Read Before You Fish

Official Tournament Rules

These rules apply to every entrant. Violations warrant disciplinary action at the Tournament Director's discretion, and their decisions are final in all matters.

Any protest must be received in writing and signed within fifteen minutes of the final check-in deadline to be considered. Current entry fees, membership dues and payout structure are on the schedule — see also Entry & Membership on the home page.
  1. State, federal, and local laws must be obeyed.
  2. Trail membership covers all tournaments for the season and may be paid by mail, at registration, or any time prior to competing. Participation is open to all individuals, male and female, 18 years or older. Anyone under 18 may participate with a parent or guardian.
  3. Checks or money orders are preferred, payable to Peanut Craft Lures Tournament Trail. Full entry fee may be transferred to another tournament if notified five days prior. A $25 late fee applies if paying at the ramp (cash only). Returned checks carry a $45 fee, cash only.
  4. Firearms are not allowed in tournament boats during tournament hours or carried during registration or weigh-in. Law enforcement officers are the only exception.
  5. Alcohol and narcotics are not allowed in the possession of contestants during tournament hours, unless prescription medicine.
  6. Courtesy, safe boating, sportsmanship and conservation must be displayed at all times. A U.S. Coast Guard–approved chest-type PFD must be worn and fastened any time the combustion engine is in gear (failure is grounds for disqualification). All boats must have an emergency kill-switch attached to the driver any time the combustion engine is in gear.
  7. All fishing must be done with artificial lures only; pork is permitted. Only one rod and reel may be used at a time. No trolling with the combustion engine. All fish must be caught in a legal and sporting manner during tournament hours from tournament waters. Contestants may not use any communication or video device for the sole purpose of locating or catching bass during tournament hours, and tracking devices inserted in bass may not be used before or during the tournament.
  8. There is no official off-limits period for paid entries — entry must be paid before pre-fishing the week of the tournament. Violations may result in disqualification.
  9. Boats must have an operational live well with an aeration system. Teams may keep no more than 5 bass in the live well at one time and must cull immediately upon catching a 6th fish. Violations result in disqualification.
  10. Scoring is by total weight of not more than 5 bass (largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted) per team meeting size requirements, measured on a golden rule with mouth closed. Ties for cash prizes are settled by combining and splitting the awards; points are awarded equally for tying teams.
  11. No fishing within 50 yards of another tournament boat that is anchored or has its trolling motor stored, or within 25 yards without mutual consent (permission may not be granted at the exclusion of any other team). No tube, bank, or wade fishing. Hole-sitting by or for entrants is not allowed — violators will have their catch disqualified.
  12. Trailering to and from weigh-in during tournament hours is not allowed unless permitted by the Tournament Director for safety or an emergency. Partners must remain together in the boat at all times; if a team leaves early, both members are responsible for notifying a tournament official. In case of breakdown, one partner may return by another tournament boat while the other stays with the disabled boat. All fishing must be from a previously inspected boat.
  13. No more than two persons per boat. Everyone in the boat must be a registered contestant.
  14. Teams receive boat I.D. numbers by drawing the morning of the tournament.
  15. Tournament hours run safe-light to 3:00 P.M. Any boat ramp may be used; boats take off in numbered order at first safe light from the host marina. Weigh-in is staggered in flight intervals, and weigh bags are supplied.
  16. Fishing guides who have guided for black bass on tournament lakes within 60 days prior to a tournament are not eligible to compete, unless they have fished a preceding tournament (excluding the first of the season). The Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse entry to any person.
  17. Upon entering, contestants release Peanut Craft Lures Tournament Trail officials and sponsors from liability for accidents, losses, or theft. Contestants are responsible for knowing and understanding these rules.
  18. Penalties: 0.5 lb deducted per dead fish weighed in; 1 lb deducted (plus loss of that fish) for any fish not meeting the size requirement; competitors not checked in by the deadline are penalized 1 lb per minute late, up to 15 minutes, after which they are disqualified.
  19. Championship qualification requires fishing at least 6 tournaments within a division. Open and Couples tournaments do not count toward the 6 qualifying events.
  20. Yearly point standings are determined by a points-and-pounds system: first place receives 100 points plus actual daily weight (e.g., 1st with 15.05 lbs = 115.05 points), descending by one point per place. Teams weighing no fish receive 10 points less than the last-place team with fish.
  21. Angler of the Year is the team with the most accumulated points after 6 tournaments in a division (ties broken by season cumulative weight). This team also receives free entries the following season.
  22. A permanent partner change may be made prior to the start of the second tournament with all points retained. After the second tournament, only two substitutes are allowed. A participant may fish solo as many times as necessary and retain all points. No substitution at the Championship without director consent; substitute partners must pay the membership fee.
  23. Weigh-in is first come, first served. Once weighed, fish become the property of tournament officials and are returned to the lake.
  24. All entrants are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to take or pass such a test results in disqualification. Anyone who has failed a polygraph test in connection with a bass tournament for cheating is not eligible.
Important: All tournament boats are required to carry $50,000 liability insurance documentation on board.