Frequent Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Club & Registration

What are the general requirements to be an official affiliated Bass Team and member?

To be an official affiliated club and member:

• B.A.S.S. Membership: Each member must have an active B.A.S.S. membership number.

• Online Roster: Each club must maintain an active online roster in Alabama.

• Dues: All membership fees, state dues, and Nation dues must be paid in full.

What is the deadline for signing up and paying for the tournament?

Entries are due by Friday, one week before the event (refer to the specific event info sheet). Exceptions are only permitted if authorized by the Tournament Director.

Do we need to submit a 6-man roster for each high school tournament?

No. We no longer require a 6-man roster submission. Instead, we automatically take the Top 3 scores from each club to determine club standings. (For full details, see "How to Qualify" on our website.)

Can parents or boat captains use their phone number for angler profile auto-texting?

Yes. If your child does not have a personal mobile phone, you may enter either the Boat Captain's phone number or a parent's phone number in the angler’s profile.

Boat Captains & Safety

What type of license and insurance is required for Boat Captains?

• Vessel License: Every Boat Captain must hold a valid, current vessel license.

• Liability Insurance: The boat must carry at least $300,000 in active boating liability coverage during all official practice sessions and competition hours.

What are the safety requirements and Boat Captain rules during tournament hours?

• PFD / Life Jackets: All anglers and the Boat Captain must wear a secured, Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) whenever the combustion engine is running.

• Boat Captain Role: During competition hours, Boat Captains may offer advice, but may not fish, teach by example, or tie knots for anglers.

Tournament Rules & Practice

When does official practice begin for an upcoming tournament?

Official practice begins at 12:01 a.m. on the Monday immediately preceding the competition.

What is the penalty for late check-in?

• 1 to 15 Minutes Late: A penalty of 1 pound per minute late will be deducted from your total weight.

• More than 15 Minutes Late: Results in the loss of the entire day’s catch.

• Failure to Check In: Any team that fails to check in entirely will cause their entire school to be disqualified.

How should a rules infraction or complaint be filed?

• Timing: Complaints must be reported immediately and submitted in writing before the scales close.

• Mandatory Briefings: Mandatory lake-specific instructions announced during the live stream Safety Briefing are official tournament rules and strictly enforced.