerated and shall be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future TFN events. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a participant, which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, shall be reason for disqualification. All competitors are bound by prevailing state or country statutes and regulations of the various waters within which they fish. No alcoholic beverages or other stimulants or depressants, prescription or otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during official practice or competition day or when in the weigh-in area. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and for disqualification. Any disqualification or suspension from, or other disciplinary action regarding, any tournament or fishing organization, shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and for disqualification.

7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:

Only artificial lures may be used. No "live bait" or "prepared bait" will be permitted, with the exception of pork rinds, strips, etc. only ONE casting, spin-casting or spinning rod (8-foot maximum length from butt of the handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. All other types prohibited. Each junior competitor is allowed six (6) rods and reels as specified above in the boat ready to use, however, only ONE is permitted in use at any given time. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional and sporting manner. Anyone guilty of snatching or snagging visible fish will have their day’s catch disqualified. When visually fishing for bass, all bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by your partner before unhooked to be counted as a legal fish. NETS ARE ALLOWED. Bass may not be "stringered" at anytime. No gaffs OR "Grippers" may be used to boat bass nor will they be permitted in a boat at any time.

8. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS:

Maximum horsepower for all outboard motorboats used in official practice and in tournament competition must not exceed 250 HP nor exceed the rating specified on the U.S. Coast Guard rating plate, which must be attached to the boat by the manufacturer. Each Boat Captain agrees to submit, by their signature on the official entry form, the boat and motor used in the tournament to an inspection by factory-trained personnel, if there is any reason to suspect the horsepower is in excess of the rating. Normal maintenance to increase the performance of your engine is allowed. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower rating numbers on the motor or ratings plate also would be cause for immediate disqualification from all TFN events.

9. BOAT AND MOTOR:

All club teams attending a TFN event are REQUIRED to provide one (1) official tournament boat and captains for every two contestants to be used on the official practice day and the official tournament day. For the safety of all contestants, ALL BOATS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH SOME TYPE OF OPERABLE IGNITION KILL SWITCH. This ignition kill device must be attached to the driver's body any time the combustion engine is operating. Anytime the combustion engine is operating the Boat Captain must be in the driver's seat in full control of the boat. Fishing boats may be used that are 16 feet in length or longer. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be higher than the gunnels of the boat. A small electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering; however, trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. All BLADDER tanks and any other type of AUXILIARY gas tanks that are not installed by the boat manufacturer are prohibited. Additional gas tanks that are factory options and installed by an authorized dealer are legal. Boats that do not have factory installed gas tanks are restricted to a maximum of 18 gallons of gasoline in tanks that meet U. S. Coast Guard regs. Gas tanks must be properly secured or strapped in a boat. Under no circumstances shall a competitor be allowed to "store" additional gas on the bank or anywhere else for use in a tournament boat. NO BOAT EQUIPPED WITH "STICK STEERING" SHALL BE PERMITTED TO BE USED DURING THE OFFICIAL PRACTICE OR DURING THE TOURNAMENT BY ANY COMPETITOR. The definition of "stick steering" shall be made by the Tournament Director.

10. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT:

Every boat must have all the required Coast Guard safety equipment. In addition, it must have a functional bilge pump and Livewell space, properly aerated, to adequately maintain alive a limit catch of bass by both fishermen using the boat. Tournament Director shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is "proper and adequate" and whether the boat meets all safety requirements set forth.

11. BOAT IDENTIFICATION:

Each boat MUST be given, prior to each day's start, an inspection check by a tournament official, also a boat marker, number tag which MUST remain on or in the boat. Boat Captains are responsible for turning in all numbered tags at official checkpoint so officials can account for all boats.

12. BOAT OPERATIONS AND EXPENSE:

A full discussion MUST be held between the two Junior Anglers and the Boat Captain prior to a morning departure as to the schedule of boat operations. This schedule MUST permit each Junior Angler equal time to fish their selected waters. Distance traveled to fishing locations must be considered in order not to deprive either partner fishing time while traveling to and from fishing waters. Any contestant who, in the judgment of the

tournament officials, operates in such a manner as to unfairly handicap his partner shall be disqualified. The Boat Captain has sole discretion to veto any location for safety reasons. BOAT CAPTAINS MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. Boat captains and boat owners must sign the Boat Captain Release Form. Cost of operation for tournament boats is the responsibility of the boat captain and/or owner. Accommodations, food and travel expenses are also the responsibility of the Boat Captain or owner unless some kind of arrangement is made in advance with the club that sends them.

BOAT CAPTAINS MAY NOT FISH. THEY ARE ONLY THERE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND ASSIST THE JUNIOR ANGLERS IN EMERGENCY. THEY SHALL NOT BAIT THE LINE, TIE KNOTS, CAST OUT THE ROD, SET THE HOOK, BRING FISH TO THE BOAT OR NET THE FISH.

13. PREMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:

Tournament waters shall be established by the Tournament Director for each TFN event. Each participant must obtain this information. Fishing on Tournament waters is permitted anywhere except: within 50 yards of another competitors boat which was first anchored or secured in a fixed position WITH THE TROLLING MOTOR OUT OF THE WATER. The anchored boat has a responsibility to inform other competitors boats when the have entered the 50-yard circle claimed by him. No such boat shall permit selected competitors to fish within the 50-yard circle claimed by him, to the exclusion of any other competitor. Any water within these boundaries posted "off limits or no fishing" by state or federal agencies will be OFF LIMITS and will be announced at the Tournament Briefing. No contestant may "Buy" or "Barter" a fishing location. Only the water open to ALL public fishing will be considered tournament waters. Any water closed to public fishing will be closed to these tournament contestants. All angling must be done from the boat.

14. CONTESTANTS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT:

Participants must not depart the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in the tournament waters during tournament days. Participants must leave and return to official checkpoint by boat. All participants must remain in the boat at all times except in the case of dire emergency. In such an emergency, both competitors may be removed from their boat to: A BOAT OPERATED BY OTHER COMPETITORS OR A RESCUE BOAT. The momentary condition of being out of site of each other for restroom breaks is permitted. Otherwise, competitors must remain together at all times, in sight of each other and each other's catch under the conditions cited above, in order for their catch of that day to be counted. If a competitor must violate any of the above conditions (i.e. to use a phone to report an emergency or breakdown) both competitors must cease fishing at this point, and a tournament official must verify their catch in order to be counted in the tournament. If after the emergency situation is resolved by tournament officials and enough time is left to resume fishing, a RESTART will be allowed and the competitors will continue and their catch will be counted. This applies only to dire emergency situations. Trailering of boats during tournament hours is prohibited, except by the direction of the Tournament Director.

  15. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT:

There shall be an official checkpoint for checkout in the morning and check-in in the afternoon and this point shall be designated at the tournament briefing. At the time of the checkout all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformance with all rules set forth by the Tournament Director; at check-in all boats shall identify themselves and proceed immediately to the designated weigh-in area. Partners must stay together; through check-in and weigh-in. YOU MUST CHECK-IN EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY FISH.

16. SCORING:

Tournament standing, auxiliary awards and final standings shall be determined by each competitor's catch during the tournament. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, Red Eye or Shoal Bass will be weighed. The limit shall be 5 of the above species and varieties pre day, unless the prevailing state limit is less than 5, or a special limit is established for a particular tournament by the tournament officials, in which case the state limit, or special limit shall be the tournament limit. At no time shall a competitor have in possession more than the tournament limit. Tournament Officials will conduct checks for violations of this provision, and it the event a competitor has in their possession more than the stated limit, shall cull, starting with the largest bass first, etc., down to the stated limit. The official length for a bass shall be decided by the Tournament Director and announced at the tournament briefing. Only bass which measure the official length or more on the longest straight line, shall be weighed-in. Bass presented for weigh-in which fail to measure the official length shall accrue penalties at the rate of one pound for each such bass. This penalty shall be deducted from the total score of the competitor. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered will be weighed and credited only at the discretion of the tournament officials. After a competitor checks in at the official checkpoint he MUST present all fish in his possession to a tournament official to be counted, measured and weighed. Once a competitors catch has been measured, counted or verified by a tournament official, that contestant may not return to his boat until his catch has been weighed and recorded. Bass must not be stringered at any time during the tournament. This restriction includes livewell stringer systems used for culling, which are also prohibited. It has been determined that stringering decreases the chances of a bass' survival and bass thus handled may be disqualified. The Tournament Committee will furnish specially designed bags, which increase survival rate, and these bags must be used for weigh-in.

The Tournament Director will have the authority to make any tournament a “Paper” Tournament.  In the event this decision is made, the Standard Golden Rule will be used to determine a fish’s length.  The boat captain will be charged with measuring and recording the length of each fish caught by a Jr. Angler, then releasing each fish back into the water immediately.  Fish measurements will e rounded down to the nearest half-inch.  Lengths will be computed to pounds and ounces by tournament officials at the time of the weigh-in.

  17. CULLING OF FISH (Live weigh-in tournaments only):

If it becomes necessary for a competitor to cull his or her day’s catch, every effort must be made by the competitor to handle his or her own fish. Competitors cannot cull a dead fish. State laws may prevail. DON'T KILL YOUR CATCH. Each competitor is expected to keep his or her bass alive by use of a properly aerated livewell. The bass, if any, which do not survive, will be used for scientific study and for charity.

18. PENALTY POINTS:

For each legal dead bass presented to weigh-in officials, the competitor shall be penalized TWO (2) ounces of weight, to be deducted from their daily score. The Tournament Director shall have sole authority for assessing penalty points.

19. LATE PENALTY:

Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area as described in rule 15 at the appointed time shall be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute to be deducted from the total weight of their catch that day; including any "Lunker Award" for each one minute they are late. Any competitors more than 15 minutes late shall lose all credit for that day's catch. There shall be no excuses for tardiness and in no case will a competitor be allowed to make up "lost time". After proper recognition at the check-in point, competitors will be allowed ample time to proceed to the weigh-in site; however, all fishing must stop upon check-in. After the tournament begins, fishing the tournament waters is prohibited except during tournament hours. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the tournament briefing.

20. TIES:

In case of a tie the following tiebreakers will be used in order:

The Team or individual with the largest number of legal fish weighed-in during the competition;

The Team or individual with the largest number of legal LIVE fish weighed-in during the competition;

 In the unlikely event that the teams or individuals remain tied after these two tiebreakers are employed, then a flip of a coin will be used to determine the winner(s).

21. PAIRING OF CONTESTANTS:

Wherever possible, two contestants will be assigned to each boat with one boat captain. If for any reason only one contestant is available to go with a boat captain, an observer will be assigned to ride in that boat with them. Whenever possible, no two contestants from the same club\state will be paired together. Announcement of your day’s partner and Boat Captain shall be made at the pre-tournament briefing. Competitors, Boat Captains and/or their representative must attend the pre-tournament briefing. It shall be the responsibility of each participant to appear at a mutually agreed upon location with sufficient time remaining to check out at the official checkpoint and start time. Tournament officials shall have no responsibility for finding lost partners. The tournament director may reassign partners at any time prior to take-off. It is suggested that 30 minutes, minimum, is required for preparation to depart the checkout point. When participants check out in the morning the must stay together and in sight of each other and each other's catch throughout the day until the weigh-in is completed except in cases of direct emergency (See rule 14). A contestant must not allow any bass caught by him to be counted on the score of another contestant. In such a case, both contestants shall be disqualified from this and all future tournaments.

22. RULES ENFORCEMENT:

Nothing in the above rules shall prohibit a proper tournament official from approaching or boarding a competitor’s boat at any time during the official tournament or the official practice day.

23. PATCHES AND\OR SIGNAGE:

We encourage the use of patched, logo and other signage to promote sponsors. Realizing we may be entering into television media\sponsorship field that MAY sometimes restrict the use of such signage, etc. that promote or advertise certain products, we reserve the right to restrict the use of such sinage, with as much advance notice as possible. Any signage deemed to be unfair, immoral or indecent by the tournament director shall not be allowed. No signage, logos or patches may support any organization that conflicts with B.A.S.S. and its state or national sponsors.

24. DIVISIONAL COMPETITION:

State Federation Nation Junior teams must compete within their own division if a Federation Nation Junior State Tournament (FNJST) is held there. Under no circumstances shall an individual be allowed to attempt to qualify for the same Junior Bassmaster World Championship more than once. Under no circumstances shall a competitor be allowed to attempt to qualify for the JBWC and or the adult Federation Nation National Championship in the same competition year. Any competitor who has ever qualified for a Federation Nation adult state team will be ineligible to compete in any subsequent youth competitions. Anyone qualifying or attempting to qualify through more than one state or more than one FNJST, shall be removed from this and possibly all future State Teams. Because this is a national Federation Nation rule, not a state rule, you can also be removed from another State's team. State teams participating in their FNJST are eligible to enter their top two competitors from the individual standings of the FNJST attended, (one from each age group) into the Junior Bassmasters World Championship by

BASS\ESPN. Each Federation Divisional Youth Rep. will submit the official standings of their divisions FNJST, identifying the top two anglers form each state to the BASS National Youth Manager no later than July 1 each year. Changes to that roster are permitted only with the approval from the BASS Youth Manager.