Buck's Island Monthly Statewide Bass Challenge

NOW ADDING A "BOAT" CATEGORY FOR 2023

Congratulations to our TOC Winners!
Kayak Tournament - Terry Morgan
Boat Tournament - Randy Beane

2023 AOY - KAYAK DIVISION

RANK NAME LENGTH
1 Terry Morgan 673.75"
2 Derrick Green 603.5"
3 Ben Gourley 510.25"
4 Daniel Higgins 476.75"
5 Destan Wade 399"

2023 AOY - BOAT DIVISION

RANK NAME LENGTH
1 Randy Beane 752.5"
2 Corey Wilkerson 275.75"
3 Robby Cook 212"
4 Jeff Parker 161.5"
5 Wil Deerman 152"

2023 TOC QUALIFIER - KAYAK DIVISION

MONTH NAME
March Derrick Green
March Terry Morgan
March Destan Wade
March Dan Terry
March Blaine Hooper
April Daniel Perry
April Casen Wallace
April Coy Jones
April Johnny Childers
April Chuck Wise
May Daniel Higgins
May Ben Gourlay
May Lowell Henderson
May Jared Atwell
May Derek Chambers
June Brian Delahunty
June Chris Davis
June Harvey Pinson
June Keith Lamberth
June Blake Roberson
July Scotty Wilson
July Coley McGowan
July David Pressley
July Chris Martin
July Dylan Borders
August Blake Coston
August Donny Simpson
August Joe McElroy
August Dan Hardy
August Tim Hawkins

2023 TOC QUALIFIER - BOAT DIVISION

MONTH NAME
March Randy Beane
March Jeff Parker
March Robby Cook
March Corey Wilkerson
May Wil Deerman
May Jeremy Crawford
May Ben Gourlay
May Joe McElroy
June Tim Taylor

The Basics

Catch Photo Release (CPR) format using TourneyX running from 12:01 AM on the first day of the month to 11:59 PM on the last day of the month. You may fish all public waters fishable with an Alabama fishing license. You can compete in both the kayak and boat categories, just be sure to show the vessel in the background of the photo submission. (See Rules below for details.)

SCHEDULE:

Tournaments will run March - August with championships in October.

Kayak Category

Boating Category

October Championships will follow the same month long state wide rules and will include:

  1. Tournament of Champions (TOC) for each individual category.  No entry fee.  To qualify you must finish in the top 5 of one of the regular monthly events for that category.  No duplicates, so your first top 5 qualifies you and the qualification in each subsequent event will roll to the next position if you finish top 5 again.
  2. Combined Free Finale.  No entry fee.  To qualify you must fish at least 3 regular monthly events in either category.  If you qualify for the TOC events, you are not eligible.  That’s right!  Boats and kayaks will compete head to head.

Angler of the Year

 

New for 2023 is also an Angler of the Year prize which will be determined by most cumulative inches from your 5 fish submissions throughout all tournaments.

And we have one more twist to be announced soon for October!  What we can say right now is “boat and kayak TEAMS on Neely Henry”.

(See Rules below for details.)

TO ENTER:

Verify you have read the Annual Limited Liability Waiver published below:

Annual Liability Waiver

 

Register On TourneyX

Register

 

Join the Buck's Island Paddle Sports Facebook Group

Join Facebook Group

Fees for both categories for March - August

Entry Fee - $15
Big Fish - $10
TourneyX Fee - Covered by Buck's Island

Payout for both categories

10% Off All Month
During the month of the tournament, all registered anglers will receive 10% off all items at Buck's Island except boats, kayaks, motors, trailers, electronics and bulk oil.

Raffle Prizes
All registered anglers will be eligible for any raffle prizes that may be given away during a tournament (excludes Buck's Island employees and Pro Staff)

100% Big Fish Winner

Payout Based on Number of Anglers

1-9 Anglers

  1. 100% + $100 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*

10-18 Anglers

  1. 60% + $60 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 40% + $40 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*

19-27 Anglers

  1. 50% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 30% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 20% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*

28-36 Anglers

  1. 45% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 25% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 20% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  4. 10%

37-45 Anglers

  1. 40% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 25% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 20% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  4. 10%
  5. 5%

46-54 Anglers

  1. 40% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 24% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 15% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  4. 12%
  5. 5%
  6. 4%

55-63 Anglers

  1. 37% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 21% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 13% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  4. 11%
  5. 9%
  6. 5%
  7. 4%

64-72 Anglers

  1. 34% + $50 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  2. 17% + $30 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  3. 13% + $20 Buck's Island Gift Certificate*
  4. 11%
  5. 9%
  6. 7%
  7. 5%
  8. 4%

    Rules

    Section 1. INTERPRETATION & ENFORCEMENT

    • All Federal, State, and Local laws, rules, markings, orders, and warnings must be followed. Violation of any laws may be cause for disqualification. 
    • All violations of laws will be turned over to the proper authorities for investigation and possible prosecution. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, harassment, wildlife violations, illegal drug use, and any other illegal activity. 
    • Decisions of officials / tournament director(s) are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. 
    • A violation of tournament rules may result in penalties, disqualification, or banishment at the discretion of officials/tournament director(s)

    Section 2. PAYBACK & PARTICIPATION

    • All participants must pay the full entry, complete all liability release forms, and be using a certified measuring device approved by the tournament director to be considered a contestant.  
    • The number of paid places and amounts will be determined at each event by the number of entries. 
    • Any person under the age of 18 entering a tournament must also have permission and a signed release of a parent or legal guardian. 
    • All contestants must have a valid fishing license.

    Section 3. OFF-LIMITS, PRACTICE AND COMPETITION

    • Motors: If the watercraft is legally licensed, motors will be permitted. All state rules for motorized kayaks apply.  There are no limitations on motors used on “non-kayak” boats.

    Section 4. INFORMATION GATHERING

    • 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 guide or guide services, directly or indirectly, pertaining to tournament waters is prohibited, other than through publicly available sources. 
    • During official tournament days, contestants may not solicit information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except other anglers confirmed in the tournament and through publicly available sources.
    • For month long, state wide, online tournaments, this is extremely tough to monitor.  If you are planning to fish with a guide, do not enter the tournament for that month.  If it is found that a guide or other person is directly related to helping you catch a fish submitted for the tournament, you will be disqualified from that tournament.  Final discretion will be determined by the tournament director.

    Section 5. SAFETY

    SAFE BOATING PRACTICES MUST ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED.

    • Each contestant is REQUIRED to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while fishing from or maneuvering their kayak. The personal flotation device must always be worn on the outside of all clothing. Inflatable belt PFDs are not considered satisfactory. If in a boat, this applies whenever the primary motor is running.
    • All vessels must be equipped with emergency equipment as required by all Federal, State and Local Laws. This often includes a safety whistle and 360-degree light. Additionally, a Hi-Visibility flag flown on the kayak is recommended. 
    • Competitors may leave their boat and seek shelter in bad weather or when danger is imminent.
    • Competitors are expected to use sound judgment and are accountable for their own actions when faced with a potentially dangerous situation. (i.e., lightning, excessive wind, rough waters, recreational and commercial marine traffic, hunting areas, etc.) 

    Section 6. SPORTSMANSHIP

    • All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves and sponsors. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
      • Violation of or failure to comply with event or state rules and laws. 
      • Consumption of alcoholic beverages or any kind of illegal substance during tournament hours. o Suspension/disqualification, probation or ban from any tournament or fishing organization. 
      • Verbal or physical abuse towards fellow competitors and tournament directors on or off the water during the official practice period through the tournament weekend. 
      • Blocking navigable waters from fellow competitors to pass through.
      • Working with a non-competitor to block other anglers or hold spots before or during tournament hours. 
      • Any words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules. 
      • Failure to comply with standards set forth in the first sentence of Section 6. 

    Section 7. VESSEL REGULATION

    KAYAKS:

    • Eligible vessels must be at least 9 feet in length and no longer than 18 feet. 
    • Catamaran style personal fishing vessels complying with all other regulations will be eligible
    • No "Homemade" Kayaks will be permitted. 
    • The use of manual or motorized anchor systems are permitted. 
    • Motors are allowed as long as kayak is properly registered.

    BOATS:

    • All vessels that do not fall under the kayak category above are considered boats. 

    Section 8. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS

    • All bass must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner by the angler. 
    • All lures must adhere to state regulations. 
    • Only artificial lures may be used, except pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits are allowed. • Alabama rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are considered one lure and are only limited by the laws within the state.
    • Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. 
    • Each cast must be completed before another cast is allowed and there can never be more than one lure from one rod actively fishing in the water at any time. 
    • Trolling as a method of fishing is NOT allowed. Long-lining and drifting with current/wind are allowed. Trolling is defined as directly using the vessel’s propulsion to present a lure. 
    • All bass caught while sight-fishing must be hooked inside the mouth. 
    • No fish are to be kept on stringers. Non-penetrating, fish gripping devices are acceptable to temporarily hold fish in the water. 
    • An angler’s catch must be safely released before casting or fishing may resume. 

    Section 9. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS

    • Contestants may fish anywhere that is available to the public and accessible by kayak except areas posted or otherwise designated as “off-limits,” “no boats,” “keep out,” “restricted,” “no trespassing” or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access) commercial property owners and/or local, state, or federal officials. 
    • Gaining ‘special permission’ public access to a traditionally private area will not be allowed. 
    • All public waters in the state of Alabama are eligible.  This includes bodies of water that cross state borders as long as it is legal to fish with an Alabama fishing license.

    Section 10. SCORING

    • Scoring is determined by length using 1/4-inch increments of each contestant’s catch during each tournament day via the Catch, Photograph, and Release (CPR) method. 
    • Competitors will be provided with a unique identifier for each tournament day/month. 
    • The five longest verified lengths of individual fish will be totaled for the anglers score each day/month.
    • The contestant with the highest total score is the winner. 
    • Rounding will be down and to the nearest 1/4-inch. 
    • Only the Black Bass Species consisting of the following: Largemouth, Spotted, Shoal and Smallmouth bass and any hybrid of the above are accepted species. 
    • All fish must measure a minimum of 8”, unless otherwise specified for individual events. Bass submitted failing to measure 8” with mouth completely closed will not be scored.
    • **The vessel you are fishing from must be shown in the image in such a way as to clearly identify it as a kayak vs a boat.
    • A submitted fish will only count once for an angler’s aggregate score for all days of the tournament.

    Section 11. MEASURING DEVICE

    • The metal Ketch Board, plastic Ketch board and plastic Hawg Trough are the mandatory and official measuring devices for the tournament. Tournament officials strongly recommend the Ketch X board in any color that isn’t black. 
    • Contestants are expected to bring their own measuring device. 
    • Anyone found to be using a measuring device that is determined to be illegal will be disqualified from the tournament. 
    • A clean measuring device is expected to ensure we can give you a proper score. 

    Section 12. PHOTO CRITERIA

    • Anglers must be able to submit their photos to our tournament submission application. There will be no manual submissions. 
    • Each fish photo must include all the following criteria to avoid penalties or disqualification: 
      • The entire Bass, from the tip of the lip to the end of the tail, on an approved measuring device, while in a tournament legal vessel. 
      • Bass must be laying with the tip of the lip against the post end of the measuring device. Measuring device post must be visible. 
      • The mouth of the Bass must be CLOSED COMPLETELY. 
      • The tail of the Bass must be lying flat on the board and will be measured to the longest point. 
      • Pinching the tail is permitted. 
      • Bass orientation must be facing to the left, tail to the right, belly toward the angler. 
      • Measuring device markings must be clearly visible. Including the actual numbers. 
      • Assigned unique identifier’s number must be clearly visible. 
      • One overhead photo shot frame (not shot at a drastic angle). 
      • Fish must be clear of any holding devices including fishing lure or hook. 
      • Lip, eye, and end of tail cannot be obstructed in the photo, even by your hand or identifier.
      • Hand or fingers must not be under or in the gill plate.
      • The vessel you are fishing from must be shown in the image in such a way as to clearly identify it as a kayak vs a boat.
    • If a fish has a visibly glossy eye or odd markings, we ask that the competitor take video of that fish to prove it is alive, showing it going from the board to the water and actively swimming away. 
    • Any questionable issues with a fish should be immediately brought to the official’s attention. 
    • Quality of the photo submitted is the responsibility of the angler. **All criteria above must be met

    Section 13. TIES

    • Ties between anglers will be automatically broken by big bass. If tied on big bass, it will go down to next big bass. If tied on all bass turned in, it will be broken by first submitted limit.
    • Big Bass ties will be broken by next legal largest fish, and so on, until the tie has been resolved. If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined by earliest photo submitted of their largest fish. 

    Section 14. TRUTH VERIFICATION TEST

    • Each contestant agrees to submit, by registering for this tournament, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination and to abide by its conclusion. 
    • Consumption of alcohol or any mind-altering substance is strictly prohibited prior to a truth verification test. 
    • Refusal to participate in the polygraph or voice stress analysis examination will result in disqualification from the tournament. 
    • Failure to pass an examination, if administered, can result in disqualification from the tournament.
    • Truth verification tests will be used at the official’s sole discretion, and the determination of the meaning of the results will be made solely by officials.   

    Section 15. PENALTIES (More strongly enforced this year)

    • Mouth cracked or slightly open - 1” deduction 
    • Mouth blatantly open- 2” deduction 
    • Lip or tail not touching board: No score 
    • Tournament Directors will judge fish and apply penalties in fairness at their discretion 

    Section 16. PROTESTS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES

    • All protests must be submitted in writing to officials, along with a $100 cash deposit, during event hours or within 24 hours of the announcement of the official results. The protester also agrees that if there is a question of verifying the charge of a protest that he or she may be subject to take a polygraph and agree to testify in a court of law if necessary. If the Tournament Director, or polygraph, upholds the protest, the cash deposit shall be returned to the contestant submitting the protest. 

    Section 17. RULE CONSISTENCY AND SHARING

    • These rules were developed from the culmination of many national events and a collective collaboration of tournament directors over many years.
    • See TourneyX for any monthly specific rules that may be added to the rules above.

    2023 Buck’s Island Kayak Tournament Challenge Annual Waiver

    Release and Waiver of Liability
    Assumption of the Risk and Indemnity Agreement

    THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT MUST BE CAREFULLY READ AND YOUR NAME SUBMITTED AT LINK BELOW.

    Annual Liability Waiver

    DEFINITIONS

    1. “Event” shall mean the 2023 Buck’s Island kayak tournaments, all entered rounds, one form per season.
    2. “Released Parties” shall mean Marine One Corporation dba Buck’s Island, and its officers, directors, shareholders, insurers, partners, employees, employers, agents, successors, contractors, assigns, affiliates, parent corporations, affiliated corporations, and subsidiary corporations.

    GENERAL TERMS

    1. If any paragraph, subparagraph, sentence or clause of this Agreement shall be adjudged illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
    2. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted under Alabama law. Any lawsuit or claim arising from or relating in any claims, demands, injuries, damages, actions, or causes of action shall be brought, if at all, in the Etowah County, Alabama.

     

    GENERAL WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY RELEASED PARTIES

    1. The risk of injury from participation in sporting events and other strenuous physical activity, including the Event, is significant, including the potential for serious personal injury and/or death. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS of participation in the Event including, without limitation, risk arising from or relating in any way to the condition of the equipment, surrounding premises, and weather, the actions of persons other than myself, my own actions, and travel to and from the Event. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTIES and shall in no way be responsible or liable for the defective or dangerous condition of the equipment, surrounding premises, and/or weather.
    2. I AGREE THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE for any claims, demands, injuries, damages, actions, or causes of action that arise in whole or in part due to the simple negligence of the Released Parties, or any of them. FURTHERMORE, I FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the Released Parties from and in relation to all claims, demands, injuries (including death), damages, actions, or causes of action that arise from or relate in any way to my participation in the Event, including by paying for all of the Released Parties’ reasonable attorneys’ fees. I FURTHER WARRANT AND CERTIFY that I have no health conditions or defects that would prevent me from participating safely in the Event, and that I am otherwise sufficiently fit and healthy to so participate.
    3. In the event any dispute related to any claims, demands, injuries, damages, actions, or causes of action arises between myself and any of the Released Parties concerning the terms of this Section (Section II), the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
    4. I WARRANT AND UNDERSTAND that is my sole and personal responsibility to obtain insurance to compensate for any and all injuries that might arise from my participation in the Event, and furthermore agree to look solely to such insurance to cover losses resulting from any injuries, regardless of fault, and waive all rights of subrogation on behalf of any and all Released Parties that may now or ever exist as a result of such insurance.
    5. I give Hobie Cat Company and parties designated by Hobie Cat Company, including clients, licensees and purchasers, the right to use my name and any photograph and video of me for sale to any medium for purposes of advertising, trade, display, exhibition, social media, television or editorial use.

    I have read and fully understand the above provisions. By signing, I understand that I am freely and voluntarily waiving substantial rights. I acknowledge that I have received valuable consideration in relation to my execution of this Agreement, which I understand to be a prerequisite to my participation in the Event.