EASTERN ONTARIO BASSMASTERS                                        TOURNAMENT RULES – 2005 FALL OPEN TOURNAMENTS                                                                                                                              September 24thSingleton/Singleton Lake Campground                                                    October 8th Charleston/Outlet Ramp                                    October 15th Loughborough/Division Street Boat Ramp 1.        Tournament entry fees are $60.00 per team, which includes a $10.00 lunker pool entry fee with 100% payback.  The remaining $50.00 is divided- 75% will be distributed to the first, second, and third place finishers.   The remaining 25% will go to the Eastern Ontario Bassmasters. 2.        Tournament hours will be 7AM - 3PM.  Weigh in will begin at 2:30PM at the boat launch at each above mentioned location.  All competitors must be back at 3 p.m.  Penalties will be incurred if returning late.  Competitors must report in if they must leave the event before weigh in time.  A phone message can be left at 613-547-6358 before 3PM if the competitors are not able to locate officials to report to. 3.        Single entries or a maximum of two participants per team is permitted. 4.        Scoring: The tournament standings shall be determined by the total weight of 4 (four) largemouth or smallmouth bass with a minimum length of 12 inches from tip to tip.  A fish may not be distorted in any way to extend its length.  A .5 pound penalty will be applied to each dead or short fish.  The dead fish must be weighed. 5.        It is the responsibility of each competitor to handle their fish in a careful manner in order to increase the fish's chance for survival following the tournament.  Competitors will ensure that all fish are properly released.  Fish will not be released at the weigh-in site and must be taken by the competitor to deeper water away from heavy boat traffic.  Maximum co-operation and sportsmanship is expected. 6.        All competitors must be in possession of an approved life vest and must be wearing it before the start-up of the gas engine.  The boat operator must have an operating kill switch on his boat and it must be connected to him before starting the gas engine.  Contravention will result in disqualification.  All boat owners must produce proof of $1,000,000 of liability insurance. 7.        All boats must have a working livewell capable of sustaining at least four fish. 8.        Live and preserved baits are not permitted.  Pork rind baits are permitted. 9.        Trolling is not permitted as a method of catching fish. 10.       At no time, may there be more than 4 fish in each competitors live well. A culled fish must be released immediately. 11.       Sportsmanship:  Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times.  High standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation are expected.  Any act that reflects unfavourably on the event shall be reason for disqualification.  No alcoholic beverages permitted. 12.       Landing nets are permitted in the boat. 13.       After registration and boat checks, participants shall wait for their start number or name to be called by the tournament director.  In the interest of safety, the tournament will begin with a trickle start.  Starting order will be set by order of accepted entry fees.  Starting order is not to be switched with any other competitor.  If a boat is not ready to leave when called then they must acknowledge the call and wave on the next boat. 14.        Lunker must be alive to qualify for prize. 15.        The tournament director’s decisions are final.