Crappie Tournament Rules

Rules: The following rules will be used for all Crappie Buster Tournaments.  These rules will be interpreted by the tournament committee and all decisions are final.

Tournament Format: Crappie Buster will hold 5 to 12 crappie tournaments.  All tournaments will be subject to weather conditions, CB reserves the right to cancel or reschedule.

Participants: All team members must be at least 16 years of age or older unless they are fishing with a parent.  All CB Tournaments require a team of not more than two contestants per boat; teams can be friends, husband and wife or parent and child.

Fees and Payback: Entry fee for each Crappie Buster Tournament will be $70.00 per boat and additional $15.00 for Big Fish (optional). Late entries will be charged $10.00 per boat at the ramp. There will be at least a 65% payback at each regular tournament; this total includes trophies, cash and prizes. 5% of each entry will be added to the anglers of the year fund. 5% of each entry will go to the classic fund. Registration will be from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the boat ramp.

Tournament Committee: At each CB tournament, a tournament committee will be selected. The committee shall consist of a CB official and three contestants selected randomly by the CB official. The committee shall resolve any protest or disputes that might arise during the tournament.

Entering: All contestants must read the CB tournament rules, pay entry fee, fill out and sign an entry form.

Tournament Hours: All tournaments are on Sunday.  All contestants should check-in at least one hour prior to the start of the tournament.  Tournament hours are from 6:00 a.m. or safe light to 3:00 p.m. All contestants must check-in no later than 3.00 p.m. or will be penalized or disqualified.

Take-Off Order: The tournament take-off order will be determined by the date of the entry received. The start will be staggered start and under the control of a CB official.

Tournament Headquarters: Will be at the site listed on the entry form.  Any changes will be listed in the CB Newsletter.

Pre-Tournament Practice: There will be no closed period on any lakes.

Permitted Fishing Locations: All areas that can be legally fished are open to contestants.  All current state laws will be followed concerning allowable fishing locations.  Team members must not depart the boat to catch or land fish.  Contestants should use common courtesy and judgment when approaching other tournament boats or fisherman.

Tackle and Equipment: Fish must be caught on rod and reel.  The use of artificial or live bait is acceptable.  Current state laws must be followed concerning the number of rods and reels allowed to be used by each team member.

Check-in Procedures: Each boat will be issued a numbered card during the pre-tournament boat check.  The card MUST BE TURNED IN PRIOR TO 3:00 P.M. A late penalty of one pound per minute will be used after 3:00 p.m. After a period of tem minutes, the late team or teams will be disqualified, NO EXCUSES.

Live Well: It is recommended that fish be kept in an aerated live well during the tournament hours.

Kill Switch: Kill switches are recommended.

Life Jackets: Life Jackets will be worn when the boat is on plan.

Alcohol: NO ALCOHOL will be permitted during tournament hours.

Scoring: Allowable tournament fish are CRAPPIE. All crappie must measure at least TEN inches to be weighed-in, using the golden rule as the official measurement.  Each team is allowed to weigh-in SEVEN crappie per team. All fish will be measured on a flat measuring board with their mouth closed.  The total weight per team will determine place of finish.  Big fish will break any ties, the loser will move down one place.  Any frozen or mangled fish brought to weigh-in will result in the team being disqualified.  Any team bringing fish to weight-in under the TEN-inch length limit will have one pound subtracted from their total weight plus the loss of the short fish. No dead fish will be allowed to be weighted in.

Protests: All protest must be filed with a CB official with-in 10 minutes of the conclusion of weight-in.  The tournament committee will be used to resolve all protests.  

Zebra mussels: It is against state and federal law to release or transfer zebra mussels. In order to prevent transfer of zebra mussels boaters should dry their boat for 5 days or clean it thoroughly with hot water (~140 degrees F). If hot water is not available, a 10% bleach solution can be used to kill any zebra mussels present. For more information go to Kansas Wildlife and Parks website.

Classic: The number of boats to be allowed in the classic will be determined by the executive board. All Assoc. teams must fish no less than 3 of the regular season tournaments. Non Assoc. members must fish 5 out of the 6 tournaments to qualify, no subs will be allowed in the classic. You may fish alone or with your regular team member only.

RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO 1ST TOURNAMENT

ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FISHING and BOATING LAWS WILL BE FOLLOWED.