Event Information
The tournament will again be limited to the first 250 paid teams due to the space limitation of the Ballenger Civic Center. We do not wish to see anyone left out on all the fun, so please register early. Remember this is an oilfield tournament. Both fishermen must be oilfield. We will continue, as in years past, of giving away all door prizes on Friday night, leaving only the boat and Mule to give away on Saturday night. This assures us of getting out at a reasonable time both nights. This year we would like to have more door prizes than ever before. If you or your company would like to bring door prizes or contribute money for door prizes, please contact one of the following on the door prize committee.
Tournament Rules:
Eligibility: Any person whose primary annual income is derived from the exploration and production of oil and gas or from providing service to the oil industry is eligible to participate. Retirees from the oil industry are eligible provided they are not currently employed in a non oilfield industry. Spouses and dependents (under the age of 22) of eligible participants will also be eligible, provided they fish with that participant. Any person who has received payment for guide services, whether licensed or not, within the State of Texas and within the last six months WILL NOT be eligible.
All participants are subject to a polygraph test to insure tournament rules and eligibility requirements.
This is an invitational tournament not an open tournament.
Tournament officials reserve the right to refuse any entry.
Safety: Fishermen will comply with the rules, regulations, and requirements of the U. S. Coast Guard, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and any other governing body having jurisdiction over Lake O. H. Ivie. Personal Floatation Devices should be worn while the boat is on plane. Kill switches are mandatory equipment for any boat operated from a remote steering position. Capacity and horsepower rating plates must be attached and be visible and legible. Careless or reckless operation of a motorized vehicle or boat WILL NOT be tolerated and will be grounds for disqualification. Alcohol or any drugs can affect the outcome of a polygraph and should not be consumed prior to taking the polygraph test. Failure to abide by these or any other rules will result in immediate disqualification without refund of your entry fee.
PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE for all boats must be provided before the start of the tournament.
Sportsmanship: LITTERING WILL BE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION. Please respect your fellow fisherman by maintaining a reasonable distance from any anchored or tied boat or boat with the trolling motor in the down position. Do not fish within the “no wake” buoys of Concho Park. Any act deemed unsportsmanlike by the tournament committee will result in disqualification without refund of your entry fee.
Hours: Tournament hours will be from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Even numbered teams will be expected to stop fishing at or before 2:00 p.m. Friday and in the weigh-in line at the Concho Park launch area by 3:00 p.m. Odd numbered teams will be expected to stop fishing at or before 3:00 p.m. Friday and in the weigh-in line at Concho Park by 4:00 p.m. Even numbered teams will be expected to stop fishing at or before 3:00 p.m. Saturday and in the weigh-in line at Concho Park by 4:00 p.m. Odd numbered teams will be expected to stop fishing at or before 2:00 p.m. Saturday and in the weigh-in line at Concho Park by 3:00 p.m. Teams will be assigned to each flight based on the order their registration is received. The official tournament clock will be Cell Phone Time. Any team late for their flight’s weigh-in will not be eligible for weigh in. Teams may start from any ramp where they have permission to launch or from any public ramp on the lake. An honor start at 6:00 a.m. will be in effect for both days. Weigh in will open at 2:00 PM each day.
General: Both members from each team must register with the registration committee at Concho Park between 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12th, or from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on, Friday, April 13th. No trolling will be allowed. Only artificial lures, pork rinds and scents may be used. No live or prepared baits will be allowed. You may use only one rod at a time and you must retrieve a cast before making a cast with another rod. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass will be weighed. A maximum of five fish per team per day will be allowed. No more than two largemouth bass may be smaller than eighteen inches. If more than two fish smaller than 18" are brought to the scales the largest fish of the stringer will be culled for each "short" fish over two. All Smallmouth bass must be a minimum of 18”.
The largest fish will be culled if more than five fish are brought to the weigh-in. Dead fish will be assessed an 8 ounce penalty against the weight total. All boats must have an operable livewell. Fish are property of the Permian Basin Oilman’s Bass Invitational. PLEASE practice Catch and Release.
Scoring: Winners will be determined by the heaviest weight total for each day and for the two days combined. Ties will be decided by the highest number of fish weighed. Further ties will split the two places.
Protests: Complaints regarding contestant conduct must be submitted to the tournament committee in writing within one minute after the weigh-in. Decisions of tournament officials are final.