Official Rules and Regulations

Tournament Director: Roscoe White Phone: 479-505-3596

The Beaver Big Bass Tournament is conducted under the authority of the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director has final authority on rule interpretation, disputes, and tournament operations. By signing the entry form and liability release and paying the entry fee, each participant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to follow all rules stated in this document.

GENERAL RULES All participants must comply with Federal, State, and Local laws including Arkansas Game & Fish Commission regulations, U.S. Coast Guard boating regulations, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations. Fishing is prohibited within: • 50 feet of a marina gas pump • 50 feet of another competitor’s boat without permission • Any area designated off limits by law or governing authority.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS All boats must carry required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Life jackets must be worn and secured whenever the main engine is operating. Boat operators must attach a kill switch device while operating the vessel under power. All boats must have a functioning live well capable of keeping bass alive during transport to weigh-in. Exception: Kayak anglers must bring fish directly to weigh-in or use a portable or makeshift live well system capable of keeping fish alive. Any bass presented dead at weigh-in will not be eligible for weigh-in.

WEATHER POLICY The tournament will be held rain, sleet, or snow unless canceled by the Tournament Director. Participants acknowledge that fishing and boating involve inherent risks. Weather safety and navigation decisions are the responsibility of each legal-aged participant.

BOAT REQUIREMENTS Minimum $50,000 liability insurance. Proof of insurance must be available upon request. Outboard motor 50–300 horsepower. Must comply with U.S. Coast Guard and Arkansas Game & Fish boating regulations. Must contain a functioning livewell.

KAYAK REQUIREMENTS Kayak anglers are excluded from boat horsepower and insurance requirements. Kayak participants must use a kayak compliant with Arkansas Game & Fish regulations, follow U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment rules, maintain a fish care system capable of keeping bass alive, and bring fish directly to the Prairie Creek weigh-in.

ELECTRONICS & TACKLE RULES Forward Facing Sonar (FFS) is permitted in all divisions. Umbrella rigs (A-Rigs) are allowed provided they comply with Arkansas Game & Fish hook regulations.

FISHING RULES (ALL DIVISIONS) Eligible species include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted/Kentucky Bass, and Meanmouth Bass. Minimum length is 15 inches. Artificial lures only. One rod and reel may be used at a time. No trolling. All fish must be alive at weigh-in. Sportsmanship and courtesy are required.

HIGH FIVE DIVISION (FRIDAY) Entry Fee: $125 per angler Eligibility: • Anglers 18 years or older • Kayaks not permitted Boat requirements: • $100,000 liability insurance • Outboard motor 50–300 horsepower Mandatory Meeting for High Five Bass Division Prairie Creek Launch – 6:30 AM Meeting includes flight assignments, launch procedures, and rule briefing. Launch Procedure All High Five competitors must take off from Prairie Creek. Participants may launch earlier at any ramp but must idle through Prairie Creek for official takeoff. This is not a trailered weigh-in event. Flights consist of up to 25 boats per flight. Flights return beginning at 3:00 PM with 10-minute intervals between flights. Later flights may return as late as 4:10 PM depending on entries. Anglers must check in with tournament staff by returning their flight chip or paddle. High Five Weigh-In Format Anglers must weigh five bass. If an angler does not weigh five bass, they will not qualify to weigh any fish. Placement is determined by the total weight of the five-fish bag. One bass from the bag may be entered into the High Five Big Bass pot, with the largest bass winning the prize. High Five payouts based on 60 paid entries: 1st – $1,000 2nd – $900 3rd – $800 4th – $700 5th – $600 High Five Big Bass payout: $1,200

BEAVER BIG BASS DIVISIONS (SATURDAY & SUNDAY) Divisions include Open, Women’s, Kayak, and Kids. Official weigh-in for all divisions is Prairie Creek Public Ramp. Participants may launch anywhere on Beaver Lake and begin fishing at 6:30 AM (Lines In).

OPEN DIVISION Entry Fees: • One Day – $180 (Saturday or Sunday) • Two Days – $265 The Open Division payout is $30,000 for the weekend, based on 300 two-day entries paid. Total Open Division payouts are approximately $62,000, which includes bihourly slot payouts and overall big bass payouts. Hourly payout periods: 7:00–9:00 9:01–11:00 11:01–1:00 1:01–3:00 There are four bihourly slots each day for a total of eight slots across the two-day event. Participants may weigh one fish per time slot. Anglers must declare which fish they are weighing. If an angler weighs a fish in a slot and has another fish, they must wait until the next slot period. Top five fish per slot receive payouts: 1st – $1,000 2nd – $900 3rd – $800 4th – $700 5th – $600 Weigh-In Line Rule Anglers must be in the official weigh-in line before the time slot closes. Tournament staff will mark the end of the line at the deadline. A 15-minute grace period may be allowed depending on weigh-in conditions, but anglers must check in with event staff. Overall Big Bass Open Champion The largest bass weighed during the entire two-day event determines the Overall Big Bass Open Champion and may win up to $30,000 based on turnout.

WOMEN’S DIVISION Entry Fees: • One Day – $75 • Two Days – $125 Top five biggest bass each day are paid: 1st – $500 2nd – $450 3rd – $400 4th – $350 5th – $300 The largest bass across both days determines the Women’s Division Overall Champion. Women’s Division payouts are based on 80 two-day entries paid. Women’s Division Big Bass payout: $1,500 for the weekend

KAYAK DIVISION Entry Fees: • One Day – $75 • Two Days – $125 Top five biggest bass each day are paid: 1st – $500 2nd – $450 3rd – $400 4th – $350 5th – $300 The largest bass across both days determines the Kayak Division Overall Champion. Kayak Division payouts are based on 80 two-day entries paid. Kayak Division Big Bass payout: $1,500 for the weekend.

KIDS DIVISION Eligible ages: 13–17 Youth anglers must fish with a registered adult participant in the same boat. Kids compete for prizes only, not cash. Kids Division prizes are funded by entries from all divisions. Entry is free for youth participants with a paid adult entry.

TIE BREAKERS All ties will be broken by earliest weigh-in time. If there are any questions, the Tournament Director will make the final decision.

PROTESTS & POLYGRAPH Protests must be submitted within 15 minutes after a time slot closes or after scales close depending upon division format. Participants may be required to submit to a polygraph test. Failure to pass a polygraph will result in forfeiture of winnings and entry fees.

GENERAL INFORMATION The more entries paid, the more places may be paid and payouts may increase for each division. Each division has its own rules and regulations. Forward Facing Sonar is allowed. Umbrella rigs (A-Rigs) are allowed based on Arkansas Game & Fish Commission regulations. For rules and event details visit: facebook.com/the3droscoe or search The Beaver Big Bass

Tournament Director
Roscoe White (479) 505-3596