SABBA Tournament Rules & Regulations

Welcome to SABBA Tournament Competition. Our goal is to promote fair competition, sportsmanship, safety, and conservation while creating a professional and enjoyable fishing experience for all participants.

Please read all tournament rules carefully before participating.

General Rules

The following rules will remain in effect throughout the tournament unless federal, state, or local laws require changes.

Interpretation and enforcement of all rules are at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose sanctions including:

  • Disqualification
  • Forfeiture of prizes
  • Loss of entry fees
  • Suspension from future events

All decisions made by tournament officials are final.

For safety reasons, the Tournament Director reserves the right to modify tournament procedures or schedules at any time.

All contestants are responsible for knowing and obeying all federal, state, and local laws.

 

Protest Policy

All protests must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of the official check-in time of the final flight for that tournament day.

 

Participant Eligibility

To participate in a SABBA fishing tournament:

  • Participants must live at least 150 miles from the tournament location.
  • SABBA membership dues must be current for the tournament year.
  • Membership is open to men and women ages 18 and older.

Eligibility also requires one of the following:

  • Affiliation with a SABBA-approved fishing club
  • Previous participation in a SABBA tournament
  • Residence at least 150 miles from your first SABBA tournament location
  • Invitation by the SABBA Board

 

Additional Eligibility Restrictions

If a participant:

  • Lives within 30 miles of a SABBA tournament location, and
  • Has previously finished in the Top 5 at a tournament within 30 miles of their residence, then that participant must fish a SABBA tournament located at least 150 miles away before becoming eligible to compete again in a nearby tournament.

No exceptions will be made.

SABBA reserves the right to refuse membership or tournament participation at its discretion.

 

Point Standings

SABBA tournaments do not utilize seasonal point standings.

 

Pre-Tournament Practice Rules

Tournament off-limits periods will be listed on the SABBA website.

The following are prohibited within 25 days of the tournament on tournament waters:

  • Hiring fishing guides
  • Purchasing fishing information
  • Fishing with non-competitors

 

Registration & Pre-Tournament Meeting

All contestants must:

  • Register in person
  • Pay entry fees
  • Sign all required forms

Failure to sign the official entry form before tournament start time will result in disqualification, and tournament weights may not count.

Official meeting times will be announced prior to each tournament.

 

Safety Regulations

Safe boating practices must be followed at all times.

 

Required Safety Equipment

All contestants must:

  • Wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever the combustion engine is operating
  • Use an emergency ignition shut-off device attached to the driver

All boats must comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

Tournament days may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

 

Sportsmanship & Conduct

All contestants are expected to display:

  • Professional conduct
  • Courtesy
  • Conservation awareness
  • Respect for competitors and officials

The following behaviors are prohibited:

  • Alcohol or illegal substance use during tournament activities
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct
  • Cheating
  • Dangerous behavior
  • Conduct damaging to SABBA or the sport of fishing

SABBA reserves the right to:

  • Reject applications
  • Remove contestants
  • Issue lifetime bans when appropriate

 

Boat & Horsepower Regulations

Boat Requirements

All boats must:

  • Be at least 15 feet long
  • Have wheel steering
  • Include all required Coast Guard safety equipment
  • Contain a properly aerated live well

Horsepower Requirements

  • Minimum: 40 HP
  • Maximum: Must not exceed manufacturer or Coast Guard ratings

No barges or oversized crafts are permitted.

 

Officials’ Boats

Tournament officials may conduct:

  • Boat inspections
  • Safety checks
  • On-water observation

Contestants must cooperate with all tournament officials.

 

Permitted Fishing Methods

  • Only artificial lures may be used
  • Pork trailers are permitted
  • Only one rod may be used at a time
  • Trolling is prohibited

All bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner.

 

Fishing Locations & Competition Rules

Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters except:

  • Official off-limits areas
  • No-fishing zones
  • Within 50 yards of marina gas pumps
  • Within 50 yards of an anchored competitor’s boat

 

Additional Rules

  • Fishing must occur from the boat only
  • Contestants may not leave the boat to land fish
  • Boats must remain in tournament waters
  • Boats may not be trailered before weigh-in without permission

 

Emergency Return Procedures

In case of emergency or equipment failure, contestants may return only by:

  • Being towed while remaining in their boat
  • Entering another tournament contestant’s boat

Any other method results in forfeiture of that day’s catch.

Partners must remain together and within sight until weigh-in.

 

Official Checkpoints

There will be:

  • One official morning check-out point
  • One official afternoon check-in point

Failure to properly check in or out will result in disqualification.

All fishing must stop immediately upon official check-in.

 

Late Penalties

Contestants arriving late will receive:

  • 1-pound deduction per minute late

Contestants over 15 minutes late:

  • Lose all credit for that day’s catch

 

Live Fish Policy

Contestants must make every effort to keep fish alive using properly aerated live wells.

 

Dead Fish Penalty

  • 3 ounces deducted per dead fish

SABBA recommends approved live-well additives for fish care.

 

Scoring & Weigh-In Rules

Accepted Species

  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Spotted Bass
  • Red Eye Bass

 

Daily Limit

  • 5 fish maximum unless state laws specify fewer

 

Minimum Length

  • 12 inches unless local laws require longer limits

 

Penalties

  • One-pound penalty for each undersized fish
  • Possessing more than the limit results in disqualification

 

Weigh-In Procedures

  • Fish must be presented in official weigh-in bags
  • Contestants must verify weights by signature

 

Tournament Format

  • Day 1 weights reset after determining Day 1 winner
  • Day 2 begins at zero weight
  • Separate winners determined for each day

 

Tie Breakers

In the event of a tie:

  • Largest fish breaks the tie
  • If still tied, Tournament Director determines the final method

 

Insurance Requirements

All contestants are required to carry liability insurance.

 

Polygraph Policy

All contestants, including winners and non-winners, may be required to submit to a polygraph examination.

 

Failure or Refusal Results In:

  • Immediate disqualification
  • Lifetime ban from SABBA events

If results are inconclusive, the Tournament Director will determine eligibility and weight validity.

 

Professional Angler Restrictions

The following individuals are not eligible to compete:

  • Fishing guides
  • Individuals earning 50% or more of their income from fishing or sponsorships

SABBA reserves the right to deny tournament participation at its discretion.

 

Final Authority

Participation in any SABBA tournament constitutes acceptance of all rules and decisions made by tournament officials.

SABBA reserves the right to update rules, enforce disciplinary action, and maintain the integrity of competition at all times.

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