Tournament directors reserve the right to make any changes to the following rules to protect the integrity of the Bunch Bash and our anglers. When changes are made, they will be posted to the Bunch Bash website and an email will be sent to all anglers.

Official 2025 Bunch Bash Event Rules:

Decisions of the Tournament Directors are final and are not subject to appeal. Interpretation of these rules will be left exclusively to the Tournament Directors in their sole and absolute discretion. Each competitor agrees to report any rule violation to one of the Tournament Directors immediately upon discovery of the violation. The violation of the tournament rule may result in weight loss, the loss of weight up to a specific time during the tournament day, total loss of weight of the particular day, the ineligibility to participate in future BB events, or any other penalty deemed appropriate by the Tournament Directors in their sole discretion. Protests must be made in writing within 15 minutes of the official closing of scales at each tournament.

Participation and Eligibility:

BB tournaments are open to anglers, male and female, regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin with the exception of MLF Bass Pro Tour and the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Bassmaster Elite Series, and NPFLA anglers. This includes all anglers who have fished or are registered for these respective tournament trails in 2024 or 2025. Any angler entering a BB event who is under 18 years of age must also have a signature of a parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the official entry form.  Each contestant that voluntarily participates in any BB event voluntarily agrees to abide by BB rules and all state and federal laws, and any violation of the said Rules and/or laws will subject the contestant to disqualification and/or other disciplinary action at the sole and absolute discretion of the tournament directors.

Boat and Horsepower Regulation:

NO JET BOATS ALLOWED. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must contain properly aerated live well space to maintain a live limit of bass. Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition may not exceed the horsepower limitation set by the U.S. Coast Guard in such vessel. Falsifying information on entry forms or altering the horsepower numbers on the motor or rating the plate to conceal such limitations will be cause for disqualification from the tournament.

Pre-tournament Practice:

All BB tournament will not be subject to an off-limits period. The Thursday and Friday prior to the tournament are considered official practice days.  During official practice days, ALL tournament rules apply.

Registration:

All teams must register online.  No in-person signups will be allowed.  Registration will close on the Friday before the tournament at 4:00 p.m.  There will be a 100 boat cap on all BB tournaments. Once registration reaches 100 boats, registration will continue but we will not take payment.  If someone from the first 100 boats drops off prior to tournament start, the next team registered will have first right of refusal.  Payment must be taken at that time or the next team will have the opportunity.   Registration entry fees are $500 per team per tournament.

There will be a mandatory tournament briefing/meeting for at least one angler from each team the Friday before the tournament at 6:00 p.m. EST at Bunch Marine - 1640 Roane State Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748.

Boat numbers will be randomly selected using Taysas software.  These boat numbers will be handed out to all anglers in attendance at the mandatory meeting the Friday night before and posted to Facebook by 8 p.m. EST.  A $5.00 service fee will be added for credit card use for any amount above $10.00. A $25.00 service charge will be assessed for returned checks.

Safety:

Safety is our first priority.  It is the tournament director’s decision to postpone or delay a tournament due to fog or other weather conditions.  Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check to 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 operator must be seated in the driver’s seat anytime the combustion engine is engaged in gear. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament will be held the next day, weather permitting. Competitors are allowed to leave the boat and seek shelter in bad weather, at which time no fishing may occur.  In the event of equipment failure or emergency, a tournament director must be notified as soon as it is safe to do so. There are then two permitted methods of returning to check-in: (1) by both anglers remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2)  by one or both anglers entering the boat of another tournament contestant. Under these two conditions both contestants’ catches may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules) provided each team’s fish are adequately marked so as to provide clear distinction to the Tournament Directors. Contestants who elect to return to check-in by any means other than cited will forfeit their day’s catch to that point in time of the tournament day. Abandoning a boat and leaving it adrift without proper tie-off or anchoring after a mechanical failure may result in disqualification of that day’s weight.

Permitted Fishing Methods:

Umbrella Rigs (A-rigs) are allowed and will follow state regulation. TN State regulation allows a maximum of three hooks. There is no limit on the number of arms, dummy baits or blades allowed.

NO LONG LINING.

During practice and competition no more than one artificial or biodegradable artificial lure may be attached to a line at one time.  One lure is defined as a single man made device designed to attract and/or catch one fish at a time.  Adding trailer hooks, plastic trailers, blades, etc., to a single lure is acceptable.  If multiple fish are caught on a single man made lure, on a single cast, all fish are considered legal and may be added to the daily catch subject to scoring rules.  No “live bait”, “dead bait”, or “prepared bait” will be permitted during practice and competition, with the exception of pork strips or rinds. 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 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 and sporting manner. When sight fishing, 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 catch and/or land a fish, nor to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.

Polygraphs:

To protect the integrity of the Bunch Bash LLC  (BB) and our anglers, all winners will be subject to a polygraph exam before the prizes are distributed at each event. Contestants must pass the polygraph exam at the tournament site to receive prize money or any other awards. The Tournament Directors reserves the right to waive any violation of these rules that are disclosed to him before the polygraph exam, in their sole and absolute discretion. There will also be a polygraph exam for a pre-determined place in the top 10.  Tournament directors reserve the right to polygraph any contestant to protect the integrity of the BB.

Sportsmanship and Conduct:

All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation.  All contestants must comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and any contestants’ failure to comply with all applicable state and federal laws are subject to disqualification and/or other disciplinary action that is at the sole and absolute discretion of the tournament directors.  Examples of conduct not complying with those standards include, but are not limited to, the following:

Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or mind-altering substance during tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure.
Any previous conviction, charge or arrest, or investigation for a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a crime related to, arising out of, or involving any fishing tournament or event, except with full, prior written disclosure to the Tournament Directors under oath and by affidavit of all facts and circumstances surrounding such conviction, charge, arrest, or investigation does not result in the contestant’s honesty, integrity, character or qualifications to enter the event being unreasonable questionable.
Actions or words that reflect unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, and fair competition.
Chemical or substance abuse.
Disqualification from any BB or other fishing organization’s tournament that resulted from unexplained rule violations that result in a contestant’s honesty, integrity, character, and qualifications for entry into a BB event being questionable in the Tournament Director’s sole and absolute discretion.

Upon review of the circumstances by BB and the Tournament Directors, the Tournament Directors shall have the right to refuse any application or to deny a confirmed application, by returning the entry fee of a previously accepted application, or disqualifying a contestant. BB reserves the right to place an official observer in a contestant’s boat at any time during competition hours.

Assistance:

During hours of competition, contestants may not receive fishing information from non­-competitors or participate in the practice of “hole-sitting.” The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CBs, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is strictly prohibited. In the event of an emergency situation, competitors should first dial 911 and then notify the tournament director.

Insurance:

Contestants certify that s/he has or will obtain prior to the tournament series, Boat Owners Liability Insurance (including coverage for third party property damage and bodily injury) with no Tournament Exclusion, having a minimum limit of at least $100,000.00 per occurrence.

Permitted Fishing Locations:

Contestants may fish anywhere on tournament waters accessible by boat, except areas designated as “off-limits” or “no fishing” 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 an anchor or power poles and the trolling motor in the up position), or within 25 yards of a non-anchored competitor’s boat unless otherwise agreed upon by the other tournament angler. The act of moving bass from one area of the lake to another confined area of the same lake at any time, whether or not during official practice days or competition days, is not permitted. Locking is not allowed.

Off-limits Areas:

Such areas established and announced at the briefing meeting for each BB event. Contestants may not fish inside the established “off-limits” area. Violation of the rule will result in immediate disqualification. Contestants’ boats must remain in the tournament waters during the event.

Launching:

All boats will be checked prior to blast off to check live wells and safety equipment.  After pre-check is complete, boats will be marked accordingly by tournament directors.  If a boat attempts to blastoff without pre-check, they will forfeit their position and be delayed until all other boats have launched.  All boats must leave the official checkpoint by boat in the order designated at registration. Contestants may launch their boat at a ramp other than the designated take-off location, but all contestants must come through the official checkpoint location before leaving to fish. In the event of severe weather, alternate take-off instructions will be given at the registration site, at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.

Morning Checkpoint:

There will be only one official checkpoint for boat inspection in the morning. Failure to go through the check-out in the morning will result in disqualification from such event. During morning check-out, all teams are required to idle a safe distance before putting the boat on plane.

Afternoon Checkpoint and Weigh In:

There will be only one official checkpoint in the afternoon. Failure to check in at the check-in-point will result in disqualification from the next event.  If a team has put in at a different location, the team is required to contact a tournament director via text or phone to check in.  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, or upon such other time as may be designated by the Tournament Director.  Anglers will weigh in before trailering due to multiple ramps being used.  Trailering prior to weighing will result in disqualification.

Scoring:

Scoring will be determined by the pounds and hundredths of a pound of each team’s catch during the tournament. ONLY Largemouth, Spotted and Smallmouth bass are accepted species. The limit will be five (5) per team. Upon catching a sixth (6th) fish, the angler must cull back to five (5) fish before making another cast.  Any contestant who possesses more than the tournament limit will have his/her catch for the day disqualified.  All culling must be completed before official check-in. The minimum official length limit for all species for the 2025 BB event will be provided at each event, (Golden Rule is official measuring board). Bass presented for weigh-in that fail to measure the prescribed length limit, will result in loss of that fish and a half–pound penalty to the weight of the remaining fish.  A courtesy measure will be provided upon request. Each contestant’s catch must be presented in an official weigh-in bag and verified immediately upon receiving weight receipt by at least one team member.  Discrepancies displayed on the receipt will need to be brought to tournament director’s attention immediately.  Any discrepancies that are not brought up immediately will not be taken into account.    Bass will be measured with mouth closed, tail compressed and swiped to achieve overall greatest length.

Late Penalty:

Contestants who are not at the official check-in point at the appointed time will be assessed a one-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. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, a contestant may return to check-in location with their catch by receiving a ride from another registered contestant or tournament official only. The contestants must return to the official check-in location by the methods set forth above by their assigned check-in time to avoid late penalty.

Catch and Release:

You may weigh one dead fish as a part of your five-fish total; an 8 oz. penalty will be assessed to your total weight.   Culling of dead bass is prohibited.  Non-penetrating culling clips are required.

Closing of the Scales:

Scales will close 30 minutes after the last flight is due in. Due to certain weigh-in locations, this time may be lengthened or shortened at the Tournament Director’s sole and absolute discretion. Any change to the above stated official scale closing time will be announced during registration, during boat check-out, or during weigh-in. It is the angler’s responsibility to verify the official scale closing time and to be in the weigh-in line by such time.

Ties:

A tie for 1st place in all 2025 BB events will be broken by a one-hour fish-off. All other ties will be resolved by splitting that place and the next place’s money.

Income Tax:

Contestants will receive a 1099 form and will be responsible for the income tax on any prize money over $600 ($1200 per team).  If anglers are going to claim all of the team’s winnings, then the tournament staff must be notified prior to the first event.  In this event, all checks will be written to this angler.

Payouts:

All checks will be written the day of the event and will be made out to both anglers.

Marketing:

By fishing a BB event, I acknowledge and agree that the BB has the unconditional, royalty-free, perpetual right and license to use my name, voice, and photographic likeness in connection with any and all BB promotions (including but not limited to tournaments, meetings, and all BB-sponsored events), in all formats including but not limited to written article(s), video(s), photograph(s), and/or audio recording(s).  I further agree that any and all personal/contact information collected to populate the BB Member Database is the sole property of the BB and may be used, at its sole discretion, for any purpose deemed necessary by the BB.  Name, address, phone number and email information may be shared with all of our sponsors as well as boat information.

Registration Paperwork:

All contestants must fill out all paperwork before being able to register for any BB events.  This includes rules, entry form/liability waiver, equipment registration form, and W-9.

In consideration of being allowed to participate in the Bunch Bash Tournament, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. I understand the risk of injury, disability, loss or damage to person or property from the activities involved in tournament(s) fishing is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis, illness, injury and death to a person and destruction of equipment. I also understand while complying with particular Tennessee Team Trail rules, correct use of equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk.

2. I certify that I have or will obtain prior to the tournament series, Boat Owners Liability Insurance (including coverage for third party property damage and bodily injury) with no Tournament Exclusion, having a minimum limit of at least $100,000.00 per occurrence. The insurance must be issued by a reputable insurer rated A or better by A.M. Best and Co. Upon request, Contestants will provide proof of insurance.

3. I have been advised by Bunch Bash Tournament of the contents of this document through my reading it, and have had the opportunity to seek legal counsel with respect to the legal effect of this document prior to signing it.

4. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL RISKS REFERRED TO ABOVE, AND ALL OTHER RISKS OF TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, EVEN, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR OTHERS, AND ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RISKS ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOURNAMENT(S).

5. I willingly agree to comply with the terms and conditions for participation in any tournament of Bunch Bash and should I observe any unusual hazard(s) in my presence or during participation which could potentially cause injury or damage to any person, I will remove myself from participation and bring such hazard(s), to the attention of the nearest Bunch Bash official immediately.

6. I, FOR MYSELF AND ON BEHALF OF MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEED, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND NEXT OF KIN, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS TENNESSEE TEAM TRAIL, ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THE OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS, AND/EMPLOYEES OF EACH, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, AND SPONSORING AGENCIES, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS, AND, IF APPLICABLE, OWNERS AND LESSORS OF PREMISES AND PROPERTY USED TO CONDUCT THE EVENT (“RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHICH I SUFFER OR WHICH I AM FOUND TO HAVE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY MY NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, OR OTHERWISE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

7. If there are any questions raised by the judges or officials of Bunch Bash as to my veracity in respect to my participation in any tournament, I agree to submit to a polygraph examination and understand that failure to pass the examination will result in disqualification from such tournament and potentially from BBT at its discretion as provided by the rules of the organization. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT AND THE ATTACHED RULES, FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.

8. PUBLICITY. In consideration for permission to participate in any Bunch Bash Tournament, I (“Contestant”) hereby grant Bunch Bash Tournament its assignees and/or licensees, the unconditional right to use my name, voice, image, image in video format while participating in a tournament, photographic likeness, biographical information, fishing tips and/or instructions in any medium whatsoever, including but not limited to video/audio productions, social media, merchandising, promotions, articles, and/or press releases, in connection with Bunch Bash Tournament, without restriction as to changes or alterations at any time. I understand that I will not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use and waive my right to review the finished product. By my signature below I verify that I have read and understand the foregoing provisions.