Official Rules for 2025 DELTA - BIG BASS Challenge!

It is your responsibility, as a participant, to read and comply with all written tournament rules and know any special tournament rules.

2. Participation and Eligibility: The DELTA Big Bass Challenge is open to everyone and is held in an individual format – not a team format. Meaning that each participant pays for and enters this event individually. All participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

3. Required Activities: You may launch from any marina you wish, but you are required to have your live well inspected at Russo’s Marina – EACH DAY, before you can start fishing.

3a. Bait rules/restrictions: You may use ANY BRAND of lure you wish in this event. No live bait or trolling is allowed.

4. Start/End of Tournament: The official registration and live well checks will begin at 4:00am each day. After you have registered, and had your live well inspected, you can begin fishing - but you cannot come to the scales to weigh your fish until the first official weigh-in period begins, which is between 8 and 9am. You must be at the designated weigh-in area (the scales) between the hours listed below – not at the dock area.

The event is over at 2pm. You must have your fish at the designated check in area (the scales) BEFORE the 2pm hour ends. The scales will be officially closed immediately after 2pm each day, and no fish will be weighed in at that time.

• 1st hr weigh-in period starts at 8am - (Fish can come to the scales from 8:01am to 9am)

• 2nd hr weigh-in period starts at 9am - (Fish can come to the scales from 9:01am to 10am)

• 3rd hr weigh-in period starts at 10am - (Fish can come to the scales from 10:01am to 11am)

• 4th hr weigh-in period starts at: 11am - (Fish can come to the scales from 11:01am to 12pm)

• 5th hr weigh-in period starts at: 12pm - (Fish can come to the scales from 12:01pm to 1pm)

• 6th hr weigh-in period starts at: 1pm - (Fish can come to the scales from 1:01pm -to 2pm)

5. Hourly Scoring: CASH awards will be presented each hour to the heaviest fish weighed in during each hour – according to the payout matrix POSTED AT THE EVENT. Largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are the only species eligible to be weighed-in for this event. You can win as many hourly cash prizes as you want, but you can only weigh-in one fish during each hour. Each hour, the five top hourly Big Fish leaders will be seated in the "Big Bass Hot Seats" and will remain there until someone with a bigger fish replaces them. If no one catches a bigger fish to replace one of the top five finalists, then these top five finalists will be declared the hourly winners.

You may continue to fish and weigh in other big fish throughout each day to continue to win more of that day’s hourly awards.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ - The dock (in front of the tackle store) at Russo’s Marina is the ONLY designated area to dock your boat when you wish to bring in an hourly big fish. Once you come to the dock, and step onto the dock – YOU ARE DONE for that hour and CANNOT go back out to fish for that hour.. If you have a fish to weigh-in, you must proceed to the scales to weigh it. Being at the dock DOES NOT MEAN that you have made it to the scales before the hour is up. If you are not at the scales before the air horn sounds signifying the end of the hour, YOU WILL NOT be allowed to weigh in during that hour. If you step out of you boat with a fish to weigh, and you do not make it to the scales BEFORE the air horn blows, you have two choices:

Surrender your fish to tournament officials

Wait to weigh it in during the next hourly weigh in.

Note: While waiting for the next hourly weigh-in period, you cannot go out and fish.

5a. OVERALL Big Fish Scoring: A cash prize (as posted at the event) and trophy will be presented to the angler with the OVERALL biggest fish caught during the two days of the DELTA Big Bass Challenge.

5b. “SUPER 12” GRAND PRIZE scoring: The 12 anglers that had the biggest overall bass of each hour will receive a seat in “Super 12” and be part of a grand prize drawing held at the end to the event, where each finalist will receive a chance at to win the GRAND PRIZE cash award. The order of the random draw will be determined according to weight of the Super 12 finalists, with the heaviest overall big fish drawing first.

PLEASE NOTE – Although you are allowed to win as many hourly prizes as you want, you may only win ONE spot in the “Super 12”.  In the event an angler is the overall hourly big fish more than once, their seat will be awarded to the runner up weight for that hour.

6. PAYOUT: The following hourly, big fish, and Super 12 payout scenarios are provided to give you AN IDEA of what kind of payback you can expect for this event. Payouts are based on ACTUAL PAID ENTRIES, and will be adjusted up or down based on participation numbers:

Hourly Chair payouts (paid out each day - over 2 days)

Overall Big Fish Cash award: - $500 - $1,000

“Super 12” Grand Prize Cash award: - $1,500 - $,2,000  

8. Sportsmanship: any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship and/or violates any of the official rules will be disqualified. Disorderly conduct at or during the DELTA Big Bass Challenge event will not be tolerated and will be grounds for disqualification from the event.

9. Safety: Safe boating conduct and all safety precautions must be observed at all times by all contestants. Anyone fishing in the tournament must wear a Coast Guard approved flotation device any time the main engine is running. Such flotation devices must be worn and properly fastened when inspected at the blast-off point. In an emergency or when safety dictates, fisherman may take their BIG fish, get into another boat – that is registered in the event, and return to the weigh in site.

10. Fishing License: Each contestant will observe State Fish and Game laws and have in his or her possession a valid state fishing license.

11. Beverages: No alcoholic beverages or drugs are allowed in the boat or to be consumed during official tournament hours or prior to weigh in.

12. Boat and Motor: The tournament director reserves the right to prohibit any boat from participating in this event if such boat is considered unsafe or the operator unqualified. A functional kill switch must be hooked up and operational at any time the main motor is running.

13. Registration: You can register for this event by printing out an entry form located on the Angler’s Press website (anglerspress.com), or by calling the Angler’s Press office at 916-768-0938. Entry forms can also be obtained at various tackle shops throughout the greater Sacramento and Bay areas. ALL participants must check-in EACH DAY at Russo’s Marina to have their live wells checked BEFORE they can begin fishing.

14. Late Sign-ups: Late entries will be accepted at the Ramp the morning of the event. However, a late fee of $10 will be charged per angler, for each late sign.

15. REFUND POLICY - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Please remember to check your personal calendars, schedules, and commitments BEFORE you purchase this event, because once you have purchased, NO REFUNDS, EXCHANGES, OR CREDITS will be given - NO EXCEPTIONS. While we understand that situations within and beyond your control could arise and preclude you from attending the event, such as sudden work commitments, sickness, boat breakdown, unproductive pre-fishing etc., please know that due to our pre-promotional expenditures, this is our STATED refund policy. You may, if you wish to do so, give your entry to another angler to use.

16. Confirmation of entry: If you wish to have a confirmation of your entry you can receive one by calling the Angler’s Press offices @ 916-768-0938 or e-mail us at anglerspress@hotmail.com.

17. Checkpoints: Contestants must check in and out at all designated checkpoints.

18. Participant Identification: All contestants will be given a participation ribbon that must be attached to your boat – in plain site during all hours of competition.

19. Boat Inspection: On-ramp and on dock boat inspections will be conducted by tournament officials. Officials will be checking live wells for fish, safety equipment, live bait, alcohol, etc. At the ramp, or dock, participation ribbons will be placed on each boat during both days of competition to verify your live well was checked. All boats must have a ribbon tied to their trolling motor before blast-off.

20. Running Lights Must Be On: If applicable, at blast off and until contestants arrive at their first fishing spot. This is a procedural rule required by our insurance company and could cause you not to be able to launch until safe light conditions exist.

21. Anglers must remain together throughout the fishing day and may not leave the boat unless approved by a tournament official (exception: use of rest room facilities). A contestant may not leave for the purpose of carrying, towing, or pushing his boat or to reduce weight to improve floatability for the purpose of gaining access to fishing waters that are otherwise inaccessible. If a boat is inadvertently stuck on a sand bar you may leave the boat in an effort to regain float ability back to point of entry only. Not to proceed past the sand bar.

22. Permitted Fishing Methods: Any brand of lure can be used. Only one rod may be used at one time. However, any number of rigged rods may be in the boat for substitute purposes. Trolling, as a method of fishing, is prohibited. No live bait is allowed. All fish must be caught live and in a conventional angling method. All fishing must be done from your boat.

23. Sight fishing for Bedding Bass: A sight or bedding fish is defined as one that can be seen and watched as it approaches the lure. Fish being caught under these conditions must be caught by hook and line and by the fish ingesting the lure. Any bass caught that is either a "sight" or "bed" fish must be caught "hook in mouth with the hook point entering from the inside of the mouth. Any "sight" or "bed" fish caught by snagging or with hook starting from outside the mouth shall be deemed an illegally caught fish and must be released. This same fish may be caught again by the legal method - with the hook starting from inside the mouth. Any angler catching a fish under these conditions and not verifying the hook location with the other person in the boat may be disqualified from the tournament.

24. Platforms in Boat: The use of any device to raise a contestant above the normal freeboard of a boat is prohibited. This rule includes any device that is constructed to raise the contestant up to a higher position as to allow them to cast into areas that would not normally be accessible or which would allow a contestant to see fish from a better angle.

25. Infringements/Permitted Fishing Areas: A "50-yard rule" is always in effect during competition. No contestant's boat may move within 50 yards of another contestant’s boat at any time for the purpose of fishing. A boat moving from one area to another may infringe upon this distance as long as the transient fisherman do not attempt to fish while moving. Exceptions to the 50-yard rule apply only to docks, break walls, and slough channels.

Exception example 1: If you wish to fish a boat dock next to a boat dock another team is fishing, and it falls inside the 50-yard parameter, you are allowed to fish it. In all cases, please be courteous.

Exception example 2: If you wish to fish in a slough channel that is longer than 50 yards, and there is another team fishing inside of it, you must continue by them 50 YARDS before you can start fishing. If you wish to fish the opposite side of the slough channel, you may do so. Again, in all cases, please be courteous.

Please note that encroachment and infringements will not be tolerated and that protests can lead to a disqualification for the offending teams.

26. Boat Control: Contestants must leave and return to the tournament weigh-in site by boat. Boats cannot be tailored from one fishing location to another during tournament hours.

27. Fish Size/Culling/Dead Fish: All fish weighed in MUST BE ALIVE when brought to the scales. Any fish that is dead - AS DETERMINED BY THE SOLE JUDGEMENT OF THE EVENT’S OFFICIAL WEIGH MASTER, will be IMMEDIATELY disqualified and will not be weighed – even if you believe it was alive in your boat during the event, or think that it is alive at the scale, it is not your determination to make – but only that of the official weigh master. All decisions regarding dead fish by the weigh master are non disputable and completely final.

Fish will be measured flat, mouth open on a flat board with a 13-inch minimum size.

28. Number of fish in Limit: Participants can only bring one fish to the scales per hour. All fish will be weighed and immediately released by tournament officials after weighing.

29. Breakdowns/Emergencies: Anglers are not permitted to leave their boats nor touch another boat, with the exception of an emergency or major equipment failure. In this case, it is permitted to be towed either to safety or back to the weigh-in area by any safe means available. You may have your fished transported to the weigh-in by another tournament boat participating in the DELTA Big Bass Challenge event. At least one person must stay with your fish at all times and neither angler is permitted to fish while under the assistance of another boat during the breakdown period.

PLEASE NOTE: DELTA Big Bass Challenge directors or officials will not be responsible for ensuring that you make it back to the weigh-in site in the event of an emergency or breakdown. If you call and reach tournament officials during an emergency or breakdown, we will do our best to dispatch emergency services to assist you, BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE that someone will be sent out for you. It is your responsibility to take the necessary precautions (i.e. cell phones, emergency numbers, tow insurance, equipment) with you BEFORE you participate in this event to call any necessary public or private emergency services personnel.

30. Penalties: All fished weighed in must be alive to be eligible for any cash or prizes. Any fish that is dead, appears to have been altered, mutilated or snagged will also be disqualified. All decisions regarding fish that are determined to be dead, snagged, altered, or mutilated by the DELTA Big Bass Challenge official weigh master are final and cannot be disputed. Any team disqualified from the DELTA Big Bass Open will forfeit all entry fees submitted.

31. Cheating: Anyone caught cheating in this event will be disqualified and never be allowed to fish future DELTA Big Bass Open events. Violators will be subject to full criminal prosecution as dictated by California and U.S law.

32. Official Boats: officials may be on the lake during contest hours, and can approach or observe any contestants boat. Each contestant is requested to cooperate with all reasonable requests from media representatives or officials.

33. Event Referees: There may be several visibly identifiable official referee boats on the water to ensure that rules governing the event are followed. Event referees that report violations to tournament officials could result in that angler being disqualified.

34. Live Wells: Adequate live wells are mandatory on each boat and must provide proper aeration to maintain fish in good condition, as all fish will be released alive after the weigh- in. In the case of a boat without built in live wells, a large Ice chest with portable aerators with be acceptable. You may be asked to show the aerators working.

35. Trophy Bass: Contestants will not retain any bass after a tournament. However, a trophy bass meeting minimum Fish and Game Commission sizes: Largemouth- 10 pounds, smallmouth- 6 pounds, and spotted bass-6 pounds may be kept if designated at weigh in time as such.

36. Lake Off-Limits: There is No off limits period for this event.

37. Off-Limit Areas: Every lake may have off-limit areas. If no specific off-limit areas are announced, then 50 yards from any gas pumps and the host marina will always be enforced.

38. Special Raffle/Prizes: Keep your Gamakatsu receipts dated - from April 1st to May 4th( 2025) to the event for a chance to win special raffle prizes. You will receive one (1) ticket for every 2 Gamkatsu products you purchased, or 1 ticket for every $20 you show a receipt for.

40. Special "KID's DIVISION" - This division is open to all kids 15 and under. Each youth can weigh one big fish per day. At end of this two-day event, the youth with the biggest OVERALL fish will win cash, the DELTA - Youth Division Trophy.

41. Speed-Restricted Areas: No boat may pass another contestant's boat in a restricted speed zone, in an effort to gain an advantage.

41. Live release: All contestants will be required to return the fish to the lake. Anglers are required to handle the fish with the utmost care according to the Fish and Game guidelines. If the fish, for any reason, are not returned to the designated release area, immediate disqualification will result.

42. Paybacks: DELTA Big Bass Challenge reserves the right to substitute products advertised for prizes of equal or greater value depending on availability. All cash and prizes will be paid out immediately after the award ceremonies.

43. Awards/Prizes: If you cannot be present at the awards ceremony, your cash award will be mailed to you.

44. Integrity of DELTA Big Bass Challenge event: Anyone caught cheating in this event will be disqualified and never be allowed to fish future DELTA Big Bass Open events. Violators will be subject to full criminal prosecution as dictated by California and U.S law. Grand Prize winner may be required to take a polygraph test. Refusal to take polygraph testing will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of cash and/or prizes. Failure to pass polygraph – FOR ANY REASON will result in immediate disqualification of the individual with all cash/prizes forfeited. All findings of the polygraph results are final. All decisions regarding disqualifications are final.

46. Special Rules: The tournament director may add specifics rules when necessary. These special rules will be in effect for the length of the tournament and should not be considered regular rules, but will be announced and enforced as such. Interpretation of all rules will be left exclusively to the tournament director, whose decision will be final in all matters.

47. Protests: Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant. A protest form will be available from the tournament director and must be filled out and presented to the tournament director within 15 minutes after the scales are officially closed for the event.

48. Ties: In the event two contestants have the same weight, prize money will be split equally between them.

49. Damages and Claims: All contestants by entering this DELTA Big Bass Challenge event hereby waive and release the tournament officials, sponsoring organizations from all claims for injury and/or damage incurred in connection with this event. Promoters and organizations assisting in the tournament operation, their agencies and agents are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire, or any loss to any entrants. Each entrant, upon signing the entry form, will in effect be signing the waiver. All participants are required to have the necessary boating liability insurance prior to entering this event.

50. Insurance: It is the responsibility of all boat owners to have current boat insurance to participate in this DELTA Big Bass Challenge Event.

52. Dock Patrol Officials: During the weigh-in process, all participants must follow ALL instructions given to them by designated “Dock Patrol” officials. To eliminate confusion and expedite the weigh in process, “Dock Patrol” officials will give instructions regarding which participants can proceed to the scales, boat slip assignments etc. If you are instructed by “Dock Patrol” to keep your fish in the live well, or to stay in your boat until called up to the scale, you MUST comply. Any angler that does not comply with Dock Patrol instruction will be subject to disqualification.