Oilmen's Bass Classic Rules

SPORTSMANSHIP: Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety
and conservation are expected from each participant.
Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles
or violation of any local, state or federal laws may be
deemed cause for disqualification. Any act of a
competitor - verbal or physical, that reflects
unfavorably upon this tournament's effort to promote
fishing, conservation, clean waters, courtesy and
safety shall be reason for disqualification from this and
all future tournaments.

ELIGIBILITY: Eligibility for participating in the Oilmen’s Bass Classic is subject to qualification and approval by the Oilmen’s Bass Classic registration committee. Decisions of the committee are final.

Any person whose annual income is (or has been retired) directly derived from being employed or engaged in the exploration, production, drilling, refining , and or servicing of the oil and gas industry. Spouses or any child in school can fish with any eligible participant. Anyone who is serving as a licensed guide or has guided without a license for pay on the tournament lake within the past twelve (12) months will not be eligible. Anyone who has entered two (2) or more recognized professional bass fishing circuit tournaments with an entry fee of $500.00 per individual in the past twelve (12) months is not eligible. Any individual fishing competitively to earn their living is considered a "Professional" and is not eligible to fish. Participants must have a valid Texas or Louisiana fishing license. The rules and regulation committee reserves the right to refuse any entry application; the decision of the committee shall be final. Applicants may be required to furnish the committee with proof of eligibility.

SAFETY: Safe boat conduct must be observed at all
times. Each participant is required to wear a Coast
Guard approved life vest when the outboard engine is
operating. Drunkenness on the part of any contestant
will not be tolerated. The tournament committee
highly recommends the use of engine kill switch.

TEAMS: Teams will consist of two (2) eligible
individuals registering as such. There must be two (2)
registered contestants in the boat at all times, and no
one is allowed in the boat who is not a member of the
team. Any contestant's action will directly reflect on
his teammate. There will be no use of guides during
tournament competition in any manner.

TACKLE: Only artificial lures can be used; no
prepared or live bait other than pork rind strips may be
used. Only rod and reel outfits may be used. No
trolling is permitted.

SCORING: Scoring will be based on the weight in
pounds of bass (Largemouth, Kentucky or Spotted)
with a minimum length of 14 inches measured on a
flat board. Fish presented for weighing that are less
than 14 inches in length will be disqualified prior to
weighing and one pound per undersized fish will be
deducted as a penalty. Only 5 fish per team, per day
will be counted. Teams are not allowed to have
more than 5 fish in their permanent possession at
any time, except for culling the 6th fish. If more
than 5 fish are kept in a team's possession, that team
shall be disqualified for the day and shall receive no
weight for the day.

It is the responsibility of the team to keep fish
alive. A determination of whether the fish are alive or
dead will be made at the scales and a bonus of .10
pound will be awarded for each live fish weighed
in. No fish may be kept by any contestant with the
exception of a trophy fish.

FISHING HOURS: Fishing hours will begin at 6:30
a.m. each morning. All Teams must stop fishing at
3:00 p.m. on both days and be in the weigh-in line by
4:00 p.m. It is the responsibility of each team to
understand and abide by the prescribed fishing
hours and weigh-in times as they will be strictly
enforced and are grounds for disqualification if
violated.

Official time will be kept by the weigh-in committee
at the weigh-in site.

LAUNCH SITE: Contestants will be allowed to trailer boats to any landing on Toledo Bend. However, fishing is only allowed during tournament hours and weigh in time must be observed. Contestants will not be allowed to launch or load from the Cypress Bend site.

TIES: In the event of a tie for 1^st place, positions wll be determined by contestants' largest bass. In all other ties, if there is a difference in the monetary prize, the next prize will be added together and divided by two, each team receiving an equal share.

BOATS: Boats may be used that are 14 feet or longer. Contestants may not change boats during tournament hours.

POLYGRAPH TEST: Each contestant agrees to submit, by his signature on this application, to a polygraph test to be given at the discretion of the tournament committee. The administration and interpretation of the polygraph test is solely at the responsibility of the tournament committee and its agents.

Any contestant determined by the polygraph examiner or other tournament officials to be intoxicated or under the influence of any type of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time and said contestant is required to take the polygraph examination, contestant will not be tested. Such contestants will be subject to review by the tournament committee and disqualification could result.

PROTESTS: Complaints or protest must be submitted to the tournament committee within 30 minutes after weigh in each day. All decisions rendered by the committee are final.

ENCROACHMENT: A team is not permitted to approach nearer than 50 yards to any other boat, which is tied or anchored with trolling motor out of the water unless permission has been granted.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Charter participants must have their entry post marked by midnight, July 15, 2010 to be assured a spot in this year's tournament. A charter participant is one that fished the original tournament in 1983 and every subsequent tournament. Only these participants are guaranteed a spot in the tournament provided their entry is received on time. All other entries will be processed on a space available basis.

Entries may be submitted by mail, either regular US Postal Service, special service such as Federal Express, etc., or by downloading the entry form from the Oilmen's Bass Classic website: www.oilmensbassclassic.com. No entries will be accepted by hand delivery.

REGISTRATION: Each team must register with the tournament committee between 3:00P.M. & 8:00P.M., Thursday September 9, 2010 at Cypress Bend Resort. They may pick up their ditty bags and shirt orders at this time. No late registrations will be allowed. Any team failing to register by 8:00P.M. may be subject to replacement by teams on a waiting list, if applicable.