Enforcement of said rules and sanctions set forth are at the discretion of the Tournament
Director and will be imposed as deemed appropriate, including but not limited to:
Disqualification from tournament (including placement/points and winnings, if applicable) and
any future tournaments, forfeiture of entry fee and/or Membership fees. West Side Bass
reserves the right to refuse and revoke without cause, reason and/or explanation.
No refunds will be given.
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:
The West Side Bass Membership fee is required for all events. Entry of these events without an
active/paid membership is grounds for disqualification, without refund. West Side Bass reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke memberships without cause, reason and/or explanation and without recourse at our own discretion. West Side Bass Memberships are valid for the 2024/2025 Season.(October 2024 through March 2025) Membership fees are as follows:
Each Angler is required to sign a waiver of liability removing West Side Bass, its employees,
volunteers, and sponsors from any responsibility for damage or personal injury caused as a
result of their participation in any event held. Any angler under age 18 entered into a tournament
must have written consent and release of liability from parent or guardian. In no case shall the
Boater be under the age of 18.
2. ENTRY/ MEMBERSHIP/ DEPOSITS/ REFUNDS:
Regularly scheduled tournaments will cost $150 per team, unless otherwise noted. An additional $50 in “Options” will be available at regularly scheduled season events with a 100% payback.
There will be no refund of any monies, including the annual membership and event fees.
3. REGISTRATION and PAYMENT METHOD:
All anglers are required to pay entry fees and options the morning of that days tournament.
Deadline for registration and payments is 15 minutes prior to safe-light. Checks will not be accepted.
4. ENTRY FORM:
The participant expressly acknowledges that by completing the membership, entry form and/or payment, that he or she is relinquishing all rights, he or she may have to file a lawsuit against West Side Bass for injuries arising out of his or her participation in any West Side Bass events or activities. This release is intended to be interpreted as broadly as allowed under California law.
5. LICENSES:
Each contestant must have in possession a valid and current California fishing license. Penalty for such offense is disqualification. Boaters must also have in possession a current and valid
California Boater Card.
West Side Bass not responsible for any tickets, fines, or violations incurred during the course of the event.
6. SPORTSMANSHIP:
All participants in West Side Bass tournaments must follow standards of sportsmanship, safety and conservation at all times. Displaying of poor sportsmanship and bringing unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing shall be grounds for disqualification. Disqualifications will not count as an event attended and refunds will not be provided. West Side Bass reserves the right to revoke membership at any time. West Side Bass participants are required to cooperate with tournament officials for the purposes of boat inspection, and photography requests. Photographs taken may be used in the promotion of West Side Bass and its anglers. Should anyone wish to file a formal complaint against any angler, you must follow proper protocol. Completing a Formal Complaint Document (in which a detailed written complaint signed under penalty of perjury, along with a list of witnesses) will be required to initiate a formal investigation.
7. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS:
Use of alcohol, drugs, or any prescription medication that has caused impairment by any participant during the tournament will not be tolerated and shall be cause for disciplinary action. No alcoholic beverages, other stimulants or depressants, prescription or otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during the event. Any participant(s) deemed under the influence by the tournament director may be disqualified. Any candidate for competition who, in the judgment of the Tournament Director, is impaired in such a manner as to endanger the safety or well-being of their partner, themselves, or others will be removed from the event immediately and may not be eligible to fish in future events.
8. BOATS and MOTORS:
All boats entered must be a minimum of 16 feet powered by an engine no less than 40hp. There is no horsepower limit; however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat in use. All boats must meet US Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have a working
emergency kill switch and must be attached to the driver whenever the outboard motor is running. Kill switch lanyards must not be longer than forty-eight inches (4 feet). All boats must have an aerated live well suitable to sustain a tournament limit in releasable condition. All boats must be equipped with navigation lights. Extra gas tanks must be secured and must meet US Coast Guard specifications. Standing on seats, or motor or the use of ladder or raised platform for the purpose locating or fishing for bedding fish in not permitted.
9. INSURANCE AND LIABIILTY:
It is the sole responsibility of all participant boat owners to carry and maintain the mandated, required minimum liability coverage of $300,000.00. Anglers also need to be aware that not all insurance policies cover tournament participation, therefore all parties involved with participating in a West Side Bass event must consult with their insurance company prior to competing in any West Side Bass tournament.
9a) WAIVER & RELEASE AGREEMENT: The undersigned understands and agrees that as consideration for being allowed to participate in any West Side Bass event, whether prior to commencement, during the actual event and/or during any post-event festivities, he or she is doing so at his or her own risk. West Side Bass and its owners, managers, employees, agents and sponsors (collectively “WSB”), shall not be liable for any damages, claims or causes of action arising from personal injuries or property damage sustained in, on or about the premises or waterways used for any West Side Bass event, specifically including, but not limited to, all boat launches, bodies of water, parking lots or other public or private areas used for any West Side Bass event. The undersigned assumes full responsibility for any injuries or damages which may occur during any West Side Bass event, however caused, regardless of whether such injuries or damages are caused by the negligence of West Side Bass or any of its employees or agents.
9b) On the Entry Form:
The participant also expressly acknowledges that by signing below he or she is relinquishing all rights he or she may have to file a lawsuit against West Side Bass for injuries arising out of his or her participation in any West Side Bass events or activities. This release is intended to be interpreted as broadly as allowed under California law.
10. SAFETY:
It is the Director’s discretion to make any changes deemed necessary when contestant(s) safety is of concerned, including delaying tournament hours due to fog or other weather factors. Passing in speed restricted areas or during speed restricted times to gain an advantage is not permitted. Boating safety must be observed at all times during practice and competition. A U.S. Coast Guard approved chest type life-preserver (PFD) Type III or higher, must be worn and properly fastened any time the combustible engine is operative, and the kill switch must be attached to the driver with a lanyard no longer than fourty-eight-48) inches. Suspenders are allowed if approved by the Coast Guard. All contestants returning from their day on the water are required to check in with tournament officials by closing of the scales, regardless of having fish to be weighed or not. All boats must be equipped with the minimum recommended USCG safety devices. These requirements can be viewed online at www.dbw.ca.gov.
11. START OF TOURNAMENT:
The start of each tournament will be determined on a per event basis. On the morning of the event, you must be launched and floating at the designated blast off area at least 15 minutes prior to formal “sunrise”, as referenced on Weather.com. If you are not prepared for blast off when your team number is called by the Tournament Director, you will be moved to the end of your flight group. If you are still not prepared by that time, you will be the last boat to blast off.
12. CITATIONS:
A contestant cited by officers for violation of local, State or Federal fishing or boating regulations will be subjected to disqualification without refund.
13. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS:
All fishing must be done from a previously inspected boat. No tube or wade fishing allowed. No
fishing is allowed within 100 yards of an operating “Gas dock”. No fishing is allowed within 25
yards of another tournament boat, without the tournament angler’s permission. Only contestants may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Having a non-contestant sit on a hole for you shall not be tolerated. Hole sitting will not be tolerated. Boats may not be trailered to weigh in during the tournament hours unless under the direction of the Tournament Director. Contestants must be able to get the boat into the fishing area without getting out of the boat. Navigable waters are the only waters to be fished during the tournament. Contestants cannot leave the boat to land a fish.
14. SIGHTFISHING:
This rule concerns “sight or bedding” bass and is in effect at any time either of these conditions
exist and is designed to eliminate illegal snagging of bass. Intentional snagging of fish will not be
allowed. A sight or bedding fish is defined as one that can be seen and watched as it approaches the lure. Fish caught under these conditions must be caught by hook and line and by the fish ingesting the lure. Any bass caught that is either a “sight” or “bed” fish must be caught “hook in mouth with the hook point entering from the inside of the mouth” – and must be verified as a legal catch by the angler’s in-boat partner. Any angler catching a fish under these conditions and not verifying the hook location with the other person in the boat may be disqualified from the tournament.
15. CULLING FISH:
It is the responsibility of each team to keep no more than a maximum of five (5) fish in a live well. When your sixth fish is caught, you must immediately cull a fish. If more than five (5) fish are present in the live well during the event you will be subject to disqualification. All fish must be culled before you enter the host marina; no culling is allowed in the host marina. No culling of dead fish.
16. SCORING FISH:
Contestants may weigh-in five (5) fish per day, a minimum of 13 inches in length, unless
lake limits are greater, measured on a flat board with mouth closed and tail swished. Any team weighing-in a fish shorter than the legal tournament length will be assessed a one-1 lb. penalty plus the loss of the short fish. Any team bringing more than five (5) fish to the scales will be disqualified. For each legal dead bass presented to weigh-in officials, the participant shall be penalized as follows: Each Dead fish will be a .5 lbs. penalty; 3 or more Dead fish will result in disqualification. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass will be scored. Any team returning to the checkpoint late (1 min or more- as determined by cellular phone time) will be disqualified. A dead fish may be weighed for “overall weight” purposes but will not be considered for purposes of “Big Fish” awards, monies or points. In order to weigh in fish, you must have checked in; on time; with the designated West Side Bass official. A big fish will only be weighed at the direction of the team weighing in. If the biggest fish isn’t immediately obvious, the team must have their largest fish marked.
17. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT:
Trolling with the aid of combustion or electric motors is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait permitted with the exception of pork rinds. Liquid fish
attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time by each angler. Other rods
may be in the boat and ready for use, however, every cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is made. Rods may not exceed nine feet in length. The use of underwater cameras is allowed during practice periods. They are not allowed during competition. Use of a CB or VHF marine band radio, cellular phone, or any electronic communication device for the purpose of locating or catching bass during tournament hours is strictly prohibited. Aforementioned devices may be used for emergency purposes only. Nets may not have a handle longer than seven (7) feet.
18. BREAKDOWNS/EMERGENCIES/RESTROOM:
In the case of a breakdown on the water, the fishing partners may accept assistance in the form of a tow or a return ride with any other tournament boat on the waters. While in tow or riding, those contestants accepting assistance are not permitted to continue fishing. However, other contestants, if rendering assistance, may continue fishing. Contestants with fish to be taken to the weigh-in may only be transported via another tournament contestant’s boat or a method approved by the Tournament officials. In the event that contestants need to change boats during a tournament, a West Side Bass official must witness the exchange of fish from one boat to the next following a live well inspection of the new boat to be used. An angler is permitted to exit the boat for a bathroom break. The remaining angler IS NOT ALLOWED TO FISH until both anglers are back on the boat. At no time can anything other than toiletries be transported on or off the boat.
19. STANDINGS/TIES:
Final standings in any event will be determined by the heaviest cumulative weight for the
prescribed tournament period. The cumulative total will reflect actual weight of fish caught, less assessed penalties, if any. Tie breakers will be determined in the following manner and in this order:
Any team may ask for one re-weigh of their own fish prior to taking back possession of fish from weighmaster. Regardless of the outcome, the re-weigh will become the official tournament weight.
20. PRACTICE/OFF-LIMITS:
There is no off-limits period
21. OFFICIAL BOATS:
Official boat(s) may be on the water for boat inspection, observation and filming during tournament hours. All entrants shall cooperate with all reasonable requests from official boats.
22. PROTESTS:
A written protest must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director before official closing of the scales.
23.. POLYGRAPH:
At the discretion of the Tournament Director, a Polygraph test can be enforced to the top 3 teams and/or Big Fish as well as anyone under protest. A failed polygraph is grounds for disqualification and forfeiture of any winnings. Failure to submit, or a “refusal”, to any polygraph request within the required time frame is grounds for disqualification and forfeiture of any winnings. Contestant/s will be given 14 calendar days to schedule a polygraph examination with the West Side Bass designated examiner. The examination must be completed within 30 calendar days from the date of the event, or it will be considered a “refusal”. Any contestant who fails a polygraph test for cheating or refuses testing for a bass fishing tournament shall not be eligible to compete in any future West Side Bass events.
24. ANGLERS OF THE YEAR (AOY) POINTS AND AWARDS:
Anyone fishing all 5 events will qualify for Angler of the Year. Prizes will be determined by the start of the first tournament.