Tournament Rules
September 21, 2024
ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC
Fishing For Freedom, Belton Tournament
Fishing For Freedom Participation Rules
21September2024 Fishing For Freedom Tournament
Please read the rules carefully:
Interpretation of these rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament director. Failure to comply may result
in DISQUALIFICATION. The decision of the tournament director shall be final in all matters. If you wish to
file a challenge/protest it must be done within 15 minutes of the closing of the scales.
PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to any boater over 18 years old and older and the non-boater
has to be active duty or retired military. A waiver can be requested for a Purple Heart Recipient.
A properly completed liability waiver will be signed at checkin / banquet.
REGISTRATION & CHECKPOINT: Each team must register online at www.fishingforfredomtexas.org. Registration will close
September 17, 2024. Start time will be “Safe Daylight “as determined by the weigh master.
Teams may put in as early as 5:00 am on the day of the tournament.
Boat Numbers will be posted on website and the checkin / banquet dinner.
GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION:
days of the event. No trailering will be allowed to the weigh-ins, unless deemed necessary for safety
reasons by the tournament director. The tournament site boat ramp to the tournament headquarters is not
considered trailering. There will be only one official point for check-in and weigh-in. Flights will be in groups
of 40 boats for the tournaments
Flight 1-40 check-in time for weigh-in will be at 2:00 PM.
Flight 41-80 check-in time for weigh-in will be at 2:15 PM.
Flight 81-120 check-in time for weigh-in will be at 2:30 PM.
Flight 121- 160 check-in time for weigh-in will be at 2:45 PM. And so on in 15-minute increments.
Competitors not at the weigh-in site at their designated time will be penalized at the rate of ½ lb per minute
which will be deducted from their total weight for the day.
Any team more than 15 minutes late will be disqualified without recourse.
The scales will close 15 minutes after the final flight is due in.
Failure to be in line when scales close even if you checked in on time will result in disqualification.
Cell phones should be used for emergencies only. Final check in is for safety purposes and to make
sure we leave no one stranded.
SPORTSMANSHIP: All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety,
and conservation. All contestants MUST have a valid Texas fishing license in their possession. Violation of
this rule will be the reason for immediate disqualification without recourse.
DISQUALIFICATION: No alcoholic beverages or illegal non-prescribed drugs are allowed in the boat at any
time. Each contestant must keep the waters clean and dispose of all trash in the appropriate containers. Any
violation of state, local or Federal law shall be construed as a reason for disqualification without recourse.
SAFETY: Safe boating practices will be observed at all times. Each competitor must wear a serviceable U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG) approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation. State
law and tournament rules require the boat operator to have a safety-stop switch with a lanyard attached to their
person. USCG approved wireless switches will be allowed. Boats must not have engines larger than the boat’s
horsepower rating.
SCORING TIES: The weights of each team’s catch will determine their tournament standings. Only large
mouths, small mouths, and spotted bass will be weighed. The limit per boat shall be five (5) fish. Culling must
be done as soon as the sixth fish is caught. The minimum length limit will be as mandated by Texas Law for the
lake fished, but under no circumstances less than 14 inches.
If you bring in a Fish less than 14 inches you will receive a 1 lbs
A penalty of one pound will be deducted from the total weight for each dead fish.
A team that presents more than five bass at weigh-in will be disqualified.
In case of a tie, awards will be combined and divided equally among the tied teams.
BOAT, MOTOR, TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial lures, except for pork rinds, may be used.
Only one rod and reel combination may be used at one time per angler. Trolling, as a method of fishing, is
prohibited. All fish must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner, intentional snagging will be
prohibited. All boats must have an adequate live well to maintain a limit of five fish.
PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Teams may fish anywhere accessible by boat except areas
designated as off-limits or within 50 feet of another team’s boat. A team that allows any other team to fish
within the 50 feet rule has suspended the rule and has opened the waters to all competitors.3
SCALE CLOSING: Scales will be closed 15 minutes after the last flight is due in, but due to certain weigh-in
locations, this time may be adjusted at the tournament director’s sole discretion. Any changes will be announced
during registration. It is the angler’s responsibility to verify official scale closing time and to be in the weigh-in
line by such time.
MEDIA/CAMERA: By registering for this event, you understand and agree, that at any given time or event
ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC may put a Camera Person in your Boat during the Event for an undetermined amount of
time for Media Purposes.
COMPLIANCE WITH RULES: By registering for this event, I (also referred to as “Angler”) hereby agree to
be bound by and comply with all Tournament Rules, the Code of Conduct, payment schedules and all other
guidelines and regulations presented or otherwise communicated to me in writing by ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC. I
am physically fit and that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude my participation in the
tournament series.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION: I expressly assume all risks associated with my
participation in the tournament series and for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin,
successors and assigns, I hereby waive, release and discharge ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC
its affiliates and subsidiaries, the hosts, sponsors and tournament series officials (“Released Parties”) from any
and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (including without limitation, attorneys fees and related
costs), of any kind (hereinafter “Claims”) arising out of or in connection with my participation in the
tournament series, including but not limited to Claims involving, death, disability, personal injury and/or
property damage. I hereby INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the Released
Parties for any and all Claims arising as a result of my participation in this Tournament. I acknowledge that this
Tournament may carry with it the potential for death, serious injury, and personal loss. The risks may include,
but are not limited to, those caused by water conditions, temperature, weather, equipment, actions of other
people including, but not limited to, participants, volunteers, and spectators. This release of liability shall be
construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.
GRANT OF RIGHTS: I hereby irrevocably grant permission to ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC
and its affiliates and subsidiaries, the successors of each of the foregoing, and each of their respective
agents, licensees, and assigns and those acting under their permission or upon their authority (collectively, the
“Licensees”), in perpetuity, a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid up license to reproduce,
display, exhibit, publish, broadcast, distribute, and otherwise use, and permit others to use, my name, image,
nickname, initials, symbols, likeness, signature, photograph, voice, statements, biographical material, and any
and all attributes of my personality and appearance (collectively, my “Identity”) in materials created in
connection with my participation in the ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC (collectively, the “Materials”), alone or
with other materials, in connection with the promotion of ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INCand any
tournaments or other events staged by ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC, in any and all manner
and media now known or hereafter devised, including without limitation, in print, on television programs,
websites owned by or affiliated with the Licensees, on third-party websites, in social media channels, in public
relations materials and for any lawful purpose in its sole discretion. During tournaments I agree to comply with
all filming promptly and fully, camera location and other rules, guidelines and instructions of ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC
IT IS THE ANGLER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THESE RULES, PARTICIPATION
GUIDELINES AND ABIDE BY THEM.
For additional information: Call Chuck Guthrie 254-681-8409, or Shawn Dalrymple 910-574-5138 or
Rory Layne 903-474-4330, or Dean Thompson at 254-290-1937, You can email: info@fishingforfreedomtexas.org
ArmyBassAnglers Foundation, INC and its associates will not be responsible for injuries or accidents that may be caused
by a person or by an unfortunate weather event.
