IBM Open Bass Fishing Tournament Rules

DATE:  March 28th, 2026

LOCATION:  Brownlee Reservoir-Woodhead Ramp 

PAYOUT:  85% PAYBACK OR MORE of the payout back

The breakdown follows~90% of the pot is paid 1 place for every 5 entries and Big fish 10% 2 places 70/30  

OFF LIMITS:  12:01 am Monday, March 23, 2026, to Blast off Saturday, March 28, 2026. No tournament angler or boat is permitted on tournament water during off limits dates. 

PRE-TOURNAMENT MEETING:  Friday, March 27, 2026, 8:00pm. Location TBD

TIME:  Blast off will occur at safe light 

WEIGH-IN TIMES:  Flights and weigh in times will be determined by Thursday the week of the tournament. Flights will be dependant on the number of boats. 

FISH LIMIT:  Five (5) fish limit with minimum length of 12” 

BOAT DRAW:  Starting order boat draw will be March 26, 2026, 6pm via the Idaho Bassmasters Facebook page.  

****NO LATE BOAT ENTRIES ACCEPTED. 

CANCELLATION/WITHDRAWAL:  No refund of paid tournament fees with finalization of boat draw. 

FIRST OUT, LAST IN RAFFLE:  Raffle drawing will be held before blast off Saturday morning of the tournament.

Tickets will be available for $5/each or 5/$20. WINNING TICKET WILL HAVE A 10 MINUTE ADVANCE START.

SPORTSMANSHIP:  Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates tournament rules or is ticketed for 

violations of State fish and game laws and/or State law will be disqualified. Good sportsmanship and fair play should be directed at non-tournament anglers who may be on the lake during the period of the tournament in addition to other tournament participants. 

SAFETY:  Safe boating conduct and all safety precautions must be observed at all times by all contestants.  All contestants must have a life vest and other safety equipment as specified by the Coast Guard.  Life vests must be worn, and the kill switch attached to the driver when the internal combustion engine is running. Boat breakdown:  Signal and notify other boaters that HELP is needed in your boat.  It is HIGHLY recommended to accept first offer of assistance. 

Tackle:  Only artificial lures may be used.  No prepared or live bait, other than pork type strips or rinds, is permitted.  Only rods and reels are permitted. Only one rod may be in use and in the water at any one time, however, any number of rigged rods may be in the boat for substitute purposes.  Electrical and mechanical devices such as depth meter, Color-C-elector, thermometers and oxygen meters may be used.  Landing nets are permitted.  A live well or suitable substitute is required.   

PERMITTED FISHING WATERS: This tournament has a No Touch Rule.  All fishing must be done from a boat.  All contestants must leave and return to the tournament launch point within tournament hours.  Water boundaries include all SLACK WATERS of Brownlee Reservoir from the RAILROAD TRESTLE BRIDGE upstream of Spring Camp to Brownlee Dam water buoys at power inlet. No fishing allowed in the launch ramp area cove point to cove point. 

FISHING HOURS:  To be confirmed at the pre-tournament meeting. 

CHECKING IN: Tournament boats must check in with the official at check point when returning to weigh in. This is mandatory for participant safety.  Checking in more than ten (10) minutes late will result in disqualification. 

PENALTIES:  Contestants who have not checked in at the official weigh-in check point on time will be penalized one (1) pound of weight for every minute of tardiness.  Contestants who check in more than ten (10) minutes late will lose all credit for the days catch.  Boat and/or motor trouble are not exceptions.  Anyone weighing in a fish smaller than twelve (12) inches will lose all credit for the days catch. Fish will be measured mouth closed on a FLAT board.  Fanning of the tail is permitted.  No more than five (5) fish are permitted in boats live well at all times.  Boats with more than five (5) fish will be disqualified for that days contest. Big fish must be alive to qualify as big fish. A finding that contestant(s) and/or boat was on tournament water during off limits dates will result in disqualification. 

SCORING:  Scoring will be determined by the total weight of each team's catch.  Tournament limit will be five (5), twelve (12) inch or longer fish per team.  An ½ POUND deduction penalty will be assessed for each dead fish weighed in.  In case of a tie, largest single fish among contenders will determine the winner. In case of a tie for largest fish, the highest team weight determines the winner. 

COMPLAINTS:  Complaints must be submitted to the TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR in writing no later than 30 minutes after final weigh-in.  Decisions of the tournament officials are final. 

ALCOHOL/NARCOTICS:  Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages and/or narcotics are prohibited while the boat is in the water.  Narcotics with medical prescription excluded.  Violation will result in disqualification. 

STARTING POSITION:  NO trading of starting positions.  To do so will result in disqualification of all teams involved.    

POLYGRAPH TESTING:  Polygraph testing procedures per FLW/TBF tournament rules will be followed.  Contestant winnings may be withheld pending outcome of polygraph test results at discretion of Tournament Officials. 

Rules:  This event will follow FLW/TBF tournament rules if additional references and clarifications are required.