Fountainhead Bass Club Rules

◊ TOURNAMENT registration fee will be $45 dollars a boat and $5 dollars (optional) for big fish. FOR THE FIRST TOURNAMENT ONLY, there will be an insurance fee of $20 dollars per boat ($10 dollars per angler) for annual cost of Fountainhead Bass Club tournament insurance coverage. Insurance is a requirement by NVRPA to hold the tournaments. Due to the insurance coverage the first tournament will cost $65 dollars a boat and $5 dollars (optional) for big fish. Once each angler has paid the $10 dollar insurance fee, all remaining tournament entry fees will be $45 dollars a boat and $5 dollars for big fish (optional). The $10 dollar insurance fee per person will only be paid ONCE by each person during the year. Any new individuals/teams that participate throughout the year will be required to also pay the insurance fee.

◊ The Fairfax County Water Authority has warned boaters NOT to cross the orange barriers across the face of the lower dam. The barriers are monitored 24 hours a day by the Water Authority. Anyone that participates in the club tournaments is forbidden from crossing this barrier during tournament and non-tournament hours. There will be no warnings on this. If the tournament director receives a call from the Water Authority and they can provide definitive evidence of one of our tournament anglers crossing, they will be immediately disqualified for the remainder of the season.

◊ The top 15 teams based on total weight qualify for the end of year 2-day Classic tournament. Two provisional slots are provided for the next two teams below the top 15 based on the total weight and having fished every tournament during the season.

◊ Only 7 fish may be brought to the scales by a team, anymore than 7 fish brought to the scales will result in a 1 (one) pound weight deduction from the teams total weigh-in. Anglers will be allowed to cull their fish out of the water but may bring only 7 fish to the scales.

◊ Fish 14 inches and over may be kept and weighed in. Each 2 man team may weigh 6 fish TOTAL. Anyone fishing alone will comply with the state law of 5 fish in his/her possession at any one time and they can only weigh 5 fish TOTAL. No team may possess more than 10 fish total at anytime in there live well. All fish must be ALIVE, no dead fish will be weighed. All boats will are required to have a re-circulating water live well pump whether permanenty installed or portable. The use of a live well additive is highly recommended along with adding ice in the warm summer months, keeping the fish alive and healthy should be considered your priority as a fisherman.

◊ There will be a "designated" fish measurement person, this person will size check the next in line team's fish prior to the weigh-in scales. While one team is weighing in, the "designated" fish measurer will be checking fish on a "Golden Rule" tournament board, closed mouth to the tip of the tail lobes pressed together, tails may be swept on board. They will also be checking that each team has culled down to 7 fish. The fish will then be placed in an official weigh bag before being placed on the scales. The weigh master or his designated representatives are the only ones that will operate the scales and record the official weight and number of fish.

◊ The weight called out by the designated weigh master is FINAL and will be recorded. Absolutely NO re-weighing of fish is allowed. No dead fish will be weighed. No fish will be weighed after the scales are closed. All teams are encouraged to weigh any legal fish, all weight counts toward the end of year Classic tournament.

◊ Designate boat owner and ensure phone #'s are on the tournament sign-up form. Tournament sign-up will end 15 minutes prior to the start of each tournament so that any announcements can be made. Late registrations will not be accepted!

◊ No fishing within 100 yards of another tournament boat without their consent. Reckless boat operation is grounds for disqualification. Boat owners should be insured.

◊ All fish weight goes with the boat owner, unless otherwise stated at the time of the tournament. If two members decide to partner up after the season is under way, the newly established team will be required to take the lesser of the two team’s total weights.

◊ No live bait allowed. (Worms, minnows, crayfish, etc...). Fishing with more than 1 rod at a time is prohibited. No trolling allowed.

◊ Each boat must have some type of aerated live well. No stringers allowed. All live wells will be checked prior to the start of each tournament.

◊ Any boat not at the ramp by the designated weigh-in time will be disqualified. Weigh-in time is stated before the start of each tournament.

◊ Use of any 2-way communication devices such as cell phones, pagers, CB's, etc. or any angler or persons intending to aide in locating or catching fish is strictly prohibited. Emergency use is allowed.

◊ Any violation of tournament rules will be handled by the Club Director, and will be settled with all concerned parties present. All complaints shall be directed toward and handled by the Club Director. Any violation of the tournament rules or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification. Club Directors will resolve any conflicts. Any and all decisions made by the Club Directors are final.

◊ We are given permission by NVRPA for the tournaments. Respect their employees and rules!

◊ Tournament anglers are asked to help others at the ramp on tournament mornings to help speed launches. Please assist any rental boaters, move your boat if necessary so they can launch. Do not tie the ramp up any longer than necessary. Launch your boat and then organize your gear once you move your vehicle. Respect other boaters at the ramp.

◊ Remember one bad incident reflects on tournament anglers as a whole. Be courteous! Share the water with non-tournament anglers.

◊ Please watch your boat wake when rowers are present. Report all incidents with other boaters and rowers to the Club director.

◊ Anglers participating in any FHBC tournament shall observe a code of conduct and the applicable rules as put forth by the tournament directors. Anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming of anglers that will not reflect unfavorably on FHBC, its members or representatives.
Anglers shall use their best effort to demonstrate professionalism and integrity in support of bass fishing. Any angler who violates any of the provisions of the code of conduct shall be suspended from competing in FHBC tournaments, permanent ban from competition, or any combination thereof deemed appropriate by FHBC tournament directors.

◊Annual Classic tournament practice period: Any participant that qualifies for the classic will be permitted to practice anytime leading up to the Thursday prior to the event. Thursday and Friday will be an off limits period. This means no one that is qualified for the classic are permitted to be on the Occoquan reservoir to fish, or scout any water or areas of the Occoquan reservoir. Competitors are also not permitted to have anyone else on the water to do any practicing or scouting for them as well. Violations of this rule will result in a disqualification of the entire event.

◊ No competitor of our club events are permitted to attempt to transfer any Largemouth or smallmouth bass of any size from one spot to another with or without intent to purposely stock another fishing area/hole during non-tournament hours as well as tournament hours with the exception of culling during a event. Violations to this rule will result in a immediate disqualification.

◊ The Club Director may change or update rules without notice when deemed necessary for the benefit of the club and the tournaments.