2004 MIDWEST SPORTSMAN TOURNAMENT  RULES

1.        Qualifying:  Tournaments are open to anyone over 18 years of age. If under 18 years of age you must be accompanied in the boat by someone over 18 years old. This tournament circuit is designed for the amateur  tournament angler - If you fish the PRO side of B.A.S.S., FLW, or are a Licensed Guide, you cannot compete in the Midwest Sportsman Tournament Circuit.

2.        Midwest Sportsman Membership: Membership fee is $60.00 per year and includes subscription to Midwest Sportsman Magazine and the right to fish all local Midwest Sportsman Tournaments for the calendar year of 2004.

3.        Tournament Entry Fee: $80.00 per boat per tournament.  ( CASH ONLY ) This includes $10.00 for big bass.

4.        Scoring: Will be determined by points system. All points will be awarded to the team. Best 4 out of 6 tournaments will count

5.        National Classic: To be eligible to qualify for the “Classic” each team must fish at least 4 out of 6 tournaments. The top 30% of the eligible teams from each division will advance directly to the National Classic.

6.        Substitutes: Each team is allowed  (one) 1 sub during the tournament season. Substitutes must pay a $25.00 fee and cannot fish the classic. No subs are permitted for the Classic. Exceptions to this rule (medical & other emergency) will be determined by Midwest Sportsman officials. All Subs must be Midwest Sportsman members of the current year & be the next teams in line after the top qualifying teams are picked.

7.        Divisions: You may fish other Midwest Sportsman divisions with no additional $35.00 qualifying fee, but your points do not count towards qualifying. If you wish to qualify in another division, you must pay the $35.00 qualifying fee in that division.

8.        Limit: This is a five (5) fish-limit (per team or when fishing alone) tournament. Exceptions: State laws prevail when fishing on any body of water (size & limit). Anyone bringing in more than five fish will have their sack culled to the five-fish limit starting with big fish first. All culling must be done on the water—not on the bank.

9.        Big Bass:  Included in entry fee. ($10.00) Ties for big bass  will split the big bass pot.

10.     No Live Bait: Only artificial lures can be used in all tournaments. The use of pork rind is permitted.

11.     No Trolling: This will not be tolerated. Anyone doing this will be disqualified for that tournament and put on probation for all the remaining tournaments. Any other infraction of Midwest Sportsman Tournament Fishing Rules and Regulations may disqualify you from participating in the Classic.

12.    Short Fish Penalties: All fish brought to weigh-in must be of legal size determined by state law for that body of water fished.  One (1) pound penalty plus loss of that fish will be imposed for each short fish submitted for weigh-in. A courtesy bump board will be available to be used by teams.

13.    Dead Fish Penalty:  ˝ of the weight of any dead fish will be deducted from your total weight.

14.    Mangled Fish: Fish that appear to be altered or mangled will only be weighed at the discretion of the local director.

15.    Late Weigh-ins: There will be a deduction of  1 lb. per minute of your total weight for every minute late to weigh-in. After 15 minutes past weigh-in teams are disqualified.

16.    Tournament Hours: Start and finish times of all tournaments will be set by the Midwest Sportsman Director.

17.    Registration: There will be registration at the tournament site starting one hour before start of tournament up until

15 minutes before start of tournament. NO LATE FEES!

18.    Take Off:  Take off position will be determined by order of entry.

19.    Boat Inspection: All live wells will be checked by tournament official at take off time. You must idle past official with live well open and operational. The officials also have the option to check live wells on the ramp.

20.    Safety: During all tournaments, contestants will wear their life jackets zipped and secured when combustion engine is in operation. During foul weather you may take closest shelter. During any emergency you must return to tournament site if possible.

21.    Sportsmanship: All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Drunkenness shall be cause for immediate disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs shall be allowed in the boats during the tournament hours extending through close of weigh-in.

22.    Off-Limits: You may not fish closer than 50 yards to another competitor unless given permission. If permission is given to one, then all may fish the same water.

23.    You May Not Leave Your Boat During Tournament Hours Except During an Emergency. If you must leave the boat for any other than an emergency, you must notify the tournament director before doing so.

24.    Cheating: Anyone caught cheating in any tournament event will be immediately barred from fishing any Midwest Sportsman Tournament event. We reserve the right to have a random truth verification test performed at any time.

25.    Protest: All protests must be submitted in writing to the tournament director no later than 15 minutes after close of weigh-in. Verbal protests will  NOT be accepted.

26.    State Rules: All State rules and regulations where tournament is held must be followed.

27.    Insurance: Liability insurance is required of all participants utilizing a boat in Midwest Sportsman Fishing Tournaments.

28.    Refusal of Membership: We reserve the right to refuse membership or entry into any of Midwest Sportsman Fishing events.

29.    Tournament Rules: Interpretation of these rules will be left exclusively to the tournament directors. Decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.