ABTT 2018 Brochure

2018 $10,000 GUARANTEED IN QUALIFYING EVENTS$5,000 GUARANTEED IN “OPEN” EVENT

WELCOME 2018The owners and staff of ABTT would like to welcome everyone to the 2018season! We are looking forward to getting the fifth year of ABTT kicked off!We have enjoyed 4 fantastic years and are looking forward to this yearbeing the biggest and best ever. We have made changes each and everyyear as we have listened to what the anglers have wanted, and tried to adjustand adapt as we tackle each new year. This year we are bringing back somethings that have worked the best in past. We will be allowing umbrella rigsthis year, with no restrictions from our standpoint state law will apply. We willagain place tournament waters OFF –LIMITS Sunday at Midnight untildaybreak on the Saturday of our events. “Open” Events will have noOff-Limits.To encourage more growth we will be allowing any anglers whomeet our participation requirements to compete in any regular season eventthey choose, regardless of home waters.Our Championship, which is our Premier event will be comprised of thoseanglers who fish 4 out 6 qualifying events. Points champions will be deter-mined by the 4 regular season events only. Current Bass Elite Series and FLWTour Pro anglers are not elgible to fish our events.Entry fees are due on the Monday by 6 P.M. prior to the Saturday tourna-ment. Any entries received after 6 P.M. will be assessed a $25.00 late fee.Membership is $60 per person or $120 per team. Entry fee for regularseason events and Opens will be $250.00 for adults, and $150 for anAdult/Junior team(One team member under 18).We worked on many different scenarios for this years schedule. We felt like itwas time to change our dates and lakes up a little bit to further test all ouranglers. We know we cannot control the weather, but our schedule lends itselfto being at some great lakes and rivers at some prime times! We know thatour anglers are the cream of the crop in Arkansas, and we believe we willhave some new records set this year!We have assembled a great line up of sponsors over these first three years.ABTT could not be a success without these great friends ,Bass Cat Boats,Mer-cury,Crain Team Automotive,Academy Sports & Outdoors,Costa,Geared,-Farmers Insurance.ABTT is so excited to announce a new venture for 2018,Arkansas Bass Team Trail TVAt this writing,there are still a few details to finish up but we should be readyby January 13 on Lake Greeson,we look forward to seeing you all there !!!!!

RULESRULES: Great effort, study and research have gone into the formation of these rules. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director (TD) may impose such sanctions as he deems appropriate,including, without limitation, disqualification, and forfeiture of prizes, entry fees, and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. ABTT reserves the right to make changes in the rules toinsure the safety and welfare of the ABTT anglers and/or public and to preserve the integrity of ABTT.Any rule changes will supersede all previous published copies of the rules.It is each anglersresponsibility to read and understand the rules. Every angler will fill out and sign an affidavit that he/she have read, understood and accepted all rules. The decision of the TD is final.PARTICIPATION, INSURANCE and ELIGIBILITY: Participation in an ABTT event is open to contestants who are 16 years of age or older. A waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian forcontestants under the age of 16. The TD will reserve the right to disqualify or withdraw entries. During tournament hours, every boat must have Boat Liability Insurance, with effective dates during thetournament date. There is a $100,000 minimum. Current FLW Tour and BASS Elite Professionals are ineligible to participate in ABTT events.PRE- FISHING and OFF LIMITS: Each Regular Season Event has an off limits period of Monday through Friday,the week of the tournament for that body of water. In the river tournaments any poolthat teams will be fishing during the competition is included in the off limits. The off limits period will begin at 12:00 AM on the Monday before the tournament, and conclude at Saturday morning at5:00 AM. Open Events do not have an Off Limits Period. Championship Off Limits; Monday,Tuesday & Wednesday,the week of the Tournament.FLIGHTS, BOAT NUMBER DRAWING, CHECK IN TIMES, and WEIGH IN CUT OFF TIME: The Flight times and check in times are printed on each tournament page. The check in location will beposted on the ABTT website prior to every tournament. Contestants will be penalized one pound for every minute they are late checking in for that day’s catch/stringer weight. After checking in, eachteam will have one hour (from their check in time) to weigh in their catch for the day. At least one team member from each team must be in the weigh in line, with their catch, within one hour of theirofficial check in time, or that team’s catch will be disqualified and they will not be able to weigh in for that day. Boat numbers and flights will be determined by a random drawing on the Thursday nightbefore the tournament. The boat numbers and flights will be posted on the ABTT website, and a printed copy will be posted at the weigh in site on the morning of the tournament. Anglers can matchtheir boat number to the predetermined flight times shown on the ABTT website. If no internet service is available at the tournament location, teams must go to the weigh in site on the morning of thetournament if they need to see the printed flight list, or just match their boat number to the flights on the website posting. If the anglers choose to sign up on the Friday before the Tournament a late feeof $25 dollars will be assessed, (No ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN THE MORNING OF THE TOURNAMENT).OFFICIAL TIME: Official time will be set to match cell phone network time. If you have any questions regarding the official time, please contact the TD. The TD will announce the official time after the“kill switch check” on the water each day of the tournament. Take off times will be determined by the TD on the morning of the tournament, based on safe light and weather conditions.FISH LOCATING, ADVICE and POLYGRAPH: During the tournament hours, contestants may not have the assistance or advice from anyone for the purpose of locating or catching bass, other thanfrom another contestant who is entered in the tournament. INFORMATION other than publicly-availablle (e.g. newspaper reports and internet reports) No fishing information may be purchased ,bartered, solicited or received from any person who entered official tournament waters during the established off limits period for all ABTT team qualifying events. No one is permitted to “hole sit” forcontestants. Communication devices may be used in the event of an emergency, or for reasons other than catching or locating bass.You may not receive information from non-competitors during theoff-limits period. By entering the ABTT tournament, each contestant agrees to abide by all ABTT contest rules and all federal, state and local laws. IF any State or Federal laws are broken Team will bedisqualified immediately. All contestants are subject to a polygraph examination, which may be administered to winners, randomly, or in the event of a protest. Refusal to take a polygraph will result ina disqualification.OFFICIAL DESIGNATED OBSERVER and/or FILM PERSON(S): ABTT is a Team Tournament Trail, Fishing alone is not considered a Team, and is not allowed, however, if an emergency arises and aTeam member has to fish alone, ABTT reserves the right to place an observer in the boat for that competition day(this is strictly determined by tournament director). Also ABTT may request that anobserver and/or film crew be allowed to follow or ride in a contestant’s boat during tournament hours. The contestant(s), by signing the entry form, agree to let ABTT use any film, photos, audio andor written accounts of the activities during the ABTT tournaments, weigh- ins, and award presentations for reasons relevant to the ABTT program.SAFETY and CANCELLATION: Safe boating conduct must be observed at all times by tournament contestants. During tournament hours, each contestant is required to wear a Coast Guard approvedlife preserver. This life preserver must be worn anytime your boat is on plane. The preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the contestantreaches their fishing location and the boat is no longer on plane. The TD may cancel and reschedule the tournament based on severe weather predictions on the tournament days and other factors thatmight endanger the safety of the contestants on the tournament days. Contestants will be notified about tournament rescheduling on the ABTT web site & or Facebook page by noon on the Thursdaybefore the tournament. It is the contestants’ responsibility to check the ABTT web site & or Facebook page. The tournaments will be rescheduled at a later date, if the TD deems it necessary to cancel thetournament.SPORTSMANSHIP, FISH ALTERATIONS or CHEATING: Contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamentalsporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. During all tournament contest hours, no contestant shall use alcohol or drugs other than those prescribed by a physician. This will begrounds for immediate disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially in the vicinity of any other boaters. Alteration of a fish from its natural state is prohibited during acontest. The adding of weights, modifying fish tails, or any other method used to alter fish length, stuffing foreign substance(s) into the fish, or other alterations, is prohibited. It will be the contestant’sresponsibility to notify the TD of hooks, weighted hooks, etc., that are left inside the fish before the fish is weighed, or they risk disqualification.TACKLE, EQUIPMENT and LANDING FISH:Only artificial bait may be used, no “live bait,” “dead bait,” or “prepared bait” will be permitted during official practice and competition, with the exception of pork strips or rinds. Only one fishingrod per angler may be used at any one time. Each cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast can be made. Trolling with the combustion engine as a method of fishing is prohibited.Switching or sharing fish with other teams or individuals is a violation of these rules and will result in immediate disqualification. All bass must be caught alive, in a conventional, sporting manner.When sight fishing for bass, all fish must be hooked inside the mouth to be counted as legal... Team members may land each other’s catch. Vinyl or rubber coated nets are recommended. Duringtournament hours, contestants cannot leave the boat to fish, land fish, or spot fish, but may leave the boat for other necessary restroom or emergency reasons. The TD should be notified if contestant(s)leave the boat for reasons other than the restroom.HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: No motors may exceed the maximum Coast Guard rating. This rule is to prevent an altered or factory motor from exceeding the boats horsepower rating. For thesafety of all, boats must be equipped with some type of ignition kill switch. This device must be attached to the driver or driver’s life jacket any time the combustion engine is operating. All boats mustbe 15 feet or more in length. Raised platform or decks higher than the gunnels are prohibited. An electric trolling motor may be used for positioning only. Trolling for the purposes of fishing isprohibited. Only manufacturer approved gas tanks are permitted. Stick steering boats, “duck boats” with extended motor shafts, and tiller motors are prohibited.

BOAT OR MOTOR FAILURE: In the event of a break down, contestants may contact another contestant to bring their catch back to weigh in. One contestant from the disabled boat must accompany thecatch back to the weigh in. Contestants may contact the TD by phone or wave down other boaters to ask for assistance. However, the contestants’ disabled boat catch must be brought back to theweigh in location by another tournament contestants’ boat before the weigh in cut off time. The TD must approve any other situation.BASIC BOAT EQUIPMENT: Contestants’ boats must have all required safety equipment. In addition, it must have a functional bilge pump and live well space, properly aerated, to adequately maintaina limit catch of bass.PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: All contestants may only fish on the tournament lake specified on their entry form.Anglers can only fish in tournament lake water that is accessible by boat from the dam (the main lake). No fishing within 25 yards of another contestant’s boat which was first anchored or secured in afixed position with the trolling motor out of the water. Contestants cannot leave their boat to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Contestants must observe all posted federal, state andlocal off limits areas.OFFICIAL TAKE OFF PROCESS: Contestants may launch from any ramp they choose on the morning of the tournament. The teams will be required to be at the designated take off area prior to thetakeoff. There will be a live well check on all boats at the takeoff site, or on the water at the takeoff site. The TD will ask that all boats that have not had their live wells checked to come by the dock orthe takeoff boat for a live well check before the takeoff. Teams should begin to line up according to their boat numbers just prior to safe light and then the TD will have a kill switch check by askinganglers to kill their motors by pulling the kill switch cord. During the silence, the TD will announce the official time, offer a moment of silence, and play the National Anthem. When the National Anthemis finished playing, he will immediately start the flights by announcing the boat numbers in sequence. Boats should idle a safe distance out before getting on plane.MEMBERSHIPS: The membership fee is $60 per angler...$120 per teamENTRY FEES: Open Tournaments,$250.00 Regular Season Tournaments,$250.00 ... Adult///Junior $150 Juniors must be 18 years of age or younger Championship Tournament,$300.00OFFICIAL REGISTRATION PROCESS. All entries received by the Monday,8;00 PM deadline will be in a random draw on Thursday night.Any entry received after the deadline will be added to thefield in the order payment is received & will be assessed a $25 late fee.You will be able to pay in person,on Friday evening from 5;00-7;00 PM at the tournament location. You can pick up your boatnumber on the Saturday morning of the tournament at the weigh-in trailer beginning at 5:00 A.M. or at the Friday night registration.If tournament entry is paid for and teams are not able to attend due to an emergency, that entry fee will be rolled over to the next event.WEIGH IN LOCATION: Official weigh in sites will be posted on the ABTT website,brochures & Facebook page.Tournament officials will be onsite at 5:00 A.M. On the morning of every tournament.REMOTE OR OFF LAKE REGISTRATION AND WEIGH IN LOCATIONS: The ABTT may use remote or off lake registration sites for some tournaments. The same registration procedures will apply. Theregistration site will be posted on the ABTT website & or FacebookFISH CARE: The contestants should weigh in, as soon as possible, upon returning to the weigh in site. The weigh in site will be ready to accept distressed and/or big fish by 2:00 P.M. Teams must callthe TD for arrange for this type of early weigh in, if needed. To ensure live release of the fish, please do not wait to the last minute to enter the weigh in line. All fish will be put in chemically treated,aerated tanks and returned to the tournament lake at the conclusion of the weigh in. Contestants may use only the weigh bags we provide.We will have bags located at several different locations, theywill be placed under an orange cone for easy location. Fish will be taken from the weigh bag by a tournament official and placed in a mesh bag to be weighed. Please use all possible care to keepyour fish in good shape while in your live wells. Contestants will not be allowed to cull any fish they weigh in early.SCORING and DEAD FISH PENALTY: Will be determined by the pounds and ounces of each anglers catch during the tournament. Weights will be documented in decimal pounds to the nearest onehundredth of a pound. Only largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass species will be weighed in. The limit shall be five bass per day. At no time should there be more than five bass in the live well,except in the culling process immediately after the catch. Culling is allowed, but the contestants cannot keep more than five fish in the live well throughout the tournament hours. There will be no cullingof a dead fish. Once contestants present the weigh in bag with their days catch to our designated tournament officials no one but tournament officials will be allowed to check length of fish ordetermine if fish are dead or alive. All Fish will be measured by a “Pro Rule” from closed mouth to squeezed tail. All lake size limits will apply. There will be a “Pro Rule” courtesy check provided at theweigh in site. There will be a ONE pound penalty for any short fish brought to the tournament official for weigh in. There will be a quarter pound (.25 lb.) penalty for any dead fish brought to beweighed in. Short fish will not be weighed in, but the dead fish will be weighed in with the .25 lb. penalty.TIES: In case of a first place tie, there will be a sudden death fish off between the tied contestants. An observer will be placed in the boat and the first team to catch a legal bass will be declared thewinner. If this is not possible, then all cash money for the tied places will be split between the contestants involved. In the event of a tie where a boat or other prize is awarded that cannot be split, thecontestant(s) with the largest one day catch during the contest period, will be awarded the prize. If this is not possible, the TD will flip a coin and the winner of the coin toss will be awarded the prize.PROTESTS: All protests must be signed and submitted in writing within 10 minutes of the final weigh in time with a $100 deposit provided by the protestor. The deposit will be refunded, if the angler isdisqualified, found guilty of the protest infraction, or may be refunded at the discretion of the TD.PRIZES: All angler results will be posted on the ABTT web site. Pay out schedules and angler prizes are determined by the number of paid entries and sponsor participation. Contestants who areeligible for prize money should not leave the weigh in location before the weigh in is completed without notifying the TD. The Prize money will be handed out at the conclusion of the weigh in andpolygraph examinations.Anyone receiving a check must be present when checks are being given out,just in case of a problem, polygraph ect.POINTS: Will be awarded as follows: Based on a 300 point system. Example 300 points for 1st place, 299 for 2nd place, 298 for 3rd place, etc. All teams who do not weigh in a Bass will receiveone point less than the last place team that weighed in a fish at that weighed in a fish in that event.CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATIONS;Membership paid for both team members prior to competition.Compete in at least (4) of the following eventsThere will be (4) single day events with AOY qualification.There will be (2) single day events that are \"OPEN\" events,,,no membership required unless your fishing this event to qualify for the championship.(no points)Substitutes; No substitutes during championship qualifying events unless authorized by Tournament Director ! Substitutes must pay a $60.00 Membership fee Substitutes must be cleared by Tournament Director

JANUARY 13 ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT $5,000 GUARANTEED 1ST PLACEOpen Lake Greeson 7:00am - 3:00pm $60$2M5e0mEbnetrrsyhFipeePeforrPCerhsaomnpPieornSsheiapson ALL WINNERSMARE&MEPLBRIEAIZRBESLSHEIIFNPOCRREUQTRARUXEIREDSEDON ANY CASH

Presented by:

FEBRUARY 3ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT Lake Ouachita 7:00am - 3:00pm $10,000 GUARANTEED 1ST PLACE $60 Membership Per Person Per Season $250 Entry Fee Per Single Day Event ALL WINNERS ARE LIABLE FOR TAXES ON ANY CASH & PRIZES INCURRED MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

Presented by: Mountain Harbor Resort 870-867-2191 mountainharborresort.com

MARCH 3ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENTArkansas River, NLR 6:30am - 3:00pm $10,000 GUARANTEED 1ST PLACE $60 Membership Per Person Per Season $250 Entry Fee Per Single Day Event ALL WINNERS ARE LIABLE FOR TAXES ON ANY CASH & PRIZES INCURRED MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

Presented by:

APRIL 7ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT Lake Dardanelle 6:30am - 3:00pm $10,000 GUARANTEED 1ST PLACE $6$025M0eEmnbtreyrsFheiep PPeerr SPienrgsolenDPaeyr SEevaesnot n ALL WINNERS ARE LIABLE FOR TAXES ON ANY CASH ME&MPBREIZRESSHIINP CREUQRRUEIRDED

Presented by:

MAY 5ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT Lake Degray 6:00am - 3:00pm $6$025M0eEmnbtreyrsFheiep PPeerr SPienrgsolenDPaeyr SEevaesnot n ALL WINNERS ARE LIABLE FOR TAXES ON ANY CASH & PRIZES INCURRED MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

Presented by:

JUNE 2ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT $5,000 GUARANTEED 1ST PLACE Lake Millwood 6:00am - 3:00pm $60 Membership Per Person Per Season $250 Entry Fee for Championship ALL WINNERSMARE&MEPLBRIEAIZRBESLSHEIIFNPOCRREUQTRARUXEIREDESDON ANY CASH

Presented by: Economy Inn Relax Inn944 N. Constitution Ave. Hwy. 71 North Ashdown, AR Ashdown, AR 71822 870-898-3366 870-898-5094 [email protected] Yarborough Village106 Pump Station Road Ashdown, AR 71822 870-898-2346 Fax 870-898-8300 Big Jakes BBQ 870-898-2227 Burger King 870-898-8601 Herb’s 870-898-2200 870-898-2244 Jerry’s Drive-In 870-898-2357 McDonalds 870-898-5980 870-898-8330Medrano’s Mexican Restaurant 870-898-7827 Sonic Drive-In 870-898-7900 Subway 870-898-2993 Jim’s Place 214-500-5938 Fish Bowl 870-667-7111 870-331-4207 Blue Water Bayou Bistro Pabalo’s Mexican RestaurantChef Powell’s Sweet & Savory

COHCATMOPBIOERNS6H-7IP ALL ENTRIES DUE ON MONDAY PRIOR TO TOURNAMENT 2018 ABTT CHAMPIONSHIP Greers Ferry Lake 7:00am - 3:00pm $300 Entry Fee for Championship PRESENTED BY: City of Greers Ferry ALL WINNERSMARE&MEPLBRIEAIZRBESLSHEIIFNPOCRREUQTRARUXEIREDESDON ANY CASH







SAMPLE PAYOUT SAMPLE PAYOUT $5,000 GUARANTEED $10,000 GUARANTEED IN QUALIFYING EVENTS IN OPEN EVENTS BASED ON 150 PAID ENTRIESBASED ON 150 PAID ENTRIES $250 ENTRY FEE $250 ENTRY FEE 82% PAY BACK AT THE RAMP82% PAY BACK AT THE RAMP 1-$10,000 1-$5,000 2-$3,200 2-$3,933 3-$2,200 3-$2,703 4-$1,750 4-$2,153 5-$1,200 5-$1,475 6-$1,075 6-$1,322 7-$1,025 7-$1,260 8-$975 8-$1,200 9-$950 9-$1,166 10-$900 10-$1,1 06 11-$850 11-$1,044 12-$8 00 12-$983 13-$750 13-$923 14- $685 14-$ 842 15-$ 650 15-$79 9 16- $6 25 16-$7 67 17-$600 17-$73 8 18-$550 18- $6 78 19-$500 19- $6 14 20-$450 20-$552 21-$400 Big Bass $1,000 21-$492 Big Bass $1,000

CONTACT www.arkansasbassteamtrail.netArkansas Bass Team Trail / Facebook [email protected] Keith Green 501-844-5543 [email protected] James Arnold 870-210-6706 OR 870-403-0418 [email protected] Arkansas Bass Team Trail 2749 West Pine Street PMB 235 Arkadelphia, AR 71923

WAIVERI have read and understand the rules for the Arkansas Bass TeamTrails, Inc. Tournament circuit events. I have voluntarily completed thisapplication and have included my entry fee to participate. I hereby agreeto be bound by and comply with all tournament, federal, and state rulesand regulations. I expressly assume all risk(s) associated with eachtournament event and I hereby release Arkansas Bass Team Trail, thehost, all sponsors, and tournament officials, including, but not limitedto each of their respective employees, officers, directors, managers,members, insurers and representatives (collectively “Releasees”) fromall claims or injury and/or damage arising out of, or related to and/orincurred in connection with any Arkansas Bass Team Trail sponsoredevent(s). I hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmlessReleasees from and against any and all demands, claims, causes ofaction, (including, but not limited to, causes of action in contract, tort,strict liability or otherwise, and specifically including, but not limited to,any claim of negligence and/or fault of any Releasee) , fines, penalties,damages, liabilities, judgments, and expenses (including, without limitation,reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with or arising out ofmy participation and my partner’s participation in any Arkansas BassTeam Trail sponsored event. I hereby grant Arkansas Bass Team Trail, theunconditional, royalty free, perpetual, right and license to use my name,voice, and photographic likeness in connection with Arkansas Bass Teampromotions, television shows, and/or articles and press releases. I agreethat I am not entitled to receive any royalties or other compensationin connection with such use. I further understand and agree that thetournament director reserves the right to reject my application forany reason. By signing this application I agree to submit to any truthverification testing requested by Arkansas Bass Team Trail, and providedby a polygraph test selected by Arkansas Bass Team Trail, and agreewith the outcome of any such testing shall be final and binding. I agreethat I have sufficient health, accident, and liability insurance to cover anybodily injury or property damage incurred by myself or others as a resultof my participation in any Arkansas Bass Team Trail sponsored event. IfI have no such insurance, I declare that I am capable of paying for anyand all such expenses or liability. I understand that I am responsible forpaying all local, state, and federal taxes, title, license and registration asa result of my participation in any Arkansas Bass Team Trail sponsoredevent. I agree that sole and exclusive venue for the determination of anyclaim or controversy arising out of or related to any Arkansas Bass TeamTrail sponsored events shall be in State District Court, Clark County,Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where the principal office of Arkansas Bass TeamTrail is located. Should it become necessary for Arkansas Bass TeamTrail or any Releasee to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce thisRelease, I agree to pay the attorneys fees thereby expended, or forwhich liability is incurred. If this is a team event, I agree that my partner, ifabsent from signing this Release, understands all statements, rules, andregulations stated above and has given me express permission to signon his behalf. By signing this Release, I am stating that my partner and Iboth agree to these terms.SignatureDate

MEMBERSHIP FORMAngler #1 Name Angler #2 NameAddress AddressPhone # Phone #Boat BoatTow vehicle Tow vehicleSignature SignatureSubstitute Substitute Team Entry Fee $250 Adult/Junior entry fee $150 (Junior 16 or under) Championship Entry Fee $300 Single $50.00 Team $100.00 Credit card $10.00Check each tournament that you intend to participate,your signature on this waiver will cover each eventchecked: Date Lake