Tournament Rules

Tournament Rules

All tournament contestants must leave and return from the weigh-in site. Trailering may be allowed any time there is a lake wind advisory forecasted to occur during tournament hours. This decision will be made the morning of the tournament by Committee staff. If trailering, you must leave your truck and boat in the parking lot and wait for your boat number to be called at blast off, then proceed to your truck and boat. Do not drive your vehicle down to the T dock to wait on your number.
Each contestant must check in and be given their weigh in tag by the designated check in time. No exceptions. Note: your boat does not have to be in the water prior to check in.
The official launch procedure will be by boat position, with numbers called from the end of the T dock in a flight system. For 2-day tournaments, blast-off order will reversed for day 2.
Prior to weigh-in, all fishermen must check in at the T dock by their designated check-in time. Anglers must weigh-in with their designated flight using their own weigh-in bags. If you do not have a weigh in bag, you may come to the scales and request one. A flight sign (with flight number) posted at the weigh in station will signify that flight is open, and you may come to the scales when your flight is posted. Tournament director will reserve the right to allow an angler to weigh in early, but only under special circumstances. You must have a valid reason, and we will not allow this option to be abused.
You may not load your boat until after you have weighed in. Exception: If you are one of the anglers who have to come in early to set up the weigh in (we do not expect these workers to leave their boats in the water unattended for the entire weigh in.)
A polygraph test will be given after all committee sponsored tournaments and must be passed. The “committee” will determine who takes the polygraph test.
The use of cellular telephones, two-way radios, or any other type of electronic communication equipment or devices used to communicate between tournaments contestants shall be prohibited for all Clark Hill Committee sponsored events. However, this equipment may be used in the event of emergencies to summon help.
If fishing individually and your boat breaks down or you encounter a medical emergency, contestants are authorized to flag down another tournament contestant to have them bring their fish to weigh-in. Contestants do not have to leave their boat stranded. If fishing with a partner, the boater or non-boater will carry the fish to weigh-in. Under no circumstances can a contestant change boats. New for 2022: if fishing individually, and you choose to leave your boat and come back with another contestant, you may continue fishing, but must weigh in with the boater’s flight.
Creel limit for all committee sponsored tournaments is 5 black bass/large mouth, small mouth or spots), 12 inches or longer. Bringing more than a creel limit to the weigh-in station will cause the contestant(s) to be disqualified. You shall not have in the live well more than a tournament limit at any time. Dead fish do not count in the live well limit.
Short bass (less than 12 inches) found in the contestant’s catch at the inspection station will cost the contestant the short fish plus their big fish. If two (2) short fish are found, the contestant will be disqualified. For fish other than largemouth, smallmouth and/or spotted bass brought to the weigh station, the short rule applies.
All fish turned in at the weigh station become property of the Clark Hill Committee. All live fish will be released. One mountable fish may be kept by the contestant provided they notify tournament officials at the weigh station.
Only one rod per fisherman may be used at a time. Others may be rigged for use. Only casting, spin-casting, and spinning reels may be used.
Only artificial lures or bait may be used. No live or prepared bait is allowed.
Trolling or wading is not permitted.
During tournament hours, contestants will not fish within fifty (50) yards of an anchored boat. An anchored boat is defined as having your trolling motor up and your anchor out or “power poles” down.
All fishing must be done from your boat. Leaving your boat to land a fish is prohibited. Fishing from the bank is not allowed. Exception: you may leave your boat in the case of an emergency. Examples are severe weather, urgent bathroom break, or sudden illness. Otherwise, contact the Tournament Director or a Committee officer.
All contestant boats must be equipped with engine Kill Switches.
Life jackets and kill switches must be worn by contestants anytime the boat is on plane.
Aerated live wells are required in all committee sponsored tournaments.
Late penalty is one (1) pound per minute. Contestant(s) are disqualified after fifteen (15) minutes. Time keeper will be the tournament director.
All ties will be decided by the big fish in contestant’s catch. (If the weight for big fish is the same, the tie will be decided by total number of fish weighed in). The contestant must declare and identify their big fish to the weigh-in station official. Only one big fish per contestant(s) will count towards that day’s big fish prize.
All complaints and/or protests must be made to the tournament director within fifteen (15) minutes after the conclusion of the weigh-in. The tournament committee will settle all disputes. Their decision is final.
Alcoholic beverages will not be consumed during tournament hours and not until the scales are officially closed.
Good sportsmanship is expected by all contestants. Disorderly conduct will be reason for disqualification.
The penalty of two (2) ounces (0.12 lb.) will be deducted for each dead fish.
The Blue Crying Board is the official measuring board.
Hole-sitting is considered to be un-sportsman like conduct and is subject to disqualification.
All contestants must abide by Georgia State fishing and boating regulation.
Parking will be prohibited on the entire ramp area, to include the top of the ramp area near the trees and edge near the weigh-in facility. The ramp area needs to remain clear to allow for spectators to view the weigh-ins and allow vehicles to launch and recover their boats. Failure to abide by the rule will result in disqualification for the event currently being fished, plus the next Clark Hill Committee scheduled tournament.