2021 Official Rules Bass Pro Shops Open Series
Effective January 1, 2021 (Updated 1/5/2021)Entry Fees
Divisional Events: Boater $210, Co-Angler $105
Area Championships: Boaters $310, Co-Angler $155
Ray Scott Championship: Boater $310, Co-Angler $155The following rules shall apply to all Bass Pro Shops Open Series tournaments operated by American Bass Anglers during the 2021 season. These rules may be changed by American Bass Anglers (ABA) at any time upon notification to its members, which will be published on the ABA web site at www.americanbassanglers.com. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to the Tournament Director.
The following rules shall apply to all Bass Pro Shops Open Series tournaments operated by American Bass Anglers during the 2021 season. These rules may be changed by American Bass Anglers (ABA) at any time upon notification to its members, which will be published on the ABA web site at www.americanbassanglers.com. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to the Tournament Director.
1. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Due to governmental requirements on preventive measures of COVIOD-19 and, until further notice – SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERINGS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL ABA FUNCTIONS INCLUDING ON-SITE REGISTRATION, MORNING RULES MEETING, DURING WEIGH-IN’S AND AWARDS PRESENTATIONS.
2. RULES VIOLATION:
In the event of a rule violation, ABA may impose such sanctions, as deemed appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes and/or entry fee, probation, and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The decision of the ABA shall be final in all matters. Each competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director any violation or infraction of any Tournament Rules. Failure to report violations, false reporting, or suggestions to another competitor of an un-reported violation of these rules will be cause for disqualification. Rules violations must be reported to the Tournament Director on site in writing within 15 minutes after the announcement “The scales are closed”.3. PENALITIES: Penalties may include the following:
i.) Loss of one or more fish in question.
ii.) Loss of catch for the day
iii.) Disqualification from the tournament in question
iv.) Disqualification from future ABA events.
v.) Any different or additional penalties determined by the Tournament Director including but not limited to monetary forfeiture, probation and/or loss of Angler of Year points.4. PARTICIPATION, REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY:
i.) This tournament is open only to current members of ABA who are 16 years of age or older. Proof of age to the satisfaction of tournament officials is the responsibility of the potential competitor. ABA may at any time decline to accept tournament entries for any reason. Any candidate who, in the judgment of the ABA, is disabled in such a manner as to unfairly hinder their partner or endanger the safety and well-being of their partner or themselves will not be eligible.
ii.) Excluded participation; – Contestants who currently compete or have competed as a Pro in events with an entry fee of more than $1900.00 within the last 12 months are excluded from participation.
iii.) Competitors may not buy or barter fishing locations from any person, including the hiring of guides, within 30 days prior to the event for use during any competition day.
iv.) During official practice and competition days, competitors may not operate a boat unless that contestant has current documented proof of a minimum of $100,000 boating liability insurance covering the boat being used. A copy of proof of insurance must be with the boat being used and must cover the competitors using that boat. Random checks may be conducted at tournament registration and/or at tournament weigh-in. Any competitor not in compliance will be disqualified.A properly completed and signed official entry form and entry fee must be received by ABA HQ prior to the event deadline date, or at the official on-site registration. Entry deadline date for each event will be 5pm CST Wednesday prior to the event. Entries received after the entry deadline date will be assessed a $25.00 late fee. Entry fees will only be refunded and/or transferred if notification is made to ABA Tournament Department prior to WEDNESDAY 5pm CST, prior to the scheduled event, NO EXCEPTION. There will be a $20.00 processing fee per tournament for all refunds. Contestants are expected to compete every day for which they are qualified and registered, failure to do so will result in a penalties assessment under PENALITIES above.
5. MEDIA COMMENTS, PUBLIC ATTACKS:
The favorable public reputation of ABA as a sanctioning organization in the sport of fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for ABA. Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of tournaments, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow anglers, or the ABA organization. Competitors are encouraged to express themselves and have the right to question rules officials. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with ABA policies are encouraged as opposed to attacks upon the integrity of the rules or officials. However, public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of ABA, ABA officials or sponsors shall be considered conduct unbecoming a professional and will result in disciplinary action.6. PRACTICE, COMMUNICATIONS, POLYGRAPH AND OFF LIMITS:
a. Off Limits.
i. Divisional Qualifying and Area Championship Events. There is no off limits and no official practice days.
ii. Ray Scott Championship – Off limits will be set to approximately 30 days prior to the first day of practice. Qualified anglers will be notified of the exact off limits and official practice dates.b. Practice/Assistance – During official practice for an event, contestants may only pre-fish alone, with a member of his/her immediate family, another contestant of the tournament, a sponsor of American Bass Anglers or a member of American Bass Anglers staff. Contestants may not receive assistance from anyone other than another contestant for the purpose of locating or catching fish during competition days. Buying or bartering for fishing locations is prohibited. During practice and event, competitors may not "SKIN DIVE" OR "SCUBA DIVE" in the tournament waters. Contestants are not allowed to practice after the start of the tournament briefings.
c. Communications: During official competition day(s), a competitor may not use a CB radio, a VHF marine-band radio, a cellular phone, texting, or any other type of communication device for locating or catching fish. Competitors are permitted to transmit by radio or telephone only in the event of an emergency. If cell phone is used, it must be in speaker mode and the co-angler must be allowed to hear the conversation. Co-Anglers are not allowed to use portable GPS units or record waypoints in any manner. At Area Championships or the Ray Scott Championship, Co-anglers may not share their boater’s fishing locations or another boater’s fishing locations with any competitor. A designated tournament official must be granted access to the competitor's boat and cell phone at any time during competition. Failure to grant such access will result in immediate disqualification.
d. Hole Sitting; During Tournament hours, the practice of “hole-sitting” is strictly prohibited in all events. Competitors may not follow non-competitor’s boats for the purpose of a non-competitor assisting in locating fish.
e. Polygraph: By his/her signature on the official entry form, each competitor agrees to submit to a polygraph examination/truth verification method as determined by ABA and abide by its conclusion. The Tournament Director will have the discretion to determine the need for a polygraph/truth verification examination. ABA will arrange for an independent expert to administer and interpret the results and establish the scope of the questions to be asked during the examination. The competitor will make himself/herself available at the location and time selected by ABA and shall cooperate in all respects with such examination. In the event a competitor refuses to take or fails to pass the examination, he/she will be disqualified from the event in question and other disciplinary action taken as deemed appropriate in accordance with Rule 2 above. Anglers who are accused of a rule’s violation will be responsible for all cost incurred for taking a polygraph/truth verification method examination, anglers who fail the examination or refuse to acknowledge payment will be disqualified.7. ONSITE SIGN IN/LATE REGISTRATION:
a. On-site Registrations: Each angler must register in person at the designated place during official registration hours, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (local time), the day prior to the event. On-site registrations will not be accepted after 6:30pm Friday the day before the event. Tournament Directors reserve the right to discontinue acceptance of applications prior to the official on-site registration cut-off. Anglers registering on-site will be assessed a $25 late fee. To avoid personal contact anglers with a Freedom Pass may elect to call the Director before 4pm to check-in.
b. Mandatory meeting: The pre-tournament Safety and Rules meeting is mandatory for all competitors and will be held the morning of the first day of an event when all boats are in the water. Failure to attend will result in the forfeiture of entry fees and disqualification for the event.
c. ABA Freedom Pass: Anglers holding a Freedom Pass that cannot attend Friday’s tournament registration must call the Tournament Director before 4:00pm local time the day of registration. It is the angler’s responsibility to contact the Tournament Director, failure to call will result in the angler’s name being withdrawn from competition and forfeiture of entry fee. A Freedom Pass may be purchased prior to the event or on site for $25 annually (Freedom Pass covers event from January – December of the calendar year purchased).8. PAIRING OF COMPETITORS: Boaters and Co-anglers will be paired by computer random draw. Announcement of fishing partners will be made via text message or verbally after on-site registration. Priority will be given to package registrations and linked entries; remaining slots are by date and time of registration. The Tournament Director, at his/her sole discretion, may reassign partners prior to the morning take-off. Anglers are expected to fish all days of an event in which they are registered, failure to do so may result in disqualification. Any competitor refusing to go with an assigned partner will be disqualified. In the event there are more boaters than co-anglers, boaters may fish alone. In the event there are more co-anglers than boaters, co-anglers may elect to change their registration to a boater or request a refund or transfer.
9. SAFETY: Safety is paramount, and anglers must recognize that; fishing from an open boat is inherently dangerous, and as a result American Bass Anglers seeks to limit those hazards with reasonable safety rules.
a. Safe boat conduct and speed limits must be observed always by competitors. During official practice and competition, competitors must wear a US Coast Guard-approved chest-type life preserver and must always be worn while the combustion engine is in gear. This life preserver must also be strapped, snapped, or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is no longer in gear. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification. “Fanny Pack” preservers are not allowed. In the event a boat is being towed, all anglers in the towed boat must wear a life preserver.
b. Tournament officials may delay, shorten, restrict tournament waters, or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the competitors.
c. ABA reserves the right to impose boat speed limits during any or all tournaments. The decision to impose a speed limit, the area covered by the speed limit and/or the actual speed limit shall be left exclusively to the discretion of the tournament director.
d. In the event of an emergency, competitors should call 911 immediately and then notify tournament officials. Competitors may leave the boat and seek safe shelter in bad weather when danger may be imminent, at which time all fishing must cease.10. SPORTSMANSHIP/CODE OF CONDUCT: Anglers participating in Bass Pro Shops/ABA sanctioned events shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which he/she is participating. Anglers shall, always, conduct themselves in a manner becoming ABA anglers and their actions will not reflect unfavorably on ABA, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments, or sponsors. To this end, anglers shall use their best efforts to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in support of the sport of bass fishing. Any angler who violates any of the provisions of the Angler Code of Conduct will be subject to fines, forfeiture of tournament winnings, probation, suspension from competing in ABA sanctioned events, permanently banned from competition, or any combination thereof deemed appropriate by ABA. Competitors are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation.
a. The use, possession, or consumption of illegal drugs by any competitor during official practice, tournament hours or during pre-and post-tournament activities will be cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future tournaments. (Exception; medication prescribed to the angler by a licensed physician). The consumption or possession of alcohol during tournament hours is prohibited. Tournament hours are defined as check-out in the morning through weighing of fish in the afternoon.
b. Maximum courtesy must be practiced always, especially about boating and angling near non-competitors. Any act of a competitor which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote water safety, fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy, will be reason for disqualification.
c. All competitors are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the state within which the tournament is being held and all participants are required to have the appropriate state fishing license.
d. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, crimes involving moral turpitude, conviction of a felony not specifically exempted by ABA, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and/or for disqualification. Any disqualification, suspension from or disciplinary action imposed by any fishing organization will be grounds for rejecting applications for participation in a tournament and/or disqualification from a tournament after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director.11. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: The use of a landing net is allowed. The use of grippers in landing bass is prohibited. Only artificial lures may be used. No “live bait” or “prepared bait” will be permitted during official practice and competition, except for pork strips or rinds. Only one casting, spin casting or spinning rod (8-foot maximum length from butt of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time. All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner. When visually fishing for bedding bass, bass must be hooked inside the mouth and must be verified by your partner before being unhooked to have a bass counted as a legal fish.
12. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: Maximum horsepower for all outboard motorboats used in official tournament practice and in tournament competition will be 250 HP. Horsepower cannot exceed the limitations set by the U.S. Coast Guard or the manufacturer’s rating plate or the maximum horsepower set by ABA. In the event there is reason to suspect the horsepower is exceeded, competitor agrees to submit their boat and outboard motor used in the tournament, to an inspection by factory-trained personnel. Changing or altering standard factory parts of a competitor's engine to increase the horsepower over the factory horsepower rating is forbidden and will result in disqualification.
13. BOAT AND MOTOR: During official practice and competition all boats must be equipped with an operational and approved type of ignition kill switch and single lanyard. Lanyard must be attached to the driver's body any time the combustion engine is in gear and driver must be in the driver's seat in full control of the boat. Fishing boats that are less than 16 feet in length may not be used. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be higher than the gunnels of the boat. Fishing while standing on the outboard motor or boat seats is not allowed. An electric trolling motor may be used for slow maneuvering; however, trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited. All bladder tanks and any other type of auxiliary gas tanks that are not installed by the boat manufacturer are prohibited. Boats that do not have factory-installed gas tanks are restricted to a maximum of 18 gallons of gasoline in tanks, properly secured or strapped, and meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations. No portable gas tanks or containers capable of holding gasoline can be placed anywhere on tournament waters or shoreline for use by any tournament competitor. No “barges” or similar craft or “stick steering boats are permitted.
14. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT: During official practice and competition every boat must have all required US Coast Guard safety equipment. During competition, every boat must have live-well space, properly aerated, to adequately maintain alive two limits of bass. Tournament officials shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is proper and adequate. Boaters must make a back seat available for co-anglers each competition day.
15. BOAT IDENTIFICATION: Prior to each day's start, each boat will be inspected and checked by a tournament official. Boaters will be given their launch numbered by text or by a card, it is the boater’s responsibility to insure they are check-out and check -in.
16. BOAT OPERATION AND EXPENSE: This is a boater/co-angler event therefore boaters will fish from the front deck, co-anglers from the rear deck, no exceptions. Co-anglers are only allowed to operate the boat in emergency situations during competition hours and during loading and unloading from trailers. Any boater, who, in the judgment of the officials, operates the boat in such a manner that unfairly handicaps their co-angler partner, will be disqualified. At no time may the boater competitor request the co-angler competitor to not fish. ABA suggest co-anglers share the boat’s fuel expense with boater for the competition day.
17. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Tournament waters and off-limits areas shall be established by the Tournament Director for each tournament. Specifically, any water within tournament waters posted “Off-Limits” or “No Fishing” by state or federal agencies will be OFF-LIMITS and announced at the Tournament Briefing. Only that water open to all public fishing will be considered tournament waters. All angling must be done from the boat. No fishing within 50 yards of any other competitor's boat anchored or not.
18. COMPETITORS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT: Competitors must leave from and return to the official checkpoints by boat and must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament hours. Competitors must remain together in the boat and in insight of each other and each partner’s catch, except in case of dire emergency or with permission from the Tournament Director. If an emergency occurs, competitors must call 911 immediately then contact a Tournament Director, at which time all fishing will cease. If after the emergency has been resolved, tournament officials may allow competitors to resume fishing. Trailering boats during tournament hours is prohibited.
19. OFFICIAL CHECKPOINT: There will be only one “official point” for check-out in the morning and check-in in the afternoon and will be designated at the tournament briefing. At the time of check-out, all boats must be in full conformity with all rules set forth by American Bass Anglers. At check-in, all boats shall identify themselves by means of the numbers described in Rule 14 and all fishing must cease. Partners must stay together through the weigh-in process if both are weighing bass.
20. SCORING: Tournament standings, auxiliary awards and final winners shall be determined by the pounds-and-hundredths weight of each competitor's catch during the competition days of the tournament. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted or Redeye bass will be weighed. The limit for boaters shall be 5 bass and the limit for co-anglers shall be 3 bass of the above species and varieties per day unless otherwise established by the tournament director. The official length for bass shall be established by the Tournament Director. Culling must be performed immediately upon catching a sixth fish for boaters and fourth fish for co-anglers. In the event tournament officials observe more than the allowable limit is in boat or at weigh-in, tournament officials will cull beginning with the largest fish. Only bass measuring the official length or more on the longest straight line, shall be weighed. Short fish will accrue a penalty of 1 pound and that bass will not be weighed. Any bass that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered will be weighed only at the discretion of tournament officials. Once a competitor's catch is verified by, no additional fish may be added to the catch. Placing bass on a stringer is prohibited, however culling tags or clips may be used. In the event of a mechanical failure (boat is inoperable) anglers may have their catch counted by one of the following methods ONLY: 1) Boat is towed to the weigh-in site by another boat; 2) One partner may take both anglers catches (clearly marked) and board another competitors’ boat only for a ride to weigh-in. Competitors must not allow any bass caught by them to be counted on the score of another competitor. Mechanical failures do not extend established weigh-in times.
21. CATCH AND RELEASE: CULLING OF DEAD BASS IS PROHIBITED. A penalty of one .5 pounds per dead fish will be assessed and deducted from the day’s total weight. In the event the anglers' big fish is dead, a penalty of one .5 pounds will be deducted from the big fish total weight. The Tournament Director will have sole authority for assessing dead fish penalties. For fish care, ABA recommends only the use of T-H Marine G-JUICE live well treatment and G-Force Conservation Cull System with clips that do not puncture.
22. LATE PENALTY: Competitors who are not in the official checkpoint area as described in Rule 18 at the appointed time shall be penalized at the rate of one (1) pound for each minute. Late penalty will be deducted from the total weight of their catch that day, including any weight to be counted toward a “big bass award”. No weight will be awarded if the net weight after penalties is zero or less. Any competitor more than 15 minutes late will lose all credit for that day's catch. Exact starting and check-in times will be announced at the Tournament Briefing.
23. POINTS SYSTEM AND QUALIFICATIONS: Points are awarded to both boaters and co-anglers based on place of finish and cannot be combined or transferred. Any angler disqualified from an event will not receive points for that event.
a. Divisional Qualifiers (One-Day events) – These events are worth 250 points to first place anglers. Points will be awarded in 1-point decreasing increments. Contestants not weighing fish will receive 50 points. To advance to the Area Championship anglers must have fished as a boater in 3 one-day events or as a co-angler in 3 one-day events, or a combination of 4 one- day events within their region.
b. Area Championship – Anglers qualifying as a boater must fish as a boater, anglers qualifying as a co-angler must fish as a co-angler. The Area Championship events are worth 500 points to first place anglers. Points will be awarded in 2-point decreasing increments. Contestants not weighing fish will receive 100 points. Total points accumulated from one-day events plus Area championship points will determine Division angler of the year.
c. Ray Scott Championship –Qualifying for the Ray Scott Championship will be by point and by place of finish in the Area Championships, anglers must have fished their Area Championship.i.) Qualifying by Points: The top 10 Boaters and 10 Co-Anglers by points from each Division after the Area Championship will advance to the Ray Scott Championship. If any of the top point holders do not accept the invitation the next highest angler(s) by points will be invited.
ii.) Qualifying by Place of Finish: Anglers will be selected as following.
i. Must not have qualified by points
ii. Must have placed 1st thru 5th at Area Championships (Boater & Co-Anglers)
iii.) Qualifying anglers must register for the Championship by established deadline date (NO EXCEPTIONS)d. Anglers of the Year: Total points accumulated from one-day events within a division plus Area championship will determine Divisional angler of the year.
24. TIEBREAKERS: Ties will be broken using the following criteria:
a. Largest number of legal fished weighed.
b. Largest number of legal live fish weighed.
c. Most Accumulative weight for the year
d. If the tie is not broken by applying the foregoing procedures, place monies will be split evenly, and place points will be awarded accordingly. Other ties will be awarded duplicate points and monies divided. Event winners’ tiebreaker may result in a fish-off.25. ABA MEMBERS SHIELD & LOGO: ABA encourages (not mandatory) the wearing of the ABA Logo and ABA Open Series logo. The suggested placement for ABA logo is centered on the left chest, the top of the patch should hit top center of the left collarbone.
26. PATCHES AND/OR SIGNAGE: ABA encourages the use of patches, logos, and other signage to promote the angler's sponsors. ABA may, however, restrict the use of patches, logos, signage, etc., that promote or advertise products which are in competition with the products or services of official tour sponsors or which are, in ABA's sole judgment, in poor taste. In addition, if ABA provides any ancillary clothing or products (such as life vests) bearing the logos of ABA or the official sponsors of ABA, each competitor shall wear such clothing or utilize such products in a manner prescribed by ABA.
27. AWARDS: All anglers are required to execute a Fed Tax Form W9 prior to receiving any awards including cash/check and prizes.
28. TAXES: Where and when state laws require, income tax may be automatically deducted prior to any awards being presented. Anglers are responsible for all applicable taxes for both cash and merchandise awards.
29. WAIVER AND RELEASE: As a condition of participation in each tournament, competitors must execute a waiver, (Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk) and a name and likeness release.
©2021 ABA
All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any material in these rules is prohibited except by written permission of American Bass Anglers, Inc.
OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM-2021
ABA Open Series.Go to www.americanbassanglers.com for the preferred and easiest way to register for an ABA Open Series tournament.
(Please Print)
I WILL BE ENTERING AS A BOATER_____ CO-ANGLER_____
ABA MEMBERSHIP #_____________________
LAST NAME ________________________ FIRST NAME_____________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________________
CITY____________________________ STATE_____________ ZIP CODE____________E-MAIL
ADDRESS________________________________________CITY__________________STATE________ZIP___________
SSN______________________ BIRTHDATE__________________
HOME PHONE______________________ CELL PHONE______________________
INSURANCE COMPANY ________________ POLICY DATES ____________________
BOAT BRAND_________________________ H.P. RATING_______________________
OUTBOARD MAKE_____________________ H.P. ______________________________
TROLLING MOTOR MAKE ________________ TRUCK MAKE ______________________
If Triton Owner: Triton Hull Serial Number: ___________________________________________
If Mercury Owner: Engine Serial Number: ____________________________________________
DIVISION_______________
Tournament(s) Date:
1. _____________________
2. _____________________
3. _____________________
4. _____________________
5. _____________________
ENTRY FEES:
[ ] One-day Boater Tournaments 1 thru 4 X $210 per tournament $ __________
[ ] Two-day Boater Tournament 1 X $310 $__________
[ ] One-day Co-angler Tournaments 1 thru 4 X $105 per tournament $___________
[ ] Two-day Co-angler Tournament 1 X $155 $__________
[ ] Boater optional Big Bass 1 thru 5 X $10 per tournament $_____________
[ ] Co-angler optional Big Bass 1 thru 5 X $5 per tournament $_____________
MEMBERSHIP:
ABA Membership; [ ] $35.00 – 1 Yr. [ ] $60.00 – 2 Yrs. [ ] $90.00 – 3 Yrs. $___________
ABA Free First year membership for: New Triton Boat Owners ________
FREEDOM PASS: $25.00 - $___________
Entries may be made online at www.americanbassanglers.com.
VISA___ MASTERCARD____ AMEX____ DISC______
ACCOUNT#_____________________________________________________ EXP.______________
SIGNATURE___________________________________________
Total Amount Enclosed or to be charged: $ ________________
Make checks payable & mail to American Bass Anglers, P.O. Box 475, Athens, AL 35612-Phone: 256-232-0406“American Bass Anglers”
Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Form
(Effective October 1, 2021)Participants Name (print): ______________________ Member #_________________Date: ________________
In consideration of being allowed to participate in bass tournaments operated by American Bass Anglers, Inc. I attest that I have read and understand the tournament rules, and I acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. The risk of injury, disability, death, loss or damage to person or property from the activities involved in the tournament(s) is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis, illness, injury and death to a person and destruction of equipment, and while compliance with particular ABA rules, correct use of equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, such risk does exist. In addition, the risk of illness from communicable diseases do exist (EX: MRSA, influenzas and COVID-19) from the activities involved in bass tournament and are significant and potentially life threatening and I KNOWELING AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISK, both known and unknown.
2. If I am using my own boat in the tournament(s), I certify that I now have or will obtain prior to the tournament series, Boat Owners Liability Insurance (including coverage for third party property damage and bodily injury) with no Tournament Exclusion, having a minimum limit of at least $100,000.00 Liability per occurrence and I will provide satisfactory evidence of having such current insurance to any ABA official upon their request.
3. I have been advised by ABA of the contents of this document through my reading it, and have had the opportunity to seek legal counsel with respect to the legal effect of this document prior to signing it through it being posted on ABA’s web site.
4. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL RISKS REFERRED TO ABOVE, AND ALL OTHER RISKS OF TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, EVEN, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR OTHERS, AND ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RISKS ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOURNAMENT(S;)
5. I willingly agree to comply with the terms and conditions for participation in any tournament of ABA and should I observe any unusual hazard(s) in my presence or during participation which could potentially cause injury or damage to any person, I will remove myself from participation and bring such hazard(s), to the attention of the nearest ABA official immediately.
6. I, FOR MYSELF AND ON BEHALF OF MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND NEXT OF KIN, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS, INC., ITS PARENT AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THE OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS, AND/OR EMPLOYEES OF EACH, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, AND SPONSORING AGENCIES, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS, AND, IF APPLICABLE, OWNERS AND LESSORS OF PREMISES AND PROPERTY USED TO CONDUCT THE EVENT ("RELEASEES"), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHICH I SUFFER OR WHICH I AM FOUND TO HAVE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY MY NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, OR OTHERWISE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
7. If there are any questions raised by the judges or officials of ABA as to my veracity in respect to my participation in any tournament, I agree to submit to a polygraph examination and understand that failure to pass the examination will result in disqualification from such tournament and potentially from ABA at its discretion as provided by the rules of the organization. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT AND THE ATTACHED RULES, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR TERMS, I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.
8. PUBLICITY. In consideration for permission to participate in any ABA tournament, I (“Contestant”) hereby grant to American Bass Anglers, Inc. its assignees and/or licensees (including television production companies contracted by ABA ), the unconditional right to use my name, voice, image, image in a video format while participating in a tournament, photographic likeness, biographical information, fishing tips and/or instructions in any medium whatsoever, including but not limited to video/audio productions, merchandising, promotions, articles, and/or press releases, in connection with American Bass Anglers, Inc., without restriction as to changes or alterations at any time. I understand that I will not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use and waive my right to review the finished product. By my signature below I verify that I have read and understand the foregoing provisions.
PARTICIPANT’S SIGNATURE: ________________________________
I, AS PARENT/GUARDIAN DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARTICIPANT AND I AGREE AND GIVE MY CONSENT TO HIS/HER RELEASE AS PROVIDED ABOVE OF ALL THE RELEASEES, AND, FOR MYSELF, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, AND NEXT OF KIN, I RELEASE AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES INCIDENT TO MY MINOR CHILD’S OR WARD’S INVOLVEMENT OR PARTICIPATION IN THESE PROGRAMS AS PROVIDED ABOVE, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Age if under 18: Print name of Parent/Guardian: _______________________________
PARENT’S/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE ____________________________________
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER(S) ________________________________________
