2017 BFL Schedule, Entry Dates and Rules

New "win and you are in" format at all qualifying events

Bass Fishing League

September 28, 2016 • MLF • Archives

Among the key changes for 2017 is the new “Win and You're In” format that automatically qualifies the winners of each of the 96 one-day qualifying tournaments to one of six no-entry-fee Regional championships along with the top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division based on season-long point standings.

“With the new format, you are never out of the running to qualify for a Regional championship if you enter all five tournaments in a division,” says Daniel Fennel, director of BFL operations. “The most consistent anglers in each division are still rewarded with advancement based on points, but now you can have a bad tournament or two and still qualify with a late-season win.”

Each Regional championship features a guaranteed payout that includes $20,000 and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-hp outboard for the winning boater and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-hp outboard for the winning co-angler. Regional payouts include $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third on the boater side and $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third on the co-angler side.

"FLW was founded upon providing first-class tournaments for the weekend bass angler," says Kathy Fennel, FLW president of operations. "We have always considered our BFL anglers as being the heart and soul of FLW. We take great pride in continuing to grow the sport of bass fishing by providing these opportunities for weekend anglers as well as a clear pathway for advancement to the sport's highest levels for boaters and co-anglers who qualify for the Costa FLW Series and ultimately the Walmart FLW Tour."

Entry fees will remain the same as 2016 – $230 per qualifier for boaters and $115 per qualifier for co-anglers. Two-day Super Tournament entry fees will also remain the same – $345 for boaters and $175 for co-anglers.

For the complete 2017 BFL schedule, rules and payouts, visit FLWFishing.com.

The BFL is the nation’s largest and most popular weekend bass-fishing circuit. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division and the winners of each qualifying tournament and Super Tournament receive priority entry into the 2018 Costa FLW Series while All-American champions may advance directly to the Walmart FLW Tour, the world’s top professional bass-fishing circuit.

Anglers can register for the 2017 season at FLWFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000 on the dates listed below:

November 14, 2016 – Hoosier, Michigan, Music City and Volunteer
November 15, 2016 – Bulldog, Cowboy, Great Lakes, Illini and Mississippi
November 16, 2016 – Bama, Buckeye, Choo Choo, Mountain and Ozark
November 17, 2016 – Arkie, LBL, North Carolina, Northeast and Okie
November 18, 2016 – Gator, Piedmont, Savannah River, Shenandoah and South Carolina

The Schedule

2017 FLW Bass Fishing League

Priority Entry

Event Date Tournament Site Deadline Deadline

Arkie

Feb 18 Dardanelle: Lake Dardanelle State Park Feb 7 Feb 14

Mar 18 Greeson: Swaha Lodge & Marina Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 22 Arkansas River: North River Landing Apr 11 Apr 18

May 13 Ouachita: Mountain Harbor Marina May 2 May 9

Sep 23-24 Hamilton: Hulsey Hatchery Access Sep 12 Sep 19

Bama

Mar 4 Guntersville: The Bait, Tackle & Grill Feb 21 Feb 28

Mar 25 Mitchell: Higgins Ferry Park Mar 14 Mar 21

Apr 29 Eufaula: Lakepoint Resort State Park Apr 18 Apr 25

Jul 8 Neely Henry: Coosa Landing Jun 27 Jul 5

Sep 23-24 Pickwick: McFarland Park Sep 12 Sep 19

Buckeye

May 6 Grand Lake St. Mary’s: West Bank Ramp Apr 25 May 2

Jun 24 Indian: Indian Lake State Park Jun 13 Jun 20

Jul 15 Ohio River/Tanners Creek: Lawrenceburg Ramp Jul 5 Jul 11

Aug 5 Ohio River/Maysville: Maysville River Park Jul 25 Aug 1

Sep 16-17 Erie: Shelby Street Boat Launch Sep 5 Sep 12

Bulldog

Feb 18 Lanier: Laurel Park Feb 7 Feb 14

Mar 11 Oconee: Sugar Creek Marina Feb 28 Mar 7

May 13 Eufaula: Lakepoint Resort State Park May 2 May 9

Jun 10 Sinclair: Dennis Station Access May 30 Jun 6

Sep 9-10 Lanier: Laurel Park Aug 29 Sep 5

Choo Choo

Feb 18 Guntersville: The Bait, Tackle & Grill Feb 7 Feb 14

Mar 18 Guntersville: Guntersville Harbor Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 8 Guntersville: Guntersville State Park Mar 28 Apr 4

May 20 Guntersville: Guntersville Harbor May 9 May 16

Sep 30-Oct 1 Guntersville: The Bait, Tackle & Grill Sep 19 Sep 26

Cowboy

Jan 21 Sam Rayburn: Umphrey Family Pavilion Jan 10 Jan 17

Feb 11 Sam Rayburn: Umphrey Family Pavilion Jan 31 Feb 7

Mar 4 Sam Rayburn: Umphrey Family Pavilion Feb 21 Feb 28

May 6 Toledo Bend: San Miguel Park Apr 25 May 2

Sep 30-Oct 1 Toledo Bend: Cypress Bend Park Sep 19 Sep 26

Gator

Jan 14 Okeechobee: Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Jan 3 Jan 10

Feb 11 Okeechobee: C. Scott Driver Park Jan 31 Feb 7

Mar 25 Okeechobee: Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Mar 14 Mar 21

Apr 22 Okeechobee: C. Scott Driver Park Apr 11 Apr 18

Sep 23-24 Okeechobee: Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Sep 12 Sep 19

Great Lakes

Apr 29 MS River/La Crosse: W. Copeland & Clinton Apr 18 Apr 25

Jun 24 Wolf River Chain: Winneconne Park Jun 13 Jun 20

Jul 22 MS River/La Crosse: W. Copeland & Clinton Jul 11 Jul 18

Aug 19 MS River/Prairie Du Chien: Washington St. Aug 8 Aug 15

Sep 16-17 MS River/La Crosse: W. Copeland & Clinton Sep 5 Sep 12

Hoosier

Apr 8 Patoka: Newton-Stewart South Ramp Mar 28 Apr 4

Jun 17 Monroe: Cutright Ramp Jun 6 Jun 13

Jul 29 Patoka: Newton-Stewart South Ramp Jul 18 Jul 25

Aug 26 Ohio River/Rocky Point: Rocky Point Marina Aug 15 Aug 22

Sep 9-10 Ohio River/Tanners Creek: Lawrenceburg Ramp Aug 29 Sep 5

Illini

Apr 22 Shelbyville: 9th Street Ramp Apr 11 Apr 18

May 13 Rend: Wayne Fitzgerrell Landing May 2 May 9

Jul 22 Ohio River/Golconda: Golconda Marina Jul 11 Jul 18

Aug 19 Shelbyville: 9th Street Ramp Aug 8 Aug 15

Sep 16-17 Rend: Wayne Fitzgerrell Landing Sep 5 Sep 12

LBL

Mar 4 Kentucky/Barkley: Kentucky Dam Marina Feb 21 Feb 28

Mar 25 Kentucky/Barkley: Moors Resort Mar 14 Mar 21

May 6 Kentucky/Barkley: Lake Barkley State Park Apr 25 May 2

Jun 24 Kentucky/Barkley: Kentucky Dam Marina Jun 13 Jun 20

Sep 9-10 Kentucky/Barkley: Moors Resort & Marina Aug 29 Sep 5

Michigan

Jun 24 Detroit River: Elizabeth Park Marina Jun 13 Jun 20

Jul 15 St. Clair: Harley Ensign Boat Launch Jul 5 Jul 11

Aug 5 St. Clair: Harley Ensign Boat Launch Jul 25 Aug 1

Aug 19 Detroit River: Elizabeth Park Marina Aug 8 Aug 15

Sep 16-17 Detroit River: Elizabeth Park Marina Sep 5 Sep 12

Mississippi

Mar 18 Ross Barnett: Tommy's Trading Post Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 8 Pickwick: JP Coleman State Park Mar 28 Apr 4

May 6 Pickwick: JP Coleman State Park Apr 25 May 2

Jun 10 Columbus Pool: Columbus Marina May 30 Jun 6

Sep 30-Oct 1 Ross Barnett: Tommy's Trading Post Sep 19 Sep 26

Mountain

Mar 11 Dale Hollow: Star Point Resort Feb 28 Mar 7

Apr 1 Dale Hollow: Star Point Resort Mar 21 Mar 28

May 6 Cumberland: General Burnside Island State Park Apr 25 May 2

Jun 10 Barren River: Port Oliver Recreation Area May 30 Jun 6

Sep 23-24 Barren River: Port Oliver Recreation Area Sep 12 Sep 19

Music City

Mar 18 Center Hill: Ragland Bottom Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 29 Tims Ford: Tims Ford Bass Club Ramp Apr 18 Apr 25

May 13 Percy Priest: Fate Sanders Marina May 2 May 9

Jul 8 Old Hickory: Bulls Creek (Flipper's) Jun 27 Jul 5

Sep 16-17 Old Hickory: Bulls Creek (Flipper's) Sep 5 Sep 12

North Carolina

Feb 25 Norman: Pinnacle Access Area Feb 14 Feb 21

Apr 1 Wylie: Buster Boyd's Landing Mar 21 Mar 28

May 20 Kerr: Nutbush North May 9 May 16

Jun 17 Wylie: Buster Boyd's Landing Jun 6 Jun 13

Sep 9-10 Norman: Pinnacle Access Area Aug 29 Sep 5

Northeast

Apr 22 Potomac River: Smallwood State Park Apr 11 Apr 18

May 13 Chesapeake Bay: Anchor Marina May 2 May 9

Jul 15 Oneida Lake: Oneida Shores County Park Jul 5 Jul 11

Aug 5 Champlain: Ticonderoga Boat Launch Jul 25 Aug 1

Sep 9-10 1000 Islands: Clayton Village Ramp Aug 29 Sep 5

Okie

Mar 11 Grand: Grove City Ramp Feb 28 Mar 7

Apr 1 Arkansas River: Three Forks Harbor Mar 21 Mar 28

May 20 Eufaula: Eufaula Cove (South Point) May 9 May 16

Jun 17 Fort Gibson: Taylor's Ferry North Jun 6 Jun 13

Sep 9-10 Grand: Grove City Ramp Aug 29 Sep 5

Ozark

Feb 25 Table Rock: State Park Marina Feb 14 Feb 21

Mar 25 Lake of the Ozarks: Public Beach #2 Mar 14 Mar 21

Apr 8 Table Rock: State Park Marina Mar 28 Apr 4

Jun 24 Lake of the Ozarks: Drake Harbor Jun 13 Jun 20

Sep 16-17 Lake of the Ozarks: Public Beach #2 Sep 5 Sep 12

Piedmont

Mar 25 Kerr: Nutbush North Mar 14 Mar 21

Apr 29 Gaston: Americamps Lake Gaston Apr 18 Apr 25

Jun 10 High Rock: Tamarac Marina & Campground May 30 Jun 6

Jul 8 Falls: Ledge Rock Ramp Jun 27 Jul 5

Sep 23-24 Kerr: Nutbush North Sep 12 Sep 19

Savannah River

Feb 4 Keowee: South Cove County Park Jan 24 Jan 31

Feb 25 Clarks Hill: Wildwood Park Feb 14 Feb 21

Apr 1 Hartwell: Green Pond Landing Mar 21 Mar 28

May 6 Hartwell: Tugaloo State Park Apr 25 May 2

Sep 16-17 Hartwell: Green Pond Landing Sep 5 Sep 12

Shenandoah

Mar 18 Smith Mountain: Parkway Marina Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 8 Kerr: Nutbush North Mar 28 Apr 4

May 6 Potomac River: Smallwood State Park Apr 25 May 2

Jul 22 James River: Osborne Landing Jul 11 Jul 18

Sep 30-Oct 1 James River: Osborne Landing Sep 19 Sep 26

South Carolina

Feb 11 Murray: Dreher Island State Park Jan 31 Feb 7

Mar 18 Santee Cooper: John C. Land III Landing Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 22 Clarks Hill: Dorn Fishing Facility Apr 11 Apr 18

May 13 Wateree: Clear Water Cove Marina May 2 May 9

Sep 30-Oct 1 Wylie: Buster Boyd's Landing Sep 19 Sep 26

Volunteer

Mar 18 Norris: Cedar Grove Marina Mar 7 Mar 14

Apr 22 South Holston: Observation Knob Park Apr 11 Apr 18

May 13 Douglas: Mountain Cove Marina May 2 May 9

Jun 10 Cherokee: Hamblen County Dock, Cherokee Park May 30 Jun 6

Sep 23-24 Watts Barr: Tom Fuller Park Sep 12 Sep 19

2017 Regional Championships

Kentucky Lake: Oct 5-7

Moors Resort & Marina

Gilbertsville, KY

Divisions: Buckeye, Hoosier, Mountain & Ozark

Off-limits: Sep 25-29, 2017

Barren River: Oct 12-14

Port Oliver Recreation Area

Scottsville, KY

Divisions: Great Lakes, Illini, LBL & Michigan

Off-limits: Oct 2-6, 2017

Wheeler Lake: Oct 12-14

Ingalls Harbor

Decatur, AL

Divisions: Bama, Bulldog, Choo Choo & Music City

Off-limits: Oct 2-6, 2017

James River/Chickahominy: Oct 12-14

Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Williamsburg, VA

Divisions: North Carolina, Northeast, Piedmont & Volunteer

Off-limits: Oct 2-6, 2017

Red River: Oct 19-21

Red River South Marina

Bossier City, LA

Divisions: Arkie, Cowboy, Mississippi & Okie

Off-limits: Oct 9-13, 2017

Lake Lanier: Oct 19-21

Laurel Park

Gainesville, GA

Divisions: Gator, Savannah River, Shenandoah & South Carolina

Off-limits: Oct 9-13, 2017

Wild Card

Oct 27-28

Location: TBA

2017 BFL All-American: May 31-Jun 3

Pickwick Lake: McFarland Park

Florence, AL

Off-limits: May 22-30, 2017

BFL Highlights

Angler and Co-angler of the Year

$1,000 Angler of the Year award in each division
$500 Co-angler of the Year award in each division

96 Qualifying Tournaments

$8,000 top boater award
$3,000 top co-angler award
Ranger Cup bonuses
Saturday tournaments
Winners determined by heaviest one-day catch
20 percent of field earns a check
Every angler receives points
Entry fees: $230 boaters & $115 co-anglers

24 Super Tournaments

$11,000 top boater award
$4,500 top co-angler award
Ranger Cup bonuses
Saturday and Sunday tournaments: full field Saturday and top 20 percent Sunday
Winners determined by heaviest two-day catch
20 percent of field earns a check
Every angler receives points
Entry fees: $345 boaters & $175 co-anglers

6 Regional Championships with Guaranteed Payouts

Ranger Z518C with a 200 HP outboard and $20,000 for winning boaters
Ranger Z518C with a 200 HP outboard for winning co-anglers
Top six boaters and co-anglers advance to the BFL All-American
Top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each of four divisions qualify along with the tournament winners*
Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournaments: full field Thursday and Friday and top 12 Saturday
Winners determined by heaviest three-day catch
GUARANTEED PAYOUT includes: $10,000 for boaters and $5,000 for co-anglers for 2nd place, $5,000 for boaters and $2,500 for co-anglers for 3rd place, and $1,000 for boaters and $500 for co-anglers for 12th place
Top 24 boaters and co-anglers earn checks
No entry fee

1 Wild Card Regional

Top six boaters and co-anglers advance to the BFL All-American
Anglers who enter all five events within a division and fish at least two but do not advance to a Regional Championship qualify*
Friday and Saturday tournament, full field both days
Winners determined by heaviest two-day catch
No entry fee (Optional pot available)

BFL All-American

$120,000 top boater award
$60,000 top co-angler award
Nationally televised
Ranger Cup bonuses
Winning boater advances to the Forrest Wood Cup
Top six boaters and co-anglers from six regional championships and the Wild Card qualify
Wednesday practice. Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournament: full field Thursday and Friday and top 10 Saturday
Winners determined by the heaviest three-day catch
Every boater earns at least $1,500, and every co-angler earns at least $750
No entry fee

* See rules for complete details

The Payout

Qualifying Event:

Place Boater Ranger Cup Co-angler

1 $6,000 $2,000 $3,000

2 3,000 1,500

3 2,000 1,000

4 1,400 700

5 1,200 600

6 1,100 550

7 1,000 500

8 900 450

9 800 400

10 700 350

11 630 315

12 580 290

13 560 280

14 530 265

15 500 250

16 480 240

17 460 230

18 440 220

19 420 210

20 400 200

21 390 195

22 380 190

23 370 185

24 360 180

25 350 175

26 340 170

27 330 165

28 320 160

29 310 155

30 300 150

31 290 145

32 280 140

33 270 135

34 260 130

35 250 125

36 240 120

37 230 115

38 220 110

39 210 105

40 200 100

Big Bass 1,000 500

Entry Fee $230 $115

Payback is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament.

Super Tournament:

Place Boater Ranger Cup Co-angler

1 $9,000 $2,000 $4,500

2 4,500 2,250

3 3,000 1,500

4 2,100 1,050

5 1,800 900

6 1,650 825

7 1,500 750

8 1,350 675

9 1,200 600

10 1,050 525

11 950 475

12 870 435

13 840 420

14 800 400

15 750 375

16 720 360

17 690 345

18 660 330

19 630 315

20 600 300

21 590 295

22 570 285

23 560 280

24 540 270

25 530 265

26 510 255

27 500 250

28 480 240

29 460 230

30 450 225

31 430 215

32 420 210

33 400 200

34 390 195

35 370 185

36 360 180

37 340 170

38 330 165

39 310 155

40 300 150

Big Bass 1,500 750

Entry Fee $345 $175

Payback is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament.

Regional Championship:

Place Boater Co-angler

1 Ranger Z518C Ranger Z518C w/

with 200 HP outboard 200 HP outboard *

& $20,000 *

2 $10,000 * $5,000 *

3 5,000 * 2,500 *

4 3,000 * 1,500 *

5 2,000 * 1,000 *

6 1,800 * 900 *

7 1,600 800

8 1,400 700

9 1,200 600

10-12 1,000 500

13-15 600 300

16-20 500 250

21-24 400 200

* The top six boaters and co-anglers advance to the All-American

Ranger Cup

Anglers must be registered with Ranger and meet all Ranger Cup clothing and decal requirements to receive a Ranger Cup bonus. The decision of Ranger Boats is final in all matters regarding Ranger Cup bonus eligibility. Visit the Ranger Cup page at RangerBoats.com or call 870.453.2222 for additional information.

Visit FLWFishing.com for a complete list of contingency awards.

The Rules

FLW expects strict adherence to the following rules by all contestants. Additionally, FLW suggests that co-anglers share fuel expenses with their boater partner to help offset the high cost of boat operation. FLW also recommends the use of nonpuncturing culling clips like the new TH Marine G Force Conservation Cull for marking fish and livewell additives like G-Juice to help promote the healthy release of bass. FLW discourages sharing a partner’s phone number with anyone without the partner’s consent. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 first and then notify the tournament director. The tournament director should be notified as soon as possible prior to weigh-in if you use a mobile communication device for any purpose other than GPS, mapping, weather, power generation, tidal charts, personal fishing notes and related data as outlined in rule 10.

1. INTERPRETATION & ENFORCEMENT

These rules will remain unchanged during 2017. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules will be left exclusively to the tournament director. Decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Each contestant agrees to report any rule violation to the tournament director immediately upon discovery of the violation. Failure to report violations (boater or co-angler) may be cause for disqualification. The violation of a tournament rule may result in, but is not limited to, weight loss, the loss of weight up to a particular time in the tournament day, the loss of weight for the entire day, the loss of the heaviest one-day catch, the loss of the heaviest bass for the day, disqualification from the entire tournament or ineligibility to participate in future FLW tournaments. Protests are to be made in writing within 30 minutes of the check-in time of the final flight of each tournament day.

2. PAYBACK & PARTICIPATION

Payback is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament. Participation is open only to members of FLW who are 16 years of age or older. Any person under the age of 18 (19 in Alabama and Nebraska) entering a tournament must also have the signature of a parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form. Any person’s participation in any tournament is at the sole discretion of FLW officials. Any person who, in the judgment of the tournament director, is disabled or handicapped in such a manner as to unfairly hinder his or her boater or co-angler partner or compromise his or her safety or the safety of his or her boater or co-angler partner may not be eligible to participate. All contestants must have a valid fishing license for the waters they fish. Random checks will be conducted at each tournament. Failure to provide proof of a valid fishing license within a reasonable amount of time when requested by the tournament director will result in disqualification for that day and any preceding days in which the license was required for the tournament.

BOATER & CO-ANGLER ENTRY: Entries will be accepted by division beginning at 8 a.m. Central time on the following dates: November 14, 2016 – Hoosier, Michigan, Music City and Volunteer. November 15, 2016 – Bulldog, Cowboy, Great Lakes, Illini and Mississippi. November 16, 2016 – Bama, Buckeye, Choo Choo, Mountain and Ozark. November 17, 2016 – Arkie, LBL, North Carolina, Northeast and Okie. November 18, 2016 – Gator, Piedmont, Savannah River, Shenandoah and South Carolina. Boaters entering by the priority deadline for each tournament and providing co-anglers (with membership numbers) will be given top priority and, if accepted into the tournament, will receive a guaranteed co-angler draw. Co-anglers entering by the priority deadline for each tournament and providing boaters (with membership numbers) will be given top priority. Boater and co-angler priority and boater draw guarantees are granted when matching boater and co-angler entries (listing each other’s name and membership number) are received by the priority deadline and are contingent on both anglers competing in the tournament entered. Entering with a boater or co-angler does not guarantee you will be fishing together in the same boat. All boaters and co-anglers, regardless of priority, will be paired by random draw per rule 7. TBF members entering by the priority deadline for each tournament will be given priority. All other entry priority will be assigned by the date and time of entry. Entries may be made either by mail, phone or on the Internet at FLWFishing.com. Do not make entry by more than one method. Published payouts for each qualifier and super tournament are based on 200 boater and 200 co-angler entries. Late entries will be accepted through registration the day before a tournament when a field is not yet at 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers and are subject to a $25 service charge. Entries received after a tournament has reached 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers will be placed on a waiting list. Those anglers placed on the waiting list and not accepted into the tournament will receive a full refund after the tournament and will maintain Wild Card eligibility. CONFIRMED ENTRIES ARE CONTINGENT UPON COMPLETE ENTRY FEE BEING PAID BY THE ENTRY DEADLINE DATE. Entry fees may be transferred or refunded if FLW is notified by 5 p.m. Central time the Tuesday prior to a tournament. Entry fees will not be transferred or refunded after TUESDAY. Each refunded entry fee is subject to a $10 service charge. FLW may accept more than 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers into a tournament based on market demand, not to exceed 230 boaters and 230 co-anglers in qualifying tournaments and 220 boaters and 220 co-anglers in super tournaments.

WILD CARD ELIGIBILITY: Contestants who pay an entry fee prior to the tournament for all five tournaments in a division, fish at least two tournaments in the same division and do not qualify for regional competition in any division are eligible to compete in the Wild Card. To maintain Wild Card eligibility, entry fees may not be transferred or refunded (except for waiting list anglers not accepted into a tournament). Boater and co-angler pairing priority will be based on date and time of entry.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Boater entry fees are $230 per one-day tournament and $345 per two-day super tournament. Co-angler entry fees are $115 per one-day tournament and $175 per two-day super tournament. Entry fees are due upon entry.

3. POINT STANDINGS

250 points are awarded to the winner of each tournament, 249 to 2nd, 248 to 3rd, etc., and 375 points are awarded to the winner of each super tournament, 374 to 2nd, 373 to 3rd, etc. Every angler participating in a tournament receives a minimum of 20 points, and every angler participating in a super tournament receives a minimum of 30 points. Anglers must earn weight credit to receive points (above the minimum) for their finish. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from the final point standings in each division (ties resolved by total weight, then total number of fish, then total number of live fish) and the winner of each tournament (who has paid an entry fee for all five tournaments in a division and fished at least two tournaments in the same division) qualify for a 2017 regional championship and receive priority entry into the 2018 FLW Series. If a tournament winner is also ranked in the top 45 in the final points standings in a division, the next angler in rank will be invited to the regional championship. If a qualified angler is unable to attend a regional championship, the next person in the point standings may be invited. The top six boaters and co-anglers at each regional championship qualify for the 2018 All-American. The winning boater at the 2018 All-American qualifies for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup.

4. PURCHASING OF INFORMATION

The purchasing of, or bartering for, information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters, including but not limited to GPS waypoints (other than through commercially available sources) and the hiring of fishing guide services is not permitted after the entry deadline for each qualifying tournament and super tournament or the start of the off-limits for each regional championship and the All-American: September 25, 2017 for the Kentucky Lake regional, October 2, 2017 for the Barren River regional, October 2, 2017 for the Wheeler Lake regional, October 2, 2017 for the James River/Chickahominy regional, October 9, 2017 for the Red River regional, October 9, 2017 for the Lake Lanier regional and May 22, 2017 for the 2017 All-American on Pickwick Lake. The sharing of tournament winnings with noncontestants in exchange for information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters is strictly prohibited and will be cause for disqualification from the entire tournament. The purchasing of, or bartering for, fishing locations from another contestant is strictly prohibited and will be cause for both contestants to be disqualified from the entire tournament.

5. OFF-LIMITS, PRACTICE & COMPETITION

There is no practice period or off-limits period prior to the pretournament meeting for each qualifying tournament, super tournament and the wild card. Contestants may not enter tournament waters to locate bass or potential fishing waters or sightsee after the start of the pretournament meeting except during tournament hours. Testing equipment on tournament waters after the start of the pretournament meeting is permitted only with prior approval from the tournament director. Once competition is under way, contestants may not solicit and/or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except boaters and co-anglers confirmed in the tournament and through publicly available sources (quasi-public websites, blogs and/or social media pages, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram and Periscope, set up for the specific purpose of sharing information with individuals or a small group of individuals are not publicly available sources). During competition days, contestants may not place brush or other physical fish attractors, including chum of any kind, in tournament waters. During competition days, boaters may not follow a noncontestant’s boat or participate in the placing of markers, brush or other fish attractors by noncontestants or the practice of “hole sitting” by anyone. Anglers eliminated after each round of competition are considered noncontestants. Contestants in the top 20 percent cut after the close of weigh-in on day 1 in super tournaments may not solicit or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except other top 20 percent contestants and through publicly available sources. In multiday tournaments, co-anglers who share a boater partner’s fishing locations with another contestant will be disqualified along with the contestant requesting and/or using the information. Off-limits dates for each regional championship and the All-American are:

September 25-29, 2017 for the Kentucky Lake regional
October 2-6, 2017 for the Barren River regional
October 2-6, 2017 for the Wheeler Lake regional
October 2-6, 2017 for the James River/Chickahominy regional
October 9-13, 2017 for the Red River regional
October 9-13, 2017 for the Lake Lanier regional
May 22-30, 2017 for the 2017 All-American on Pickwick Lake

During the regional off-limits period, no contestant may be on tournament waters unless prior approval is received from the tournament director to compete in an FLW tournament on the waters, and no person may be on tournament waters to locate fish or gain fishing information on a contestant’s behalf. After the regional off-limits period, contestants may practice alone, with an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandparent, grandchild or spouse), with another contestant in the regional or a representative that has been approved by the tournament director prior to entering the water for practice. At no time during regional practice or on tournament days shall a contestant consult with a noncontestant on or off tournament waters. Flights over tournament waters, including drones, are not permitted beginning with the start of the regional off-limits period, extending through practice and competition days.

6. REGISTRATION & PRETOURNAMENT MEETING

Each contestant must register in person at the designated site, send a person who is 16 years of age or older to represent them at the site, register online at FLWFishing.com between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time the Thursday or Friday before the tournament or call FLW between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time the Thursday or Friday before the tournament. Noncontestants can represent one person; contestants can represent themselves and one other person; and the tournament director can represent more than one person. Every contestant or a representative must attend the pretournament meeting to record flights, takeoff time, check-in time, off-limits areas, size and creel limits, and any other relevant tournament rule information. Every contestant or a representative must also attend the boater/co-angler draw immediately following the pretournament meeting to receive the contestant’s boat number, meet the contestant’s boater or co-angler, and record the boater or co-angler’s lodging information, phone number and exact location for the contestant and boater or co-angler to meet prior to takeoff. Registration hours are 4-6 p.m. local time the day before each tournament. Contestants or their representatives registering between 6-6:15 p.m. will pay a $25 late fee that will be donated to the FLW Foundation. Contestants or their representatives who fail to notify the tournament director and are more than 15 minutes late for registration may forfeit their entry fee and not be entered in the tournament. It is mandatory that all contestants or their representatives attend the pretournament meeting that will be held at 6:30 p.m. local time the day before each tournament. The tournament director can represent more than one person. Being late for the pretournament meeting will result in a $25 late fee that will be donated to the FLW Foundation. Contestants not present or represented for pairings may forfeit their entry fee and not be entered in the tournament.

7. PAIRINGS

All boaters and co-anglers will be paired by random draw and will receive a text message with their boat number, flight time and boater or co-angler’s name and phone number. All contestants must contact their assigned boater or co-angler following the pretournament meeting. Partners should advise each other of their respective lodging and phone numbers and establish a meeting time and place for the following morning’s takeoff. The tournament director, at his sole discretion, may reassign partners prior to takeoff. If more boaters than co-anglers are entered in a tournament, excess boaters will be paired together. If the number of co-anglers exceeds the number of boaters, excess co-anglers may choose to change to boater status or have their entry transferred or refunded with no service charge. The selection of co-anglers in this situation will be determined by date and time of entry.

8. SAFETY

Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is running from boat check until weigh-in each day of the tournament. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition-shutoff device that must be securely attached to the driver’s body whenever the combustion engine is running. All persons must be seated and a driver must be behind the steering wheel in full control of the boat whenever it is on plane or the combustion engine is running and in gear. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. Competitors may leave their boat and seek shelter in bad weather or when danger is eminent. They must, however, stay within sight of each other.

9. SPORTSMANSHIP

All contestants 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 FLW, FLW’s sponsors, the sport of fishing and FLW’s efforts 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 2017 Bass Fishing League.
Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during registration or tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure.
Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances.
Conviction of a felony within the past 36 months.
Suspension/disqualification, probation or ban from any tournament or fishing organization.
Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavorably 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 paragraph 9.

In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, FLW shall have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee, to disqualify a contestant or impose any penalty outlined in paragraph 1.

10. BOAT OPERATION

Boaters will fish from the front deck of the boat only. Co-anglers will fish from the back deck or seating area of the boat only. Boaters will have complete control of boat operation and waters to be fished. For safety concerns in rough water or swift current, in the event of an outboard or trolling motor breakdown or during an emergency, co-anglers may operate the trolling motor or the outboard but may not fish anytime from the front deck. Boaters may not request that the co-angler not fish. Any boater that, in the judgment of the tournament director, operates the boat in such a manner that unfairly handicaps his/her co-angler and any co-angler who unfairly handicaps his/her boater may be disqualified for that day. Boaters paired with boaters will receive equal time in the front of the boat to operate the trolling motor and equal time, including travel, to fish their selected waters. Contestants may not use mobile communication devices, including but not limited to, cell phones, tablets, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CBs, etc., to communicate with anyone about locating or catching fish on tournament waters during tournament hours. Mobile communication devices may be used during tournament hours to communicate with lockmasters about locking, to communicate with the tournament director or to communicate with FLW editors or producers. Boaters may use smart phones and/or tablets during tournament hours for GPS, mapping, weather, power generation, tidal charts, personal fishing notes and related data. At no time during tournament hours may contestants read or discuss social media posts from other contestants. Co-anglers are not allowed to record GPS waypoints or use any type of handheld GPS during any competition day. Contestants are expected to compete every day for which they are qualified; failure to do so may result in ineligibility to compete in future FLW tournaments. If a special circumstance arises that inhibits a contestant’s ability to compete, the tournament director may allow the contestant to withdraw from competition and maintain the weight caught to that point. Depending on the need to maintain an equal number of boaters and co-anglers (i.e. day 2 at super tournaments and day 3 at regionals and the All-American), the next highest contestant in the tournament standings may be invited to continue competition.

11. BOAT & HORSEPOWER REGULATION

All boats must be propeller-driven, a minimum of 16 feet in length and have a rear deck (with a seat if requested). All boats must be equipped with wheel steering; no other steering device will be permitted. No barges or similarly cumbersome craft will be permitted. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain alive a limit catch of bass by both contestants. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will be 250 horsepower, not to exceed the horsepower capacity set forth on the “Maximum Capacities” placard described below. Each boat must have a clearly legible “Maximum Capacities” (or comparably titled) placard that includes a maximum horsepower rating affixed to the boat by the manufacturer. The horsepower of the outboard engine must not exceed the maximum horsepower capacity specified on this placard or the 250-horsepower maximum set by FLW. By signing the entry form, contestants agree to submit their boat and/or motor to an inspection by FLW personnel. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower numbers on the motor or rating placard will be cause for disqualification from the tournament and may result in ineligibility to compete in future FLW tournaments. Fishing platforms must be factory-installed equipment. No portable platforms may be used in tournament competition. Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle. The use of generators, other than solar or wind-powered generators, is prohibited in contestant boats during tournament hours on all competition days.

12. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS

Fishing is defined as having a lure attached to a line and a rod and reel with the rod in hand. All bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. All lures must adhere to state regulations. Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits. Alabama rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are limited to a maximum of five wires with a maximum of five spinners, five lures and three hooks (single or treble) unless state regulations are more restrictive, in which case state regulations prevail. Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling as a method of fishing is strictly prohibited. Trolling is defined as operating the combustion engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve. All bass caught while sight-fishing must be hooked inside the mouth and immediately shown to your boater or co-angler for verification.

13. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS

Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters available to the public and accessible by boat except areas posted or otherwise designated as “off-limits,” “no boats,” “keep out,” “restricted,” “no trespassing” or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access) by FLW, commercial property owners and/or local, state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a contestant’s boat that was first anchored. An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight or by a Power-Pole, Talon or similar shallow water anchor with the trolling motor in the up position. All fishing must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a contestant leave the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. The cutting of trees, bushes and/or logs after the start of the pretournament meeting and/or the removal of official local, state or federal barricades at any time to make an area more accessible by boat is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification from the tournament. The use of cables, ropes, chains or any type of block and tackle system to maneuver a boat into fishing waters is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification from the tournament. Contestants must leave and return to the check-in by boat. The boat must remain in the tournament waters during the tournament day. No tournament boat may be loaded on a trailer before the weigh-in except with the permission of the tournament director. In the event of equipment failure or emergency the tournament director must be notified as soon as it is safe to do so. There are then two permitted methods of returning to the check-in: (1) by both paired anglers remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) with permission from the tournament director, by one or both paired anglers entering the boat of another tournament contestant. Under these two conditions both contestants’ catches may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules) provided that the co-angler’s fish are adequately marked so as to provide clear distinction of the boater’s catch and the co-angler’s catch to the tournament director. Contestants who elect to return to the check-in by any other means than cited above will forfeit their day’s catch to that point in time of the tournament day. Abandoning a boat and leaving it adrift without proper tie-off or anchoring after a mechanical failure may result in disqualification of that day’s weight. Any contestant returning to the check-in point will be eligible to restart and resume competition under the supervision of the tournament director or his designated tournament official. It is the sole responsibility of contestants to locate the tournament director to request a restart. Partners must remain together at all times and within sight of each other until the weigh-in verification is signed. The momentary condition of being out of sight of each other for restroom breaks is permitted.

14. CHECKPOINTS

There will be only one checkpoint for boat check in the morning and one check-in point in the afternoon. Failure to go through boat check and checkout in the morning or failure to check in at the check-in point will result in disqualification. All fishing must cease upon check-in.

15. LATE PENALTY

Contestants who are not at the check-in area at the appointed time will be penalized 1 pound per minute, deducted from the total weight, including any weight to be counted toward the Big Bass Award. Any contestant more than 15 minutes late will lose credit for that day’s weight.

16. LIVE FISH

Every effort must be made to keep bass alive through the use of a properly aerated livewell. Four ounces will be deducted from the total weight for each dead bass presented for weigh-in.

17. SCORING

Scoring is determined by the pounds and ounces of each contestant’s catch during each qualifying tournament. Only largemouth, spotted, redeye or smallmouth bass are accepted species. No regurgitated forage or other foreign matter may be placed in a bass. The daily limit will be five unless the state or lake limit is less than five, in which case the state or lake limit will prevail. Boaters and/or co-anglers possessing more than the tournament limit must notify the tournament director immediately upon discovery of the infraction and reduce his/her catch to the tournament limit by releasing live bass. Anglers possessing more than the tournament limit will be penalized 2 pounds for each bass over the limit. The minimum length limit for bass will be 12 inches unless the state or lake limit is more than 12 inches, in which case, the state or lake limit will prevail. Bass presented for weigh-in that fail to measure the prescribed length limit will be penalized at the rate of 1 pound for each short bass presented. Each contestant’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag and verified by the signature of their boater or co-angler. Failure to have a verified boater or co-angler signature may result in disqualification of that day’s catch. On day 2 in super tournaments, the top 20 percent of boaters and co-anglers based on weight from day 1 compete, and the winners are determined by the heaviest combined weight from days 1 and 2. On day 3 of regional championships, the top 12 boaters and co-anglers based on the combined weight from days 1 and 2 compete, and the winners are determined by the heaviest combined weight from days 1, 2 and 3. On day 3 of the All-American, the top 10 boaters and co-anglers based on the combined weight from days 1 and 2 compete, and the winners are determined by the heaviest combined weight from days 1, 2 and 3.

18. TIES

Ties in one-day tournaments will be resolved by combining and dividing the awards equally among the tied contestants (trophy recipient determined by lottery). Ties on day 1 of two-day super tournaments will be broken first by total number of fish for the tournament, then by total number of live fish for the tournament, then by point standings and then by lottery. The heaviest one-day catch for the tournament will break ties on day 2 of super tournaments. If a tie remains, it will be broken first by total number of fish for the tournament, then by total number of live fish for the tournament, then by day 1 standings. The heaviest one-day catch for the tournament will break ties on day 2 and 3 of regional championships. If a tie remains, it will be broken first by total number of fish for the tournament, then by total number of live fish for the tournament, then by total points earned in the division from which each contestant qualified, then by highest finish in the super tournament and then by lottery. The heaviest one-day catch for the tournament will break ties on day 2 and 3 at the All-American. If a tie remains, it will be broken first by total number of fish for the tournament, then by total number of live fish for the tournament, then by regional finish, then by total points earned in the division from which each contestant qualified and then by lottery.

19. LOGO DISPLAY & MEDIA COVERAGE

Smoking is not allowed in the weigh-in line during all days of competition. Logo restrictions apply for the televised All-American and will be provided to qualifying anglers.

20. TRUTH VERIFICATION TEST

Each contestant agrees to submit, by signature on the tournament entry form, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination and to abide by its conclusion. Failure to pass an examination will result in disqualification from the tournament. Truth verification tests will be used at FLW’s sole discretion, and the determination of the meaning of the results will be made solely by FLW.

21. INSURANCE

Liability insurance with coverage in reasonable amounts is required of all boater contestants in BFL tournaments.

22. CAPTIONS

The captions at the beginning of each paragraph are intended to facilitate convenience in referring to the various rules. The captions are not part of the substance of the paragraph and should not be used in construction of any paragraph or of this overall set of rules.