- Sign ups for tournaments will begin at 5:00 am (one hour before scheduled take off time) and will close at 5:45 am (15 minutes before the scheduled take off time). Anyone who shows up after the designated sign in time will not be allowed to participate in that event.
-
Lake Michigan is off limits on any tournament fished where the body of water is connected to Lake Michigan . The pier heads are as far as you can go. Any violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification for that event.
-
There will be a 5 fish limit of bass, largemouth and smallmouth, whether you are fishing as a team or an individual.
-
Teams must cull down to their limit of 5 fish before returning to the official ramp site. Each fish must measure a minimum of 14 inches, mouth closed, tail compressed. Teams presenting more than a tournament limit to the scales will be disqualified from that event. A dead fish will result in a 4-ounce deduction (.25lbs) from the team’s total weight. If the team’s big bass is dead the penalty will be taken from that fish. Any team that weighs in a short fish (under the 14 inch minimum, also a courtesy bump will be allowed at the scales) will be penalized the weight of the short fish PLUS the big fish of their bag.
-
There will be a 1 pound per minute late penalty for any boat coming in late to the designated weigh in site.
-
Total weight determines the winning team. We will use Big Bass as a tiebreaker for total weight, and total weight as a tiebreaker for Big Bass.
-
Big Bass: Big Bass is included in the $40.00. ($5.00 goes to Big Bass) 1 st place Big Bass: 70% 2 nd place Big Bass: 30%
-
Participants in Sportspersons Ministries International tournaments are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship and courtesy.
-
All State and local regulations must be followed.
-
All competitors must wear their life jackets when their combustible engine is running.
-
Alcohol or drugs will not be permitted or tolerated at our events and will result in automatic disqualification.
-
No Wake = No Pass during tournament hours unless a boat is stopped, fishing or changing course within a no wake zone.
-
Only one rod and reel (8ft. maximum length) may be used at a time. Artificial lures only (except pork strips). No trolling.
-
No fishing will be allowed within 50 yards of an anchored competitor’s boat. A boat is considered anchored if it is held in a stable position by a rope attached to an anchor or by a power pole, with the trolling motor in the up position.
-
Subs are allowed. A sub can be used in two tournaments throughout the season. Subs have to pay the one time $20.00 donation that will get you a SPI discount packet. Subs are not allowed at the Classic.
-
Points are cumulative throughout the year. The top 10 teams after the final event will receive a Classic bid. Two wild card teams will be selected to fish in the classic that participated in at least 5 of 7 tournaments.
-
The top 3 teams at the end of the year will receive “Angler of the Year” plaques.
-
There will be two fundraisers throughout the bass season. The fundraisers will be used to support Sportspersons Ministries International.
-
1 or 2 anglers per boat. However, a two person team may have an additional angler if that angler is 16 years old or younger.
-
Livewell checks will be done before every tournament.
