2025 THREE18
OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS
1. Participation and Eligibility: Participation is open to anyone int the public who are 18 years old and older. Any person entering this event under the age of 18 years must be paired with a partner 18 years of age or older. THREE18 reserves the right to refuse participation in any and all events to any individual or team in the discretion of the Tournament Director.
2. Federal, State, and Local Laws: All contestants must have valid fishing license and are required to obey all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
3. Teams: Anglers may fish as individuals, but will still be subject to the full amount owed to fish the tournament. A team consists of two (2) anglers. Everyone must check-in Saturday morning prior to launching for the tournament at the Fish Hatchery Weigh-In Building.
4. Pre-Tournament Practice: The day preceding the Tournament anglers must be off the water by 6:00pm central time.
5. Registration: Will run from 5-6:15AM the morning of the event (04/12/25). At least one member of each team must register in person at the designated site (Fish Hatchery Weigh-In Building) during the onsite registration hours regardless of pre-registration. Boat numbers and flights will be determined at in person check-in. Registrations and payments can be made the morning of the event. (Forms of Payment Accepted: Venmo, Cashapp, Cash, Check: Made Payable to THREE18, Paypal) Event registration will end at Take-Off Time (Safe-Light) ONLY emergent situations or situations out of your control will be granted access to the tournament upon late arrival. EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST SIGN A LIABLITY RELEASE AT REGISTRATION . If extenuating circumstances prevent on-site registration attendance, it is the sole responsibility of the team to appoint a representative who will be responsible for picking up the team’s boat number during on-site registration and communicating all pertinent information to the team.
6. Safety: Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each Contestant is required to wear a fastened (fully zipped and/or all clips fastened), U.S. Coast Guard approved, personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check until weigh-in. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition shut-off device, which must be securely attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is in operation. The driver must be seated in the driver’s seat any time the combustion engine is in operation. Tournament day may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or any conditions that would endanger the safety of the competitors at the Tournament Director’s sole and absolute discretion. Competitors are allowed to leave the boat and seek shelter in bad weather, at which time no fishing may occur.
7. Permitted Fishing Methods: Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits. Only one fishing rod per angler may be used at any one time. Additional rods may be in the boat and ready for use; however, each cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is attempted or rod is used. Trolling 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 a legal fish. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a Contestant leave the boat to land a fish, or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.sporting manner. When sight fishing for Bass, all fish must be hooked inside the mouth to be counted as a legal fish. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a Contestant leave the boat to land a fish, or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.
8. Sportsmanship and Conduct: All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who maybe on tournament waters. Examples of conduct not complying with these standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
9. Code of Conduct: Anglers participating in any THREE18 event shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. Anglers and familymembers of anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a professional manner that demonstrates integrity, honor and respect toward fellow competitors, tournament staff and the general public and does not reflect unfavorably on THREE18, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments, or sponsors. Following are examples of unacceptable behavior by competitors or family members of competitors in THREE18 events that will be cause for penalties or Disqualification from current or future events as outlined in this document.
10. Assistance: In the event of an emergency situation, competitors should call 911 first and then notify the Tournament Direction at ( 870 ) 260-5035 or at (501)507-2467 .
11. Boat Regulation: Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain alive a limit catch of Bass.
12. Permitted Fishing Locations: Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters accessible by boat, except areas designated as “off limited”, “no boats”, “keep out”, “restricted”, or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access) by state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a competitor’s boat which was first anchored. An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight or by a Power Pole or similar shallow water anchor with the trolling motor in the up position.
13. Trailering: Contestants may launch their boat at a ramp other than the designated take-off location, but all Contestants must come through the official check-in (Fish Hatchery Ramp) by boat. Contestants boats must remain in the tournament waters during the event.
14. Official Checkpoints: There will be only one official checkpoint for boat inspection in the morning (Fish Hatchery Ramp) and one official check-in point in the afternoon (Fish Hatchery Ramp). Failure to go through boat check-out in the morning or failure to officially check-in at the check-in point will result in disqualification from such event. It is the sole responsibility of each Contestant to arrive at the designated check-in location on time. Regardless of what you are told or understand, it is the angler’s responsibility to verify their provided flight card time. All fishing must cease upon check-in.
15. Scoring: Will be determined by the official weight of each angler’s catch during the tournament. Only Largemouth, Spotted, Red Eye, or Smallmouth Bass (collectively, “Bass”) are accepted species. The limit will be five Bass per team. Any Contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit, unless actively culling, will have their catch for that day disqualified. Cullingmust be done immediately. The minimum official length limit for all species for THREE18 events will be 12” unless the lake limit is more than 12”, in which case, the lake limit will prevail. Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to measure the prescribed length limit, will result in loss of that particular fish and a one-pound penalty to the weight of the remaining fish. Each Contestant’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag and verified by the signature of at least one team member. Bass will be measured with mouth closed, tail compressed, and swiped to achieve overall greatestlength. It is the contestant’s responsibility to ensure all fish presented for weight-in are of legal length.
16. Live Fish: Every effort must be made to keep bass alive through the use of a properly aerated livewell. The use of chemical livewell additives which promote the healthy return of bass to their natural habitat are recommended. A half pound (0.5) penalty will be deducted for each dead Bass presented for weigh-in. Culling of dead bass is prohibited. If the Big Bass is weighed in deceased (.50 pound) penalty will be assessed to the Big Bass weight.
17. Late Penalty: Contestants who are not at the official check-in point at the appointed time will be assessed a ONE (1) pound per minute penalty from their total weight including any weight to be counted toward a big Bass award. Any Contestant more than 15 minutes late will forfeit that day’s catch. Any Angler NOT present by 3:45 will be considered an automatic disqualification.
18. Ties: In the event of a tie for first place, the two team shall split the winnings. (THIS MAY RESULT IN FOLLOWING PLACES AMOUNTS TO BE SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED.) All other ties for cash prizes will be split equally among the teams involved.
19. Media Coverage: Contestants are required to comply with all requests (included but not limited to: video, still camera, and access to fishing area) made by THREE18 film crew for the purpose of gathering media coverage throughout THREE18 events. Failure to coordinate with and accommodatethe THREE18 film will be considered grounds for disqualification. Please complete the Photo/Video Release Form either online or at Tournament Check-in on April 12, 2025.
20: Use of Boat Captains: Boat Captains/Coaches will supply and drive boats for their teams. In the event that neither Junior angler cannot nor wishes not to run the trolling motor the boat captain may run it for them. The boat captain has sole discretion to veto any selected location for safety reasons. Boat Captains MAY NOT tie knots, cast lines or lures, set the hook, or play fish to the boat on tournament day. They may use the dip net if they so choose. Boat Captains have complete control of the boat and engine at all times. Junior Anglers may not drive the boat if they request to have a captain in the their boat. Junior Anglers CAN & SHOULD run the trolling motor; however, the Boat Captain has the right to take control of the trolling motor at anytime if safety or equipment is at risk. A completed entry form and event waiver/photo waiver must also be submitted before tournament launch takes place. If a team is caught breaking the rules they will be disqualified on the spot. Fish will not be weighed and the anglers will be asked to leave the tournament.
2. Federal, State, and Local Laws: All contestants must have valid fishing license and are required to obey all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
3. Teams: Anglers may fish as individuals, but will still be subject to the full amount owed to fish the tournament. A team consists of two (2) anglers. Everyone must check-in Saturday morning prior to launching for the tournament at the Fish Hatchery Weigh-In Building.
4. Pre-Tournament Practice: The day preceding the Tournament anglers must be off the water by 6:00pm central time.
5. Registration: Will run from 5-6:15AM the morning of the event (04/12/25). At least one member of each team must register in person at the designated site (Fish Hatchery Weigh-In Building) during the onsite registration hours regardless of pre-registration. Boat numbers and flights will be determined at in person check-in. Registrations and payments can be made the morning of the event. (Forms of Payment Accepted: Venmo, Cashapp, Cash, Check: Made Payable to THREE18, Paypal) Event registration will end at Take-Off Time (Safe-Light) ONLY emergent situations or situations out of your control will be granted access to the tournament upon late arrival. EVERY PARTICIPANT MUST SIGN A LIABLITY RELEASE AT REGISTRATION . If extenuating circumstances prevent on-site registration attendance, it is the sole responsibility of the team to appoint a representative who will be responsible for picking up the team’s boat number during on-site registration and communicating all pertinent information to the team.
6. Safety: Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each Contestant is required to wear a fastened (fully zipped and/or all clips fastened), U.S. Coast Guard approved, personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check until weigh-in. All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition shut-off device, which must be securely attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is in operation. The driver must be seated in the driver’s seat any time the combustion engine is in operation. Tournament day may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or any conditions that would endanger the safety of the competitors at the Tournament Director’s sole and absolute discretion. Competitors are allowed to leave the boat and seek shelter in bad weather, at which time no fishing may occur.
7. Permitted Fishing Methods: Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork trailers and biodegradable soft baits. Only one fishing rod per angler may be used at any one time. Additional rods may be in the boat and ready for use; however, each cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is attempted or rod is used. Trolling 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 a legal fish. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a Contestant leave the boat to land a fish, or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.sporting manner. When sight fishing for Bass, all fish must be hooked inside the mouth to be counted as a legal fish. All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a Contestant leave the boat to land a fish, or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.
8. Sportsmanship and Conduct: All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who maybe on tournament waters. Examples of conduct not complying with these standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any mind-altering substance during tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure;
- Actions or words which reflect unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, and fair competition;
- Disqualification from other fishing organizations that resulted from rule violations that result in a Contestant’s honesty, integrity, character, and qualifications for entry into an event being questionable in the Tournament Director’s sole and absolute discretion .
9. Code of Conduct: Anglers participating in any THREE18 event shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. Anglers and familymembers of anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a professional manner that demonstrates integrity, honor and respect toward fellow competitors, tournament staff and the general public and does not reflect unfavorably on THREE18, its members, officers or representatives, tournaments, or sponsors. Following are examples of unacceptable behavior by competitors or family members of competitors in THREE18 events that will be cause for penalties or Disqualification from current or future events as outlined in this document.
- Heated public disagreements with THREE18 officials, other competitors and fans and volunteers during an event.b. public attacks through media, including social media, upon the integrity of THREE18 rules or officials. c. Displays of anger and displeasure for reasons related to fishing competition where members of the public, including other anglers, spectators and the media, are present.
- Publicly questioning or criticizing a tournament official or official decision, ruling or a penalty except through the proper channels.
- Abuse (physical, verbal, threatening, or slanderous) of tournament officials, volunteers, fellow competitors, or others connected with an THREE18 event.
- Offensive or slanderous comments with racial, cultural, or sexual overtones regarding event officials, event personnel or fellow anglers.
- Intentionally interfering with a fellow angler’s ability to compete. Any disqualification, suspension, or other disciplinary action imposed by any tournament or fishing organization may result in disqualification from competition and rejection of an application for participation in an THREE18 tournament.
10. Assistance: In the event of an emergency situation, competitors should call 911 first and then notify the Tournament Direction at ( 870 ) 260-5035 or at (501)507-2467 .
11. Boat Regulation: Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain a properly aerated livewell space to maintain alive a limit catch of Bass.
12. Permitted Fishing Locations: Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters accessible by boat, except areas designated as “off limited”, “no boats”, “keep out”, “restricted”, or “no fishing” (or similar language or markings intended to restrict public access) by state or federal officials, or within 50 yards of a competitor’s boat which was first anchored. An anchored boat is a boat held in a stable position by a line attached to a weight or by a Power Pole or similar shallow water anchor with the trolling motor in the up position.
13. Trailering: Contestants may launch their boat at a ramp other than the designated take-off location, but all Contestants must come through the official check-in (Fish Hatchery Ramp) by boat. Contestants boats must remain in the tournament waters during the event.
14. Official Checkpoints: There will be only one official checkpoint for boat inspection in the morning (Fish Hatchery Ramp) and one official check-in point in the afternoon (Fish Hatchery Ramp). Failure to go through boat check-out in the morning or failure to officially check-in at the check-in point will result in disqualification from such event. It is the sole responsibility of each Contestant to arrive at the designated check-in location on time. Regardless of what you are told or understand, it is the angler’s responsibility to verify their provided flight card time. All fishing must cease upon check-in.
15. Scoring: Will be determined by the official weight of each angler’s catch during the tournament. Only Largemouth, Spotted, Red Eye, or Smallmouth Bass (collectively, “Bass”) are accepted species. The limit will be five Bass per team. Any Contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit, unless actively culling, will have their catch for that day disqualified. Cullingmust be done immediately. The minimum official length limit for all species for THREE18 events will be 12” unless the lake limit is more than 12”, in which case, the lake limit will prevail. Bass presented for weigh-in, which fail to measure the prescribed length limit, will result in loss of that particular fish and a one-pound penalty to the weight of the remaining fish. Each Contestant’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag and verified by the signature of at least one team member. Bass will be measured with mouth closed, tail compressed, and swiped to achieve overall greatestlength. It is the contestant’s responsibility to ensure all fish presented for weight-in are of legal length.
16. Live Fish: Every effort must be made to keep bass alive through the use of a properly aerated livewell. The use of chemical livewell additives which promote the healthy return of bass to their natural habitat are recommended. A half pound (0.5) penalty will be deducted for each dead Bass presented for weigh-in. Culling of dead bass is prohibited. If the Big Bass is weighed in deceased (.50 pound) penalty will be assessed to the Big Bass weight.
17. Late Penalty: Contestants who are not at the official check-in point at the appointed time will be assessed a ONE (1) pound per minute penalty from their total weight including any weight to be counted toward a big Bass award. Any Contestant more than 15 minutes late will forfeit that day’s catch. Any Angler NOT present by 3:45 will be considered an automatic disqualification.
18. Ties: In the event of a tie for first place, the two team shall split the winnings. (THIS MAY RESULT IN FOLLOWING PLACES AMOUNTS TO BE SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED.) All other ties for cash prizes will be split equally among the teams involved.
19. Media Coverage: Contestants are required to comply with all requests (included but not limited to: video, still camera, and access to fishing area) made by THREE18 film crew for the purpose of gathering media coverage throughout THREE18 events. Failure to coordinate with and accommodatethe THREE18 film will be considered grounds for disqualification. Please complete the Photo/Video Release Form either online or at Tournament Check-in on April 12, 2025.
20: Use of Boat Captains: Boat Captains/Coaches will supply and drive boats for their teams. In the event that neither Junior angler cannot nor wishes not to run the trolling motor the boat captain may run it for them. The boat captain has sole discretion to veto any selected location for safety reasons. Boat Captains MAY NOT tie knots, cast lines or lures, set the hook, or play fish to the boat on tournament day. They may use the dip net if they so choose. Boat Captains have complete control of the boat and engine at all times. Junior Anglers may not drive the boat if they request to have a captain in the their boat. Junior Anglers CAN & SHOULD run the trolling motor; however, the Boat Captain has the right to take control of the trolling motor at anytime if safety or equipment is at risk. A completed entry form and event waiver/photo waiver must also be submitted before tournament launch takes place. If a team is caught breaking the rules they will be disqualified on the spot. Fish will not be weighed and the anglers will be asked to leave the tournament.
