Welcome to Philadelphia BassBusters!
BASS TRAIL TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS
Rev1. 1/6/2026
ANY TOURNAMENT COMPETITOR THAT DOES NOT ABIDE BY THE RULES and/or THOSE SPECIFIED for a TOURNAMENT will be IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPETITION.
It is THE RESPONSIBILITY of EACH COMPETITOR to be AWARE OF & UNDERSTAND the RULES for each TOURNAMENT.
1. Eligibility and Registration
• All participants must possess a valid New Jersey freshwater fishing license (required for anglers 16+).
• Register in advance or at the designated time (often 1 hour before blast-off); late registration may not be allowed.
• Entry fees, pairings (boat/captain + co-angler or team format), and any big fish side pots must be clearly stated pre-event.
2. Permits and Location Rules
• If fishing on a NJ Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lake or designated water, a WMA Fishing Tournament Permit from NJDEP Fish & Wildlife may be required (for events with >10 anglers or >5 boats).
• Follow all specific lake/reservoir rules (e.g., no-wake zones, idle-only at Merrill Creek Reservoir, horsepower limits, or restricted access).
3. Tournament Format and Fishing Hours
• Safe light-to-safe light or set start/end times (e.g., blast-off at sunrise, weigh-in/check-in by a fixed time like 3 PM).
• No fishing outside official hours; pre-tournament practice IS NOT ALLOWED 5 DAYS PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT DATE.
• 5-fish limit per boater (or team), highest combined weight wins
( 4oz penalty for each dead fish).
4. Fish Limits and Size Restrictions
• Standard NJ statewide minimum: Largemouth/Smallmouth bass must be at least 12 inches (unless the specific waterbody has a higher limit).
• Tournament limit: 5 bass per angler/boater (or per team in 2-person events); spotted bass may be included if present.
5. Permitted Species
• Only largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass qualify (no other species count toward weight).
• Immediate release of non-qualifying fish.
6. Culling and Scoring
• Only bass meeting the minimum length count.
• Use a measuring board (bump board) with the bass’s jaw closed and tail pinched for official length.
• Dead fish penalty: Deduction of 4oz per dead fish.
7. Livewell and Fish Care
• Boats must have a functioning aerated livewell. Livewells will be checked at registration.
• Proper care required; no stringers or metal baskets (risk of disqualification).
• No Cull Tags allowed that puncture.
8. Boating and Safety Rules
• USCG-approved life jackets must be worn during boat movement with an Outboard Motor and safety lanyard must be attached for the Boat Operator.
• No wake/idle speed in designated areas; obey all navigation rules.
• No chumming, snagging, or illegal methods (artificial lures only/ live bait prohibited).
9. Ethics and Conduct
• No alcohol or drugs during fishing tournament hours.
• Courtesy: No fishing within 25–50 yards of another tournament boat without permission (common local rule).
• No sharing of specific fishing locations/info during the event.
• Sportsmanship required; cheating (e.g., possessing fish caught outside event) results in disqualification and possible ban.
10. Weigh-In / Scoring / Penalties
• Official weigh-in at designated time/location.
• Ties broken by biggest fish, then total number of fish, etc.
• Penalties for rule violations: weight deduction, disqualification, or forfeiture of prizes.
• Protest procedure: Must be filed immediately with tournament director.
11. A PFD (Personal Floatation Device) MUST be worn during all tournaments between the dates of November 1st thru May 1st in NJ.
12. ALL COMPETITORS MUST REMAIN in the LAUNCH AREA UNTIL the TOURNAMENT BEGINS.
13. Discrimination or Disrespect towards any angler of the Philadelphia Bass Busters Fishing Club, ON or OFF the water, will not be tolerated and can result in disqualification or permanent removal from the club. The TD will have final say on any of these issues.
**IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE RULES ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WILL TAKE PLACE:
1.) YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED from the TOURNAMENT.
2.) IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING, YOU WILL NOT be PERMITTED to FISH ANY TOURNAMENT held by the club & YOU WILL be BANNED from the CLUB for LIFE.
** ALL TOURNAMENTS are HELD RAIN or SHINE -- UNLESS OTHERWISE COMMUNICATED