Snag Proof Open Rules
NOTE: ALL LURES THAT ARE NOT TOP WATER SNAG PROOF/ SCUM FROG LURES MUST BE STORED AND NEVER PULLED OUT DURING TOURNAMENT HOURS.
California Delta SPO Frogs Only approved lures: Snag Proof/ Scum Frog product with the name “Frog” on the package. In addition, the “Perfect Buzz”, “Poppin Phattie”, “Ultra Popper”, and “Wobbletron” are allowed to be used. No other Snag Proof products will be permitted for this event.
1. Snag Proof Open: Tournament rules are included herein with special notations. It is each participant's responsibility to read all items before entering. Snag Proof Open Rules will apply unless superseded by federal, state, or local laws. Snag Proof Open reserves the right to refuse any tournament entry fees or entry forms for any reason. Snag Proof and/or Best Bass Tournament officials and directors decisions will be final in all matters
2. Snag Proof Brand and SCUM Frog 'Frogs Only': Frogs may be used in a fashion, method, and/or techniques in which the Lure is the primary (ONLY) lure. The lure is to be fished on Top of the water. This is a Top Water tournament. Frogs cannot be used as a trailer on a jig, spinnerbait, buzzbait, etc. Frogs cannot have a weight added for the purpose of using a Texas rig, Carolina Rig, or Drop shot rig. Modifications by adding rattles are permitted. Modifications by painting, marking, or dipping your Frog are permitted. Changing the main hook is permitted. A single trailer hook is also permitted if attached directly to the Snag Proof Frog. There is to be no leader between the frog hook and the trailer hook. Nothing may be put in front of the bait or added to the line. The frog is to be fished as it is out of the package. If your modification is in question, don’t do it.
3. Insurance: All boats used in the Snag Proof Open must have liability insurance. Failure to have proper insurance could lead to disqualification.
4. Eligibility and Participation: All persons under the age of 18 must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the entry form.
5. Tournament Winners: Winners will be determined by the total of three (3) heaviest bass on day one and the (3) heaviest bass on day two for a total of 6 bass weighed for the event. 1-in-5 places will be paid back.
6. Big Bass Winners: There will be three Big Bass awards paid back . NO DEAD FISH will be considered for BIG BASS award. Only LIVE BASS will count toward the Big Bass category.
7. Tournament Entry Fees: $210 per boat in Pro Division and $110 per boat in the AM Division (1 or 2 man team) Before Late cutoff time.
8. Fishing Licenses: Each contestant will observe California Fish and Game laws and have in his or her possession a valid state fishing license.
9. Pre-registration and Sign Up: There will be a lottery draw for the 1st boat out on day one, the event will run in reverse order on day two. Teams may pre-register and pay for the Snag Proof event by filling out the forms available at www.fishbbt.com
10. Fish Limits and Penalties: All contestants must use care in handling and keeping fish alive for release after weigh-in. All fish will be brought to the weigh-master in official weigh bags with enough water to keep the fish covered until weigh-in. A tournament limit for this tournament is three (3) bass with a minimum length of 13'. NO CULLING OF DEAD FISH! No culling at the ramp No retaining fish in livewell and not weighing those fish as that is the same as culling at the ramp. Teams must cull upon catching their 4th bass and may not have more than three (3) bass in their livewell at any time. Dead fish penalty is a .20 lbs. deduction. Short fish penalty is a 1.00 lbs. deduction and loss of that fish.
11.Life Jackets and Kill Switches: Safe boating practices must be observed at all times. Life jackets, vests, or approved PFD must be worn by both team members anytime the outboard motor is running. Kill switch must be connected to boat operator any time the outboard motor is running.
12. Tackle and Equipment: No live or prepared bait is permitted. You may not fish on or from any structure above the deck. All fishing must be from the boat deck. Only Snag Proof Frogs and SCUM Frogs may be used. No multiple lures of any kind; ie. No Umbrella Rigs. No wading or trolling is allowed. All fish must be caught from boat. No leaving the boat for the purpose of locating or landing fish. Only one (1) rod and reel may be used at any given time by each angler.
13. Permitted Fishing Locations/Off Limits: No 'hole sitting' or reserving a fishing area by a contestant or non-contestant is permitted. Angler's must not leave their boat except in a dire emergency. You must fish water that is available to all competitors. NO FISHING WITHIN 50 YARDS OF ANY BOAT ANCHORED WITH TROLLING MOTOR UP! No fishing in areas designated off limits by governmental agencies. No fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump. Off Limits area will be the 5 mph area within 300 yards of Russo’s Marina. There is no official Off Limits period prior to the Snag Proof Open. (off limits area attached to rules)
14. Team Check-in: Contestants must check in and out at the OFFICIAL Check Point. All contestants will be assigned a boat number. ANY TEAM CHECKING IN AFTER HIS ANNOUNCED WEIGH-IN TIME WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!
15. Tournament Hours: Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. , Sunday 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or assigned flight time. This may be adjusted by the Tournament Director and will be announced prior to blast off.
16. Emergency Breakdown: Anglers are not permitted to leave their boat with the exception of an emergency or equipment failure. It is permitted to be towed either to safety or the weigh-in area by any safe means available. You may not transport fish by land. One or both teams must identify their fish with some sort of marker or culling buoy before entering the rescue boat to return to the launch site. Fishing from the rescue boat is not permitted and both teams may be subject to truth verification.
17. Boat and Horsepower Regulations: Each boat must be equipped with all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. All boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain a live limit of bass. All boats must have a kill switch connected to the boat operator anytime the outboard engine is running. Violation of any of the above rules may be cause for disqualification. Running/navigational lights should be in working order and the Tournament Director reserves the right to hold any boat without operating lights despite launch number. No airboats, canoes, or pontoon boats are permitted
18. Sportsmanship: Each team is expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, safety, courtesy, and conservation. Any team in violation of these rules or any federal, state, or local laws may be disqualified. The use, possession, or consumption of alcohol during tournament hours which conclude upon the completion of payout, will not be tolerated and shall be cause for disqualification from current and future Snag Proof Open events.
19. Protests and Polygraph/Voice Stress Analysis Testing: Snag Proof Open contestants may submit a protest prior to the completion of weigh-in. Protests shall be in writing and accompanied by a $100 deposit. The burden of proof of a rules infraction will be the responsibility of the angler filing the protest. The $100 deposit will be refunded if the protest is upheld, otherwise the deposited shall be forfeited to Snag Proof Open. Winners and any other team(s) may be required to submit to a Polygraph Examination or Voice Stress Analysis test. Failure to submit to either of these tests will result in disqualification from this tournament and will not be allowed to compete in any other Snag Proof Open tournaments. Any angler making an accusation against another contestant without submitting a written protest and accompanied by a $100 deposit may be subject to disqualification from current and future Snag Proof events.
20. Cell Phones and Radios: Cellular phones and radios are encouraged for safety reasons only but are prohibited during tournament hours unless of an emergency or communications with the Tournament Director.