Long Island Bassmasters Open
HP Trail
Tournament Rules
1. Catch Limit: 5 fish limit per boat (Largemouth or Smallmouth). Fish must be 12” or greater in length. Short fish brought to the scales will result in the loss of your largest fish.
2. Lures: Artificial lures only. No live bait permitted.
3. Compliance: All local fishing and boating laws must be followed.
4. Live Wells: All boats must have an operational aerated live well with a minimum capacity of 15 gallons.
5. Safety Equipment: All boats must have required safety equipment in working order.
6. Inspections: All boats must be inspected before launching.
7. Prohibited Substances: No alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed.
8. Late Penalties: A 1-pound penalty will be assessed per minute for late return, up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, disqualification will occur.
9. Sportsmanship: Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.
10. Courtesy: Maintain a respectful distance from other boats.
11. Trolling: Trolling as a means of fishing is prohibited.
12. Tie-Breakers: In the event of a tie, the angler with the most live fish wins. If still tied, the largest fish will determine the winner.
13. Final Authority: The decision of the Tournament Director is final.
14. Fishing Restrictions: Fishing is not allowed after your boat number is turned in at weigh-in.
15. Insurance: Anglers must ensure their boat is covered by insurance.
16. Throwable Device: A throwable device must always be accessible during the event.
17. All boats/anglers draw at random from a hat as per launch number. Whoever draws last # calls numbers in roughly 30 second intervals for take offs.
Additional Rules
- No Alabama rigs, live bait, or culling of dead fish.
- Anglers must contact the Tournament Director if they anticipate being late.
- Late arrivals must not fish until their live well is inspected by the Tournament Director or another tournament participant.
- Exact start and finish times will be determined by the Tournament Director.
- All boats must return to the ramp at the designated end time.
- Any boats used during events must be properly insured, no competitor may operate a boat unless that contestant has documented proof of a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence boating liability insurance that covers both the operator and the boat being used in the tournament. Proof of insurance must always be kept in the boat being
used. Random checks will be conducted and any competitor who cannot provide proof of valid insurance
with $300,000 coverage will be disqualified. Acceptance of this proof is by the decision of the tournament
director.
- All boats must be equipped with some type of operable ignition kill switch device that must disconnect
causing the engine to shut off anytime the operator leaves the operating position. Violation of this rule during the official practice or tournament
Penalties
- **Short Fish**: Weighing in a short dead fish results in disqualification for the day.
- **Short Live Fish**: 1-pound penalty per short live fish weighed.
- **Dead Fish Penalties**:
- 1 dead fish: 4 oz.
- 2 dead fish: 10 oz.
- 3 dead fish: 18 oz.
- 4 dead fish: 28 oz.
- 5 dead fish: 40 oz.
- **Late Arrival**: 1-pound penalty per minute late. After 15 minutes, disqualification.
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Prize Money
- **Payback**: 90% payback of entry fees.
- **Season Lunker Pool**: - **Season Lunker Pool**: 1 time Fee $50 per angler with 100% payback.
Anglers must participate in a minimum of 4 events to claim the prize.