RULES

Revised January 25, 2024

1. Tournament Hours

Ø 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

2. Morning Check-In, Inspection & Launching Hours

Ø 5:30 am to 7:30 am.

3. Maximum Field Size

Ø 75 teams of two(2) competitors

Ø Single competitor teams are not permitted due to MNRF limit regulations

4. Boat Specifications

Ø Minimum boat size 14ft (4.27m).

Ø Maximum single engine HP rating must not exceed hull maximum rating

Ø Must have one operational live well.

Ø Must have an operational kill switch.

Ø Boat must be equipped with all mandatory safety equipment as per Small Vessel Regulations SOR/2010-91

5. Insurance and Liability Waiver

Ø All teams must have valid insurance of $2,000.000.00 or greater liability.

Ø All competitors must read, understand and sign Huron Bass Tour (HBT) Release and Waiver of Liability Form at each event.

6. Registration and Entry Fees

Ø Registration to be completed online through huronbasstour.com

Ø Payment to be sent via e-transfer to huronbasstour@gmail.com

Ø All registration is now required online through the Huron Bass Tour website.

Ø Online registration will be closed the night before the event at 8:00 pm.

Ø Entry fees are refundable up to five(5) days before the event

7. Team Eligibility

Ø All events are open to anyone that meets the requirements.

Ø Only teams of 2 are permitted.

Ø One competitor on each team must be at least eighteen(18) years old. If a competitor is under the age of eighteen(18) they must have a parent or guardian fill in the final section of the waiver form.

Ø Both anglers must have a valid Ontario-issued Outdoors Card and Sport Fishing License.

Ø The operator of the watercraft must have a valid Ontario Boaters License.

8. Boat & Live Well Inspections

Ø Any of the directors may request a full boat inspection at any time.

Ø Every boat will be subjected to inspection before launching.

Ø If you are using a different launch you must dock at the designated launch between 5:00am and 7:30am the day of the tournament and request a HBT inspector to complete a boat inspection. Should you fail to complete a boat inspection you will not be permitted to score your fish at the end of the day.

9. Venues & Launching

Ø After obtaining permission from the townships and business owners, HBT is committed to maintaining these relationships and growing the tour.

Ø All competitors must treat tournament, township, and business staff with respect no exceptions.

Ø The number of registered competitors will be posted the day before. All teams are expected to arrive on time to prevent delays the cut off for launch inspections is 7:30. Teams that arrive after this cut off will not be permitted to compete in the event.

Ø All competitors are requested to yield right away to non-tournament boaters at the ramp when retrieving their boats during the weigh-in.

10. Community

Ø As part of HBT’s goal to provide the opportunity to fish at a high level, HBT is equally dedicated to helping out local communities that have granted permission for the events. Tour, division, and event sponsors will be posted for each event along with discounts so go out and support them after the events.

11. Limits, Species, and Slot Size

Ø Only five(5) fish may be weighed.

Ø Eligible species – largemouth bass and smallmouth bass only.

Ø Minimum slot size of 12 inches (300mm).

12. Culling

Ø No more than five(5) fish are permitted to remain in a teams live well at a time. If a sixth fish is caught the angler must immediately cull or release the additional fish.

Ø All cull tags, scales, and balance beams must be of the non-penetrating type.

13. Flights

Ø Boats to be sent out in flights of twenty five (25) boats.

Ø Flight number determined by registration order.

Ø Each flight will be separated by 1-2 minutes or until deemed safe by the directors.

14. Weigh-In

Ø Commences at 4:30 pm at each event.

Ø No fish will be weighed before 4:30 pm as the directors will also be competing.

Ø Competitors are required to keep their boat in the water if they have fish in the live well with the aerators on.

Ø Fish will be placed into the aerated horse trough for death and size inspection.

Ø Upon completion of the inspection, the weighmaster shall remove any unqualified fish and place your fish into the approved bag or box for weighing.

Ø The weight shall be displayed and recorded.

Ø We highly encourage all anglers to take their fish and pose for the GoPro filming the weigh-in to be featured in our promotional videos.

15. Re-Weigh

Ø Each team is allowed one(1) re-weigh of either their big fish or bag. The re-weigh weight shall govern.

16. Big Fish

Ø One(1) of the five(5) fish from each team may be weighed for the big fish pool per event.

Ø A culling tag may be retained for identification purposes only and must be removed before weighing.

17. Penalties

Ø 0.5lb penalty for each fish requiring fizzing (How to fizz a bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w1DMIL0b6E&t=344s) fizz kits are now included in entry fees and will be provided with morning registration. (2 syringes and 1 diagram)

Ø Dead fish are not permitted to score for big fish but can be weighed as part of a bag weight (1lb penalty per dead fish will be applied).

Ø Undersized fish (less than 12 inches (300mm)) will not be weighed and a 1lb penalty per fish that is undersize will be applied.

Ø 0.5lb penalty per min for a late return to the weigh-in. After ten(10) minutes the team is disqualified.

18. Opt-Out of Weighing-in

Ø All competitors retain the right to opt-out of weighing.

Ø Please notify one of the directors or the marina that you are opting out so that we know you returned safely and don’t send out a search party.

19. Fish preservation

Ø If it is determined that a fish requires fizzing, the fish will be surrendered to the support crew in charge of fizzing after the weigh-in process and penalty applied.

Ø Fish inspection tech retains the right to declare a fish incapable of survival after release and will be recorded as a death.

Ø We understand that fish death, while mostly preventable, is a possibility. To reduce this from occurring and to remain inside wildlife regulations, any competitors that have more than three(3) recorded fish deaths in a season will be subjected to a meeting with one of the tournament directors. The meeting will determine the root causes of the deaths. If the individuals or preservation methods are deemed unacceptable the competitors may be subjected to a ban from competing in future events.

Ø Should the launch location be determined unsuitable for release competitors will be provided a location that may require them to taxy out their fish to deeper cooler waters after weigh-in.

20. Live Well Transfers

Ø Should your live well fail, you are are permitted to transfer your fish to another competitor’s boat. You must notify a Huron Bass Tour staff member as soon as possible.

21. Pre-Fish

Ø Pre-fishing ban starts the day before regular season events at 4:00pm

Ø Pre-fishing ban starts the day before the HAWEATER CUP and PENETANGUISHENE OPEN at 4:00pm

Ø Pre-fishing banned five(5) days before the classic. Starting at midnight the Sunday before the cut-off.

22. Artificial Lures & Rods

Ø The use of live bait is not permitted in any HBT event.

Ø Alabama rigs are permitted with 3 hooks or less only.

Ø A competitor may only fish with 1 rod at a time.

Ø Only two(2) lures are permitted to make contact with the water per boat at any time.

23. Boundaries, fuel and repairs.

Ø All venues are open with no boundaries with the exception that Tadenac Bay is off Limits at all times

Ø Competitors are permitted to get fuel at a marina during tournament hours but must remain in the boat.

Ø Extra fuel cans are not permitted in a competitors boat.

Ø Competitors are permitted to return to the launch marina to perform repairs.

24. Encroachment

Ø No team may encroach on another team fishing. The minimum buffer zone around all boats is 100ft (30.48m). You may only enter the zone of another team for passing if verbal approval is provided.

25. Navigation and Waterbody

Ø Due to the large body of water that the events are scheduled on, it is highly recommended that all competitors fully inspect their watercraft before competing.

Ø The HBT highly insists that all competitors have reliable GPS / navigation charts.

26. Life Jackets and Kill Switch

Ø All anglers must wear a personal floatation device (PFD) before accelerating with the main engine.

Ø Note inflatable PFDs are not considered an approved floatation device unless it is being worn. If you do not intend to wear it all day you must have another standard PDF in the boat.

Ø The operator must connect the kill switch to their body before accelerating with the main engine.

27. Emergencies

Ø In the event of an emergency all parties involved are to notify the directors.

Ø Should a team not return to the weigh-in a search party will be sent out and authorities will be notified.

28. Towing

Ø If your boat is deemed no longer functional you may acquire a tow by another vessel (competitor or non-competitor). If the towing team feels for any reason that they cannot tow you as it may jeopardize their standings, you must respect their decision and wait for another boat; unless it is an emergency and the stranded team needs to get to shore immediately.

29. Drugs, Alcohol, and Weapons

Ø No competitor may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during tournament hours.

Ø Alcohol or drugs are not permitted at weigh in and will result in disqualification.

Ø Weapons are not permitted at any HBT events.

30. Classic Location

Ø Season III Classic location will be announced January 28, 2024 at noon

31. Classic Qualification

Ø To qualify for the classic both anglers must fish any three(3) events or win a regular season event.

Ø The HAWEATER CUP and PENETANGUISHENE OPEN count as a Classic qualifier the winning teams will qualify for the Classic

32. Tie Breakers

Ø In the event of a regular-season tie, the team with the larger big fish will win.

Ø In the event of a classic tie, the team with the largest big fish over the two(2) days will win.

Ø If the AOY or division champion weights are tied, the angler with the largest big fish caught during the season or division respectively will win.

Ø If big fish is tied, the anglers with the bigger bag will win.

Ø If the Bronze Beast or Green Giant award is tied, the angler with the second biggest fish caught during the season will win.

Ø If the Now that is a Fat Sack award is tied, the team with the second biggest bag caught during the season will win.

Ø Should any of the tie-breaking methods result in a secondary tie, the anglers may decide to have a fish off or split the prize.

Ø A fish off will involve one angler from each team and one director. The first angler to catch a scorable fish wins.

33. Pandemic Policy

Ø The HBT is required to follow all government social gathering regulations.

Ø The Huron Bass Tour retains the right to cancel an event if mandated by the government.

34. Inclement Weather Conditions

Ø Should an event coincide with inclement weather conditions where the safety of the competitors is at an unacceptable level of risk, the HBT retains the right to postpone, delay, extend and cancel a tournament. If the event is cancelled, all entry fees will be refunded or transferred to the next event at the discretion of the competitors.

35. Cellphones

Ø Cellphones may only be used during tournament hours for emergencies, equipment breakdowns, or to contact the directors.

36. Sportsmanship and Disciplinary Actions

Ø The HBT is committed to ensuring that all competitors have a fair chance to win and have fun. The HBT has a zero-tolerance policy and strongly advises that if you observe any cheating or poor behavior to take a video or picture and provide it to the directors. Should a team be accused of cheating or unsportsmanlike conduct by multiple teams (2), the directors retain the right to, withhold prize money, awards, and rule at their discretion.

Ø The HBT retains the right to apply disciplinary actions against any anglers should it deem their behavior unacceptable in any manner or conduct that would effect the tour in a negative manner prior to, during, or after any event. The directors retain the right to, withhold prize money, awards, and rule at their discretion.

37. Disciplinary Actions Examples

I. Immediate disqualification from event and forfeit of entry fees.

Ø Fishing during the pre-fish ban.

Ø Fishing with more than one rod.

Ø Observed not wearing PFD on multiple occasions.

Ø Observed not wearing kill switch while main motor is in gear.

Ø Observed consuming drugs or alcohol during tournament / weigh-in hours

Ø Detected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Ø Fishing with live bait.

II. Immediate ban from the series, forfeit of entry fees, stripped of all points and standings, stripped of all current and previous titles.

Ø Being disqualified 3 times.

Ø Physical assault.

Ø Verbal or written abuse of any other competitor, HBT staff, township staff, or business staff.

Ø Caught with fish in live well during launch inspection.

Ø Observed retrieving fish from a cage or stringer in the field.

Ø Modifying fish by means of inserting foreign objects to increase weight (fish will be scanned with a metal detector).

Ø Observed with unsecured weapon at the tournament.

Ø Reckless operation of watercraft with intent to harm or obstruct other anglers from fishing.

38. Rulings

Ø All rulings by the tournament directors is final and will not be eligible for protest.

Ø The Huron Bass Tour retains the right to modify any of its rules at any time without notice should it deem the rule change is of the best interest of the tour.

39. Prizes, Awards and Payout Structures

Ø The Huron Bass Tour is Non for Profit and is 100% payback

Ø Regular season events 40% of all sponsors 85% of all entry fees

Ø Regular season events payout structure

Ø1 – 25 teams – Cash 1st – 3rd | Free Entry 4th | Prizes 5th – 10th

Ø26 – 50 teams – Cash 1st – 6th | Free Entry 7th – 8th | Prizes 9th – 15th

Ø51 – 75 teams – Cash 1st – 9th | Free Entry 10th – 12th | Prizes 13th – 20th

Ø Classic 55% of all sponsors and 10% of all seasons entries will be allocated to the classic pool.

Ø Classic payout structure

Ø1 – 25 teams – Cash 1st – 6th | Prizes 7th – 15th

Ø26 – 50 teams – Cash 1st – 9th | Prizes 10th – 20th

Ø51 – 75 teams – Cash 1st – 12th |Prizes 13th – 25th

Ø Haweater Cup II payout 80% – 10% of entries to Little Current Lions Club – 10% of entries to classic pool

Ø1 – 25 teams – Cash 1st – 3rd | Prizes 4th – 10th

Ø26 – 50 teams – Cash 1st – 6th | Prizes 7th – 15th

Ø51 – 75 teams – Cash 1st – 9th | Prizes 10th – 20th

Ø Penetanguishene Open I Payout 80% – 20% of entries to classic pool

Ø1 – 25 teams – Cash 1st – 3rd | Prizes 4th – 10th

Ø26 – 50 teams – Cash 1st – 6th | Prizes 7th – 15th

Ø51 – 75 teams – Cash 1st – 9th | Prizes 10th – 20th

Ø Angler(s) of the year – Awarded to the angler(s) with the heaviest combined weight of any four(4) regular season events and the two day Classic. All regular season entry fees paid less the launch fees for following season ($1,800.00 Value) excludes wild card events and the classic.

Ø Free Entries – Only redeemable in the same season ($300.00 Value) Free entries are not transferable to another team or money. AOY anglers from previous season cannot win a free entry.

Ø Youth angler of the Year (YAOY) awarded to the angler (16 years old or less) with the heaviest combined weight of any 3 events – $500.00

Ø Division Champions (North G-Bay and South G-Bay) Awarded to the angler(s) with the heaviest combined weight in each Division (5% of all division entries and 2.5% of all sponsors per division)

Ø Now that is a Fat Sack – Awarded to the anglers that catch the biggest bag of the season. ($1.000.00)

Ø Bronze Beast – $500.00 Awarded to the angler that catches the biggest small mouth of the season.

Ø Green Giant – $500.00 Awarded to the angler that catches the biggest large mouth of the season.

Ø Finned Freak of Nature – $250.00 Awarded to the angler that catches the biggest fish of the season.

Ø All non-cash prizes unclaimed at any event will be forfeit to the tour and re-awarded.