LOWCOUNTRY BASSMASTERS

Registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. on day of tournament.  Tournament waters are off limits for all contestants on the day of the tournament.

1. TOURNAMENT HEADQUARTERS:  Cypress Gardens Boat Landing will be the official tournament headquarters. All participants will depart and return to this location.

2. TOURNAMENT HOURS:  Blast-off will be at 5:30PM and weight-in will be at 8:30PM. All boats must be in the no-wake zone at the weigh-in sight by 8:30PM or a late penalty will be assessed. A pre-tournament meeting will be held before blast off the day of each tournament. Team members must check-in prior to blast off.

3. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:  Fishing is permitted within all areas of the Cooper River to include Bushy Park. However, the NO-WAKE ZONE AT CYPRESS GARDENS IS OFF LIMITS TO FISHING DURING TOURNAMENT HOURS.

4. BLAST OFF:  Blast-off will be determined by the order of the official registration. Live wells will be checked prior to blast-off.

5. WEIGHT-IN:  Black Bass will be the only fish recognized at weigh-in, (5) fish limit per team. Once fish are presented to the tournament officials, the team will not be able to cull their fish. The fish will be counted and if length is questionable, they will be measured for (12) inch minimum on the “Golden Rule” with mouth closed. For each fish over (5), the catch will be culled from the largest one down. Each fish under (12) inches will be culled and the team will be assessed a penalty of (4) ounces for each fish under twelve inches. A penalty of (4) ounces per fish will be assessed for each dead fish. A one pound per minute penalty will be assessed for each minute late, up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the team will be disqualified. Mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered fish will be weighed only at the discretion of the tournament director.

6. POLYGRAPH: By signing the official entry form, contestants agree to submit to a polygraph/voice test examination. LCBM WMT reserves the right to conduct random polygraph/voice test examinations. If a protest is presented, winnings will be withheld until official results of polygraph tests are determined. Any person guilty of violating tournament rules or failing to successfully pass a polygraph/voice test in this tournament will not be allowed to fish any LCBM events. The LCBM shall have sole discretion to select the place at which such polygraph/voice test shall be administered, the individual who administers such polygraph/voice test, and the scope of the questions, which may be asked during such test. Failure to take and pass the polygraph/voice test examination, if required, will result in forfeiture of any winnings pertaining to event in question and immediate disqualification without recourse. If the accused is found innocent, the protester will assume financial responsibility for the polygraph test.

7. BOATS & BOAT SAFETY:  Fishing will be permitted only from the boat occupied at blast-off. No alcoholic beverages shall be consumed immediately prior to or during the tournament. Any violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification. All rules and regulations of the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department will be observed. Life jackets or vests must be worn when the combustible engine is running.

Boaters must also obey all NO-WAKE Zones.

8. TACKLE:  All fish must be caught using a rod and reel. Only manufactured tackle and artificial lures may be used. No use of live or prepared baits will be allowed. (Pork rinds are considered artificial.) No trolling as a means of fishing shall be allowed. A landing net may be used to lift fish from the water. Only one rod may be used at a time per each person.

9. SPORTSMANSHIP:  No participant will fish within 50 yards (approximately 12 boat lengths) of another participant’s boat if that participants trolling motor is up and his anchor is down. Any participant, who displays poor sportsmanship, violates any of the tournaments rules or South Carolina State fishing laws or boating laws will be promptly disqualified.

10. PROTESTS:  Protests must be supplied in writing to the tournament director within 15 minutes after weigh-in scales are officially declared closed. Tournament officials’ decision in such a case is final.

11. SCORING:  Winners will be determined by total-catch weight. In case of a tie, the boat with the biggest fish will be declared the winner.

12. BIG FISH:  An optional Big Fish Pot of $10 will be offered. Moneys will be paid separate from entry fee. CASH PAYMENT ONLY.

13. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT:  Because there are inherent dangers associated with outdoor activities that could result in injury, death or damage to equipment that are beyond our control, we ask that you sign this form as a release agreement releasing all members, officers and all those associated with LCBM WMT from any and all actions. Participants accept responsibility for their own actions.

14. SUBSTITUTION:  Original team members will be boaters. In case one can’t fish the other team member will be allowed to bring a sub and keep original teams points.

The preceding rules and regulations for the LCBM WMT and their interpretation will be left exclusively to the tournament officials. This tournament will be a 3-hour tournament. The decisions of the officials shall be final in all cases.