SEMI PRO RULES
(All semi pro rules supercede general rules where different.)

1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Rule 1 should read: Participation and Eligibility:  Any team that has NOT won more than $3000.00 is any given season either individually or collectively is eligible to participate.  This excludes Boats , certificates, or money won in an event with shared weight, money won in a club, and specialty conservation/charity events.  Any team and /or individual participating that reaches the $3000.00 while competing in the Angler's Choice Semi-Pro Teams shall be allowed to finish the season but shall not be eligible for the following season.  Final decision of all contestants being allowed to participate will be at the tournament directors discretion.

2. STARTING OF TOURNAMENTS: The Semi-pros order of launch method of determination will be chosen by the local tournament director.

3. AWARDS: Payback for all events will be based on a 1 in 5 format with trophies going to the top 3 and big bass winners.

4. ANGLER OF THE YEAR: Will be determined by the team with the most points accumulated at the end of the year, based on their best 7 events fished.

5. YEAR END CHAMPIONSHIP: Fish 6 of 7 events in one trail or 7 events in any number of trails and automatically qualify for championship. Semi-Pro anglers shall fish amongst themselves for boat/motor prize. As in the past, an optional side pot can be entered into at the regional championship. Points will be kept for AOY purposes only. The points format will be based on a points and pound format beginning with 100 points for first place and descending down by one 1) point per place. In each event "First Place" will receive 100 points plus their weight, e.g., 1st Place = 100 points + 20.50 lbs. = 120.50 points, 2nd Place = 99 points + 20.00 lbs. = 119 points. This procedure will be followed for all teams weighing fish. The lowest team having weight will be the last points given based on the point's structure. All remaining teams that fished but did not weigh fish will receive one-half (½) of the next possible points based off the point structure. Example: The last team weighing fish in a 45-boat field ended at 40th place with 2.0 lbs. They would receive 60 points + 2.0 lbs = 62 points. The remaining 5 teams without weight would receive 29.5 points each (59/2 = 29.5). No points shall be awarded to contestants that pay but do not fish.

5. Angler of the Year: In each division there will be an angler of the year. The angler of the year will recieve the following prize packages based on their finish at the T.O.C.

• 1st - $750 in Cash and Prizes
• 2nd - $500 in Cash and Prizes

General Rules

2.) PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY : Membership is required to participate in all Angler's Choice regular team, pro-am, and semi-pro tournaments. Tournament eligibility and entry is open to all members in good standing with at least one team member at least 18 years of age or older.

3.) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND DRUGS : During tournament hours no alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs may be consumed or allowed in the boat while on the water, except prescription medications.

4.) SPORTSMANSHIP : Displaying of poor sportsmanship and bringing unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing shall be grounds for disqualification. If one team member is disqualified, the team shall be disqualified.

5.) BOATS & MOTORS: There is no horsepower limit, however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat in use. All boats must meet US Coast Guard and state regulations. All boats must have an emergency kill switch. All boats must have a functioning aerated livewell suitable to sustain a tournament limit in reasonable condition. Extra gas tanks are not allowed. Standing on seats, or motor or the use of ladder or raised platform for the purpose locating or fishing for bedding fish in not permitted. Boats used in Angler's Choice tournament must have an insurance policy in effect with a minimum of $100,000.00 liability coverage.

6.) SAFETY : Boating safety must be observed at all times during practice and competition. A US Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver (PFD) Type III or higher, must be worn and properly fastened any time the combustible engine is operative and the kill switch must be attached to the driver with a lanyard no longer than fourty-eight-48) inches.

7.) TACKLE & EQUIPMENT : Intentional snagging of fish will not be allowed. Trolling with the aid of combustion or electric motors is not permitted. Only artificial lures may be used. No live bait or prepared bait permitted with the exception of pork rinds. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat and ready for use, however, every cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is made. Rods may not exceed eight feet in length. The use of underwater cameras are not allowed during competition.

8.) PROTESTS : All protests must be submitted in writing prior to the official closing of the scales.

9.) POLYGRAPH : All contestants are subject to a polygraph testing. Failure to submit is grounds for disqualification. Any contestant who has failed a polygraph test for cheating in a bass tournament or whose results are found to be inconclusive shall not be eligible to compete in Angler's Choice tournaments. Polygraph and voice stress testing are performed at the discretion of the tournament director.

10.) SCORING FISH : Each team may weigh-in five-5) fish per day, a minimum of 12 inches in length unless state or lake limits are greater, measured on a flat board with mouth closed and tail compressed. Any team weighing-in a fish shorter than the legal tournament length will be assessed a one-1) lb. penalty plus the loss of the short fish. Any team bringing more than five-5) fish to the scales will be disqualified. A penalty of .20 lbs. Per dead fish will be deducted from the total weight. Any big bass brought to the scales deceased, will be directly subject to the .20 lbs. penalty. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass will be scored. Any team returning to the checkpoint late will be penalized at the rate of one pound per minute up to 15 minutes.

11.) BREAKDOWNS : Contestants must leave and return to official checkpoint by boat. In the event of equipment failure, there shall be two permitted methods of returning to the check-in and weighing fish. (1) By both partners remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) By one partner entering the boat of another Angler's Choice Team Tournament contestant or staff member along with the days catch. Teams fish must be kept separate.

12.) CULLING FISH : It is the responsibility of each team to keep no more than a maximum of fish in a live well. If more than the local laws allow are present in the live well during the event you will be subject to disqualification. No culling is allowed in the host marina.

13.) PERMITTED FISHING WATERS : No fishing is allowed inside the host marina. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another anchored or tied tournament boat with trolling motor out of the water, without the anchored boat's permission. Both team partners must fish from the same boat. Only contestants may be in the boat during the tournament hours. Having anyone hole-sit for anyone shall be grounds for disqualification. Contestants cannot leave the boat to land a fish or gain access to a fishing area. Restricting natural movement of fish by any means is automatic disqualification.

14.) GUIDES : Guides may not be used on official practice days. Guides are allowed to participate in Angler's Choice tournaments if they have fished a preceding tournament in a circuit's series of seven. If it is their first tournament, guides must pay for the next tournament in advance.

15.) OFF LIMITS PERIOD : Angler's Choice does not impose an "Off limits period" however, each tournament director at their discretion may do so. Clarify this rule with your local tournament director.

16.) PARTNERS : A member may fish the first event alone without a designated partner. Partners may be switched through the 2nd event fished. You may only switch your partner 1 time and and it must be prior to the 3rdevent of the season. Members accumulate points for the designate team when fishing alone providing the other team member does not participate in that event. Either member of a team is allowed to fish up to 3 events alone and representing the team, providing that the team fishes at least 4 tournaments together. After the 2nd event no substitution of partners will be allowed except in cases of partner death, catastrophic illness or military duty, or at the director's discretion.