KBF Competition Rules Standard

A. KBF Membership – Participation in KBF Tournaments and Challenges is open only to current members of KBF unless specified in the event-specific rules addenda. Competitors must be an active member by the event registration deadline. Non-members who register and compete in KBF member-only competitions are not eligible for prizes, ranking, and rewards.

B. Professional Fishing Guides may register and compete in competitions providing they do not guide-for-pay on eligible water within 14 Days prior to the event's start-of-competition date.

C. Event Registration – All KBF Competitions are conducted using a Tournament Management System ("TMS"). Each angler who wishes to participate in such an Event must create a TMS user account before the first day of competition and must sign up for the event and pay the entry fee on the TMS, as specified on the event-specific page.

D. Entry Fees

1. Entry fee amounts, administrative surcharges, convenience fees, registration deadlines, late fee exceptions, and refund or transfer restrictions are specified on the event-specific page for each competition.
2. No Satisfaction Guarantee – Competitor understands and agrees that payment for the event does not secure a guarantee or promise of satisfaction.
3. Competitor's failure or inability, for any reason except as otherwise provided herein, to participate in any or all of the activities of the event does not relieve or suspend the Competitor's obligation to make all payments required by KBF rules on a timely basis, nor entitle the competitor to a refund or credit, except as provided below.

E. Payment – Competitor agrees that once an event registration is submitted, the terms and conditions of the KBF Competition Rules constitute an agreement that is a legally binding and an enforceable obligation of the Competitor.

F. Competitor's Right to Cancel – Cancellation before an event registration deadline, will be eligible for full credit to another KBF event or a refund minus 20%. Refund procedures are outlined in the event-specific rules addenda. If a KBF event is canceled, anglers will be fully refunded, or the entry fee can be credited towards another KBF event. KBF is not responsible for any refunds of expenses related to travel or lodging reservations or other payments involving third parties.

G. Pre-Tournament Check-in – Pre-Tournament check-in requirements will be specified in the event details section of each event.

H. Captain's Meeting Participation – Tournament Competitors are required to attend an on-site Captain's Meeting or view a recorded "Virtual" Captain's Meeting webcast, as stipulated on the event-specific page. Failure to comply may result in a Competitor's disqualification from the event.

A. Species – Only the Black Bass Species consisting of the following: Largemouth, Spotted, Bartram's, Mean Mouth, Guadalupe, Shoal and Smallmouth bass and any hybrid of the above are accepted species.

B. Length – The minimum length of bass scored in competition is 12 inches unless otherwise specified in event-specific rules.

C. Condition – Fish may not appear to be dead, mutilated, frozen, mangled, or otherwise damaged, or it appears to have been mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered.

D. Fish Entry is based on events. For Multiple Day events (Championships) the same fish may not be entered more than once, even if caught on separate days. See Photo Standards (Section 9) and Scoring (Section 10) for additional requirements.

A. Competition start and end dates and times are stated on the event-specific page. Competitors may place their watercraft in the water, occupy them, shove off, and then stage (float, drift, or anchor) in the immediate area until the official "Earliest Launch," at which time they may proceed underway. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the event. Tournament Off-limits period are ONLY observed if specifically outlined in Event Specific Details.

B. Check-in – Tournament competitors must check-in by complying with event-specific rules by the specified time. (Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the event and forfeiture of all entitlements of that event)

A. Competitive fishing is allowed only on publicly accessible waters within the geographic area designated on the Event Page as "Eligible Water." Photos of fish caught outside of eligible water boundaries will be denied.

1. Photos that competitors submit for scoring in every KBF Challenge or tournament must be of fish caught from Eligible Water. To be "Eligible," the body of water must be inside the competition area boundary, during public-access hours, be accessible to the public, and be where fishing is permitted by regulations. During practice and competition, anglers are not allowed to make changes to the waterway and it must be utilized how it's naturally presented.
2. Resident only or community ponds are not eligible for KBF competition.
3. Any body of water that requires special permission is not eligible for KBF competition unless specifically permitted per KBF Rules (i.e. Military Establishments, Membership Lakes, etc.)
4. Community (neighborhood) lakes that provide public access are off-limits to KBF competition regardless of whether or not they allow public access.
5. If a lake has posted use times, it is eligible only during the hours permitted by the regulatory body.
6. Use of private access to fish in any public waters is not permitted (Privately operated marinas, campgrounds and venues that allow paid public access are permitted provided that any member of the public can launch there, even if a fee is required).
7. A competitor must access the water from or across publicly accessible areas. Additionally, anglers MAY NOT cast into or otherwise obtain access to off-limits areas from eligible water.
8. Clarification of eligible waters is the sole responsibility of the competitor prior to engaging in competition. (Fishing in off-limits waters is grounds for disqualification from the event, not just loss of fish caught while out of bounds.)

B. Competitors may launch from any public-access directly into Eligible Water. Crossing restricted property to reach Eligible Water is not permitted. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

C. Competitors are not restricted to fishing where they start each day but are permitted to relocate to other eligible waters during tournament hours.

D. Watercraft must not be anchored in such a position as to prevent or block access for other watercraft or powerboats. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

E. Unless posted otherwise, as it pertains to tributaries of the main body of water, competitors must be able to float in and out or through an area during tournament days for it to be considered legal waters to navigate. Anglers are responsible for verifying their launch is publicly accessible as well as paying any launch fee required to utilize the facility.

A. Up until the end of the established pre-fishing period, competitors may fish with and receive direct assistance from other anglers and professional guides on the Eligible Water, except as restricted in Rule 6.B. and 6.C., below.

B. Within 21 days prior to the Event, a Competitor may not receive expert advice from a professional fishing guide who receives payment for those services. Additionally, anglers may not contract for hire services to provide mothership or other on the water transportation assistance. Off the water shuttles and transportation assistance are permitted. Violation will result in disqualification from the event and forfeiture of all entry fees or prize eligibility.

C. The purchasing of or bartering for information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters (other than through commercially available sources) is not permitted. ANY use of or communication with a professional guide or guide services, directly or indirectly, pertaining to tournament waters within 14 days of the event is prohibited, other than through publicly available sources. Anglers may not solicit fishing or waterway information from anyone in attempt to gain a competitive advantage with anyone other than other competitors registered for and actively participating in the event.

During the tournament hours of each day (First Launch – Fishing Concludes) contestants may not share information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters. Any collaboration on or off the water with other competitors or non-competitors for the purpose of sharing or pooling winnings is strictly prohibited and will result in a disqualification of all involved.

D. Competitors may not receive assistance in catching fish that are photographed and submitted for scoring, including boat positioning, casting, retrieving, hooking, playing, or landing a fish. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

A. All fish submitted for score must be caught live by the Competitor who submits them for scoring using only equipment and legal methods that comply with all sportfishing statutes and regulations of the states and body of water in which they are taken. Snatching or snagging fish is not permitted. Fish must be caught, photographed and released prior to resuming fishing. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

B. All fish must be caught by the Competitor on rod, reel, line, and hook with artificial lures only. No traps, snares, set lines, or other methods of fishing other than rod, reel and line are permissible, even if legal under state game laws. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

C. Acceptable measuring boards for all KBF competitions are the aluminum Ketch Products Measuring Board, the Ketch Karbonate (plastic) and the Ketch X.

1. Measuring boards may be shortened only by removing inches from the upper end (opposite the fence).
2. A slight flex in a measuring board resulting from a fish's weight is allowed; however, Competitors are prohibited from deliberately flexing or deforming a measuring board by exerting pressure or reshaping it.
3. A clean measuring device is expected to ensure we can give you a proper score.
4. Competitors may share measuring boards.

D. Technology – Each competitor is responsible for having the necessary technology with GPS, location, and capture capability.

E. Only artificial lures and biodegradable artificial lures may be used. No live bait, preserved bait, or prepared bait will be permitted during competition, with the exception of pork strips or rinds. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

F. Only ONE casting, spin-casting, spinning, or fly rod and reel may be in use at any one time.

H. Nets and grippers may be used for landing fish during tournament competition, but grippers must not remain attached to the fish in photos. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.

I. If a Competitor breaks his line while setting the hook or retrieving a fish, he is allowed to make an attempt with the rod being used or by hand to secure the line and land the fish to be counted as legal.

A. Watercraft acceptable for use in KBF Competition are those manufactured and marketed as canoes, kayaks, or SUPs for which paddling and/or pedaling is the primary means of propulsion. Any other watercraft must be submitted to the KBF Director of Operations (kayakbassfishing@gmail.com) for review and approval prior to use in competition. Watercraft specifically approved as exceptions include:

• Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler
• Biyak
• Neptvn 400 PRO (with acceptable electric HP or paddled)
• Greentop Enterprise Creek Boats
• Solo Skiff
• Beavertail Stealth

Use of watercraft in competition other than those listed above as acceptable or exceptions will result in disqualification from the event.

B. Unless approved as exceptions by the KBF Director of Operations, the following watercraft may not be used in competition: gas- or liquid-fueled motorized powerboats, sailboats, jon boats, pirogues/coracles/rowboats, dinghies and skiffs, float tubes/inflatable rafts, pontoon boats or twin-hull watercraft.

C. Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, pole, or electric motor (including trolling motors).

D. Unless specifically prohibited on the event-specific page, use of a single electric propulsion unit per watercraft in KBF sanctioned competition is approved. NOTE: No more than one electric motor may be installed on competitor's watercraft at any time during official competition times.

E. Electric motor used to propel a watercraft: (1) must be attached to the kayak in a safe manner for operation, and (2) may not exceed the lesser of (i.) the manufacturer's labeled Maximum HP/Thrust Capacity, (ii.) 3 HP, or (iii.) 155 foot-pound thrust.

F. Towing, transport, or relocation assistance from another watercraft is NOT permitted except in cases of emergency. Violation will result in disqualification from the event.

G. Trolling lure(s) attached to a single rod and towed behind a watercraft while underway is permitted in KBF Competition.

Digital photographs of each fish submitted to judges for scoring must meet these criteria:

A. Unique – Each digital photo submitted in each Event must be of a different fish. Possession of multiple fish is not permitted. All fish must be caught, photographed and released prior to resuming fishing for subsequent fish.

B. Position/Visible/Legible – Each photo must be in focus and clear enough for a judge to:

1. Fish must be positioned facing left, dorsal fin up (belly down), tail to the right.
2. Verify the Official KBF ID Card and event ID code. The inability of the judge to verify will result in the denial of the photo submission.
3. Verify the fish's condition.
4. Verify the fish's length. The judge will score fish at the greatest length of which he is certain.
5. Verify whether the bass' jaw or lip is in contact with the measuring board fence.
6. The entire fish, from its mouth/jaw to the end of its caudal (tail) fin must be visible in photos.

C. Centered – Camera lens positioned directly over the center of the fish's body. Photos taken at a low angle to obscure an open mouth may be denied or penalized at the judge's discretion.

D. First-generation – Each digital photo must be a first-generation image (not a photo of or screenshot of another photo). Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.

E. Identifiable – Official KBF ID Card above, below, or beside the fish (not laying on top of the fish, unless placed on the Competitor's hand or arm). NOTE: Only the official KBF ID Card is acceptable for photo submission. No hand-drawn images, codes written on hands, or forms from other series are permitted.

F. Background – Competitors' watercraft must be clearly visible in all eligible photographs. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission. Watercraft must have been launched and underway to be eligible for submission.

G. Hand Position –

1. No portion of the hand may enter the gill plate. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
2. The competitor's hand must be placed to provide a clear view of the fish's eye. Obstruction or coverage of any portion of the fish's eye will result in the denial of the photo submission.

H. Mouth –

1. Bass' lip or jaw must be in contact with the measuring board fence (bump board, upright), and the fence must be visible in the photo. Violation will result in denial of the photo submission.
2. In bass fishing competition, a closed mouth is required for uniformity of measurement. If a judge considers the mouth to be open a one-half inch penalty will be assessed. In addition, if the mouth is opened excessively in an attempt to make the fish appear longer, the entire fish may be denied.

I. Not "In-possession" – In most states, unless a fish is secured by a restraint device or is placed in a holding container, state regulatory agencies do not consider it to be "in possession" by Competitors, so states' minimum length regulations do not apply for photo submissions.

A. Fish length is determined by its caudal fin (tail fin) touching or crossing the manufacturer's quarter-inch mark on the measuring board. If it falls short of a 1/4-inch factory mark, the length is rounded-sm to the next lower 1/4-inch mark that the bass' caudal fin touches or crosses. Entire caudal fin lifted away and out of contact with the board will result in denial of the photo submission.

B. If any portion of a bass' caudal (tail) fin extends off the edge of a Measuring Board surface, the score will be determined by the highest 1/4-inch measurement reached or crossed by the portion of caudal fin on the measuring board.

C. Tournament ranking, contingency awards, Angler of the Year Points, Challenge Points, and Championship qualification shall be determined by the aggregate length of each Competitor's photos remaining on the leaderboard when judging has concluded and the dispute period has closed.

D. If a judge denies a Competitor's photo after the end-of-competition, it may be automatically replaced by a previously submitted and auto-culled photo; however, no Competitor may submit a replacement photo after the end-of-competition time.

E. In the event of a tie-in score, the tied competitors' longest fish are compared, and the tie breaks in favor of the competitor with the longest fish. If all of the tied competitors' highest scoring fish are identical, the tie breaks in favor of the competitor whose last leaderboard photo was uploaded earliest.

F. Photo Scoring Criteria Table:

A. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose such penalties as deemed appropriate, including without limitation:

1. Reduction of score (length) as described above or determined by the Tournament Director
2. Loss of catch for the day or up until the violation has been remedied
3. Disqualification from the tournament in question
4. Any additional penalties determined by the Tournament Director and/or Director of Tournament Operations, including but not limited to monetary fines and/or reduction of Competitor's Angler of the Year points.

Subject to the dispute and appeal processes set forth below, the Tournament Director's decisions on violations are final.

B. Following a review of the evidence, a determination by the KBF Tournament Director and/or Director of Tournament Operations of cheating or conviction of fraud will result in permanent revocation of KBF Membership, suspension from all Kayak Bass Fishing competition and KBF-affiliated events, and revocation of all KBF Social Media privileges. In addition, the findings will be published on a password-protected KBF members-only web page.

C. Competitor acknowledges that the use of polygraph tests may be necessary to verify compliance with rules and to settle disputes, and entry constitutes acceptance of this requirement and agreement to abide by its conclusion. Refusal by a Competitor to submit to a polygraph test is grounds for immediate disqualification from the KBF event and prohibition against future participation in any KBF affiliated event.

D. Competitors may be randomly selected to undergo polygraph examinations during or following all KBF competitive competitions.

A. Prizes and numbers of positions paid out are addressed on the event-specific page. Amounts paid per rank are subject to change based on participation and sponsor provision.

B. Prizes will be processed after all photos submitted for scoring have been judged, the results reviewed, and disputes have been resolved.

C. Product prizes (e.g., kayaks, paddles, propulsion units) may require additional processing or delivery time. Recipients of product awards must fill out and submit a Prize Claims Form found on the KBF Website.

Competitors are responsible for all applicable taxes on both cash and merchandise awards. Failure to meet those obligations may result in disqualification from all future KBF competitions. In addition, all prize recipients must fill out and submit a substitute IRS Form W-9 including name, address, social security number, signature, and date. These are used to prepare IRS 1099 forms for distribution in January.

A. During competition, every Competitor must have all required Coast Guard safety equipment (e.g., light source, whistle or other audible signal devices, Coast Guard-approved, chest-type life preserver [PFD]). See www.uscgboating.org.

B. PFD Usage - At all times while actively engaged in competition, except as described below, the Competitor must wear a fastened USCG-certified vest-style PFD (inherent flotation or inflatable) or float jacket. A belt-style PFD, even one that deploys as a vest, is not permitted during competition. When an infraction is verified by the Tournament Director, the competitor is disqualified from participation in the event.

C. PFD Wear Exceptions - The competitor assumes responsibility for all consequences of removing his PFD. The competitor may cease competition and remove the PFD while his watercraft is beached, anchored, or adrift only if doing so creates no unsafe condition. The competitor must put on and securely fasten the PFD before going underway or resuming competition.

If all of the following conditions exist, Competitor may briefly remove his PFD while afloat (anchored or adrift) to change, add or remove articles of clothing: (a.) No fishing lines are in the water; and (b.) The watercraft is not underway; and (c.) Weather and water conditions permit one to do so safely; and (d.) Competitor is over the age of 12.

D. Tournament Director and/or Director of Tournament Operations has the right to postpone or cancel the start of an official tournament day because of adverse weather conditions or other factors that jeopardize the Competitors' safety.

E. In the event of weather emergencies that pose an imminent threat to Competitors, the Tournament Director and/or Director of Tournament Operations may terminate competition before the scheduled end-of-competition time.

F. In the event of an emergency, the Competitor should call 911 first and then notify tournament officials as soon as possible.

G. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over the counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any Competitor during an Event will not be tolerated and cause for automatic disqualification from this and all future KBF competitions.

H. Night Competitions that take place between April 1 and September 30, in which boats leave or return after 10:30 P.M., must comply with the following stipulations in order for the event(s) to be eligible for Event Liability Insurance coverage: (1) All participant boats must be equipped with working Coast Guard-approved running lights. (2) The KBF Tournament Director shall have predetermined the availability of cell phone or radio coverage. (3) The KBF Tournament Director shall have on hand the contact information for emergency rescue and medical services. (4) The governing authority shall be notified of the competition date and hours. (5) Competitors are restricted to an on-the-water speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour between sunset and sunrise. (6) The Tournament Director shall have in place a system of accounting for the return of all participants.

A. If a Competitor wishes to dispute a rules violation penalty, a judge's scoring decision, a Tournament Director's decision or other action that materially affected the Competitor's ranking or prize eligibility, he must use the KBF Dispute & Appeal Form on the KBF Website to submit a dispute within 24 hours (one full day) following completion of Event judging. The dispute must include: (1) Event title, location, and date; (2) Description or identification of penalty imposed, or condition being disputed; (3) Reference to pertinent rule; (4) Reason for dispute and requested action.

Except for situations involving fraud or other law violations, any disputes submitted after the 24-hour dispute deadline will be reviewed without affecting the outcome of an event. No change in rank or reward will result from disputes submitted after the deadline.

B. The Competitor who filed the dispute may appeal the dispute results. Appeals of dispute results must be presented to the KBF Director of Tournament Operations using the KBF Dispute & Appeal Form within 24 hours from the time and date of the ruling. An Appeals Processing Fee of $100 must be paid to KBF. The appeals committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the KBF Executive handling the appeal, whose decisions are final. If the final ruling is in the Competitor's favor and reverses or nullifies a dispute ruling, then the entire Appeal Processing Fee will be refunded; however, if the ruling stands, then the Fee is forfeited.

A. The favorable public reputation of KBF as a sanctioning organization in the sport of kayak bass fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media channels are valuable assets. Accordingly, it is an obligation of competitors to refrain from comments in public forums and social media or to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of Kayak Bass Fishing competitions, tournament officials, sponsors, fellow members, fellow Competitors, or the KBF organization.

B. Sponsor contributions will not be devalued by disputes or disagreements in public forums or social media platforms.

C. Publicly disputing a judge's ruling or any dispute or appeal decision by a KBF Tournament Director, Series Director or KBF Executive will result in the participant receiving a warning for a first offense. A repeat of the offense will result in disciplinary action up to disqualification from the current Event and permanent termination of eligibility for future KBF competitions.

A. Name and Likeness Release - By registering for this Kayak Bass Fishing Event, the Competitor grants to Kayak Bass Fishing, LLC and Chad Hoover Fishing TV the right to use all photographs, likenesses, stories, accounts, details of Competitor contributions, exploits, interviews, bloopers, and information pertinent to the Kayak Bass Fishing Event, as well as any video footage, photographs gathered at the Event, for marketing and promotional purposes. This release is granted without expectation for additional compensation upon submission of Event Registration.

B. Waiver and Release of Liability - As a condition of participation in a Competition, and by virtue of registering for the Competition, each Competitor agrees to accept the terms and condition of the Kayak Bass Fishing Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement. A printed copy of the Kayak Bass Fishing Waiver and Release Form is available at the Event HQ Check-in Table and must be signed and on file with Kayak Bass Fishing, LLC before a registrant is eligible to compete.