These rules shall remain unchanged throughout the tournament season. Interpretation and enforcement of TABC Youth Division rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament director. Tournament Director’s decisions are final in all matters. Federal, State and Local water body authority laws and rules must be obeyed at all times and shall supersede TABC Youth Division rules when in conflict.

Participation & Eligibility. Tournaments are open to individuals, male or female, ages 10 thru 17. They must be a member/family member in a club that is a member of TABC, an affiliate member of TABC, or a lifetime member of TABC. The club they belong to must be in good standing with TABC for the year they are fishing. If they are an affiliate member they and the person accompanying them must be in good standing with TABC for the year they are fishing. Lifetime members are always in good standing for the year they are fishing. Eligible tournament participants must be accompanied by one of the following; a) Active (to include: affiliate member/lifetime member) TABC adult family member/legal guardian b) Active TABC member of his/her club. c) TABC Board Member.

Liability Waiver. Upon any of the TABC Youth Tournaments, contestants release Texas Association of Bass Clubs officials and sponsors from liability of accidents, losses or thefts. Constants are responsible for knowing and understanding these rules. The boat owner must show proof of 100,000 general liability insurance covering him/her and their passengers. A copy of their current insurance coverage needs to accompany the tournament registration form.

Divisions: (Age as of January 1^st of Tournament Year)

Scoring Fish: Adult Assistance is allowed ONLY for boat operation and netting of the fish. Each participant may weigh-in three (3) fish (per day), a minimum of 14 inches in length, measured on a tournament board with mouth closed and tail compressed. Any contestant weighing in a fish shorter than the legal tournament length will be assessed a penalty of that fish plus the weight of the largest fish. Any dead fish weighed in will be penalized .50 pounds. Any contestant bringing more than three (3) fish to weigh in will be disqualified. If there is a tie in weight, the largest bass between the two contestants will settle ties for prizes. However, equal points will be awarded to each contestant. If the contestant does not check in at the appropriate weigh in time, their weight will not be counted for the day. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Guadalupe Spotted Bass can be brought to weigh-in.

Culling: No more than maximum of three (3) fish may be in the live well at any time. No culling of dead fish.

Entry fee and Registration Entry fee is $30 for Division I, $60 for Division II. Registration form and proof of current boaters insurance may be mailed to TABC P.O. Box 1163 Liberty Hill, TX 78642

All boats must meet US Coast Guard and State Regulations.

Safety. During tournament competition a U.S. Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver (PDF) Type II-III or higher, must be worn and properly fastened any time the engine is operating and in gear and the kill switch must be attached to the driver with lanyard. No inflatable’s for contestants. All participants under the age of 13 will be required to wear a life jacket as required by the State of Texas during tournament hours.

Tackle and Equipment. Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. Trolling with the aid of combustion motor is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait permitted with the exception of pork rinds and Berkely Gulp. Liquid and aerosol attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. The use of underwater cameras is not allowed during competition.

Permitted Fishing Waters. No tube, bank or wade fishing allowed. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another tournament boat without mutual consent. Only contestants (and boat operator) may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Hole sitting, or having a non-contestant sit on a hole for you shall not be tolerated. Contestants must be able to get the boat into the fishing area without getting out of the boat. Navigable waters are the only waters to be fished during the tournament. Contestants cannot leave the boat to land fish. For safety purposes off-limits will be established at each tournament launch site (boat ramp).

Guides. The use of Guides on the tournament lake, or the gathering of any outside information about the lake is not permitted 30 days prior to any TABC Youth Division Tournament.

Championship Points. Championship points will be based on a pure points format beginning with fifty (50) points for first place and descending down by one (1) point per place. In each event "First Place" will receive 50 points, e.g., 1^st Place = 50 points, 2^nd Place = 49 points, etc. This procedure will be followed for all contestants fishing the tournaments.

Championship Qualification. The Championship will be held on a Lake TBD and will be fished by the Top 8 in each division.

Big Bass. An additional 5 points will be awarded to each division contestant that has the Big Bass of the Tournament.