~BPSOTT's History~
Local Sponsorship Provided By:
The BPSOTT or Bass Pro Shops Ohio Tournament Trail was
founded in Ohio as a Statewide trail of "weekday" and "weekend"
anglers, the "grass roots" of tournament fishing. BPSOTT is the only
Statewide Tournament Trail which strives to make competitive
tournament angling accessible to the "average grass roots angler".
Fishing locally, our weekday & weekend anglers have a shot at
qualifying for a TRUE 100% PAYBACK CHAMPIONSHIP!
____________________________
Bass Pro Shops
Ohio Tournament
Trail
Your Membership in the BPSOTT qualifies you to fish in ANY
BPSOTT event, statewide. You'll also have the opportunity to qualify
for our SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP at FABULOUS KENTUCKY
LAKE in the Spring of 2015!
2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
~Local Events~
~Championship Qualifications~
BPSOTT is Tracker/NITRO Sponsored through SIZZLE Marine
of Columbus, Ohio, but is not brand exclusive. BPSOTT
encourages and welcomes everyone's participation!
BPSOTT features NO division fees, LOW Championship fees,
& LOWER Membership fees, as well as many other great deals
through our AWESOME SPONSORS! Don't you think it's about time
for you to consider BPSOTT as your circuit choice?
~How we came about~
What Dave Davis & Ky Reed (as Co-Directors) have done is,
COMBINED 2 well established tournament circuits (the Ohio Central
Division Weekend Challenge and the Southern Ohio Bass
Challenge) into ONE AWESOME STATEWIDE TOURNAMENT
TRAIL and have stepped out on our own! In 2014, four Assistant
Directors will join us as Co-Directors in bringing you a local
Tournament Circuit that you can afford...have some fun with...and,
maybe take home a little cash!
And...possibly qualify for a shot at our SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP!
Our “Mission Statement” for The Bass Pro Shops Ohio
Tournament Trail is quite simple:
“The Public’s Awareness of Our Sport and Conservation in
Fishing“ !
YUM-EE Donuts
Columbus & Sunbury, Ohio
BOAT THINGS
Authorized Repair & Service
www.boatthings2.com
Ohio Tournament Trail
~Starts: Safelight – 3:00 PM~
~6 Event Season~
~Entry Fee $115.00 @ Event~
(INCLUDES $10.00 Big Bass Pot!)
*BPSOTT MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED*
For Information Call:
Ky Reed at: 614-805-5575
Or e-mail: khreed57@gmail.com
See us on the web at:
www.basspro.com
www.bpsott.com
Bass Pro Shops Ohio Tournament Trail
Official Entry Form
Boater Name: _________________________________________________
(PRINT ALL INFORMATION)
Address: _____________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________
Zip: ________________
Phone: _______________________ Cell: ___________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________
Partner Name: _________________________________________________
(PRINT ALL INFORMATION)
Address: _____________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________
Zip: ________________
Phone: _______________________ Cell: ___________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________
Entry Fee: $115.00 Per Team ~ Per Event
(INCLUDES $10.00 Big Bass Pot)
~BPSOTT Membership Fee (Yearly) $25.00~
~Bass Pro Shops Ohio Tournament Trail~
 May 10th
 June
Rocky Fork Lake – North Shore Ramp
14th
Alum Creek Lake – New Galena Ramp
 July 12th
Caesar Creek Lake – Wellman Ramp
 August 9th
O’Shaughnessy Res. – Home Rd. Ramp
 September 13th East Fork Lake – North Shore Ramp
 October 11th
Delaware Res. – S/W Sportsman’s Ramp
Waiver/Attestation
I/we having acquainted ourselves with the rules, agree to abide
by all conditions pursuant to fishing the event/s. Further, I/we
release and forever hold as harmless, all person/s, businesses,
participants and any other entities, so situated, from any and all
claim/s of damage/s as a result of my/our participation in this
event. Further, I/we specifically direct my/our heir/s, executor/s,
or any other claimant, from seeking any and all claims,
damages, or any other causative action’s against any entity
reference in this release.
Signature: ____________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________________
Make Checks Payable and Mail to:
The BPSOTT – C/O Dave Davis
4832 Wayne Madison Rd.
Trenton, Oh 45067
Cell: 614-805-5575
Email: khreed57@gmail.com
BPSOTT website: www.bpsott.com
BPSOTT
OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
1.
RULE CHANGES: These rules shall remain in effect and unchanged
throughout the current tournament year unless specifically superseded by
state or local law. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left
exclusively to the tournament director.
2. PARTICIPATION/ELIGIBILITY: Only current members of the BPSOTT are
eligible to fish in any BPSOTT event. Anglers wishing to participate in
BPSOTT events may do so at any time prior to the start of an event. At least
one team member must be 18 years of age or older to participate, however, if
both members of a team are under the age of eighteen, then they must
present written permission from a parent or legal guardian. The BPSOTT
reserves the right to deny participation to anyone at any time.
3. Liability Insurance: All Boaters are required to carry a minimum of
$100,000.00 of liability insurance on any boat they use during a BPSOTT
event or tournament.
4. ALCOHOL/DRUGS: Participants will refrain from the use of alcohol and or
drugs during the course of the tournament event. This prohibition does not
extend to the use of prescribed medications for ongoing medical issues.
5. BOATS AND MOTORS: Motors may not exceed the horsepower rating on the
BIA plate for those boats meeting BIA standards, nor any manufacturer’s plate
affixed in lieu of BIA ratings. All boats used in BPSOTT events must be
equipped with a functioning kill switch as well as aerated livewells capable of
sustaining a full tournament limit during the course of the event. No "tiller" or
"stick" steering will be permitted without attached “KILL SWITCH”. (exception
would be "Open" Tournaments where PBSOTT Membership is not required.)
6. SAFETY: Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times while engaged
in BPSOTT sanctioned events and all boats must have a full compliment of
safety gear as required by USCG regulation. Any time the internal combustion
motor is on both participants must have a USCG approved PFD on and
securely fastened. Operators must have the kill switch armed with lanyard
firmly secured to the operator. Tournament days may be shortened or
canceled due to unsafe weather or any conditions that would endanger the
safety of the competitors. The decision to shorten or cancel tournament days
will be determined by the Tournament Director.
7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught alive and in a
conventional sporting manner using one rod which may not exceed eight (8)
foot in length (measured butt to tip). Intentionally snagging fish is not
permitted. Only artificial lures may be used, live and or prepared bait is not
allowed, the only exception being “pork rinds” or its equivalent. Trolling with the
aide of the internal combustion or electric trolling motor is not permitted.
Communication devices such as cell phones, marine radios or CB’s may be
used for emergency purposes only. At the weigh-in, a courtesy board will be
provided which will be the same as the official board used for the event.
8. PROTESTS/DISQUALIFICATION: Directors must be notified of all protest
before close of scales. Protests also, must be submitted in writing within 10
minutes of the closing of the scales. A “protest committee” consisting of three
(3) fellow anglers, randomly drawn by the tournament director will address all
protests. Teams disqualified from individual events will still receive show-up
points.
9. SCORING: Teams must cull down to their limit of 5 fish before returning to the
official ramp site. The 5 fish must measure a minimum of 12 inches*, mouth
closed, tail compressed (*local/state limit applies). Teams presenting more
than a tournament limit shall be disqualified. Dead fish presented for weight
will receive a 4-ounce (0.25) deduction from total weight. If it’s the big bass,
then the penalty shall be accessed against that fish. Tournament standings
will be determined by total weight of all competition days. Only largemouth,
smallmouth and spotted bass will be scored. Teams presenting fish for weight,
and which are subsequently determined to be “short”, shall be penalized the
weight of the short fish PLUS the big fish of the sack. *Ohio minimum is 12".
10. Official Checkpoints: Teams must depart and return from a specified point
by boat unless other wise noted. Teams arriving late will be disqualified. In
case of an emergency (I.E. Motor Failed) a team may bring their fish back in a
competitor’s boat but there must be at least one member from each team
present when checking in. All fishing must cease upon checking in,
disqualification will result in fishing after checking in.
11. PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: All angling activities must be done from a
previously inspected boat. No fishing will be allowed within 50-yards of
another competitor’s boat which was first anchored or tied, with its trolling
motor stowed out of the water, without the anchored boats permission. Only
tournament contestants will be allowed in the checked-in boat. Hole sitting will
not be tolerated. Competitors may not exit their boat in order to facilitate
access to “other” waters. Tournament directors will determine, and announce,
all off-limit areas.
12. SPORTSMANSHIP: Participants in BPSOTT events are expected to follow
the highest standards of courtesy, safety, angling etiquette and a strict
adherence to game and fish laws.
13. NO-WAKE: Boats will not pass another’s competitors boat in any no-wake
zones at any time during tournament hours except for boats that may be
changing course within the zone, boats which have stopped or are engaged in
fishing activities.
14. TIES: In the event of a tie at the event, big bass will be the deciding factor. In
cases of a big bass tie, then the money will be split. In the event that big bass
and total weight are the same for two or more teams then both (all) tied teams
shall be awarded the same amount of points. At the end of the season if there
is a tie between two or more teams in equal points, then overall weight of the
teams will be the deciding factor with both teams still qualifying for the Classic.
15. SUBSTITUTIONS: Up to 2 subs may be used during the regular season as
long as one team member fishes with the sub. A sub is allowed to participate
in the Classic provided that they had previously fished at least 50% of the
regular events. Teams with a member who unexpectedly cannot attend the
Classic may utilize a sub from the division qualified from or, if none are
available, then a sub from another division with in the same series can be used
if approved by the Executive Director. Exceptions to this rule maybe made by
the executive director in cases of death, disability, or military duties.
16. WILDCARD: Eligibility for “wildcard” qualification will be based on
participation in the division fished; Overtime events are 10 out of 12, Weekend
Challenge events are 3 out of 5. Wildcard selections will be made at the
conclusion of the division’s events. If any of the teams drawn decline, then
another team will be drawn until such time as the slots are filled from within the
division.
17. OFF-LIMITS: Tournament waters are off limits the day of the event with prefishing allowed on all bodies of water until 11:59 p.m. the day prior to any
tournament.
18. Classic Qualifiers - The classic qualifiers from the THURSDAY NIGHT
DIVISION will be based on all 12 tournaments or all events scheduled for that
division. The classic qualifiers for the Weekend Division will be based on all 6
events or all events scheduled for that division. All teams qualifying for the
classic through points must have fished at least ½ of the divisions scheduled
tournaments.
19. DIVISION’S POINT CHAMPIONS: Points Champions of each division will be
determined based on all tournaments fished in that division.
20. PRO/GUIDE EXCLUSIONS: Participants, who have fished two or more
events, in the preceding 12 month
period, with an entry fee in excess of
$1,499.00 per event, will not be eligible to participate in any BPSOTT event
with an guaranteed 1st Place prize in excess of $2,400.00 (does not apply to
amateur participants in pro/am events). Nor will individuals serving as licensed
guides, or are paid for guiding on tournament waters within the pre-ceding 30day period are not eligible to participate in events held on those waters for
tournaments with a guaranteed 1st Place prize of $2400.00 or more.
OHIO SPECIFIC RULES:
Length Limit: Largemouth, smallmouth, spots, 12-inch or longer.
Insurance: Required to carry a minimum of $100,000 liability.
Entry Status: Benefits of pre-entry are accorded as follows: Preferred Entry: are
those team/s which enter and pay for all SIX (6) events prior to the first event.
Preferred Entrants: will draw from the total number of PE’s, as an example: 10
teams pay for the season, then they will draw for start position from numbers 1-10.
Teams paying by the published deadline shall draw from the total number of teams
which paid by the deadline. Teams who pay at the ramp the morning of the event
will be assigned numbers.