2020 RULES & REGULATIONS
1. Entry fees are non-refundable.
2. The Boater must be 18 years of age or older. Competitors/Non-Boaters under the age of 18 must have written parental consent from both parents.
3. If in question, any cash/prize winning competitor(s) must agree to take a lie detector test and pass before receiving their prize. The cost of the test will come out of the payback if protest stands. If the competitor(s) in protest wins, the protesting competitor(s) will pay the cost of the test.
4. No live bait allowed (artificial lures only). Each angler will fish with one rod, one reel and artificial lures only. Any umbrella type rigging or facsimile thereof is not permitted.
5. You are not allowed to have the species of fish you are competing for in your live wells during pre-fish.
6. When competing in a CPBT event you must only possess that event fish. Any other species of fish must be released. Other species of non-releasable fish must be reported at the check-in boat.
7. There shall be no advantageous third party communication on or off the water during the event with competing or non-competing individuals. Doing so may result in disqualification. Competitors are not permitted to obtain any information from non-competitors who have been on the tournament body of water 8 days prior to the tournament and any cut off times. Additionally, competitors are not permitted to pre-fish with non-competitors who have been on the body of water within 8 days prior to the tournament or during any cut off time. It is not permitted to pre-fish during this time with an angler who has won money on the body of water within 2 years. Competitors are not permitted to hire guide services at any time doing so will result in disqualification.
8. Event Fish Limit: BASS 5. The penalty for retaining more than the event limit is as follows whether you are running or you are weighing-in. You will be asked to cull down to the event limit. Then the Tournament Director will cull the same amount of fish you are over with a maximum of 5 fish starting with the biggest fish. If you have retained more than double the event fish limit, this will result in disqualification.
9. Culling: When culling you must possess one less the legal limit. No traveling with more than the event fish limit.
10. You must have an operating live well.
11. Dead Fish Penalty: A 1/2 pound penalty will be applied per dead fish.
12. Fish are determined alive or dead at the “check” table. Dead fish cannot be entered for big fish prize.
13. Cell Phones are for Emergency Use Only.
14. You must wear an approved flotation device while the outboard is running. Manual Suspenders/vests or manual inflatable life jackets will not be acceptable. Automatic Sospenders/vests or automatic inflatable life jackets are acceptable however they will be inspected for expiration at the time of check in. If you choose to wear, at your own risk, a U.S. COAST GUARD approved life jacket you must have an approved Department of Transport Canada life jacket within your vessel (if in question, Tournament Official’s decision will stand). PRO must provide AM/Non Boater with DTC approved life jacket.
15. A fishing license is required and you may be asked to produce it at any time. Please ensure it is on your person at all times during the tournament. Failure to produce your license will not allow you to fish. (Conservation license not accepted).
16. A boater’s license is required by the Pro/Boater and may be asked to produce it at any time. Please ensure it is on your person at all times during the tournament. Failure to produce your boater’s license will disqualify you from competition.
17. All Federal and Provincial fishing, boating and criminal laws must be obeyed at all times.
18. Boundaries are any water accessible by boat except when legally marked “no trespassing” or “sanctioned”. No locking allowed. No fishing within 100 yards of a ministry net.
19. Identification numbers must be affixed on motor, outside windshield or flag post and made clearly visible.
20. You must maintain 50 yards of another competitor’s boat. However in circumstances where there are two teams on river systems less than 50 yards, they may cross one another on opposite sides and sportsmanlike conduct will apply in this situation and other situations where there is less than 50 yards.
21. Do not board or approach another vessel during the event unless there is an emergency.
22. If in need of fuel or repairs, one competitor is to remain with the boat at all times and a receipt must be kept to show officials if required.
23. If your boat is deemed no longer functional you may acquire tow by another vessel (competitor or non-competitor). If the towing team feels for any reason that they cannot tow you as it may jeopardize their standings, you must respect their decision and either abort your fish and seek a ride back or wait for another boat.
24. Fish can be transferred to another competitor’s boat only, one of the downed team members must stay with the fish. If you choose to transfer your fish into a competitor’s live well, the live well must be separate or you must use an approved fish friendly perforated sack complete with draw string ensuring your fish cannot be combined with the rescuing team’s fish. Tagging systems are not acceptable and if fish are combined accidentally or otherwise both weights will not be accepted. No fishing allowed while rescued competitor is in the boat and you must proceed directly to the check-in point where fish will be transferred to the check-in boat for weigh-in show. Once your fish have been transferred, the downed boat must be brought back directly to the tournament site for inspection. If, after inspection the boat is found tampered with then disqualification may result and the rescuing team questioned. If in payout position, prizes will be held until boats are inspected. Your team is responsible in making sure the rescued angler(s) is wearing a DTC approved life jacket, failure to do so will result in disqualification. Make all efforts in using the CPBT emergency number in keeping the officials informed.
25. If a broken down team requires a tow by one of the event officials, the competitors must release their fish. The CPBT acting as the Tournament Official must keep it fair and equal to all competing anglers and therefore cannot act in individual cases as it may conflict and could possibly alter the final results.
26. If a broken down boat returns to the tournament site and the team manages to repair their vessel or are changing boats, prior to transferring fish the boat must be rechecked by CPBT Tournament Official.
27. YOU MUST REPORT TO CHECK-IN BOAT. You may check in at the tournament site up to 30 minutes prior to the initial weigh in time otherwise you must return to the check-in boat (if different, you will be notified). Any boats arriving after the allowed time will be penalized 1 lb. per minute.
28. Pre-Season Scouting: Anglers wishing to scout, navigate or pleasure boat the week leading up to either bass openers are permitted to do so with no gear on deck.
29. Competitors must be off the water by 5:00 pm the day before the event.
30. The official blast-off time is 7:00 am and weigh-in time is 3:00 p.m. (if time changes are required, notification will be given). The first heat, being boats numbered 1 to 25 inclusive, will blast off at 7:00 am, the second heat, being boats numbered 26 to 50 inclusive, will blast off at 7:10 am, and the third heat, being boats numbered 51 to 75 inclusive, will blast off at 7:20 am. Check in time will be 3:00 pm for the first heat, 3:10 pm for the second heat, and 3:20 pm for the third heat. Boats must be out of the water or docked for the day within 2 hours after the final weigh in. This also applies 2 hours before check in on the morning of the event.
31. If in case of extreme weather conditions or state of emergency, the event may be delayed, restricted, rescheduled or cancelled.
32. Boats must be 17’ or greater and canoes are not permitted.
33. All boats must carry a minimum of $1,000,000.00 insurance liability. Proof of insurance must be made available upon request.
34. Horsepower Limits: are the maximum horsepower rated for your vessel. Kickers are permitted. The CPBT reserves the right to refuse an unsafe vessel at its discretion.
35. All motors must have a working kill switch which must be worn when outboard is running.
36. Any protest of violations made prior to check-in time must be made at the check-in boat. Any violations occurring after check-in can be made to the Tournament Official. Protest cost is $100.
37. If you witness a rule being broken it is an infraction not to report it to the Tournament Official and may lead to a disqualification.
38. In the event of a disqualification no refunds will be given.
39. PRO’s are responsible for the AM’s/Non-Boater’s well-being.
40. AMs/Non-Boaters are not permitted use of GPS units during event. AMs/Non-Boaters who share their PRO’s fishing locations during the event with other competitors will be disqualified along with persons utilizing this information.
41. Tournament Official rulings are final.
42. In case there is a tie for first place, there will be a fish off and the first regulation fish weighed in wins. Combining the pay back spots and splitting the money equally will resolve ties for other positions.
43. All competitors are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to The Canadian Pro Bass Tour, their respective sponsors, the sport of fishing and the efforts of The Canadian Pro Bass Tour to promote the sport. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules for the 2018 Canadian Pro Bass Tour.
• Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure.
• Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances.
• Suspension/disqualification or ban from any tournament or fishing organization.
• Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavourably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, The Canadian Pro Bass Tour shall have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee (minus deposit) or to disqualify a contestant.
44. Prizes: The CPBT is solely responsible for the provision of the percentage paybacks based on field size and will be altered accordingly. All Am/Non Boater prizes are sponsor supported. If a sponsor prize position is not supported, the CPBT will pro-rate the position on field size and guarantee 50% of prize value in cash.
45. Media: To uphold the integrity of the sport, the CPBT, the event sponsors, the officials and the reputation of competitive sport fishing, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from comments to news media that unreasonably attack or discredit the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow anglers or the CPBT organization. Reasonable expressions of legitimate disagreements with CPBT policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of rules or officials. Doing so will result in disciplinary actions.
46. Orientation Meetings:
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Canadian Open of Fishing: Ams/Non-Boaters are required to attend a pre-orientation meeting at 3:00 pm on Wednesday July 8, 2020 to draw their Pros for the event. The order of the draw is determined by the date of registration wherein the entries are drawn daily, at the end of each day, until the field is full. The mandatory Orientation Meeting for all competitors will commence at 6:00 pm.
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BronzeBack Cup: The mandatory Orientation Meeting for all competitors will commence at 6:00 pm on Friday, July 24.
47. All rules and regulations apply to all anglers, including AMs/Non-Boaters.
48. Winners are responsible to pay any taxes payable for cash or prizes awarded.
49. A completed entry form together with payment secures a Pro Angler or Amateur/Non Boater a spot. Entries will be accepted with a 50% deposit and must be accompanied by the balance of entry fees in the form of a post-dated cheque dated for June 15, 2020. A 4% administrative cost will be added to all payments made by VISA & MasterCard. Cheques payable to Canadian Pro Bass Tour.
50. The CPBT reserves the right to amend the rules and regulations as it sees fit.