2012 Dewey Mullins Tribute Bass Tourney Schedule/Rules and Regs

If you're a local newcomer and/or never have fished out of West Neck Marina in Virginia Beach, you may not be aware that we hold bass tournaments every couple weeks or so. We usually start in late March or early April and conclude in October.

The 2012 season is in full swing now, and if you're even remotely interested in joining us, here's our complete tourney schedule, as well as our rules and regs:

2012

Dewey Mullins Tribute Bass Tourneys

Schedule

(Subject to change because of weather/water conditions)

(Note: All tourneys will start at safe light, so times listed below are only a general guide.)

March 31 (0700-1500)                   August 4 (0600-1400)
                                                             18 (0630-1430)
April 14 (0630-1430)                               25 (0630-1430)
         21 (0630-1430)
                                                   September 8 (0630-1430)
May 5 (0600-1400)                                       22 (0700-1500)
      12 (0600-1400)                                       29 (0700-1500)

June 2 (0600-1400)                        October 13-14 (Classic weekend,
        9 (0600-1400)                              with cookout following early
       23 (0600-1400)                              weigh-in Sunday) (Fishing hours
                                                           Sat. 0700-1500, Sun. 0700-1300)

July 14 (0600-1400)
        28 (0600-1400)

Note: This schedule reflects observance of the following holidays/holiday weekends and special events:

Easter (April 8)
Mother's Day (May 13)
Region 7 Intercoastal Waterway Tourney (May 19)
Memorial Day (May 28)
Cancer Classic (June 10)
Father's Day (June 17)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (September 3)
Region 7 Open (Don Sprinkle) (October 7)
BFN Fall Classic (October 20-21)
TBF Fall Classic (October 27-28)

2012

Dewey Mullins Tribute Bass Tourneys

Rules & Regulations

Entry Fees 

Tournament: $25 per angler, except for two-day Classic, in which entry     fee will be $50 per angler. (To be eligible to fish the Classic,  anglers must have fished at least 4 other tourneys during 2012.)

Big Bass Pot (optional): $5 per angler, except for two-day Classic, in     which the fee will be $10 per angler. (Note: This fee must have been paid prior to start of tournament to be eligible to win.)

Season Lunker Pot (optional): $2 per angler (Note: This fee must have been paid for and angler must have fished in at least 9 tournaments to be eligible to win.)

(Note: $5 ramp/parking fee also will be collected, along with the entry and pot fees, from all participants, except those who store their  boats at West Neck Marina and have unlimited ramp usage as part of their rental agreement.)


Payouts

10%, or $2.50, of each participant's entry fee for each regular tourney, and $5 of each participant's entry fee in the Classic, will be Dewey's cut. A $2 fee (or approximately 1% of the total money collected) also will be taken off the top at each tourney to pay the annual renewal cost of the maintenance contract for the digital scales used in our tourneys. (Note: This maintenance contract ensures our scales get repaired or replaced should they ever break.) The remainder, amounting to approximately 89% of the total purse collected, will be paid out as follows:

     2-9 anglers: 1st place, no split
     10-19 anglers: 1st & 2nd places, split 60-40
     20-29 anglers: 1st, 2nd & 3rd places, split 50-30-20
     30-39 anglers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th places, split 50-25-15-10
     40-49 anglers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th places, split 50-20-15-10-5
    50-59 anglers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th places, split 42-27-11-
                           9-6-5

                                        
 Tournament Rules

* Sportsmanship and honesty are rule No. 1.

* Livewells of all participating boats must be checked before the start
    of each tournament.

* Largemouth bass only, 12-inch minimum, 5-fish limit per boat.
   No more than 5 fish shall be in a boat's livewell at any time during a
   tournament. That means if/when you catch a 6th fish, you cull
   immediately--no keeping a 6th fish in the livewell in case one dies on
   you.

* Artificial baits only--no live bait, even as trailers. Likewise, umbrella
   rigs are not allowed. Anyone caught using such a rig automatically
   will be disqualified.

* Life jackets must be worn anytime the outboard motor is in operation.

* Dead fish penalty: 4 ounces (or 0.25, in decimal numbers) per dead fish.

* Short fish (less than 12 inches): individual/team loses that short fish
   and biggest fish as a penalty.

* All boats/participants must be within the boat basin (e.g., that area     
   located directly in front of the marina store) by scheduled weigh-in
   time to avoid disqualification--no exceptions. As you approach this
   area, remember that you're in a "no wake" zone (e.g., don't cut your
   return so close that you have to ignore the "no wake" signs.) All fish
   must be weighed in prior to trailering boats. 
  
* The area between the channel marker with the "off limits to tournament
   fishing" sign and the boat basin is forbidden territory for all tournament
   anglers. Any participants caught fishing in that area on tournament day
   will be disqualified.     

* Any weather/water conditions that may place participants in harm's
    way will be cause to cancel a scheduled tournament. Dewey (the
    tournament director) will have final say in allowing boats to launch.
   All participants who desire notification of such actions in advance
   (when possible) should ensure they have provided Ken Testorff (the
   tournament organizer) a phone number (home and/or cell), as well as an
   email address.
  
* In case of a tie for big bass, largest total weight of the tied
   individuals/teams will be the deciding factor. In similar fashion, a tie
   for largest total weight will be decided by the big bass of the tied
   individuals/teams.
    
* While participants generally are discouraged from leaving their boats
    during tournament hours, it's recognized we can't always control the 
   urgency of normal bodily functions. Accordingly, anyone who needs to
   make an emergency "pit stop" has two options: You may stop in a
   secluded area along a stretch of shoreline, as long as you leave all
   fishing equipment in the boat and return there immediately after taking
   care of business. Or, you may call Dewey (or his appointed substitute
   tourney director) and arrange permission to return to West Neck Marina
   and use the toilet facilities there. If you choose the latter option, you
   must tie off your boat at the dock in front of the store--NOT at the ramp.
   Anyone who doesn't follow this guidance is automatically disqualified
   from the day's competition.

* The digital scales for which we have a maintenance contract will
   continue to be used for weigh-in at all of our tournaments. The scales
   will be set to measure in decimal numbers, and the AC power cord
   always must be used to ensure accuracy. The tournament organizer or
   volunteers familiar with operation of the scales are allowed and
   encouraged to assist the tournament director at all weigh-ins,
   especially if they arrive ahead of the others. The ideal situation is to
   have one person doing the weighing, and another person entering the
   numbers on the weigh-in sheet.