2025 OFFICIAL RULES (Updated 1-29-25)
Qualifying Events | Stages 1-7:
2025 Bass Pro Tour | Stages 1-7:
Catch-weigh-immediate release. Every scorable bass per day. Minimum scorable weight will be determined by the MLF Fisheries Management Division.
REDCREST 2025:
Catch-weigh-immediate release. Every scorable bass per day. Minimum scorable weight will be determined by the MLF Fisheries Management Division.
Heavy Hitters 2025:
Catch-weigh-immediate release. Every scorable bass per day. Minimum scorable weight will be determined by the MLF Fisheries Management Division.
Team Series 2025 | Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup:
Catch-weigh-immediate release. The combined weight of every scorable bass for a team will be the team’s weight for the Match. Minimum scorable weight will be determined by the MLF Fisheries Management Division.
PAYOUTS:
2025 Bass Pro Tour | Stages One-Seven:
Payouts will total $650,000 for each Bass Pro Tour Stage. The following reflects the payout by place and Big Bass for each Bass Pro Tour Stage:
1 | $150,000 | 6 | $23,000 | 11 | $15,900 | 16 | $15,400 | 21-30 | $10,000 |
2 | $45,000 | 7 | $22,000 | 12 | $15,800 | 17 | $15,300 | Daily Big Bass | $1,00 |
3 | $35,000 | 8 | $21,000 | 13 | $15,700 | 18 | $15,200 | ||
4 | $30,000 | 9 | $20,500 | 14 | $15,600 | 19 | $15,100 | ||
5 | $25,000 | 10 | $20,000 | 15 | $15,500 | 20 | $15,000 |
REDCREST 2025:
Payouts will total $778,000 for REDCREST. The following reflects the payout by place and Big Bass:
1 | $300,00 | 4 | $28,000 | 7 | $18,000 | 10 | $12,500 | Daily Big Bass | $1,000 |
2 | $50,000 | 5 | $25,000 | 8 | $16,000 | 11-20 | $10,000 | ||
3 | $40,000 | 6 | $20,000 | 9 | $14,500 | 21-50 | $5,000 |
Heavy Hitters 2025:
Payouts will total $507,502 for Heavy Hitters. The following reflects the payout by place and Big Bass:
1 | $100,000 | 5 | $15,000 | 9 | $11,000 | Big Bass A1 | $10,000 | Big Bass KR | $30,000 |
2 | $25,000 | 6 | $14,500 | 10 | $8,000 | Big Bass A2 | $10,000 | Big Bass CR | $100,000 |
3 | $20,000 | 7 | $13,500 | 11-16 | $7,000 | Big Bass B1 | $10,000 | ||
4 | $18,000 | 8 | $12,500 | 17-30 | $4,143 | Big Bass B2 | $10,000 |
Team Series 2025:
Payouts will total $140,000 for each Team Series Cup. The following reflects the payout by place for each Team Series Cup:
POINTS AND QUALIFYING:
2025 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year, 2025 Team Series and REDCREST 2026:
All MLF Bass Pro Tour anglers begin each season with zero points. MLF Anglers may earn points at each Bass Pro Tour Stage according to their individual place finish as follows:
Championship Round | Knockout Round | Qualifying Round | ||||||
Overall Place | Points | Round Place | Overall Place | Points | Overall Place | Points | Overall Place | Points |
1 | 80 | 10 | 11 | 70 | 21 | 60 | 43 | 38 |
2 | 79 | 11 | 12 | 69 | 22 | 59 | 44 | 37 |
3 | 78 | 12 | 13 | 68 | 23 | 58 | 45 | 36 |
4 | 77 | 13 | 14 | 67 | 24 | 57 | 46 | 35 |
5 | 76 | 14 | 15 | 66 | 25 | 56 | 47 | 34 |
6 | 75 | 15 | 16 | 65 | 26 | 55 | 48 | 33 |
7 | 74 | 16 | 17 | 64 | 27 | 54 | 49 | 32 |
8 | 73 | 17 | 18 | 63 | 28 | 53 | 50 | 31 |
9 | 72 | 18 | 19 | 62 | 29 | 52 | 51 | 30 |
10 | 71 | 19 | 20 | 61 | 30 | 51 | 52 | 29 |
31 | 50 | 53 | 28 | |||||
32 | 49 | 54 | 27 | |||||
33 | 48 | 55 | 26 | |||||
34 | 47 | 56 | 25 | |||||
35 | 46 | 57 | 24 | |||||
36 | 45 | 58 | 23 | |||||
37 | 44 | 59 | 22 | |||||
38 | 43 | 60 | 21 | |||||
39 | 42 | 61 | 20 | |||||
40 | 41 | 62 | 19 | |||||
41 | 40 | 63 | 18 | |||||
42 | 39 | 64 | 17 | |||||
65 | 16 | |||||||
66 | 15 |
a. MLF Anglers must legally catch a scorable bass to earn points in a Stage. Any MLF angler who does not catch a scorable bass at a Stage will receive zero points for that tournament.
b. Earned points will accumulate until the conclusion of the season. Total accumulated points at the end of the season will determine the 2025 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year and REDCREST 2026 qualifiers.
i. The top twenty-nine (29) Bass Pro Tour Anglers in the year-end 2025 Angler of the Year points standings will advance to REDCREST 2026 as will the REDCREST 2025 Champion. The 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Champion, 2025 Toyota Series Pro Division Champion, 2025 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Boater Division All-American, highest finishing member of the College Fishing National Champions team at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship, and winner of the MLF International Division at the 2025 Toyota Series Championship also qualify for REDCREST 2026 for a total field of 35 anglers. If an angler is double qualified, or a REDCREST invitation is declined, the next eligible angler will be invited based on year-end 2025 Bass Pro Tour AOY standings.
ii. Should there be a tie in accumulated points for MLF Angler of the Year, the tiebreaker will be angler with the best Bass Pro Tour tournament finish of the season, followed by the second-best finish, then the third, and so on, until a winner is determined. Should tie still exist after all tournament place finishes have been used, the winner will be determined by the total number of scorable bass caught during the season. Should a tie still exist after all scorable bass caught are used, the winner will be determined by the biggest bass caught in the season.
c. Bass Pro Tour Anglers will be eligible to form 48 total two-man teams by way of two drafts for the 2025 Team Series. The 48 Teams will be divided into the four Team Series Cups (12 Teams per Cup). The top 24 anglers based on points earned in Stages 1-3 will serve as draft captains for the Challenge Cup and Heritage Cup. The top 24 anglers based on points earned in Stages 4-6 will serve as draft captains for the Patriot Cup and Summit Cup. Captains in both drafts may be selected by a higher-ranked captain. If they accept the selection, the next highest-ranked non-captain will serve as a captain. The top ranked captain receives first pick in each draft. See the 2025 Team Series for complete rules.
2026 Bass Pro Tour Requalification:
Anglers that qualify for the 2026 Bass Pro Tour season shall be determined as outlined below until a maximum of 51 available spots are filled:
a. The first 36 invitations are extended to Bass Pro Tour Anglers as outlined below:
i. Highest ranking current Anglers based on Career Angler of the Year standings average. This will result in invitations going to 34 to 36 Anglers based on the use of Exemptions.
ii. Current Anglers with unused Exemptions. No more than two (2) Anglers may use exemptions in any given year.
b. The next ten (10) invitations are extended to Bass Pro Tour Anglers not included in a (i) or a (ii) above based on their 2025 Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year rank.
c. The final five (5) invitations are extended to MLF Invitational Anglers based on 2025 Angler of the Year standings. If a top-5 Invitational angler also receives a 2026 Bass Pro Tour invitation from a or b above, or a Bass Pro Tour Angler withdrawals, declines an invitation or retires, the unused invitation goes first to the next current Bass Pro Tour Anglers with unused Exemptions, then to noncurrent Bass Pro Tour Anglers with unused Exemptions and then to the next eligible Bass Pro Tour Angler based on Career Angler of the Year standings average.
d. If invitations remain below a 50-pro field, they will be awarded to MLF Invitational anglers based on 2025 Angler of the Year standings until 50 spots are filled. Under this scenario, the field will be capped at 50.
e. Exemptions: Bass Pro Tour Anglers earn Exemptions for Bass Pro Tour Angler of the Year wins and REDCREST wins. One Exemption is earned for each Angler of the Year and/or REDCREST win. It is possible for an angler to earn multiple Exemptions. Each Exemption can only be used one time during an Angler’s career. Invitations based on Exemptions are awarded based on Career Angler of the Year standings average, with the highest-ranked angler receiving the first available invitation. Anglers with unused Exemptions must be in good standing with the league to receive an invitation. Acceptance of unused Exemptions is at Major League Fishing’s sole discretion. Angler shall be allowed to bring his career average from previous BPT seasons with his exemption.
f. Career Angler of the Year standings average: Career Angler of the Year standings average is the average of an Angler’s career BPT Angler of the Year finishes, converted to a winning percentage to accommodate changes in field size, not counting Earned Drops. Anglers can drop their lowest BPT Angler of the Year finish every third year of BPT competition (Earned Drop). Career Angler of the Year standings average and Earned Drops reset to zero when an Angler does not compete in a Bass Pro Tour season except as allowed by Exemptions listed above.
Earned Drop examples:
3 seasons = use 2 best AOY finishes, drop 1
4 seasons = use 3 best AOY finishes, drop 1
5 seasons = use 4 best AOY finishes, drop 1
6 seasons = use 4 best AOY finishes, drop 2
7 seasons = use 5 best AOY finishes, drop 2
8 seasons = use 6 best AOY finishes, drop 2
9 seasons = use 6 best AOY finishes, drop 3
Ties will be resolved by 2025 Angler of the Year standings.
2026 Heavy Hitters Qualifying:
All Bass Pro Tour anglers will be allowed to count their single largest bass for each of the seven (7) Bass Pro Tour tournaments toward qualifying for Heavy Hitters.
i. The thirty (30) Bass Pro Tour Anglers with the heaviest total weight comprised of the biggest bass caught by each angler at each Stage of the 2025 Bass Pro Tour season (1 fish per event – 7 total fish for the season) qualify for Heavy Hitters.
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:
a. The following rules apply to the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour, Heavy Hitters and REDCREST. These rules may be modified and changed from time to time with input from Major League Fishing Anglers Association (MLFAA) representatives. All Bass Pro Tour anglers will receive notice of such changes or corrections via text and/or e-mail.
b. MLF events are only open to qualified Major League Fishing pros who have signed the following documents:
i. Major League Fishing, LLC Angler and League Agreement
ii. Pro Bass Tour Talent and Promotion Agreement
c. REDCREST is also open to participants who qualify through the MLF Invitationals, Toyota Series, Bass Fishing League and MLF College Fishing based on the rules outlined for each circuit. Participants who qualify through this manner are not required to sign the Major League Fishing, LLC Angler and League Agreement or Pro Bass Tour Talent and Promotion Agreement.
d. During official practice and competition days no contestant may operate a boat unless he/she has current boat owner’s liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence covering the boat being used in the event. Proof of insurance must be with the participant’s boat being used and must cover all passengers in the boat. Each policy must show an effective start date and expiration date. Any participant who does not have proof of insurance may be subject to fines, penalties or disqualification. The MLF Tournament Director will have final say.
e. Participants must sign a W-9 and when required a Form 590 or W-8 BEN provided by MLF prior to the start of competition. If tax status or address changes occur, new forms must be submitted prior to participation in the next MLF event. (See Pro Bass Tour Talent and Promotion Agreement).
f. To ensure effective and timely communication between Major League Fishing, Pro Bass Tour and MLF Bass Pro Tour Anglers, each angler must provide MLF with his or her primary cell phone number, primary email address and home phone number (if applicable). If there is a change in a participant’s primary cell phone number or email address, it is the participant’s responsibility to make MLF aware of the change. If a participant does not have an email address that he/she checks on a regular basis, the participant may provide an email address for a significant other or manager with whom he/she is in regular contact. Participant cell phones must be able to receive text messages from MLF.
g. Major League Fishing is the owner of all MLF events and holds the content rights to all photos and videos (live or recorded) that are captured at any Bass Pro Tour event, Heavy Hitters and REDCREST, both on and off the water. During MLF events, Major League Fishing may mount a small camera in a participant’s boat. The photos and video collected would be used for the MLF website, social media, print Livestream, and/or TV coverage.
h. All MLF Anglers are required to comply, even if the MLF Angler already has a personal camera mounted in their boat. Refusing to comply may result in a penalty. In-boat MLF Officials and camera operators will be allowed to operate these cameras. In-boat MLF Officials are not allowed to operate an angler’s personal camera unless an angler specifically asks an in-boat MLF Official to take a photo or video of the MLF Angler during the competition.
i. Anglers are not permitted to livestream or to participate in any livestream during tournament hours other than opportunities arranged by MLF. Anglers are permitted to livestream during official practice. Photos taken by an MLF Angler during an MLF Competition may be posted on social media and the Angler’s website. Anglers may shoot a video for promotional or marketing purposes and send it to sponsors/post videos on social media profiles/the Anglers website.
j. All Bass Pro Tour anglers are required to have a camera on their boat during competition. Anglers are required to have the camera on and recording their fishing throughout each day of competition. Captured video must be retained until the next event in case the league needs to review it for any reason. When the next event begins, participants may record over the previous events footage and reuse the SD card. MLF will have a limited number of spare cameras available should a participant’s camera malfunction. Anglers wearing personal POV cameras are not allowed to obscure logos on jerseys provided for Heavy Hitters. Violation of this rule will result in the loss of a minimum of 1 hour of fishing time.
k. If an Angler has their own camera person or crew following them on the water, that personal photographer or team must register with MLF media for an approved MLF Credential and must notify the MLF Tournament Director prior to being on the water. The MLF Angler’s personal photographer or team must be respectful of MLF Camera Operators, photographers and other MLF competitors. MLF anglers are not allowed to view any drone footage until eliminated from competition. MLF anglers are not allowed to arrange personal observation flights, including drone flights, over competition waters within the 30-day off limits or the official practice.
l. Personal media representatives approved by the Tournament Director are permitted in an Angler’s boat during official practice. Personal media representatives are not permitted in an Angler’s boat during competition. Personal media representatives must do everything within reason not to interfere with MLF photographers, videographers and other MLF Anglers who are covering/competing in the event. At the event, MLF Angler’s personal media representatives must follow the same rules as any media covering the event. Additionally, personal media representatives are not allowed to use drones during competition hours. Media coverage guidelines will be provided by MLF Media before the start of the competition.
m. Each pro must check in at the designated site on the off-limits day. Check-in hours are 5-6 p.m. local time the day before each tournament’s start date. It is mandatory that all pros attend the pretournament meeting that will be held at 6 p.m. local time the day before each tournament. In an emergency or due to an MLF sponsor obligation, pros may request permission from the tournament director to miss the check-in and meeting. It is the pro’s responsibility, however, to know takeoff times, check-in times, off-limits areas, minimum scorable weights, and any other relevant tournament information that may be presented in the meeting. Pros who do not attend the full pretournament meeting will receive a 30-minute delayed start on opening day of competition unless they had prior permission from the tournament director. Virtual pretournament meetings may be held in place of in-person check-ins and meetings, in which case details will be provided in the schedule of events provided to pros.
n. All Bass Pro Tour Anglers will be required to sign an acknowledgment indicating they have read, understand and will adhere to these rules.
2. MLF BASS PRO TOUR EVENT RULES:
a. The MLF Tournament Director oversees the interpretation and enforcement of these rules. If there is a rules violation, the Tournament Director will determine the angler’s penalty in consultation with the rules infraction committee. These penalties may include disqualification, loss of weight, points and winnings, prohibition from participation in future MLF events, and loss of fishing time.
b. MLF Anglers are required to report any concerns about possible rule violations by another competitor. If an angler witnesses a rule violation, the angler must report that violation to his own in-boat MLF Official and the Tournament Director as soon as practical, but no later than the end of competition for the day.
c. All MLF Anglers will start from and return to the same official check point unless otherwise instructed by the Tournament Director (such as enacting the MLF trailering policy).
d. Before Lines-In, MLF Anglers will follow all instructions from the Tournament Director and his designees.
e. Each participant will leave the staging area for Lines-In when their boat number is called by MLF officials.
f. The MLF SCORETRACKER® scoring system device will serve as the Official Clock.
g. The MLF Official will give the MLF Angler a countdown to Lines-In (beginning of competition). At the end of each period and round, the MLF Official will provide the MLF Angler an official countdown to Lines-Out.
h. Regarding the final cast of any period and round, any bass hooked on the final cast must be inside the gunnel before time expires for it to be scorable.
i. The total weight of every scorable bass caught during the day will determine each MLF Angler’s place for that day at Bass Pro Tour Stage 1-7 events, Heavy Hitters and REDCREST unless otherwise instructed by the Tournament Director.
j. Anglers must operate their boats at a safe speed and in a safe manner at all times.
k. In the event of an emergency, competitors must call 911 first and then notify the Tournament Director.
l. Competitors and MLF Officials are allowed to leave the boat and seek shelter in bad weather where danger may be imminent.
m. Once an MLF Angler is eliminated from competition, that angler is not allowed back on the MLF event waters without approval from the Tournament Director.
3. SPORTSMANSHIP:
a. A Sportsmanship Violation is defined as aggressive or hostile behavior directed at a fellow MLF Angler, MLF Official, MLF employee, a non-competitor or any representative of MLF, including the use of profanity directed at these individuals. Sportsmanship Violations will not be tolerated. MLF Officials are required to report any such violations to the MLF Tournament Director. Any Sportsmanship Violation Penalty will be determined by the MLF Tournament Director and the Rules Infraction Committee made up of the MLF Executive Vice President and General Manager and MLF Vice President of Operations.
b. MLF will not tolerate actions that reflect unfavorably upon MLF, MLF employees, MLF sponsors, MLF spectators, and fishery conservation.
c. MLF Anglers are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any violation of the standards may be deemed cause for disqualification.
d. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than drugs purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any MLF Angler during practice and competition hours could be subject to disciplinary action, including automatic disqualification. This decision is at the discretion of the MLF Tournament Director.
e. Maximum courtesy must be practiced always, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters.
f. All competitors are bound by the laws and policies that are set forth by the various states/counties in which they fish. Some regulations may differ from these rules, resulting in fines, citations or other penalties from local law enforcement and could result in event penalties. MLF Anglers are responsible for knowing all local boating and fishing regulations.
g. Disqualification, suspension or other disciplinary action imposed by other tournament-fishing organizations could also result in disqualification from MLF.
h. Substance addiction or abuse or conviction of a serious crime may be deemed cause for disqualification from an MLF event.
i. All MLF Anglers must have a valid fishing license for the waters they fish.
4. ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT PENALTY GUIDELINES:
a. If an MLF Bass Pro Tour Angler is found to have violated the Angler Code of Conduct, he/she may be assessed a time penalty, monetary penalty and/or any penalty listed in 3A.
5. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:
a. Fish Care and Conservation is a Major League Fishing priority. All bass must be caught in a conventional sporting manner.
b. Use of nets and grippers for landing bass is prohibited.
c. Only artificial lures can be used.
d. All bass caught while sight-fishing (visually targeting bass other than bass feeding on the surface) must be hooked inside the mouth and immediately shown to your MLF official for verification before removal of any hooks to be counted in your daily weight. Inside the mouth is defined as when the bass’s mouth is closed in its natural position, it will cover the entry point of the hook. If a bass becomes unhooked before it can be verified, it will not be scored.
e. Once a bass is located visually (sight-fishing), it can only be scored one time per day, per angler. Violation of this rule may result in loss of weight, loss of fishing time, a fine or any other penalty as outlined in 2.A as determined by the Tournament Director.
f. Alabama Rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are not allowed. Umbrella rigs are determined to be any nontraditional lure or harness using wires, lines or hooks to connect multiple teasers, including but not limited to swimbaits, grubs or spinners. The use of braid or other line to attach a single stinger hook to a lure is allowed as long as the line is no more than 2 inches in length. Traditional spinner baits with a maximum of five blades, including “twin spins” with a maximum of two arms, are acceptable so long as the arm length does not exceed 6 inches from the tie point. The use of plastic trailers, pork trailers and blades are acceptable as long as they are not connected by additional wires or harnesses. Soft plastics must be molded as a single unit and are limited to a maximum of three main bodies. Traditional double fluke, front-runner, double drop-shot and popping cork rigs with a maximum of two hooks are grandfathered in and will be permitted in competition unless otherwise restricted by state regulations.
g. If a competitor breaks their line while setting the hook or retrieving a scorable bass, they can use whatever means necessary to land that bass. If the angler leaves the boat to land the bass, they will be subject to a 3 minute penalty per Rule No. 30.A.
h. Trolling utilizing the outboard or trolling motor, as a means of fishing by pulling your lure is NOT allowed. Long lining/strolling is acceptable.
6. IN-BOAT MLF OFFICIAL’S ROLE:
a. A fully trained and certified MLF Official will accompany each MLF Angler throughout each day’s competition.
b. Each boat will be equipped with an MLF SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device that will be linked to a central database system. The device will provide MLF Anglers with a Leaderboard that shows the status of the event leaders.
c. The duties of the MLF Official will be to weigh and record the weight of each scorable catch, update the MLF SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device, “call the game” and communicate with the base of operation. The official will continually announce updates to the angler regardless of whether the MLF Angler wants the information.
d. The MLF Official will give the MLF Angler SCORETRACKER® updates. MLF Officials will also give the MLF Angler SCORETRACKER® updates of any significant fish scored at any other time, known as “flash updates.”
e. During tournament hours, MLF Anglers cannot access SCORETRACKER® on any device other than their Official’s SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device.
f. The MLF Official will serve as the rule enforcer and the official scorekeeper.
g. Specific Penalty Violations will be assessed “on the spot” by the MLF Official and all other
violations will be reported to the MLF Tournament Director or his representative.
h. Rules decisions made by an MLF Officials are considered final unless an MLF Angler chooses to contact the MLF Tournament Director.
7. THE WEIGHING OF BASS:
a. All MLF events shall utilize the MLF term “scorable bass.” A scorable bass is any bass caught that meets or exceeds the minimum weight requirement for that specific round. Any bass caught that weighs less than the minimum requirement shall be deemed “non-scoreable.” The minimum weight requirement shall be determined by the Fisheries Management Division and will be announced in each event’s schedule of events.
b. Every scorable bass each day will be used to calculate results at each Bass Pro Tour Stage, Heavy Hitters and REDCREST. MLF Anglers are encouraged to weigh every bass that may be scorable to assist the MLF Fisheries Management Division with fisheries research.
c. Only the MLF Angler will handle bass caught during competition. Once a bass is caught, the bass will be set onto the official scale by the MLF Angler. To prevent miscalibration, the MLF angler is not allowed to clip the fish onto the gripper until the hooks are removed. In the event the hook cannot be removed without harming the fish, the angler will remove any visible line and weights but will be allowed to weigh the fish with the embedded hook. The MLF angler must notify his Official if his fish has an embedded hook. Once a bass is set onto the official scale, the MLF Angler cannot make another cast until the bass is released.
d. The MLF Official will stand up, hold the scale vertically with the gripper hanging freely, grasp the wrist of the hand holding the scale with the other hand and hold arms at a 90-degree angle with elbows at the side. The bass must be held steady allowing the scale to be clearly read by the MLF Official and in full view of the TV camera.
e. Should the bass be less than the official minimum weight, the MLF Official shall announce the weight followed by it being deemed “non-scorable.” Should the bass meet or exceed the minimum weight, the official will proceed to call the weight in pounds and ounces.
f. The MLF Official will call the weight. If the call is challenged by the MLF Angler, the MLF Official will zero the scale and re-weigh the bass a maximum of two (2) additional times. Then the MLF Official will make the final call, “the official weight is.” The bass cannot be dipped into the water between re-weighs. The exception to this rule is the extremely rare occasion that a scale malfunction occurs and dipping the fish is necessary for the health of the fish. Any exception will be determined by the MLF Official.
g. After the official weight is announced (or after a bass is deemed non-scorable) the MLF Angler must cease all actions and remove the bass from the scale, immediately releasing the bass below the gunnel into the water, unless a photograph or DNA sample of the fish is required. MLF requires the MLF Official to take several photographs of significant fish throughout the competition round.
h. The MLF Official will immediately record the weight in writing on the MLF “Manual SCORETRACKER® Sheet” and enter the weight into the official MLF SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device.
i. If an MLF Angler catches an exceptional bass, one that may potentially break lake, state or MLF records, the bass may be placed in a functioning livewell and immediately contact the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will work with the MLF media team to determine if a photographer or videographer can arrive in adequate time, based on weather/water conditions, to document the fish. The Tournament Director will then instruct the MLF Angler on when the fish must be released.
j. At the end of the round, the MLF angler will sign the “Manual SCORETRACKER® Sheet.” If the MLF angler disagrees with any written weight, the angler must present video footage that indicates proof thereof to the MLF Tournament Director.
k. The MLF angler may request the use of the MLF Officials’ backup scale once per competition day. Once the backup scale has been requested, the MLF Official will use that scale for the remainder of the day and the MLF angler cannot request the use of the other scale. If the scale malfunctions, as determined solely by the Official, the backup scale may be used at any time.
8. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS:
a. 250 is the maximum horsepower for all outboard motors used in official MLF BPT events. Horsepower cannot exceed the limitations set by the U.S. Coast Guard. When required, each boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate attached to the boat by the manufacturer and that rating plate must be an accurate representation of the engine’s horsepower. Each angler must agree to an inspection of their competition boat and outboard motor. Inspections will be performed by a factory-trained official if there is any reason for MLF Event Officials to suspect the horsepower is more than the rating. Normal engine maintenance is allowed and encouraged. However, changing or altering the standard factory parts of an engine to increase the horsepower over the 250-horsepower maximum is forbidden, and will result in disqualification.
b. Falsifying any information on entry forms, including the horsepower-rating numbers on the engine, will result in immediate disqualification from all Major League Fishing events.
c. Anglers must be mindful of their boat’s speed at all times and must operate their boats in a safe manner. Violations of speed limits posted by state or local lake authorities may result in an angler losing competition time and may lead to disqualification.
9. BOAT AND MOTOR REGULATIONS:
a. Any raised platforms or decks cannot be significantly higher than the gunnels of the boat. Standing on the outboard engine or seats while fishing is not allowed. Trolling motor mounts, including stabilizing plates attached to them and approved by the tournament director, may be used to stand on.
b. Only manufacturer-installed gas tanks are allowed. Portable gas tanks or containers holding gasoline are not allowed on the event waters or shoreline for use by any event competitor. The use of generators, other than solar or wind-powered generators, is prohibited in pro boats during tournament hours on all competition days.
c. All boats must be equipped with wheel steering; no other steering device will be permitted. All boats must be propeller-driven, have a rear deck and be powered by at least a 150-horsepower outboard motor. 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 all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. 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 MLF.
d. Anglers must compete from the same boat for the entirety of the season, unless approved by the MLF Tournament Director. This includes official practice days.
10. BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT:
a. During official practice days and the competition, every boat must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment as well as a functional bilge pump.
b. MLF anglers must provide one (1) dry storage space for the MLF Official and MLF Camera operator that will accommodate an equipment bag measuring 24” x 12” x 12”
c. The MLF Anglers’ SCORETRACKER® ACCESS TERMINAL (S.T.A.T.) unit will be installed on the angler’s boat each morning on all days of competition and removed from the angler’s boat at the end of each day’s competition. These (S.T.A.T) units are fully self-contained.
11. BOAT OPERATION:
a. Anglers can fish from anywhere inside the boat. MLF Officials should make every reasonable effort to stay out of the way of anglers while they are fishing or landing fish. MLF Officials and/or Camera Operators are not allowed to help competitors in any way. MLF Officials and/or Camera Operators can drive boats in cases of emergency or with permission from the MLF Tournament Director. Loading and unloading boats from trailers is an exception to this rule. All cost of boat operation is the responsibility of MLF Anglers. When idling in shallow areas, anglers can ask MLF Officials and/or Camera Operators to move their position in the boat if the MLF Official and/or Camera Operator can place his/her feet in the bottom of the boat.
12. MLF OFFICIAL OBLIGATIONS:
a. MLF Officials are required to have knowledge of SCORETRACKER® operation. SCORETRACKER® operation will be explained during MLF Official Training before the events, and in briefings before each competition.
b. MLF Anglers and MLF Officials are to be honest and timely with catch and weight reports. Any competitor who, in the judgment of the MLF Tournament Director, advises MLF Officials to neglect or falsely report catches or weights will be penalized.
c. MLF Officials will carry GPS systems and cell phones during the events to communicate with MLF event officials and other boats on the water.
d. MLF Officials will bring a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device as part of their equipment bag to each event.
e. MLF Officials are not allowed to text information to anyone other than Major League Fishing media and event officials, unless in an emergency.
f. MLF Officials can assist an angler with his personal camera if the angler requests help and the MLF Official is comfortable doing so. Major League Fishing cameras and GoPro-style POV cameras always take priority over angler’s personal cameras, in terms of placement and access to batteries/chargers.
13. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:
a. Competition waters shall be established by MLF for each day of the event. Each competitor must obtain this information from the Tournament Director. Any areas within these boundaries that are obviously labeled “Off-Limits” or “No Fishing,” will be off-limits to anglers. Only areas open to public fishing will be considered event waters. Off-limits boundaries set by authorities or event officials should be treated as a wall, meaning anglers cannot cast over that boundary while fishing.
b. All angling must be done from inside the boat. When fishing in states where landowners have the legal authority to claim private property, private property areas must be posted or they will be considered event waters, unless anglers are instructed otherwise by the MLF Tournament Director. If forced to leave a private area on event waters, an angler must report the incident to the Tournament Director as soon as possible. Any water to which a competitor is denied access automatically becomes off-limits to all competitors. When fishing around private property, both feet must be inside the boat such that the anglers center of gravity is also inside the boat. The trolling motor mount will also be considered part of the boat. If a cast has already been made, an angler may momentarily use their foot to hold their boat off private property to avoid damaging it due to wind or wave action.
c. Before the event check-in, any questionable areas must be brought to the attention of the MLF Tournament Director. Such areas will be considered and will be announced in the briefing for all to hear. The MLF Tournament Director has the right to restrict or modify competition waters based on any new information or conversations with local authorities.
d. Anglers are not allowed to cut, remove, displace, or alter any type of structure on private property (dry land) at any time during an MLF event. Anglers can move structures to include sawing of logs or other obstructions in the water if the local laws permit it. No angler may place any object in the water or on dry land that could put another boater or angler in danger.
e. Anglers are not allowed to enter private property to fish or locate fish beginning with official practice and extending through the end of competition for the tournament. Anglers can entry private property to land a scorable bass, but the angler will be subject to a 3-minute penalty per Rule No. 30.A.
14. COMPETITORS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT:
a. During the event days, MLF Anglers cannot leave the boat to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. An angler is determined to be in the boat so long as his center of gravity remains inside the gunnel. If the boat becomes lodged while attempting to gain access into fishable water, the MLF angler can leave the boat without penalty to attempt to dislodge. If the angler does dislodge the boat (by pushing) into the area they were attempting to enter, they must immediately exit this area. The MLF angler can continue to attempt access into such area, however, if access is accomplished it must be done so while the angler was inside the boat.
b. Anglers are not permitted to alter the factory flotation of their boat, including adding excessive weight (even temporarily by taking on water), to pass under low hanging obstacles.
c. Competitors can leave the boat to retrieve a lure or a rod without penalty. All fishing by that competitor must cease until the competitor is back in the boat.
d. Boats must remain in event waters during tournament hours, except when the Trailering Policy is active. Competitors must leave from and return to official checkpoints. Anglers can exit the boat for any reason other than fishing and Rule No. 14.A without penalty. Anglers can purchase baits and tackle in person from retail outlets during competition.
15. SCORING:
a. Competition standings and final winners shall be determined by the pound-and-ounce weight of each competitor’s catch during the competition days of the event. Only black bass will be weighed and counted. Every scorable bass will be counted each day at Bass Pro Tour Stages 1-7, Heavy Hitters and REDCREST.
16. PAIRINGS:
a. MLF Officials and MLF Camera Operators will be assigned to each angler the evening prior to competition. MLF Officials and anglers pairing will be done so by automated randomizer. The MLF Tournament Director or his designee may reassign MLF Officials at any time.
17. TAXES:
a. There may be events in states that have laws requiring income taxes to be withheld on cash awards to non-residents. If that is the case, the taxes will be automatically deducted from the angler’s winnings prior to the awards being presented.
b. Participants are responsible for all applicable taxes, execution of all tax forms, and rules on both cash and merchandise awards.
18. WAIVER AND RELEASE:
a. As a condition of participation in each event, MLF Anglers and MLF Officials must execute a waiver and release of liability and a name and likeness release.
19. NO INFORMATION RULE:
a. MLF Anglers are prohibited from intentionally soliciting or intentionally receiving any information pertaining to tournament waters from a non-competitor for the purpose of locating or catching bass once they learn of a Bass Pro Tour tournament location, including REDCREST and Heavy Hitters. In the case of tournament locations announced more than one year in advance of competition, the provisions of Rule 19.A are limited to a maximum of one year prior to the start of practice for the tournament. If any such information is unintentionally being received from a non-competitor, the MLF Bass Pro Tour angler must politely ask the non-competitor to cease from divulging the information.
b. Once an MLF Angler learns of a Bass Pro Tour tournament location, including REDCREST and Heavy Hitters, the angler is prohibited from intentionally soliciting, intentionally receiving, or intentionally sharing specific location information pertaining to tournament waters with any other Bass Pro Tour angler for the expressed purpose of locating or catching bass. In the case of tournament locations announced more than one year in advance of competition, the provisions of Rule 19.B are limited to a maximum of one year prior to the start of practice for the tournament.
i. “Intentionally Soliciting” is defined as deliberately asking for, or in any conceivable way deliberately communicating a request for information.
ii. “Intentionally Receiving” is defined as deliberately engaging in any behavior for the purpose of receiving information and the information is actually received.
iii. “Intentionally Sharing” is defined as deliberately communicating information, in any conceivable way, with another Bass Pro Tour angler.
iv. “Non-competitor” is defined as any person who is not currently a Bass Pro Tour angler, or a Bass Pro Tour angler who has been eliminated from active waters of the MLF tournament.
v. “Specific Location Information” is defined as way points, coordinates, longitudes, latitudes, unique or specific landmarks, code words, graph images or other distinctive descriptors of a position to fish. Specific location information does not include general terms of locations, such as “docks,” “grass,” “shoals,” etc. Such terms are not considered to be specific location information, unless they are considered distinctive, identifiable or named.
c. Once an MLF Angler learns of a Bass Pro Tour tournament location, including REDCREST and Heavy Hitters, the angler is allowed to personally research any public information such as maps, internet search-engines, print material, etc. All research must be done by the MLF Angler without assistance from a non-competitor.
d. Competing MLF Anglers are prohibited from sharing fishing information of any kind – locations, patterns, tactics, baits, etc. with other MLF Anglers from takeoff through lines out on each day of competition. Anglers are not permitted to share specific location information at any time per Rule 19.B, above.
e. MLF Anglers are prohibited from intentionally sharing another MLF Angler’s fishing location(s) on active tournament waters with other active MLF Anglers.
f. MLF Anglers are prohibited from using drones or aircrafts for the purpose of scouting tournament waters during official off limits until eliminated from competition. This includes viewing any images, footage, or any other data from drones or aircrafts during these times. MLF Anglers are prohibited from using drones for any reason during competition hours.
g. MLF Anglers are prohibited from viewing or receiving information from anyone about the live streaming broadcast of an active MLF tournament, including SCORETRACKER® Insider, until eliminated from competition. Inadvertent or unintentional information received from the live streaming broadcast, including SCORETRACKER® Insider, must be reported to the MLF Tournament Director. The exception to this rule is live streaming video during activations approved by the MLF Tournament Director where the live streaming video is played.
h. MLF Anglers are prohibited from studying or investigating any published content pertaining to an active MLF tournament beginning with official practice until eliminated from competition. MLF Anglers are allowed to post videos and photographs provided to them by Major League Fishing. Inadvertent or unintentional viewing of published content pertaining to an active MLF tournament must be reported to the MLF Tournament Director.
i. During any non-competition day (official practice for any event or day off at Heavy Hitters), MLF Anglers are prohibited from intentionally watching or spying on other actively competing or practicing MLF Anglers. Inadvertent or incidental observations of actively competing or practicing MLF Anglers is not considered intentional.
j. Invitational, Toyota Series, Bass Fishing League and College Fishing anglers who qualify for REDCREST are subject to the provisions of Rule 19 (in its entirety) immediately upon qualifying.
k. The No Information Rule will be governed by a Rules Infraction Verification Test, administered by an MLF Rules Compliance Officer.
(Penalty – Illegal Information, determined by the MLF Tournament Director and/or the MLF Rules Infraction Committee)
20. OFFICIAL PRACTICE AND OFF LIMITS:
a. There is a 30-day off-limits period leading up to thirty (30) minutes prior to official sunrise the morning of the first day of official practice. During the off-limits period, MLF Anglers are prohibited from being on tournament waters, and/or gathering or receiving any information from any source, other than other competitors, that is not publicly available. During the off-limits period, with prior permission from the tournament director, pros may launch their boat and proceed directly to the dock where their boat will be stationed during practice and competition. Scouting for fish, including using electronics to locate fish or structure while moving a boat from the launch ramp to the dock is prohibited. MLF5 off-limit exemptions will be at the discretion of the MLF Tournament Director.
b. Prior to the off-limits period, MLF Anglers are allowed to pre-fish the scheduled event waters with anyone of their choosing. The MLF Angler is responsible for being the captain of the boat, as well as choosing all fishing locations. The MLF Angler must inform their guest that they cannot be provided specific location information as described and outlined in rules 19.A. and 19.B.
c. During the official practice hours an MLF Angler cannot be on the water with anyone without prior approval from the MLF Tournament Director.
(Penalty – Off-Limits Violation, determined by the MLF Tournament Director and/or the MLF Rules Infraction Committee)
21. ASSESSING PENALTIES:
a. If the MLF Official calls a penalty on an MLF Angler, the angler must immediately stop all activities, including fishing. The MLF Angler is allowed to drop his shallow water anchors or engage their trolling motor assist. ALL other activities, except for talking to the camera operator about his fishing day up to that point or what he is going to do next are not allowed, and additional penalty time will be added for a penalty compliance violation for each occurrence.
b. If a penalty results from a Fish Landing Violation the bass must be immediately weighed and released. The MLF Official is required to manually record the weight of the bass before he starts the penalty clock on the SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device.
c. MLF Officials are not allowed to enter the penalty on the SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device before the weight is first manually recorded. The MLF Angler must not request the MLF Official to start the penalty clock before the weight is first manually entered.
(Penalty – Official: Penalty Compliance Violation, 1 Minute Additional Penalty)
22. PENALTY CARRY-OVER:
a. If an MLF Angler is assessed a penalty at the end of the day, the penalty time spent will be at the “start of fishing” on the angler’s next day of competition. The beginning ride around time cannot be used for penalty time.
23. LINES-IN:
a. During the countdown to begin fishing and at the end of a Penalty, the MLF Angler cannot cast
his lure before the MLF Official says “Lines In.”
(Penalty – Official: Lines-In Violation, 2 Minutes at Start of Period)
24. LINES-OUT:
a. When the MLF Official has called “Lines Out, End of Period One” or “Lines Out, End of Round,”
the MLF Angler cannot make another cast.
(Penalty – Official: Lines-Out Violation, 2 Minutes Carry-Over Penalty)
25. ENCROACHMENT:
a. There is no official buoy distance rule. However, at no time is an MLF Angler allowed to interfere with another MLF Angler’s line. If an MLF Angler casts close to another MLF Angler and hooks into his line, the casting MLF Angler will be penalized.
(Penalty – Official: Hooking other’s line, 2 Minutes Immediate, stop fishing when line untangled)
26. LANDING BASS:
a. While landing bass, the weight of the bass cannot come to rest on the boat floor or any other part of the boat inside the gunnel, or it will be assessed a Fish Landing violation. If a bass comes unhooked from the bait and falls to the floor or comes to rest on any other area inside of the boat, it will be assessed as a Fish Landing violation. Exception from this rule will be laying the bass on the floor to remove a deep-set hook, only after it has been properly landed without touching the floor. The MLF Angler should first ask the MLF Official if the MLF Angler can lay the bass on the floor.
(Penalty – Official: Fish Landing Violation, 2 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
27. FLAGRANT FISH LANDING:
a. Should an MLF Angler intentionally harm a bass in any way during the landing process, the action shall be deemed a Flagrant Fish Landing Violation. Such actions include, but are not limited to, intentionally causing a bass to touch the carpet or any other part of the boat inside the gunnel, intentionally pinning a bass to the carpet or any other part of the boat with arms, legs or body, intentionally kicking the bass into the floor of the boat, etc.
b. The difference between a regular Fish Landing Violation and a Flagrant Fish Landing Violation is intent. A regular Fish Landing Violation is the result of an unintended action. A Flagrant Fish Landing Violation is the result of an intended action, such as boat flipping a bass onto the bottom of the boat.
c. Should an MLF Angler hook multiple bass on one bait, and intentionally harm them as described above, a Flagrant Fish Landing Violation penalty will be assessed for every bass that is hooked.
d. If a bass is landed by lifting or pulling it up with the angler’s rod and purposely dropping it on the
floor (boat flipping), a Flagrant Fish Landing Violation will be charged.
(Penalty – Official: Flagrant Fish Landing Violation, 5 Minutes immediate, stop Fishing)
28. RELEASING BASS:
a. When releasing any bass, scorable or non-scorable, the MLF Angler’s hand must be at gunnel level or closer to the water. Flipping or tossing of bass is prohibited and will be considered a Fish Release Violation. If the MLF Anglers’ full intention was to properly release the fish, and they were in the action and motion to do so, a violation will not be assessed.
(Penalty – Official: Fish Release Violation, 2 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
29. ONE LINE:
a. Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. Dragging a line from a stationary rod is not permitted. Fishing is defined as having a lure attached to a line and a rod and reel with the rod in hand or otherwise under the angler’s control. No bass caught on a second rod or line will be scorable.
b. If an angler’s lure becomes hung, the angler is permitted to fish with a new rod before retrieving the hung lure. The new rod in use becomes the ONE line. If a bass is caught on the original hung lure upon retrieval, the bass is not scorable. Once the lure is retrieved, it can be recast and the rod once again becomes the ONE line.
c. Anglers are permitted to hold a second rod and tie on lures, untangle line, etc., so long as the lure on the second rod is not in the water.
(Penalty – Official: Illegal 2nd Line, 1 Minute immediate, stop fishing when 2nd lure is retrieved)
30. LEAVING BOAT TO FISH:
a. MLF Anglers may not leave the boat for the purpose of fishing. Leaving the boat to assist in landing a scorable bass, as an act of fishing, will result in a penalty. Although penalized, if an MLF Angler retrieves a scorable bass, the bass will be counted towards his weight total. Leaving the boat for non-fishing reasons is allowed without a penalty.
(Penalty – Official: Leaving Boat to Land Fish, 3 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
b. The MLF Official and MLF Camera Operator may not leave the boat to help the MLF Angler for any reason. If the boat drifts away from where the MLF Angler left the boat, the MLF Official may retrieve the boat to allow angler access. However, a 2-minute penalty will be assessed. The exception to this rule is that the MLF Official may leave the boat only in a situation where the integrity of the game is at risk, but a longer penalty will be assessed. (Rule 30.C)
(Penalty – Official: Boat Retrieval, 2 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
c. Should an MLF Angler’s boat gets stuck and the angler needs assistance in any form from anyone - including the MLF Official, MLF Camera Operator, and/or other MLF Anglers - a penalty will be assessed once the boat is freed and the angler is back in the boat.
(Penalty – Official: Official Assistance, 15 minutes immediate, stop fishing)
31. GOING NEUTRAL:
a. MLF Anglers will be required to “go neutral” immediately after MLF Official calls “Lines Out, End of Round.” Going neutral means the MLF Angler is required to immediately stop fishing and return directly to the boat landing where they launched. The MLF Angler cannot use this time to gain any competitive advantage over other MLF Anglers.
(Penalty – Official: Failure to “Go Neutral,” 5 Minutes at the start of the next fishing period)
32. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE:
a. Each MLF Angler must have two Coast Guard-approved chest-type or inflatable personal floatation devices. The MLF Angler’s personal floatation device must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition any time the combustion engine is in gear. The MLF Official’s personal floatation device must be on, and the MLF Official must be seated before the boat is put on plane. MLF Camera Operators are also required to wear a personal floatation device when the boat is on plane.
(Penalty – Official: Safe-boat Conduct Penalty, 3 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
33. IGNITION SHUTOFF DEVICE:
a. The MLF Angler or other appointed driver must have his boat’s ignition shutoff device connected any time the combustion engine is in gear.
(Penalty – Official: Ignition Shutoff Device Connection, 5 Minutes immediate, stop fishing)
34. IMPEDANCE:
a. MLF Anglers cannot knowingly put their MLF Official or camera operator in a situation where they are unable to perform their job. This includes being in an area where there is no connectivity with the SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device for more than 15 consecutive minutes.
b. Once the boat enters an area where the SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device loses
connectivity, the MLF Official will announce “We have lost SCORETRACKER® connectivity. You have 15 minutes before you must return to an area of connectivity.” Once the 15 consecutive minutes has elapsed, the MLF Official will announce “You have reached your 15 minutes of connectivity loss. You must stop fishing and return to an area of connectivity.” At this point the MLF Angler must immediately stop fishing and return the boat to an area of SCORETRACKER® connectivity. This includes making another cast after the MLF Official has announced the 15 minutes of lost connectivity has elapsed. Failure to do so will result in a penalty.
c. Any bass caught between the time after the MLF Official has announced the 15 minutes of lost connectivity has elapsed and before the SCORETRACKER® Scoring System Device has regained connectivity will be deemed non-scorable.
(Penalty – Official: Impedance Violation, 15 minutes once connectivity is reestablished, stop fishing)
35. FORWARD FACING & 360-DEGREE SONAR:
a. No more than two forward facing or 360-degree sonar transducers, in any combination, may be rigged on a boat used during practice and/or competition. Forward facing transducers are defined as any transducer that provides live (real-time) images. Three hundred- and sixty-degree (360) transducers are defined as any transducer producing a beam with the ability to independently rotate 360 degrees. Additionally, all side imaging and 2D transducers must be mounted conventionally with 2D transducers aimed downward and side imaging transducers aimed to port and starboard. No side imaging or 2D transducer may be mounted so as to provide forward looking images. All transducers must be stock, commercially-available units. Auto sweep features native to some trolling motors or available as aftermarket accessories that automatically rotate side imaging transducers to provide forward imaging are prohibited. Forward Facing and/or 360-degree sonar is allowed during practice, ride around and during one period each day of competition. Each angler must declare their use of forward facing and/or 360-degree sonar for the period to their Official and receive verbal confirmation during the preceding break. Once a period begins, use of forward facing and/or 360-degree sonar cannot be added until the start of the next period. Forward facing and 360-degree transducers must be disabled by disconnecting any communication or power cable that renders them inoperable and covering the cable plug with a high-visibility lock box provided by MLF during times when use is not allowed.
(Penalty – Official: FFS Violation, Potential disqualification based on Tournament Director ruling)
b. If an angler inadvertently leaves forward facing or 360-degree sonar transducers operational after the ride around and Period One begins without them being disabled, Period One becomes the angler’s default use period for the day and the technology cannot be used in Periods Two or Three that day. If an angler inadvertently leaves forward facing or 360-degree sonar transducers operational at the beginning of Period Two or Period Three after using it the preceding period, it will result in a violation. This violation must be caught at the beginning of the period. If an angler does not discover that forward facing or 360-degree sonar transducers are still operational until later into the period, a ruling will be made by the tournament director as outline in Rule 35.A before fishing continues.
(Penalty – Official: Inadvertent use of FFS, 15 Minutes, immediate stop fishing.)