SPORTSMANSHIP

Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or violates state fish and game regulations will be disqualified. Good sportsmanship must also be shown to non-tournament anglers.

SAFETY

Safe boating conduct and all safety precautions must be observed at all times.Every participant must have a life vest and other safety equipment as specified by the Coast Guard Life vests must be worn and kill switches attached whenever the combustion engine is running.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Adults are defined as individuals aged sixteen (16) or older at the start of the fishing season.Youth participants who begin the season at age fifteen (15) will be considered fifteen for the entire season.All boats in a club tournament must be operated by a current member or associate member of the club aged eighteen (18) or older.

TACKLE

Only artificial lures may be used.Prepared live bait, other than pork-type strips or rinds, is prohibited.Only rods and reels are permitted, with only one rod in use at a time.Electrical and mechanical devices (e.g., fish finders, thermometers) and landing nets are allowed.A live well or suitable substitute is required.Underwater cameras are prohibited.

FISHING WATERS

All club tournaments are no-touch tournaments Fishing must be conducted from a boat.Contestants must leave and return to the starting point by boat. Boats cannot be trailered between fishing locations during tournament hours.

FISHING HOURS

Fishing hours will be determined during the pre-tournament meeting.Members unable to start at the designated time may begin fishing after locating another club member on the lake for a live well check.Failure to conduct a live well check will result in disqualification.

OFF-LIMITS PERIOD

A no-fishing period begins at midnight on Wednesday prior to each event and applies only to the specific body of water where the event will be held.Violations of the off-limits period result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees.Exemptions may be made depending on the body of water or traveling distance for the tournament. 

PENALTIES

Late check-ins at the official checkpoint incur an eight (8)-ounce penalty per minute.Boat or motor trouble excusing lateness must be verified by another contestant.Teams weighing in a fish under twelve (12) inches will be disqualified.Dead fish incur an eight (8)-ounce penalty per fish.Dead fish cannot be culled.Weigh-in limits are five (5) fish per team/boat unless otherwise stated.To qualify for the big fish prize, the fish must be alive.

GUEST PARTICIPATION

Guests may participate in one (1) IBM Club Tournament per year if partnered with a current member in good standing.Guests wishing to fish for additional tournaments must become members by 8:00 PM on the Wednesday the week prior to the event.All "OPEN" events are open to the public and do not require membership.

SCORING

Scoring is based on the total weight of each team’s catch.Ties are broken by the weight of the biggest fish; further ties split the combined payout evenly. A year-end big fish award is given for the largest fish caught during a club tournament.

POINT SYSTEM

Points are awarded based on placement:1st place: 300 points2nd place: 295 points3rd place: 290 points, and so on.Teams with no fish receive half the points of the last catching place.Points accumulate throughout the season, with one tournament and one meeting throw-out applied to determine:Team of the Year (TOY)Youth Angler of the Year (YAOY)Ten (10) bonus points are awarded for attending regular meetings or sharing techniques at meetings.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

To qualify for the Club Championship, members must:

Participate in at least three (3) club tournaments during the season orBe in the top 20, in points for Team of the Year (TOY) standings whichever is higher.

SNOW BOWL

The top five (5) teams in points after the Club Championship represent IBM at the Snow Bowl.If a top team is unavailable, the next team in points will be offered the opportunity.

CHALLENGES

Notify a club officer within fifteen (15) minutes of the official weigh-in time.The Tournament Director will issue a final ruling before payouts.

FEES AND PAYOUTS

Entry Fee: $100 per team/boat$20: Championship tournament pot$3: Club fees$3: Year-end big fish award$5: Angler of the Year (AOY) award$59: Top three teams’ payouts$10: Big Fish prizePayouts:1st place: 50%2nd place: 30%3rd place: 20%Big Fish prize is 100% of the big fish pot.

NO WAKE ZONES

Contestants must comply with all no-wake zones.Violations result in disqualification.No-wake zones will be reviewed during the pre-tournament meeting.

ILLEGAL DRUG USE/ALCOHOL USE 

Illegal drug use during club events is prohibited.The consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited during tournament fishing hours and if you are operating as a release boat. Violators will be disqualified and barred from future participation.Entry fees or membership fees will not be refunded.

NO-PUNCTURE CULL TAGS

Only non-puncturing cull tags are allowed.Violation results in disqualification.

ADDITIONAL RULES

Boater Meeting Requirement: All participants are required to attend the boater meeting prior to each event in order to compete. If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from attending, you must contact an IBM board member as soon as possible. Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis following a discussion among the board members. Club dues are payable one (1) week prior to an event.Tournament entry fees may be paid at any time prior to an event (cash only at the ramp).Bag limits: Five (5) fish per team/boat; Youth anglers: Two (2) fish per angler.Youth-specific rules are outlined in the IBM Youth Tournament Rules.Board members serve two-year terms and are voted in semi-annually..No-cost raffle winners receive a ten (10)-minute head start at the next tournament.

REVISION NOTES

These rules remain in effect until amended or revised by the club board.Last revised January 30, 2025.Approved by board members Lance Pitcher, Andrew Myers, Jarrod Kelsey, Rick Funk, Elvis Kararic, and Sam Marvin.