Amateur Tournament Rules

Midwest Outdoor Experience AMATEUR ONLY Bass Tournament Rules

 

Contact #:

Austin: 636 - 432 - 2064

Nathan: 636 - 221 - 7369 

Safety & Sportsmanship

Safe boating must be observed at all times. Life jackets and kill switches must be used anytime the combustion motor is running above idle. All contestants are required to follow the highest degree of sportsmanship, courtesy, integrity, and conservation. No alcohol or controlled substances can be used or in the boat during tournament hours. By paying the tournament entry fee and voluntarily participating in the event, each angler acknowledges and agrees that they are solely responsible for their own safety, the safety of any co-angler, and the condition and operation of their vessel. Participants assume full responsibility and liability for any accidents, injuries, damages, or losses involving themselves, their co-angler, their vessel, or any third parties arising from their participation in the tournament. The tournament organizers, sponsors, and affiliates shall be held harmless from any such incidents or claims.

Amateur Eligibility Restriction

To preserve the integrity of this event as an amateur-only competition, the following eligibility requirements apply:

Any individual shall be deemed ineligible to compete in this tournament if they meet any of the following criteria:

  1. Professional-Level Participation

The individual has, within the past 120 months, participated as an angler or co-angler in any of the following sanctioned events.

  • B.A.S.S. (including but not limited to the Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Bassmaster Opens EQ, Bassmaster Classic, or B.A.S.S. Nation Championship)

  • Major League Fishing / FLW (including but not limited to the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals/FLW Tour, Toyota Series, or BFL All-American)

  • National Professional Fishing League (any sanctioned event)

2. Guides

If an individual has guided for pay on Lake of the Ozarks within the last year 

3. Tournament Winnings Threshold

The individual has received $10,000 or more in total tournament winnings from any fishing tournaments (at any level or trail) within the previous calendar year.


4. Burden of Disclosure

All participants are responsible for accurately disclosing prior participation and winnings. Failure to disclose, falsification of information, or misrepresentation shall result in:

  • Immediate disqualification

  • Forfeiture of entry fees and winnings

  • Potential ban from future events at the discretion of tournament officials


5. Tournament Director Discretion

The Tournament Director reserves the right to:

  • Verify angler eligibility at any time

  • Request documentation of tournament history or winnings

  • Make final determinations regarding eligibility

Off Limits

Coffman Beach Public Access Cove Point to Point, PB2 Cove including underwater hump and each cove to the North & South. Alhonna Cove Point to Point, and all designated areas off limits by corps of engineers, local, state, or federal authorities. SEE OFF LIMITS ON WEBSITE FOR PHOTOS

Entry Fee

Cash only. Each boat will pay $120 which will include big bass for that tournament.

Take off & Weigh-In

Take off: 7:00 AM Times are subject to change for inclement weather.
Check In: 3:30 PM Your boat must be inside the no wake buoys by the weigh in time. Example: 3:30 PM Weigh-In, 3:30:01 is considered late. 
1 Pound Penalty for each minute. Disqualification after 5 minutes.

Weigh-In: Times will be adjusted with take off time if necessary, but the start time will not exceed 4:30 PM. Trailering your boat before weighing fish is allowed.

It is the angler's responsibility to be in line to weigh fish OR have notified tournament directors that you have fish to be weighed in within 45 minutes of weigh in start. Trailering your boat and then weighing in IS ALLOWED

Eligibility

Must be 18 years of age to be a boater. Co-angler under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18. Each boat may have one (1) or two (2) total anglers.
 
Scoring & Culling
Five (5) fish limit per boat. One (1) fish will be weighed for big bass. Largemouth and smallmouth must be at minimum 15 inches. Spotted bass (kentuckies) must be at a minimum 12 inches. Fish length will be measured with mouth closed and tail pinched with weigh station ruler. Five (5) fish limit must be alive when brought to weigh-in. A short fish will result in a one (1) pound penalty plus the loss of the fish. A dead fish will result in a one (1) pound penalty per fish. If the dead fish is weighed in for Big Bass, the (1) pound will be deducted from that fish. No more than five (5) fish are allowed in a live well at any time, unless it is during the culling process. Anyone bringing more than five (5) fish to the scale will automatically be disqualified. Culling of dead bass is prohibited. If there is a tie for overall weight, winner will be determined by lowest boat number. If there is a tie for big bass, the winner will be determined by lowest boat number.
 

Partners or Solo
You ARE allowed to fish solo if you prefer, if fishing with a partner they must also meet the eligibility requirements.
 
Tackle & Equipment
Artificial baits only (pork style trailers are allowed). If using the Alabama Rig you must abide by state regulations for the number of hooks. All fish must be caught with rod and reel. Each angler can only have one line in the water at any time.

Boats
All boats must have a working livewell, kill switch, and meet coast guard requirements. All boats must possess insurance. Midwest Outdoor Experience will not be held liable for any incidents leading up to, during, or after the event, no matter the circumstances.

Breakdown
In the event of a breakdown, please call Nathan or Austin. Boaters are eligible to transfer fish to another teams livewell that is participating in the tournament to get back to weigh in. Fish must be kept separate.


Apparel Bonus
If you or your partner purchase a Midwest Outdoor Experience shirt or hat and HAVE IT WITH YOU on tournament day, you are eligible to win $120 if you’re the first team out of the money. Example…We’re paying 5 places and you get 6th place, if you have a hat or shirt you win $120.


Video Rights
Midwest Outdoor Experience has the right to publish any photos or videos from the tournament day on any social media or other media platform.

 
Knowledge of Rules
Failure to read these rules or lack of understanding is not the responsibility of Midwest Outdoor Experience or staff. Midwest Outdoor Experience or staff have the right at their own discretion to disqualify anyone who fails to abide by or meet any of these rules listed.