Rules Revision Log

Effective February 1, 2021

• –Revision to Rule 7.C: Acceptable Measuring Boards for the KBF Trail Series are the aluminum Ketch Products Measuring Board, the Ketch Karbonate and the Ketch X measuring board. The Hawg Trough is no longer an acceptable measuring board for the KBF TRAIL SERIES.
• –Revision to Rule 7.C: Removed the FishStik Version 2 by YakGear as an acceptable measuring board from the KBF Trail and KBF Challenge Series.

Effective November 30, 2020

• –Rule 7.C. was edited to add the Ketch X Measuring Board to KBF's list of approved measuring boards.

Effective July 6, 2020

• –Rule 7.C. was edited to add the polycarbonate Ketch Measuring Board to KBF's list of approved measuring boards, and Beavertail Stealth was added to the list of watercraft approved by exception for use in KBF competition.

Effective February 26, 2020

• –Rule 7.C. was revised to clarify that modification of a measuring board in any way, including flexing or bending it, that results in misrepresentation of a fish's actual length is prohibited. Because this is a clarification of a principle already inherent in the rules and not an altogether new rule, the usual 15-day pre-implementation period policy does not apply, and the revision is effective immediately.

Effective January 1, 2020

The following changes supersede all earlier iterations and are in effect for KBF competition starting on or after the effective date. Photos judged for all prior events will not be rejudged or scores, rankings, and rewards adjusted by the revised rules and standards included in this revision.

• –Global: replaced KBF Rules Addendum with Event Page to identify the resource Competitors should review for event-specific rules, schedules, details, eligible water boundaries, restrictions, and other event details.
• –Revision: Rule 2.D. A new way of measuring redfish for KBF — the top lobe of the caudal (tail) fin now determines length, and it must be lying flat on the measuring board, in contact with the measuring surface, and neither raised off the board nor hanging over the side.
• –Clarification, Rule 3. Competition Period: Clarified KBF's practice of allowing Competitors in tournaments where launch sites become congested to 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 under way.
• –Addition: Rule 5. Competition Area, Section E. now clarifies conditions under which wading and bank fishing during competition are permitted, and includes that the competitor must have launched his watercraft prior to fishing.
• –Addition: Rule 6, Cooperation and Assistance, Section D now prohibits submission of photos of fish caught from a watercraft in physical contact with another person or watercraft.
• –Revision: Rule 8, Watercraft & Propulsion now more broadly defines acceptable watercraft and eliminates width and length limits.
• –Revision: Rule 9. G ii, Hand Placement: In redfish competition, photos will be denied if a competitor's hand is touching the fish forward of its hard gill flap (operculum). The former 'no-touch-zone' aft of the anal fin has been eliminated. (Does not apply to bass competition.)
• –Revision: Rule 15, Safety simplifies PFD wear requirements and now gives competitors leeway, in Section C. PFD Wear Exceptions, to cease competition and temporarily remove their PFDs under certain conditions, and resume competition after putting it back on and reattaching it.
• –Revision: Rule 4: Pre-fishing — On April 22, KBF removed the restriction on pre-fishing or practice fishing before a KBF Challenge. The prohibition and deadline remains for KBF Tournaments.

Effective July 1, 2019

This revision superseded all earlier iterations and went into effect for KBF competition starting after the effective date. All earlier 2019 events and fish judged for 2019 were not rejudged or scores, rankings, and rewards adjusted.

• –Clarification: Explicitly state the photos submitted for scoring by Competitors must be of fish the Competitor caught in accord with rules and regulations, during competition hours, in eligible water. Revised sections: Global (multiple places throughout the document).
• –Revision: In reviewing photographs, judges will visually approximate as accurately as possible where a 1/4-inch mark would be if it extended the full width of a board and use that imaginary line to determine a fish's length. This formalizes KBF's long-standing practice. Revised section: Rule 10.A.
• –Revision: Alignment aids and attachments to a KBF-approved measuring board (e.g., a cradle attachment for the Ketch measuring board) will not be considered part of the measurement surface when determining a fish's length. Revised sections: Rule 10.B.
• –Revision: Roles, responsibilities, and titles of event officials are revised. 'Tournament Director' now includes only KBF Staff Members with full or shared responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating, and supervising KBF tournaments, and who have authority to interpret, enforce, amplify and clarify rules and resolve disputes. Volunteers who help organize each region are now 'KBF TRAIL Series Regional Coordinators.' KBF Partner directors and other volunteers are referred to as 'KBF Event Liaisons.'
• –Revision: KBF's Dispute and Appeals processes are updated. Competitors are directed to use the KBF Dispute & Appeals Form on the KBF Website. The same form should be used to submit appeals to KBF's Chief Operations Officer (COO). Appeals fees are submitted using the KBF Appeal Processing Fee item in the KBF Online Store.
• –Revision: Clarification of disciplinary action for public dispute of judge's ruling or a decision arising from a dispute or appeal. Revised section: Rule 18.C.

Effective June 1, 2019

This revision superseded all earlier iterations and went into effect for KBF competition starting after the effective date.

• –For all Redfish competition, tail must lie in a pinched or compressed position; not splayed or fanned. After the Redfish is laid on the measuring board, its caudal (tail) fin lobes should be pinched together and then released before the angler's hand is removed for the photograph.
• –When present, the unique dark-pigmented spot on the left side of a Redfish's body or caudal (tail) must be visible in photos. Position your hand so that the spot is not covered in the photo.

Effective February 19, 2019

• –9: H: Returned to 2018 standard in which an open-mouth penalty of one inch is assessed when mouth is judged to be open 1/4″ or more. (Change also appears in Photo Scoring Criteria ae. Mouth.)

Effective January 1, 2019

• –Global: Changed 'bass' to 'fish' where term generally applies to the fish targeted in competition (e.g., bass, redfish).
• –2.B. Set minimum length for all KBF bass competition to 12 inches.
• –2.B. Inclusion of Redfish length limits.
• –3.A. 'Launch' defined as the point at which an occupied boat is propelled away from shore.
• –8. Exceptions to prohibited watercraft standards: Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler and Biyak are now accepted for use in competition.
• –9.D. If judges identify situations that may result in competitor disqualification, photos are escalated to Tournament Director or Series Director for review and are scored 00.01″ with comment reflecting final score or pending review.
• –9.G. Redfish acceptable photo standards include no-touch zones in front of operculum (hard gill flap) and behind anal fin.
• –9.H. Redfish mouth clarification — mouth may be open or closed, unlike bass that are penalized for open mouth.
• –9.H.ii. Bass open mouth penalty changed to a deduction of 1.00 points for any bass that a judge rules has its mouth open, including those with structural deformities.
• –17. Clarification of Event TD's authority and responsibility to clarify and expand on rules.

Effective May 1, 2018

• –5. Competition Area / B. Competitors may launch from any public-access shore directly onto Eligible Water or may launch and then paddle or portage to Eligible Water. Crossing restricted property to reach Eligible Water is not permitted. Tributaries, canals, sloughs or estuaries separated from the rest of eligible water by temporary obstructions (e.g., fallen trees, log jams, beaver dams) that, if removed, could be entered by floating/paddling are considered eligible waters. Those separated by obstructions of a permanent nature (e.g., levees, earthen or concrete dams, berms, roadbeds, spillways, waterfalls) are ineligible.
• –9. Photo Standards: Add: 'Except where covered by hand or fingers, the entire bass, from its mouth/jaw to the tip of its caudal (tail) fin, must be visible in photos. If either end is covered or cropped off, the photo will be denied.'
• –9. Photo Standards / H. Mouth / i. Bass' lip or jaw must be in contact with measuring board fence (bump board, upright), and the fence must be visible in the photo. Violation will result in denial of photo.
• –10. Scoring / B. If any portion of a bass' caudal (tail) fin extends off the measuring board, 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.
• –10. Scoring / F. Photo Scoring Criteria Table: Add 'Entire fish not in picture…DENY'

Effective January 14, 2018

• –Compressed and rearranged topics for better continuity.
• –Standardized outline format.
• –Changed 'Hawg Trough' to 'Measuring Board,' unless used to specify that brand.
• –Changed 'Protest' to 'Dispute' as the name for judgment or scoring disagreement notification and process.
• –Changed 'TourneyX' to 'Tournament Management System' or 'TMS,' unless used to specify that particular system.
• –Clarified rules for which an infraction results in disqualification, photo denial, and points deduction.
• –Removals: 1.E. Removed paragraph regarding how payments are processed through PayPal. 1.H. Removed section regarding distribution of KBF Identifier Form at Captain's Meetings. 2. Removed section on Tournament Format as redundant. 8.A. Added 'canoes' as approved watercraft. 8.C.d. Removed prohibition on dual-prop electric motors. 9.F.iii. and 10.C. Removed penalty for pinching a bass' caudal fin. 10.A. Removed references to State Adjustment Factor. 10.F. Changed 'open mouth' penalties to 1.00 points (inches) deducted when a bass' mouth is open 1/4″ or more; no deduction when the mouth is open less than 1/4″. 11.E. Removed section stipulating that competitors who witness violations are required to report them. 11.I. Specified KBF Director of Operations as having responsibility for requiring a polygraph exam.
• –Significant Additions: 1.B. Professional Fishing Guides are prohibited from competing in an Event if they guide on Eligible Water within 30 days prior to the Event. 4.B. Competitors are prohibited from paying a professional who guides on a tournament's Eligible Water for guide service within 30 days prior to competition. 8.A.a. Added dimensions of watercraft eligible for use in competition. 9.D. Identifier Form may not cover any portion of the bass. 10.D. Clarified that any section of a bass' caudal fin off the measuring board does not affect its score.
• –Other Significant Changes: 14. Updated restriction on advertising for sale of product prizes through KBF Facebook pages. 17.A. Standardized the Dispute Window for all KBF Events to 48 hours following completion of judging.

Effective August 9, 2017

• –At the end of Section 17.B. regarding wearing of PFD Usage in Competition, the following sentence was added: 'When an infraction, as described above, is verified by the Tournament Director, the competitor is disqualified from participation in the event.'

Effective June 20, 2017

• –Changed Rule 19 (later renumbered 17). Disputes and Appeals, paragraph A from a 48-hour window to 24 hours. The dispute must be submitted within 24 hours (one full day) following completion of Event judging. 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.

Effective March 20, 2017

• –A new Cooperation and Assistance rule was inserted: 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 waters. Before and during the event, competitors may (a.) share gear, tackle and equipment, (b.) assist in photographing a fish for submission, and (c.) may communicate with and fish in proximity to other people, including competitors; however, they may not receive assistance in catching fish, including boat positioning, casting, retrieving, hooking, playing, or landing a fish.
• –Rule 8.H. on assistance was eliminated. Rule numbering after the new cooperation rule was adjusted accordingly.
• –Watercraft and Propulsion rule updated to define acceptable watercraft as small, narrow watercraft the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak (including inflatable and modular kayaks), stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), or other watercraft specifically approved by KBF Management. Prohibited watercraft listed explicitly.
• –PFD Usage rule updated: At all times while on the water during competition hours, Competitors must wear a chest-type, inherent-flotation or inflatable USCG-approved PFD, properly positioned and adjusted. Brief removal allowed only when all four conditions are met (no lines in water, watercraft not underway, safe conditions, competitor over age 12).

Effective February 14, 2017

• –Rule 11.E.: Ties are broken by big fish. The tied competitors' biggest (top-scored) bass are compared, and the tie breaks in favor of the competitor with the biggest bass. If the biggest bass are equal, the second-biggest are compared, then the third, then the fourth. If all four of the tied competitors' highest scoring bass are identical, the tie breaks in favor of the competitor whose last Leader Board photo was uploaded earliest.
• –Rule 17.F.: Night Tournaments between April 1 and September 30 where boats leave or return after 10:30 P.M. must comply with six stipulations for Event Liability Insurance coverage: (1) working Coast Guard-approved running lights; (2) predetermined cell phone or radio coverage; (3) contact information for emergency rescue and medical services; (4) governing authority notified; (5) on-water speed limit of not more than 35 mph between sunset and sunrise; (6) system of accounting for the return of all participants.

Effective September 14, 2016

• –Rule 10.A.: Regarding the identifier, the phrase '…positioned in the photo and…' was deleted and the following sentence added: 'After carefully examining photo details and cross-referencing other photos submitted for scoring by the same angler in the same event, if the event judge is NOT able to verify with 100% confidence that the KBF Identifier Form and ID Codes or Marks in the photo are valid for both the competitive event and the competitor, then the photo will be denied.'

Effective July 31, 2016

• –Rules Change Notifications process expanded to include announcements on the KBF Company Facebook Page and the KBF Advisory Committee Facebook Page. Changes will be listed in this revision log and most recent revisions highlighted in the body of the rules.
• –Rule 1.E.: Eliminated rule requiring competitor to provide proof of personal liability insurance coverage.
• –Rule 4.C.: Competitors who could not or did not upload photos to TourneyX are no longer required to be in Judges Check-in line at Tournament HQ one hour prior to Competition End Time, unless otherwise stipulated in the rules addendum.
• –Rule 6.: Edited to clarify that to be 'eligible,' a body of water must be publicly-accessible during competition hours. Ingress to and egress from the water may not be across access-restricted property. Usage fees are irrelevant, provided that anyone willing to pay the user fee has equal access.
• –Rule 5: Pre-fishing end time will be specified in the KBF Competition Rules Addendum. If not stipulated, the pre-fishing deadline is six hours prior to competition start time.
• –Rule 8.B.: Hawg Troughs may be shortened only by removing inches from the upper end opposite the fence. May not be broken, snapped, or cut apart and reassembled.
• –Rule 10.A.: Clarified that the identifier with the required ID Codes and marks must be visible and legible in the photo.
• –Rule 10.D.v.: Added that no restraining device, clip, or band may be used to secure the fish being photographed, and that securing the fish with any portion of a hand under the fish's operculum is prohibited.
• –Rule 11.E.: Ties are broken according to the time the last fish photo contributing to a competitor's score was uploaded.
• –Rule 11.F.: If a judge can ascertain with certainty that the fish is not in contact with the fence, the photo will be disqualified. If unable to determine with certainty, the judge may approve the photo but impose a one (1) inch penalty.

Effective April 8, 2016

• –Rule 10.D.iii.: Tip of tail must be in contact with the Hawg Trough for the fish to be scored. If the tail is lifted off the Hawg Trough, the photo will be disqualified. KBF does not allow fish to be entered when the fish's tail isn't clearly lying in a natural position.