(1) Rule Changes: The following rules shall remain unchanged throughout the events, but the tournament officials shall have the right to make changes for safety considerations. All decisions of the tournament officials are final in all matters.

(2) Participation & Eligibility: Anyone who is a member and in good standing with B.A.S.S., B.A.S.S. Federation, and Texas B.A.S.S. Federation, is 16 years of age or older and has paid the entry fee may participate. Only tournament contestants or an appointed observer are allowed in the boat during tournament hours. (Exception: children under the age of 16 are allowed to fish with a paid contestant , however their catch is not eligible for entry in the tournament unless they are fishing as a paid guest contestant.) Contestants must have completed a personal information form before fishing their first tournament so their information may be included in the computer standings program. Individuals are allowed to pair up and fish as an individual contestants from the same boat. Boaters are encouraged to actively seek a non-boater member as a co-angler at minimum of one time during the year. Non-boater members have priority over guest anglers. Anglers cannot fish with the same co-angler until one tournament has elapsed. (Exception: couples, husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend are exempt from mandatory rotation.) Should the club vote to hold a paper tournament, co-anglers will be assigned via random draw.

(3) Alcoholic Beverages & Drugs: No alcoholic beverages or drugs (unless prescribed) are allowed in the boat or may be consumed during tournament hours.

(4) Sportsmanship: All contestants shall not violate a 50 foot radius of another contestant's boat without permission during tournament hours. Federal, state, and local laws must be observed during tournament hours. Failure to abide by federal, state, and local laws will result in no weight allowed for the tournament in which the infraction occurred. Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, and/or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing will be disqualified and shall forfeit all entry fees and/or prize money. Individuals disqualified for violating sportsmanship rules will also forfeit their club membership for the balance of the year and only be considered for reinstatement upon reapplication the following year. Reinstatement of a previously disqualified member requires a 2/3rd majority confirmation. Any angler, who violates tournament rules, unless otherwise stated, will not be allowed to weigh in fish for the tournament in which the infraction occurred.

(5) Boat & Motor: All boats and motors must meet all U.S. Coast Guard and State regulations. No motors shall exceed the BIA rating for that boat. All boats must have a working kill switch and an adequate aerated livewell. All boats will be inspected by a tournament official prior to the start of the tournament.

(6) Safety: A U.S. Coast Guard Approved chest-type life preserver must be worn and fully fastened by all boat's members and the kill switch must be attached to the operator any time the combustion engine is in operation. Infractions of this safety rule will result in a 2 pound penalty per incident applied against the angler.s creel weight for the day. More than two infractions of this safety rule by an individual during a single tournament will result in no weight allowed for that angler for the given tournament.
The tournament director and/or club officers shall be responsible for evaluating the conditions prior to the tournament start. If it is determined that the conditions are unfavorable to start the tournament, the tournament director and/or club officers have the ability to cancel the tournament for that day. Upon a tournament cancellation, club members will vote on a make-up date for the canceled tournament. Once the tournament has begun weigh-in will be held at the pre-determined time at the pre-determined location regardless of weather or lake conditions. Each individual angler will be responsible for his or her own safety if hazardous conditions become present during tournament hours. Anglers should seek shelter until conditions improve.

(7) Emergency/Leave Early: If a contestant wishes to leave the lake prior to weigh-in, that contestant MUST notify the tournament director or a tournament official, leave a note at the designated check-in area, or notify another tournament contestant that will be present at the weigh-in in order to receive points for the tournament. This is a safety requirement that all MUST adhere to.

(8) Tackle & Equipment: Dip nets are allowed. Dip nets cannot exceed 6 1/2 feet in overall length. B.A.S.S. recommends the use of a rubber or vinyl-coated net. All fish must be caught in a legal and sporting manner on artificial lures. No trolling with the combustion engine or snagging of fish is permitted. No live or prepared bait is permitted with the exception of pork rind. Only one rod may be used at one time. A cast must be fully retreived before another rod is picked up. Only rods shorter than 8 feet in length may be used. The use of electronic tracking equipment is not allowed at any time.

(9) Protests: All protests must be submitted in writing to a club tournament official within 15 inutes of the final weigh-in.

(10) Polygraph: All contestants are subject to a polygraph examination at the request of the tournament officials. Failure to submit to or pass a polygraph examination will result in immediate disqualification and forfeit of any entry fee and claims to any prizes.

(11) Officials: All contestants are required to cooperate with all requests from any tournament official wether on or off the water. Contestants affiliated with the club designated to help with the weigh-in must come in 15 minutes early for set-up.

(12) Official Check-In: All contestants will leave from the same ramp. All contestants must check-in prior to tournament start. Check-in will begin 45 minutes prior to the start of the tournament. Check-in will cease 15 minutes prior to tournament start. After contestants have checked-in and confirmed the official tournament start time, they may safely proceed to their starting spot. Contestants may begin fishing at the official tournament start time. Contestants, who arrive late and miss check in, must check-in with, and have their livewells inspected by another ATX Bassmaster member before beginning to fish. During the competition days, contestants must not depart the boat to land a fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing water. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament hours. Contestants must leave and return to official checkpoint by water.

13) Scoring: The winner of a tournament will receive 100 points. The scoring will decrease in one-point increments for each participant who weights in fish. Tournament participants who do not weigh fish will all receive five points less than the last participant who weighed fish. The member's club meeting attendance of 5 points per meeting attended will be added to the yearly standings calculation. Each contestant should identify his/her largest fish for consideration in Big Bass competition. Each contestant may weigh-in a 5 fish limit with a minimum length in compliance with state regulations. Courtesy check is allowed if request is made before submission of creel for weigh-in. Gator Grip Golden Rule is club's official rule. A 1/4lb. penalty will be assessed for each dead fish weighed-in. Bass submitted at weigh-in that fall short of the official length shall accrue a penalty of that angler's big fish for the day as well as loss of all short fish. Any contestant returning to the checkpoint late will be penalized at the rate of 1 pound per minute up to 15 minutes. After 15 minutes no weight will be allowed. (Under extreme circumstances such as inclement weather and mechanical failure, tournament officials shall have the authority to make exceptions regarding late check-in disqualifications.) Culling of fish is each contestant's responsibility and no more than 5 fish per contestant may be kept in the livewell. Only Largemouth, Smallmouth, Guadalupe and Spotted Bass will be allowed for weigh-in.
Club members compete in a 10 tournament season. 12 monthly tournaments will be held (January through December) and the contestants. points from their best 10 finishes will be tallied to determine the standings for the entire calendar year. The six anglers who have the highest accumulated points for the entire year will form the ATX Bassmasters team which will compete in the B.A.S.S. Federation Regional Championship the following season.
A .Buy-In. will be available to club members who cannot participate in the tournament. The buy-in points awarded will be 5 points less than the last place contestant for the bought-in tournament. The buy-in will cost the same amount as the tournament entry fee. Buy-in requests must be made verbally to a club officer before the start of the tournament to be bought-in. Buy-in monies must be submitted to a club officer before the start of the next scheduled ATX Bassmasters club tournament. In the event that a member verbally agrees to buy-in and does not submit payment, they will not be allowed to participate in the following ATX Bassmasters tournament and will forfeit their privilege to buy-in for the remainder of the year.
If a paid contestant does not check-in after a tournament the contestant will be assessed five points less than those who checked-in but did not weigh-in any fish. Check-ins can be made verbally to the club officers or tournament director.

(14) Ties: In case of a tie, the following tiebreakers will be used: (1) the individual with the most weight fish weighed in. (2) The individual with the largest single fish (3) If a tie still remains, the flip of a coin will determine the winner.

(15) Off Limits: There will be an off-limits period to commence at 00:00AM Monday prior to the tournament weekend. No guides will be allowed 30 days prior to tournaments. Fishing hours are from safe light to 3PM.

(16) Entry Fee/Payback: Entry fee for each tournament shall be $25 and broken down as follows: $5 going to fund activities related to Top 6 Anglers fishing B.A.S.S. Federation Events, $3 going to Big Bass Pot, and $2 going to the Big Bass Shootout that will be paid at the end of the tourney season. Payback shall be as follows: 1st = 50%, 2nd = 30%, and 3rd = 20%. Big Bass Pot will payout 1st placeonly the bass weighs over 5lbs., if not the money will roll over until a bass over 5lbs. is caught. All paybacks (and any prizes) wil be issued at next club meeting following the tournament. (Only live bass are eligible for any of the Big Bass Payouts. Paper Tournament fish are not eligible for Big Bass of the Year Payout.)

(17) Angler of the Year: Will be awarded to the angler having the greatest number of points/pounds total from all tournaments held during the given year plus the anglers club meeting bonus points/pounds. In the event of a tie, the angler with the best place average for the year shall be named "Angler of the Year." Club funds shall be used to purchase the Angler of the Year Plaque.

(18) Other Rules: The Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Tournament Rules and Regulations will be used if a rule is not specifically covered in these rules. The North Central Regional Tournament Committee reserves the right to make final decisions on any other rule/issue. Rules are subject for ammendment given the following protocol. 1) A motion for the rule amendment is made in writing to a club official. 2) Notification of the motion will be submitted during the next club meeting and a second requested. 3) The motion will be tabled till the following meeting, where it will be reinstated and a vote taken. 4) Rule amendments require a 2/3rd majority vote for adoption.

ARTICLE I - NAME & PURPOSE

Section 1: Name This chapter shall be called the ATX BASSMASTERS of Austin, Texas.

Section 2: Purpose To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport. To offer our stat conservation department our organized moral and political support and encouragement. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes and to demand adequate water standards. To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to his/her crime. To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass-catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation. To function as a dynamic and effective link with other chapters of the State B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation embracing the principles and purposes of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society?.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Number of Members The chapter shall begin with and maintain at least six members, with no predetermined maximum numbers of members.

Section 2: Requirement for Regular Membership
To become a chapter member, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be a member of B.A.S.S. (See ARTICLE VI for affiliation requirements.)
(c) Be recommended by a single members at a regular monthly meeting.
(d) Be voted on by membership. Vote shall be by show of hands and affirmation must be unanimous.
(e) Be 16 years of age.

Section 3: Requirements for Junior Membership*
To become a junior member of an adult chapter, a person shall:
(a) Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.
(b) Be under 16 years of age. *Junior members are not required to pay national membership dues and are not entitled to be the benefits of a regular member. The acceptance of junior members will not affect a club?s liability insurance policy. Junior members are not covered by the accidental death and dismemberment policy. Junior members may not hold office in a adult club nor may they be voting members. At age 16 junior members may continue membership by joining the club as a regular member. Junior membership ceased on a person?s 16th birthday.

Section 4: Membership Dues
The membership dues shall be $53.00 annually, initially payable upon being voted into the chapter, $15 of which shall be for National Federation dues and $18 of which shall be for chapter dues and $20 of which shall be for club dues. B.A.S.S. membership dues are also required at the current rate. (See ARTICLE VI, Section 1 for state affiliation requirements.)

Section 5: Meeting of Members
The membership shall hold monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00PM at the Filling Station Bar & Restaurant.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES AND ELIGIBILITY

Section 1: Officer and their Duties
The officers of the chapter shall consist of:
(a) President: Preside over all meetings and direct all official business. Appoint and be an ex-officio member of all committees. Supervise all club functions.
(b) Vice President: Act as program chairman, assist the president in his/her duties and preside in the absence of the president.
(c) Secretary: Maintain accurate minutes of all regular and special meetings as called for by the chapter president. Maintain regular liaison between the chapter and the B.A.S.S. National Federation and state B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation.
(d) Treasurer: Collect and disburse all monies. Maintain accurate financial records and present a current balance report at each regular meeting. Prepare and annual audit for review by the Chapter Board of Directors.
(e) Conservation Chairman: Serve as liaison between the chapter and state and national conservation/environmental agencies. Plan chapter conservation projects and attend all local and state conservation meetings/hearings.
(f) Youth Chairman: Organize all youth activities and programs. Coordinate BASMASTER CastingKids events.

Section 2: Elections
The election of officers shall be held annually at the regular meeting during the month of December. Election shall be by simple majority of members present. Election for each officer shall be held separately in order listed in

ARTICLE III, Section 1.

Section 3: Eligibility of Vote
Each member is entitled to one vote. Proxy votes are not permitted.

Section 4: Term of Office
The term of office is for one year which shall begin on January 1st and end of the December 31st or until the successor assumes office.

Section 5: Vacancies In the event of an office becoming vacant, nominations shall be asked for and an election held to fill the unexpired term of the individual vacating the office. National B.A.S.S.? Headquarters shall be notified immediately of the change of any officers.

Section 6: Eligibility for Holding Office
To be eligible for an office a member must:
(a) Have been a member for six months. (Six months? requirement waived during the first 12 months of the chapter existence.)
(b) Have attended at least 75% of the chapter meetings and 75% of the chapter function during a 12-month period.
(c) Have shown an active interest in all chapter functions.
(d) Maintain current B.A.S.S. membership.

ARTICLE IV - STANDING COMMITTEES

All Standing Committees will serve for one year or until a new committee is appointed. The terms of committee member will coincide with that of the president. Each committee shall elect a chairman.

(a) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will consist of seven (7) members: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and two (2) members elected at large by the majority vote for the members.
1. The president will call all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at such meetings.
2. The secretary will record the minutes of these meetings.
3. The board will decide all protests and rule on all violations of the tournament rules and bylaws of the chapter when appropriately received.
4. The board will develop agendas for the monthly meetings.
(b) Youth Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to plan, organize and implement a Chapter Youth Project; to introduce young people to the goals of B.A.S.S.; to give them a basis for respect of our national heritage, an appreciation of the basic rules of honesty, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship; and to give them an introduction to the sheer joy of fishing.
(c) Conservation Committee: The purpose of this committee shall be to protect our natural environment form harmful change; to document and report to the proper authorities violations of local, state and federal anti-pollution laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances and other regulatory devices; to take legal action where appropriate; to undertake informational and educational programs to bring public awareness of threats to our environment; and to take a leadership role in repairing the harm that has already been done to the life-giving water of America.
(d) Tournament Committee: The purpose of the tournament committee shall be to plan, organize and operate all Chapter tournaments. The tournament committee will draft tournament rules which must then be approved by the general membership. The committee will keep tournament records, enforce all tournament rules and investigate all protests concerning tournaments and make recommendations tot eh Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V - REMOVAL of MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Removal of Membership
A member shall be dropped from the membership roll for the following reasons:
(a) Failure to pay dues.
(b) Any action which would reflect dishonor and disgrace on the this chapter and/or B.A.S.S.
(c) Failure to attend 50% of the chapter meetings and 50% of the chapter functions during a 12-month period.
(d) Disqualification for any reason from participation in B.A.S.S. sponsored events.
(e) Failure to pay club tournament entry fee at weigh-in and being found on tournament waters during tournament hours without prior approval from a club officer.

ARTICLE VI - Affiliation

Section 1: Requirements for Affiliation
(a) Approval of Chapter Charter by B.A.S.S.
(b) Updated B.A.S.S. with a chapter membership roster once each year upon receipt of current B.A.S.S. roster at year?s end.
(c) Names and addresses of new members joining the chapter during the year must be submitted to B.A.S.S. as they occur. (See ARITLCE II, Section 3 for dues requirements.)
(d) Maintain 100% B.A.S.S. membership
(e) Must affiliate with State Federation and support its conservation and youth programs. Any additional requirements that the State Federation establishes for chapters, such as membership, dues, attendance at meetings, etc., would be necessary for the chapter to participate in State Federation qualifying tournament(s), and any other Federation-sponsored tournaments or events.

ARITICLE VII - METHOD OF AMENDING THE BYLAWS

Section 1: Amending the Bylaws
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two third majority vote of the members present, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been presented to the membership at least on regular meeting prior to the vote.