1) RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of each Member or participant in the Club to know

these rules. Ignorance of the rules is not a defense for violation of them. The Tournament

Director shall apply penalties for rule infractions. The Tournament Director may assess a

penalty/disqualification without a written protest. The decision of the Tournament

Director is final in all matters regarding these rules and is not subject to appeal, unless a

protest is made in writing within 30 minutes of the official check-in time of the

tournament for any infraction observed during the tournament. The results of any event

where protests have been filed or penalties or disqualifications have been assessed shall

be considered unofficial until the SUBA Club Presidency has conducted a review of the

incident. The Presidency, consisting of the President, Vice President and Tournament

Director shall make all final decisions as to any disqualification and their joint decision

shall be Final.

2) PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open to all members of the SUBA Club or their invited Guests. Guests must be pre-approved

by the Tournament Director prior to the "Draw". At least one (1) partner of each team shall be 18 years of

age or older for all "SUBA Club Tournaments". Those anglers under the age of 18 years

must have written consent of parent or guardian. No one under the age of 18 may fish

alone. All SUBA tournaments are "Team Tournaments. A "Team" consists of two

anglers, and we will try to make sure there are always complete teams in all events. The

Tournament Director shall make all final decisions regarding participation in Club

Tournaments at the time of the ‘Draw’.

3) LICENSES

All participants in any tournament shall have an appropriate fishing

license for the waters being fished. Anyone not properly licensed will be disqualified.

4) SPORTSMANSHIP

Any contestant, who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these

rules or violates the state fishing laws or lake rules may be disqualified.

5) NO ALCOHOL or DRUGS

No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed

during tournament hours. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed in any boat

6) BOAT INSPECTION

Boat inspection instructions will be given at the sign-up site.  The Tournament Director may conduct an inspection

of each boat at the ramp prior to blast-off. The inspection shall include: live-well inspection, safety equipment, and

verification that no alcoholic beverages are on board. Failure to obtain a sign-off at boat

inspection may result in disqualification.

7) BOAT AND HORSEPOWER REGULATION

There are no minimum length or minimum horsepower requirements to compete in SUBA tournaments.

No internal combustion engine is required. Each boat must contain all required U.S. Coast Guard

safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated or re-circulation live-well to

maintain alive, a team limit catch of fish. Ice chests with an aerator are acceptable upon

approval of the tournament director. Any vessel deemed "unsuitable" by the Tournament

Director, will not be allowed to participate in the event.

8) SAFETY

All boats must meet Coast Guard regulations. Boat owners must carry

proper liability insurance. Safe boating shall be observed at all times. During

competition, each contestant is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket

anytime the boat is "on plane". Anyone found operating a boat in an unsafe manner in the

opinion of the Tournament Director may be disqualified. It is recommended that boats be

equipped with an emergency ignition shut-off device, which should be securely attached

to the driver's body whenever the combustion engine is in operation. All boats 16 ft. or

larger must have a floatation cushion on board. Each contestant is responsible to have

proper safety equipment to meet state and local regulations. Each contestant shall provide

their own on-the-water assistance if needed. For safety, each contestant should inform

another contestant as to the location(s) that they will be fishing and have that contestant

check to assure that the other contestant has returned safely at the end of the contest and

have a plan for assistance if needed.

9) PERMITTED FISHING METHODS AND TACKLE

All fish must be caught live in a conventional and sporting manner. Trolling is prohibited. Cast and retrieve

methods of ripping and jerking are legal. Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork

rind or deer hide. No prepared or live bait may be used. The intentional snagging of fish

is strictly prohibited. Landing nets are permitted. Only one "rod and reel" may be used at

a time. Rods may not exceed 8 feet in length.

10) PERMITTED FISHING WATERS

Contestants may fish anywhere accessible by boat, except areas designated as "off limits" or "no fishing" by the

Tournament Director, local, state or federal officials or within 50 yards of any marina gas pump. All angling

must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a

fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. No contestants are permitted to

leave their boat in an effort to propel or float their boat to fishing waters they could not

otherwise reach; however, the use of push poles is permitted. The boat must remain in the

tournament waters during the tournament day. Contestants must leave and return to the

official check-in by boat.

11) ENCROACHMENT

A "25 yard rule" is in effect at all times during competition.

No contestant's boat may move within 25 yards of another contestant's boat at any time

for the purpose of fishing without the consent of all contestants' involved, or only if it is

necessary to have another Team weigh or measure fish. A boat moving from one area to

another may infringe upon this zone as long as the parties that are moving do not fish and

do not intentionally disrupt the area. Judging distance is very difficult on the water. As a

general rule of sportsmanship all anglers should give all others enough room to make a

reasonable cast to fish an area. Exception: In the case of fishing docks or piers, no

contestant's boat may "tie up," or "protect" more than a single dock at one time regardless

of the distance involved.

12) EQUIPMENT FAILURE OR EMERGENCY

In the event of equipment failure or emergency, contestant's boat may be towed to the check-in. If it is necessary to transfer

fish to another boat, it must be another contestant's boat. At least one member of the team

must accompany the fish to the weigh-in site.

13) FISHING HOURS AND LATE PENALTY

Official fishing hours will be announced at the tournament meeting prior to each event. All contestants must check in

at the weigh-in site. Contestants who are not at the official check-in area at the appointed

time may be disqualified. DON'T BE LATE! No culling of fish in the host marina or

weigh-in area. A penalty of one (1), pound per minute will be assessed up to 15 minutes

late, after-which you will be disqualified.

14) LIVE FISH

THIS WILL BE ENFORCED THIS YEAR!!!

Contestants shall make every effort to keep all fish alive through the

use of a properly aerated live well. We strongly recommend the use of chemical additives

in live wells. One half pound (0.5lbs) will be deducted from the total weight for each

dead fish presented for weigh-in. The Tournament Director will make all judgments of

fish mortality. Culling of dead fish is prohibited and may result in disqualification.

15) SCORING

Scoring for Team tournaments will be determined by the total weight of

a five (5) fish limit.  Each Team will be fishing for a five (5) fish limit.

The official State laws shall govern the size limit in effect for the tournament location. In

Utah, Quail Creek, for instance is a slot limit fishery, therefore you are allowed (4) bass

over 20" per boat or (5) bass under 10". Any bass between 10" and 20" must be

immediately released. Other waters may have different limits that will be announced at

the Tournament meeting prior to blast-off. Sand Hollow has New Regulations this year, 

6 bass, only 1 of those can be over 12 inches.  Bass will be measured lying down, mouth

closed, with tail pinched on a FLAT board.  Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to

measure the prescribed minimum length, shall be removed from the catch and a penalty

of one, (1) pound will be deducted from the remaining weight. The "Team" with the most

weight will be the Winner. The biggest fish will break all ties. Big fish tiebreaker will be

by the length. The payout schedule for each tournament is dependent on the number of

registered contestants. (See the Payout Schedule). Points will be awarded to all

participants as follows: 100 points for First Place, 99 points for Second Place, 98 points

for Third Place and so on for all teams who catch fish.  Points for teams who blank has been changed

from the 70 points to Average points for tied places (example:  10 boats, 5 blank, all 5 teams who

blanked get 93 points.  You add the places (95+94+93+92+91) = 465 then divide the total by the

number of teams tied 465/5 = 93 points for each team.  Points will be awarded

to both the Boater and the Non-Boater individually. The point tally will be used for the

determination of the "Angler of the Year".  Points will be awarded for 10 regular tournaments

 fished during the year. Any Special Club Tournament Events like the "buddy tournament" will not be

Point Tournaments for any participants.  The "Angler of the Year", (both Boater and Non-boater), will be

determined after the final tournament of the year by adding together the best 7 out of 10 tournaments fished.

 The point standings will be maintained and published for each tournament during the year on our

website. Awards will be given at the Annual Year End Club Banquet. A tie-breaker, will be by total pounds

caught for the seven tournaments counted in the point total. The number of fish caught, up to

five, as well as the total pounds caught will be maintained and published for each tournament fished.

If a member of the Club fishes in both the Boater and Non-boater categories during the

year, he will be assigned to the category he fishes in the majority of the time.

16) WAIVER AND RELEASE

Each Member or participant in any tournament shall sign an Insurance certificate and waiver at the beginning

of each year or before fishing in any tournament.

17) PRE-TOURNAMENT PRACTICE (PRE-FISHING)

Pre fishing is allowed, until 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the tournament. If caught on the water fishing after this time

you will be disqualified from the tournament. A Contestant may not participate in

SCUBA diving or snorkeling during or within thirty, (30) days before the tournament

days, however underwater cameras may be used during the pre-fish period, but may not

be used during any tournament. Any infractions must be reported in writing prior to the

start of the tournament. Any reports filed after the tournament Blast-off, will not be

considered.

18) CITATIONS

A contestant cited by officers for violation of State or Federal fishing

or boating regulations may be disqualified. The President, Vice President and

Tournament Director shall jointly make any final ruling with regards to disqualification.

19) TOURNAMENT DRAW

The draw for fishing partners will take place at the monthly club meeting on the

Wednesday prior to the tournament date. All participants

must register with the Tournament Director or his Assistant between 7:00 pm on Monday and 6:00 pm on

Wednesday prior to the tournament. Call-in time for all "travel tournaments" will be two Mondays before the

Tournament.  Anyone showing up to fish any tournament that has

not called in during the call-in period, prior to the draw, may be allowed to fish, but will

be handicapped by one (1), pound that will be deducted from their Official weight. If

there are insufficient Non-boaters to pair up with Boaters for any tournament, the excess

boaters, based on their priority call-in time, will be required to draw boater to boater,

such that there will be full teams for the tournament. The lowest priority boaters will then

fish as Non-boaters for that tournament. Please call in early to see that we have enough

Non-boaters to fill the available boats. The Tournament Director will make every effort

to fill all available fishing slots, and may invite a Boater to bring a guest in order to have

complete teams, prior to requiring a boater to fish as a non-boater.

20) BOATER REGISTRATION

Registration must be received by the Tournament

Director by telephone or in person between 7:00 pm on Monday and 6:00 pm on

Wednesday. A week earlier for all travel Tournaments.  If registration is received after the

deadline, the Boater may not be allowed to participate, but in the least will be required to be last in

the Blast-off order. The Tournament Director’s decision is final in all cases. If a boater registers and

does not show for a tournament, he will forfeit any fees paid and may be prohibited from

participation for at least one tournament. Repeated offenses may result in removal from

participation in the Club for the balance of that year. Non-member Boaters may fish one

tournament before joining the Club, but they must pay their own entry fees and they must

call in during the normal call in period and state that they are fishing as a guest. They

must complete all the normal applications for membership at the tournament and comply

with all Club rules. If a Non-member Boater requests to fish a tournament, and has not

called in during the Call-in Period, he may fish the tournament, but must pay the dues to

join the Club, as well as completing all paper work required prior to the tournament. If

the Non-member brings a Guest, who has not registered during the Call-in Period, That

Guest must also pay Club dues to become a member in order to participate in the

tournament. In the event the New members are fishing in a two day event, they must be

willing to adhere to the Club rule that no Club Member may fish more than one

tournament during the year with another Member. The Tournament Director will reposition

the lowest priority non-boater with the New Member Non-boater in order to

comply with the rule. The Tournament Director’s decision is final in the pairing of all

team members. Please call in early to help the Tournament Director make sure that there

are enough fishermen to fill all teams. We welcome new members to the Club.

21) NON-BOATER REGISTRATION

All non-boaters who take a position as an official will have an automatic draw into each

tournament that they register for.

Non-boaters must register between Monday at 7:00 pm and Wednesday at 6:00 pm.

One week earlier for all travel tournaments.  If there are not enough boats to accommodate all

Non-boaters, the remaining order of Non-boaters will receive priority position for the

next tournament, in the same order as drawn. Non-boaters must still call in for the next

tournament to reserve their priority position. If you don’t call in to the tournament

director, your position will be forfeited. Club Officers receive priority position in any

draw. Call in early for priority position.

22) BLAST-OFF ORDER

A random draw for blast-off order will be done after the

teams are determined. The last boater in the blast-off order calls the blast-off launch in an

orderly and safe manner. The blast-off order will be announced at the pre-tournament

meeting.

23) PAPER TOURNAMENTS

No guests will be allowed in any "paper tournament".

Because of the slot limit in Utah, we are required to

have paper tournaments in some cases. The Club will furnish all scales to be used in

"Paper Tournaments". All scales have the Club’s name on them and are numbered. The

Club scales will be assigned to each team by the number matching their position number

in the Blast-off order. All scales must be returned at the weigh-in. No one may use his or

her own scale for the tournament. Scales are identical Berkley digital scales, that are

sealed and measure in pounds and ounces. Check with Club Officers for details. Use of

any other scale will constitute disqualification. In some instances we may require you to

go to the nearest competitor’s boat and have them weigh and measure your fish. Final

determination is at the Tournament Director’s discretion. The Club has purchased twenty five

new identical scales. In the event there are more participants in the tournament

than we have scales, the Tournament Director will determine by a comparison

measurement, other scales that may be used for the tournament.

24) GUESTS

No guests will be allowed in any "paper tournament".

Members may bring only up to two, (2) guests during a calendar year,

unless requested to bring a non-boater, in the event there are not enough non-boaters to

fill the tournament teams. A guest 16 years old and older may only fish one, (1)

tournament during any calendar year before becoming a member of SUBA. Guests 15

years old and younger may fish up to two, (2) tournaments only during any calendar year

and must draw to their guardian’s boat. All members are to be at least 16 years old. After

joining the Club, we expect all members to abide by the rules. This will allow all

members in the Club to get to know each other and have the opportunity to fish with

other members and learn new fishing techniques etc. The exception to this rule is a

Special Club tournament or event. If allowed by the Presidency as per the Rules for that

Special tournament, participants may select their own partner, but all boaters and nonboaters

must be current Club Members, with dues paid in full, at least one week prior to

the event. The Tournament Director will make the Rules known well in advance of the

Special Tournament.

25) TOURNAMENT FEES AND PAYOUT SCHEDULE

Tournament fees and the payout schedule is as follows for all "Team Tournaments":

will be paid after there are eight teams. Only one Big Fish per team. The

split will be 70/30 when there are two places.

with the trophy going to the angler that caught the fish.

non-boater), and for Big Fish, (for the person who caught the fish).

Certificates will be awarded for all other places, unless the Club

Presidency is able to get donations from Sponsors to cover the extra costs

of plaques or trophies. Special trophies or plaques may be issued

depending on sponsorship of the plaques by Club Sponsors. These special

awards will be announced by the Club Officers.

possible after the Draw on Wednesday evening and make arrangements to

and for year-end prizes to be awarded to the ‘Angler of the Year’ and for the

annual participation raffle. The payout schedule is available for review by all

Club Members.

26) TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & ELECTIONS

The tournament schedule will be published and voted

upon by the members of the Club at the Year End meeting. The Club Presidency will try to

keep the schedule intact to their best ability, but may change the location and dates of

tournaments if events out of their control, present themselves. Notification of the Club

Members will take place at least two weeks in advance of any change if at all possible.

New officers for Vice President, Tournament Director, Secretary, and Webmaster will be

nominated and voted for during the Year End Club Meeting.  The previous year's Vice President

will automatically become the next years President.  If the VP is unable to fill the position

for the next year, the remaining officials may nominate another member and vote during the

Year End Meeting to fill the position.

27) MEMBERSHIP

The membership fee for new members of SUBA is $25.00. This

entitles the member to participate in any SUBA events and will entitle the Member to a

Club membership number "for Life". Members will be required to pay annual dues of

$25.00 before participating in any event. Anyone desiring to participate in any Club

tournament, who is not a Club Member, or has not registered with the Tournament

Director during the ‘Call-in period" as a Guest, will be required to pay the $25.00

membership fee prior to participating in the tournament. Approximately ten ($10.00)

dollars of the annual dues is for liability insurance for the Club. All Members must be

willing to sign an Insurance liability waive form, annually, prior to fishing any

tournament. The Club dues are payable at the first of each calendar year and must be paid

before fishing any tournament, no matter how late in the year a Member desires to fish a

tournament. We encourage everyone to pay their annual dues upon receipt of the dues

billing in January, by mailing them to: Southern Utah Bass Anglers, P. O. Box 342, St.

George, UT 84770.

By paying Club dues and signing the membership agreement, members of the SUBA

Club agree to participate in the tournament draws and to fish with the person that is

designated by the draw. This is a basic tenet of the Club, to which we all agree and it will

provide an opportunity for all members to get to know each other and to learn new

fishing techniques and will promote camaraderie within the Club.

28) DISQUALIFICATION

There will be an automatic team DISQUALIFICATION for any fish brought

 in to the live weigh-in not meeting the lake's slot limits.

Any team bringing in more than the 5 fish limit will be automatically disqualified.

Culling of dead fish is prohibited and may result in disqualification.