SPRO Frog Tournament Rules
These rules and regulations are the official rules for the SPRO Frog Tournaments. These rules are subject to change at any time without notice. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand these rules. By entering into a SPRO event you agree to abide by all of the rules and criteria set forth below. Furthermore, you agree that the tournament director or his representative have the final decision in all matters related to the tournament and its outcome.
Should a protest occur the tournament director/SPRO may withhold any winnings while an investigation into the protested angler takes place. It is each angler’s responsibility to know and understand the rules prior to registering for any SPRO event.
1: Participation: Participation in a SPRO event is open to anyone providing a team or team member has not:
A) Fished as a PRO (BOATER) in a BASS Elite Series, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, or MLF event in the last 3 years.
B) Guided on Lake Guntersville within 3 years of the event.
The tournament director has the final decision of who is eligible to fish a SPRO event.
2: Off-limits: There will be no off limits for pre-fishing. No fishing within 50 feet of a working gas pump. No fishing within 25 yards of another boat first anchored with the trolling motor up. No fishing in any area that is marked “No Entry”, “No Fishing”, or that implies no fishing or access by local, state, or federal officials.
3: Solicitation of Information: All anglers are expected to locate their own fish. No angler shall knowingly solicit information or pre-fish with anyone other than an immediate family member, team partner, or another angler eligible to compete in a SPRO event after the registration deadline without prior written consent from SPRO or the tournament director.
4: Guides: Hiring guides for the purpose of locating bass for a SPRO event is strictly prohibited. Any angler found to have hired a guide on the body of water in which a SPRO event is held after the entry fee is paid shall be subject to disqualification. SPRO considers splitting prize money or a portion of any prize money with any angler not eligible to fish a SPRO event as hiring a guide.
5: Membership: We do not require a membership to fish a SPRO event.
6: Safety: All participants shall observe local and state regulations specific to boating safety at all times during practice and competition and do not hold either the SPRO, its director, staff, or sponsors liable for anything that happens during an event. A United States Coast Guard approved life vest must be on and secured by all competitors anytime the outboard motor is on. The boat operator shall have the ignition shut off device (kill switch) attached to themselves anytime the outboard motor is running.
7: Observers: The tournament director may grant permission for an angler to have an observer in the boat. This observer must be approved by the tournament director prior to registration and is not allowed to fish or assist in landing a fish in anyway. This includes hanging onto an object to keep the boat from moving, handing the competing angler the net, netting the fish, handing the competing angler a rod, lure, or bait, bait selection, etc. The observer is only there for safety reasons.
8: Boat/License Requirements: All watercraft that is used during a SPRO event if required by law must have attached a US Coast Guard rating plate. The horsepower of the boat shall not exceed the maximum horsepower requirements stated on the US Coast Guard rating plate. Each boat shall have a working kill switch, aerated live-wells, and be properly registered. Each contestant must have and provide proof of upon request a current fishing license with necessary stamps or endorsements. Any citation given by local, state, or federal law enforcement officials shall be grounds for disqualification.
9: Insurance: It is the sole responsibility of all SPRO participants, competitors, and owners to carry and maintain the state required minimum liability coverage for themselves and their passengers.
10: Permitted Fish and Fishing Methods: All largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass must be taken in a conventional and sporting manner. At no time shall any angler be permitted to use more than one rod, one reel, and one bait at a time. Anglers are only permitted to use the SPRO baits approved for the SPRO tournament they are entered in.
a) FROGS MUST BE WORKED ON THE SURFACE
b) BAITS MAY NOT BE ALTERED IN COLOR IN ANY WAY
c) YOU MAY OPEN THE HOOKS
d) YOU MAY TRIM THE LEGS
e) YOU MAY ADD BB’S OR RATTLES
f) YOU MAY USE SCENT
11: Tournament limits: Unless lake rules state a lesser number the tournament limit of bass shall be 5 fish per team. The minimum size limit shall be determined by the tournament director prior to the event. At no time shall a team posses more than a limit of fish. Once a limit is achieved and the next fish is caught the team must cull immediately. No culling inside the host marina will be allowed.
12: Encroachment: While some lakes fish smaller than other anglers are requested to use common sense and work with other competitors. As a general rule no team shall pull within 25 yards or 75 feet of another competitor’s boat. Having a cast land within 10 yards or 30 feet of another competitor’s boat shall be considered encroachment.
13: Penalties: All penalties shall be assessed by the tournament director if necessary. Dead fish shall have a penalty of .50lbs. Short fish or illegal fish (in case of slot lakes) shall be a loss of 1lb plus loss of fish. Don’t be late to check in. All anglers are required to check in on time with a tournament official. Any angler/team checking in late will have their catch for the day disqualified. If an angler’s/team’s check in time is 3:00 you have until the clock turns to 3:01 before you are late.
14: Mechanical issues: In the case of a mechanical issue one member of the team may bring their fish in with another competitor. An angler/team can be towed in by any boat not in the tournament.
15: Alcohol and Drugs: The use/possession of alcohol or drugs during tournament hours is strictly prohibited.
16: Angler Cooperation: All anglers/teams are required to cooperate with tournament officials at all times both on and off the water. This is included but not limited to request for polygraphs, pictures, and information for press releases. All photographs taken by SPRO staff are the property of SPRO & JML Outdoors and may be used at any time for advertising or information purposes.
17: Sportsmanship: All contestants are to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship. Any angler/team that is found to have brought unfavorable publicity to SPRO or the sport of bass fishing shall be subject to disqualification.
18: Protests: All protests must be given in writing to the tournament director within 30 minutes of the anglers check in time. It will be the tournament director’s responsibility to make a decision based off of the information provided by both parties. Both parties involved must be readily available for discussion with the tournament director when requested.
These rules and regulations are the official rules for the SPRO Frog Tournaments. These rules are subject to change at any time without notice. It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand these rules. By entering into a SPRO event you agree to abide by all of the rules and criteria set forth below. Furthermore, you agree that the tournament director or his representative have the final decision in all matters related to the tournament and its outcome.
Should a protest occur the tournament director/SPRO may withhold any winnings while an investigation into the protested angler takes place. It is each angler’s responsibility to know and understand the rules prior to registering for any SPRO event.
1: Participation: Participation in a SPRO event is open to anyone providing a team or team member has not:
A) Fished as a PRO (BOATER) Tackle Warehouse Tour, Bass Pro Tour, BASS Elite Series and NPFL event in the last 3 years.
B) Guided on Lake Guntersville within 3 years of the event.
The tournament director has the final decision of who is eligible to fish a SPRO event.
2: Off-limits: There will be no off limits for pre-fishing. No fishing within 50 feet of a working gas pump. No fishing within 25 yards of another boat first anchored with the trolling motor up. No fishing in any area that is marked “No Entry”, “No Fishing”, or that implies no fishing or access by local, state, or federal officials.
3: Solicitation of Information: All anglers are expected to locate their own fish. No angler shall knowingly solicit information or pre-fish with anyone other than an immediate family member, team partner, or another angler eligible to compete in a SPRO event after the registration deadline without prior written consent from SPRO or the tournament director.
4: Guides: Hiring guides for the purpose of locating bass for a SPRO event is strictly prohibited. Any angler found to have hired a guide on the body of water in which a SPRO event is held after the entry fee is paid shall be subject to disqualification. SPRO considers splitting prize money or a portion of any prize money with any angler not eligible to fish a SPRO event as hiring a guide.
5: Membership: We do not require a membership to fish a SPRO event.
6: Safety: All participants shall observe local and state regulations specific to boating safety at all times during practice and competition and do not hold either the SPRO, its director, staff, or sponsors liable for anything that happens during an event. A United States Coast Guard approved life vest must be on and secured by all competitors anytime the outboard motor is on. The boat operator shall have the ignition shut off device (kill switch) attached to themselves anytime the outboard motor is running.
7: Observers: The tournament director may grant permission for an angler to have an observer in the boat. This observer must be approved by the tournament director prior to registration and is not allowed to fish or assist in landing a fish in anyway. This includes hanging onto an object to keep the boat from moving, handing the competing angler the net, netting the fish, handing the competing angler a rod, lure, or bait, bait selection, etc. The observer is only there for safety reasons.
8: Boat/License Requirements: All watercraft that is used during a SPRO event if required by law must have attached a US Coast Guard rating plate. The horsepower of the boat shall not exceed the maximum horsepower requirements stated on the US Coast Guard rating plate. Each boat shall have a working kill switch, aerated live-wells, and be properly registered. Each contestant must have and provide proof of upon request a current fishing license with necessary stamps or endorsements. Any citation given by local, state, or federal law enforcement officials shall be grounds for disqualification.
9: Insurance: It is the sole responsibility of all SPRO participants, competitors, and owners to carry and maintain the state required minimum liability coverage for themselves and their passengers.
10: Permitted Fish and Fishing Methods: All largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass must be taken in a conventional and sporting manner. At no time shall any angler be permitted to use more than one rod, one reel, and one bait at a time. Anglers are only permitted to use the SPRO baits approved for the SPRO tournament they are entered in.
a) FROGS MUST BE WORKED ON THE SURFACE
b) BAITS MAY NOT BE ALTERED IN COLOR IN ANY WAY
c) YOU MAY OPEN THE HOOKS
d) YOU MAY TRIM THE LEGS
e) YOU MAY ADD BB’S OR RATTLES
f) YOU MAY USE SCENT
11: Tournament limits: Unless lake rules state a lesser number the tournament limit of bass shall be 5 fish per team. The minimum size limit shall be determined by the tournament director prior to the event. At no time shall a team posses more than a limit of fish. Once a limit is achieved and the next fish is caught the team must cull immediately. No culling inside the host marina will be allowed.
12: Encroachment: While some lakes fish smaller than other anglers are requested to use common sense and work with other competitors. As a general rule no team shall pull within 25 yards or 75 feet of another competitor’s boat. Having a cast land within 10 yards or 30 feet of another competitor’s boat shall be considered encroachment.
13: Penalties: All penalties shall be assessed by the tournament director if necessary. Dead fish shall have a penalty of .50lbs. Short fish or illegal fish (in case of slot lakes) shall be a loss of 1lb plus loss of fish. Don’t be late to check in. All anglers are required to check in on time with a tournament official. Any angler/team checking in late will have their catch for the day disqualified. If an angler’s/team’s check in time is 3:00 you have until the clock turns to 3:01 before you are late.
14: Mechanical issues: In the case of a mechanical issue one member of the team may bring their fish in with another competitor. An angler/team can be towed in by any boat not in the tournament.
15: Alcohol and Drugs: The use/possession of alcohol or drugs during tournament hours is strictly prohibited.
16: Angler Cooperation: All anglers/teams are required to cooperate with tournament officials at all times both on and off the water. This is included but not limited to request for polygraphs, pictures, and information for press releases. All photographs taken by SPRO staff are the property of SPRO & JML Outdoors and may be used at any time for advertising or information purposes.
17: Sportsmanship: All contestants are to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship. Any angler/team that is found to have brought unfavorable publicity to SPRO or the sport of bass fishing shall be subject to disqualification.
18: Protests: All protests must be given in writing to the tournament director within 30 minutes of the anglers check in time. It will be the tournament director’s responsibility to make a decision based off of the information provided by both parties. Both parties involved must be readily available for discussion with the tournament director when requested.