Summary of Rules - more complete rules are below.

THESE RULES ARE NOT THE COMPLETE SET BUT AN OUTLINE AND THEY WILL BE AMENDED SOON FOR THE 2010 SEASON AS VOTED ON BY THE MEMBERS AT THE SIGNUP MEETING......A COMPLETE SET OF RULES ARE POSTED BELOW THIS SUMMARY, ITS UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL TO KNOW THE RULES., ALL THE RULES!.........YOU ARE GOVERNED BY THESE RULES, YOU AGREE TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS BY PARTICIPATING IN ELK GROVE BASS EVENTS......SO READ THEM, IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE RULES, THEN ASK! 

The majority of our tournaments are 5 fish limits and 13'' and above. The membership fee is $45.00. THIS INCLUDES A PORTION OF OUR INSURANCE.  YOU MUST BE PRE-APPROVED 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR TO ANY EVENT TO JOIN AND FISH THAT PARTICULAR EVENT..... 

If you fish as a pro, pro-team or on the "pro" side of any event (whether you are a pro or not, whether your friends think you are a pro or not, or your mother, sister, brother, father, priest, rabbi, or who-ever thinks you are or are not, it just doesn't matter) YOU MAY NOT FISH EGBASS!! Also if you are sponsored in anyway you may not fish EGBASS. If you join and I fail to find evidence or you fail to inform me and then I find evidence or evidence is presented to me, YOU WILL BE BOOTED WITH NO REFUNDS!!! 

I strive to keep the "cherry pickers" out of the club, don't join us only to fish your favorite lake. That’s BS and CHICKENSH*T! 

You may fish an "open" invitational or two, such as a once a year event, like a charity event, or a "frog" event and still fish EGBass. If you are in doubt please call me. 

The tournament fees are $120.00 for 1 or 2 members, $130.00 for 1 member and 1 non-member and $140.00 for 2 non-members. That’s right you can fish one tournament as non-member to check it out! (YOU STILL NEED TO BE PRE-APPROVED TO FISH AS A NON-MEMBER)  If you fish the first tournament of the year (January) as a non-member and decide to join us at the February tournament, we will apply your stats for January towards our year-end Awards and your attendance towards our Jackpot Round.  Included in the event price is a Big Fish payback.  Also included is a $2.00 fee per boat to offset the cost of this website and $10.00 per boat of the tournament fee goes into our POUNDER POTS. ALL INCLUSIVE. IT’S ALREADY INCLUDED… no brainer.

The pounder-pots are for any fish weighed in of 6,7,8,9 or 10+ pound weights, you weigh it in and you claim that pot!, however YOU MUST BE A MEMBER to qualify for the POUNDER POTS!  If 2 or more fish in the same pound class are weighed the biggest wins.  If unclaimed they roll to the next tournament and roll from year to year.  You must be fishing with a member or fishing by yourself to claim a Pounder Pot.

No alcohol or drugs are allowed during the on-water event!  After the weigh-in you’re on your own, WE ARE HOWEVER ADULTS, SO ACT ACCORDINGLY.   We promote the highest degree of sportsmanship and will not tolerate anything less.  We strive to be ACCURATE AND FAIR.  Treat everyone with respect and consideration or you will be booted. 

A copy of our bylaws and rules for engagement are available for all members, it is the members responsibility to know all rules!  SEE BELOW  Rules are made and adhered to for the safety and fairness for all!  They are in place to protect the species so we all may catch them again in the future. Rules are made and adhered to for the safety and fairness for all!  They are in place to protect the species so we all may catch them again in the future.  

RECAP OF THE TOURNAMENT FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS....
1 or 2 members .............................   $120.00
1 member or/and 1 non-member .........    $130.00
both non-members ......................    $140.00

If you fish with a non-member, you are NOT eligible for the Pounder Pots....not that anyone would be dishonest about who caught the fish, but this eliminates any chance! Get you non-member to join!

New members have a 3 month/event probationary period before being eligible for Pounder Pot monies....that means they must fish 3 events, not just wait......contribute!

(remember, YOU MUST be pre-approved, 2 weeks beforehand to fish as a non-member) 

EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE, BIG FISH OPTION, POUNDER POTS, EVERYTHING, THE ONLY DECISION IS TO FISH OR NOT FISH....NO B.S., NO THINKING ABOUT OPTIONS, YOU ARE EITHER FISHING OR NOT......ITS UP TO YOU.....THIS ALSO MAKES THINGS MOVE FASTER AT THE MORNING OF THE EVENTS...AND EGBASS DOES NOT ACCEPT CHECKS....only cash.....try to bring the correct amount if you can.

Fish can only be in weigh bags for 3 minutes before the must be release or reintroduced to aerated waters. No exceptions, also no more than 5 pounds in any one bag, again no exceptions of course unless your fish weighs more than 5 pounds.  Starting in the 2010 season the points will change in the fact that if you blank you will be given the 2 points down from the last angler(s) weighing in.  For example let’s say the last place team's weight is 10th that would be 41 points for 10th, if you blanked you would get 39 points.  This rule is intended to keep the point’s race tight to the end and discourage teams from quitting when they blank the first event or two or during the course of the year.   Do not take your fish out of your live wells until called on by me or whoever is running the show.  We weigh in the same way we go out in the morning i.e. if we start with number 7 at blast off, then number 7 weighs in first and so on down to the bottom of the list then back around again till number 6 weighs in last. 

Fish must measure 13" and above. Any less will result in disqualification for that event. You may bring in any combination of smallmouth, largemouth or spots.  Redeyes are eligible but good luck catching one.  All boats must be within the 5 mph zone at the time designated at blast off as the end of the event time, there is a penalty for being late. There is a penalty for dead fish, 1/2 pound.  Also you may remove your boat from the event waters at anytime that is also grounds for DQ.  You may only leave your boat for use of the bathroom or fuel or boat repair, (boat must stay in water).  If you forgot your sunglasses you may retrieve them from you vehicle, this is not the Gestapo, and however common sense applies.  You may idle around without your life vests.  You may not consume alcohol or drugs during the event, after wards or during the weigh-in if you wish to have an adult beverage do so with discretion and courtesy.  If you act like adults, I will treat you like adults.  This club is for all to enjoy, not to run like sheep thru the gates to slaughter.  This club is a release for many of us to escape the rigors of everyday life, be respectful of others in the club and the general public around us.  Be quiet in the mornings if the ramp is close to homes, such as the case with Clearlake. COMMON Sense PREVAILS.

Other rules are common sense, such as only one pole per person at a time, only 3 hooks on any one line, no live bait, only artificial baits, no freeze dried or preserved baits, nothing that just died either, not even your baloney sandwich.  You must have a working live well, working lights and your boat must be coastguard approved or could be!!!  DFG rules apply at all times.

IT IS THE MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS!!!!! IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, ASK

ELK GROVE BASS 2011 RULES AND REGULATIONS

 It is the members’ responsibility to read and understand these rules and regulations.  If you are unclear on any rule or regulation it is up to the individual member to inquire about the rule or regulation in question to get clarification.  Do not wait until it becomes an issue and do not assume.

 Qualifications for Membership

1. Posses a valid California fishing license.

2. Be at least 18 years old.  Exceptions will be made with parental consent.

3. Be willing to maintain an attitude of sportsmanship and fair play.

 Safety

1. Participants must wear a life vest (PFD) while the boats’ internal combustion motor is running any faster than idle.

2. In the event of foul weather the President may at his discretion determine the body of water be unsafe.  In this event the tournament will be rolled over to the following Saturday.  If the body of water remains unsafe the event will be cancelled at the discretion of the President. 

3. All boats must meet Coast Guard requirements.

4. All Federal, State and local body of water laws must be observed.  Any violation of these laws will be grounds for disqualification.

5. No illegal drugs or alcohol may be consumed during the tournament. 

 

Pre-fishing

1. There are no pre-fishing restrictions for regular tournament events.

2. There is no pre-fishing allowed for the Jackpot Round.

 

Registration for Tournaments and Check In

1. All Participants must sign a waiver releasing Elk Grove Bass of any and all liability.

2. If you arrive after blast-off and wish to fish the event, you must locate a club official, pay the tournament fees, have your livewell inspected and sign the waiver, and then you may fish the remainder of the event.

3. Cash only will be accepted as payment for tournaments.

4. Registration for all events will be at the ramp before the event.

5. A designated club official shall inspect all boats and sign off all signup sheets prior to blast off.  It is up to the participants to make sure their boat is inspected and their sheet signed off.

6. All boats are subject to inspection by a club official anytime during a tournament, this includes prior or after the weigh-in.

7. All boats must be in good operating condition and pose no threat of danger or contamination to any participant, the general public, the waters or the fish.

8. All boats must have an operational livewell with pumps.

9. The President or designated club official appointed by the President prior to participating in any event must approve all non-members.

10.      All members and non-members must have boat insurance equal to the state of California’s minimum amount of coverage’s required by law.  All club members who cannot prove insurance can be disqualified from any event.

 

Tournament Start

1.         Each boat will leave the starting area at the direction of a club official.

2.         The first boat out will be the boat with the drawn “starting” number.  All other boats will leave in succession when their number is called at the direction of a club official/president.

3.         Blast-off will be as close as possible to safe light or safe conditions at the discretion of the President.

 

Sportsmanship

1. All boats must maintain a 100’ distance from any other boat except when fishing docks; a participant may claim only one side of a given dock.  The exception to the distance rule is if one boat is “towing” or “preparing to tow” another boat in because of mechanical breakdown of one of the boats.

2. Any example of unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification from that event and possible expulsion from the club at the President’s discretion.

3. EGBass will not tolerate any abusive, foolish or corrupt behavior from any participant.  Any behavior deemed detrimental to EGBass, its members or participants or the general public shall be means for immediate disqualification and possible expulsion from the club at the President’s discretion at any time or any place.

 

Tackle

1. Only artificial baits may be used.  No live baits or prepared bait are allowed with the exception of pork trailers.

2. Only rod and reel may be used to take fish.

3. Only one rod and reel per angler may be used at anytime.

4. No more than 3 hooks on one rod at anytime.

 

Off Limits

1. Off limits is within 100’ of the boat launch/ramp.

2. You may exit your boat for fuel at a dock, to use the restroom or in case of an emergency; however you may not fish while being out of the boat.

3. You may not remove your boat from tournament waters unless for a safety issue. If you remove your boat for any reason other than at the launch point, you will be awarded show up points only.

4. You may remove your boat at the launch point only at any time during the event and still weigh your fish for points.

 

Weigh-in

1. Boats must be inside the launch area’s 5 mph zone prior to the events ending time. If there is no marked 5 mph zone, then you must be with-in 100 yards of the launch ramp.  A club official keeps the official time and shall determine the tardiness of any participant.  You must stop fishing prior to the event ending time regardless of your boat location.

2. Anyone who is late will be charged one pound per minute or portion thereof for every minute up to 5 minutes late.  After 5 minutes you will not be allowed any weight but will be awarded show up points only.

3. All fish will be weighed and may be measured by the weigh master(s) or by the President or appointed official.  The weigh masters are the first boat out at the start of the event.  The first boat out is randomly picked out of a “hat”.  The President has the final call in any dispute over weighing of any fish.

4. All fish must be largemouth, smallmouth, spotted or redeye bass.

5. All fish must be 13” in length or longer measured on a Wil-E-Go board mouth open, bottom lip touching the front edge of the board and the tail touching or exceeding the 13” mark, tails may be fanned.

6. A short fish will result in disqualification.

7. Unless the slot limit – less than 12” and over 15”, has been waived by DFG then Oroville is the exception to the length rule where the accepted fish shall be less than 12” OR over 15”, any combination of both will be accepted. If the Oroville event has a waiver for the slot limit then we will accept fish 13” or longer.

8. A dead fish will result in an 8- ounce penalty per dead fish.

9. All live fish shall be released a soon as possible after being weighed.

10.      In the event of a tie weight, the tiebreaker will be the “Big Fish”.  It is up to each participant to make sure his or her “Big Fish” is weighed during weighing of his or her respective bags.

11.      Limits of fish will be 5 fish per boat

12.      In an event where there is a tie for first place, each team’s Big Fish will be the determining factor (ie. Biggest Big Fish wins), in case of Big Fish tie, the teams total weight (team with heaviest Total weight wins) will be the factor.

13.      No culling of fish inside the 100 yard off limit zone.  More than 5 fish at weigh-in will result in disqualification.

14.      No fish may be transferred from one boat to another boat for any reason.

 

Points and Statistics

1. Points are awarded at 50 points for first place descending to last place. Show up points are awarded to all participating member teams that weigh no fish.  The show up points are equal last place minus 2 points. Example; the last place team weighing fish gets 38 points, then show up points would equal 36.

2. Statistics are kept for individual anglers, not teams.  Any and all money division among teams is up to the team members themselves.  It is up to each team to discuss amongst themselves any monetary award sharing and the End of Year Cash Awards if only one member of a team is awarded.  The “actual winner” of any Cash Award will be presented with the trophy and cash.

5. Cash payouts are awarded to end of year statistic category leaders as explained below.

6. If one member fishes by himself/herself  points may be awarded to his regular partner one time during any given year, he must state that this is his or her intention before blast-off.

 

Payouts, General Fund disbursements and Qualification for Awards

1. Elk Grove Bass is a 100% payback club.  Paybacks are approximately 75-80% of the tournament fees with the remainder going into the general fund.  At year-end, all remaining general fund monies are awarded in the Cash Awards and the Jackpot Round with the exception of the Pounder Pot monies.

2. The Pounder Pot monies are rolled over to the next event and/or the next season.

3. At the end of the year all remaining monies in the General Fund are divided depending on the final amount.  The majority will go into the Jackpot Round.

4. The Cash Awards are 5 categories which include; 1. The Points leader(s), (Angler(s) of the Year).  2. The Pound leader(s), 3. The Big Fish leader(s), 4. The Best Average leader(s), (largest average over your best 4 events,) and 5. The Most Fish leader(s).

5. The Jackpot Round monies are split on a 70/30 percentage for first and second place.

6. The Big Fish pot is funded by $10.00 out of each boat’s entry fees

7. The Pounder Pots are 5 individual pots that are funded by $10.00 out of each boat’s entry monies.  Each pot is increased $2.00 at each event per boat.  The pots are the 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10+ pound pots.  If a member brings in a fish in one of these pound categories, he/she is awarded that particular pot’s monies at that time for that event.  Each pot rolls over if unclaimed to the next event.  If 2 or more fish are weighed-in in the same pound pot, the heaviest fish wins.

8. Only members may claim a Pounder Pot.

9. The Pounder Pot money is OFF for the Jackpot Round.

10.      Any Pounder Pot money that remains at year-end is rolled to the following year.

11.      Only members fishing by himself or herself or with another member may lay claim to a Pounder Pot.

12.      The entry into the Jackpot Round is free to all members who qualify.  Only qualifying members are allowed to fish the Jackpot Round. 

13.      There is a $40.00 per boat Jackpot Round option for fifth place.

14.      You must, as an individual member, fish 8 out of 10 events to qualify for the Jackpot Round.  You may purchase one event towards your qualification to the Jackpot Round by paying the full amount of one entry fee ($120.00) Therefore you may fish 7 events and “buy” one event and still qualify for the Jackpot Round.  This applies to a team or individual depending on the situation, at the President discretion.

15.      Individual members acquire points and stats toward qualification, not teams.

16.      All members are automatically entered into the year-end Cash Awards.  Note: the more events you fish the greater your chance to claim a year-end Cash Award. These awards were designed to encourage participation.

17.      The General fund pays all the club maintenance during the year.  This includes postage, trophies, paper, envelopes, website fees, promotions and etc.

18.      The club will acquire general liability insurance on the open market at the discretion of the President.

19.      Membership to EGBass is $45.00.

20.      Tournament fees are $120.00 per boat for one or two members, $130.00 per boat for one non-member and one member or $140.00 per boat for one or two non-members.

21.      Non-members may fish 1 event to experience Elk Grove Bass.  If an angler joins the club after fishing the previous event as a non-member, his/her previous event’s attendance and stats will be included in the overall count towards qualification to the Jackpot Round and towards the year-end Cash Awards respectively.

22.      Pounder Pots for new members are not eligible for 5 months; also any new members that join after the March event will not be eligible for any Pounder Pots awards.

 

Release of Liability

1. By participating in any event of Elk Grove Bass you release Elk Grove Bass and all of its members, club officials, any participants and their families from all liabilities and claims that may incur for loss, damage, injury or any other monetary claims. 

2. By participating in any event of Elk Grove Bass you claim to have adequate liability insurance to cover any and all claims that you may incur for or against you.

3. By participating in any event of Elk Grove Bass you are liable for yourself and any damage you incur by yourself, you are solely responsible.

4. During any event damages of any nature to a member or their property or any other person and/or their property is the sole responsibility of the individuals involved.

5. Failure to sign the signup sheet does not void this section.

 

Protests and Judgments

1. All protests must be clearly stated in writing and given to the President within 10 minutes of the end of the tournament weigh-in.

2. The President or acting President has final say in any and all protests.

3. Final determinations of the rules or any other situations that the rules do not specifically address are at the sole discretion of the President or acting President.

4. Qualification or disqualification of any member or boat is at the sole discretion of the President or acting President.

You may contact us for additional info at sjgatewo@pacbell.net