RULES

Participation in any Fortner Outdoors Group event is voluntary. By registering for or participating in a FOG event, each participant releases Fortner Outdoors Group (FOG), its Tournament Directors, officers, representatives, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, property owners, ramp or marina operators, and other persons or organizations associated with the event from claims for injury, death, property damage, loss, or other damages arising from or related to participation in the event, to the fullest extent permitted by law. For participants who can legally sign a release, this release includes claims arising from the ordinary negligence of a released party. It does not cover wanton or intentional misconduct or waive claims that cannot legally be waived. A parent or guardian acknowledgment does not by itself waive a minor participant’s legal claims where Alabama law does not permit it.

Each participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to hold harmless Fortner Outdoors Group (FOG), its Tournament Directors, officers, representatives, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, property owners, ramp or marina operators, and other persons or organizations associated with a FOG event from claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses resulting from the participant’s actions, conduct, equipment, boat operation, or participation in the event. Each participant is responsible for their own actions and for the safe and lawful operation of any boat, vehicle, trailer, or equipment under their control.

Fishing, boating, launching, retrieving, and participating in outdoor tournament activities involve inherent risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to, changing weather conditions, lightning, wind, waves, extreme temperatures, hazardous water conditions, submerged or floating objects, boat traffic, mechanical or equipment failure, slips and falls, collisions, drowning, injury from fishing equipment, wildlife, and other known or unknown hazards. Each participant knowingly and voluntarily assumes the risks associated with participating in FOG events, including traveling to and from tournament locations, launching and retrieving boats, operating or riding in a boat, fishing, and participating in weigh-in or other tournament activities. Each participant is responsible for determining whether conditions are safe for themselves, their passengers, their boat, and their equipment. The decision to launch, remain on the water, continue fishing, seek shelter, return to the ramp, or withdraw from an event remains the responsibility of the participant.

The Fortner Outdoors Group Tournament Director has final authority over the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of FOG rules during an event. The Tournament Director may interpret these rules, resolve disputes, address circumstances not specifically covered by the rules, assess penalties, disqualify participants when warranted, modify event procedures when reasonably necessary for safety, fairness, or tournament operations, and make other decisions necessary for the proper administration of a FOG event. The Tournament Director may also take reasonable action when unexpected conditions, emergencies, weather, safety concerns, facility issues, or other circumstances affect an event. All Tournament Director decisions regarding tournament administration, rule interpretation, scoring, penalties, protests, eligibility, conduct, and competition matters are final.

All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a safe, respectful, honest, and sportsmanlike manner before, during, and after all Fortner Outdoors Group events. Unsportsmanlike or detrimental conduct may include, but is not limited to, cheating or attempted cheating, dishonesty, fraud, threats, harassment, fighting, abusive or disruptive behavior, intentional interference with another competitor, intentional damage to property, unsafe conduct, or behavior that negatively affects Fortner Outdoors Group (FOG), its Tournament Directors, participants, sponsors, host facilities, property owners, or the reputation and integrity of the organization. Participants are responsible for their own conduct and, when applicable, the conduct of their partner or others acting on their behalf in connection with the event. The Tournament Director may issue a warning, assess a penalty, disqualify a participant, require a participant to leave tournament property, refuse entry into a future event, or take other reasonable action when conduct is determined to be detrimental to the safety, fairness, integrity, reputation, or operation of FOG. Serious or repeated violations may result in suspension or permanent exclusion from future Fortner Outdoors Group events at the discretion of FOG and the Tournament Director.

Participants must be at least 19 years old or have permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate. A participant under 19 must provide a signed parent or guardian acknowledgment and any other required documentation before competing. A parent or guardian signature does not purport to waive the minor’s rights where Alabama law does not permit such a waiver. All participants must satisfy any additional eligibility requirements established for the applicable FOG series, championship, Wildcat tournament, or individual event. FOG and the Tournament Director may refuse or revoke entry when reasonably necessary to protect event safety or integrity.

All participants must comply with applicable Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) fishing rules, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) boating rules, and federal, local, and water-specific requirements. Anglers are responsible for legal fish species, size and possession limits, restricted waters, and other rules for the body of water fished. FOG rules never authorize a violation of law. Special length and possession restrictions vary by Alabama water. A violation of applicable law may also result in a FOG penalty or disqualification at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

Each participant is responsible for possessing all valid fishing licenses, permits, and other credentials required by law for the waters being fished. FOG does not provide fishing licenses and is not responsible for determining whether an individual participant possesses the proper license, permit, exemption, or other required credential. Participants are responsible for understanding and complying with their individual licensing requirements before participating. Failure to possess a required fishing license or permit may result in disqualification in addition to any penalties imposed by the appropriate governmental authority.

Every boat used in a FOG event must comply with applicable U.S. Coast Guard, ALEA, and other federal, state, and local requirements. The operator must ensure the boat is registered, seaworthy, legally equipped, and operated safely. Required equipment may include appropriate personal flotation devices, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, and emergency equipment depending on the vessel and waters. The operator is responsible for the safety of everyone aboard and for the boat’s condition and operation. FOG and its Tournament Director do not guarantee safe water or weather conditions. No participant is required by FOG rules to launch or continue boating when that participant believes conditions are unsafe.

Every person who operates a motorized boat during a FOG event must have completed a boating safety course approved or recognized by the applicable boating authority and must carry proof of completion or certification. This FOG course requirement applies even if an operator might otherwise qualify for an exemption from a state examination. An Alabama resident operator must hold and carry the Alabama vessel operator certification or license required by ALEA. A nonresident operator must hold and carry a valid home-state or home-country boater safety or vessel operator certification that ALEA recognizes for operation on Alabama waters, or a Nonresident Alabama Boater Safety Certification. Each operator must also satisfy any applicable age and supervision restrictions. Proof must be supplied to FOG or the Tournament Director upon request. No one may operate a tournament boat without meeting these requirements.

Every person who brings or operates a boat in a FOG event must maintain current liability insurance covering that boat and its operation for the entire event. The operator must provide proof of coverage to FOG or the Tournament Director upon request. A boat without the required coverage may not be used in competition. Providing false insurance information or operating without coverage is grounds for disqualification and may affect eligibility for future events.

By registering for or participating in a Fortner Outdoors Group event, participants grant FOG permission to photograph, record, film, livestream, or otherwise capture their name, image, likeness, voice, tournament participation, catch, weigh-in, results, awards, and related event activities. Participants authorize FOG to use such material for legitimate FOG purposes, including the FOG website, social media, tournament coverage, promotional materials, advertisements, sponsor materials, printed materials, broadcasts, livestreams, and promotion of current or future FOG events without additional compensation. FOG may identify participants by name in connection with tournament registrations, standings, results, photographs, videos, awards, and other legitimate tournament-related content. For participants under nineteen (19), any media authorization requiring the consent of a parent or legal guardian shall be obtained from the participant’s parent or legal guardian.

Registration for, entry into, or participation in a Fortner Outdoors Group event constitutes acknowledgment that the participant has had the opportunity to review, understands, and agrees to comply with these FOG Standard Rules. Participants further acknowledge that these Standard Rules apply in addition to all rules, requirements, procedures, and conditions established for the specific FOG series, championship, Wildcat tournament, or individual event in which they participate. Participants are responsible for reviewing and understanding all applicable FOG, series, and event rules before competing. The repetition of a FOG Standard Rule within a series or event-specific rule does not replace, waive, reduce, or otherwise limit the application of these Standard Rules. By participating in a FOG event, each participant acknowledges the inherent risks associated with fishing and boating, accepts responsibility for their own safety, actions, equipment, and conduct, agrees to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and agrees to comply with the decisions and authority of the Fortner Outdoors Group Tournament Director.

FOG membership is $30 per person annually. Anyone who is 18 years old or younger on August 31 of the current year is considered a youth and receives a free membership. Memberships are available at fishfog.com. A current FOG membership permits an angler to compete in eligible FOG tournaments. Anglers are encouraged to complete their membership online before tournament day. The FOG season runs from September 1 through August 31 of the following year.

Entry fees vary by event and are listed in the applicable tournament information. Lake-use fees or sales tax may also apply. The Tournament Director may set or change entry fees for an individual event before that event begins.

A team consists of two anglers. An angler may also compete alone and be treated as a team for tournament purposes. Series-specific membership, partner, substitute, and Championship requirements apply where published. Partners and substitutes The registered boater and partner establish the team for the season. The original boater must compete and cannot be replaced through the substitute system. An approved substitute may replace the registered partner up to two times per team during the regular season. The substitute must hold an approved membership for the applicable series. A substitute may fish with more than one team. The registered team retains the event's AOY points, standings position, and qualification credit. Results will identify the people who actually competed as Boater / Substitute (Sub). The substitute's Angler Profile and Member Portal will show their actual shared event statistics. The absent original partner receives no personal event statistics for that event. The substitute receives no AOY points or Championship qualification credit through the host team. Substitutes are not permitted in the Championship. If two registered boaters fish together, they must select which registered team receives the event points. The other team may use a tournament buy-in if eligible under that series' published buy-in rules.

AOY points are awarded to the registered team or solo angler under the series scoring table and the official, finalized tournament results. Event placement points start at 100 for first place, 99 for second place, and decrease by one point for each successive finishing position through the last boat with a fish weighed. The same scale applies to a registered solo angler. A registered team or solo angler that participates in the event but weighs zero fish receives 50 AOY points for that event. A registered boater and partner retain the same team identity throughout the season. When an approved substitute replaces the partner, the registered team retains its points. Where the series requires Championship qualification, a team must fish at least six regular-season events and have a minimum of 300 AOY points. AOY ties are broken in the following order: 1. Most tournament wins. 2. Most second-place finishes. 3. Most third-place finishes. 4. Highest total season weight. 5. Largest bass of the season. 6. Tournament Director decision. Optional series setting: A series may award its regular-season AOY winner or winning team complimentary Championship entry. This benefit applies only when enabled and published for that series.

Tournament winner or winning team: 5 bonus points. Official Big Bass winner or winning team: 5 bonus points. A team winning both awards receives both bonuses, for 10 bonus points. Bonus points are awarded only after results are finalized. A buy-in entry cannot earn tournament-win or Big Bass bonus points. The official tournament and Big Bass tiebreakers determine the respective winners.

Tournament ties are broken in this order: 1. Most fish weighed. 2. Largest largemouth bass. 3. Largest smallmouth bass. 4. Earliest weigh-in. If a tie remains after these criteria, the Tournament Director will decide the outcome.

Every fish presented at weigh-in must meet the applicable legal size limit for the tournament water. Any short fish will be removed from the team's catch, along with 1 pound penalty. A courtesy measuring board will be available.

Only one fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling, including use of a combustion or electric motor to extend a cast or retrieve (sometimes called “strolling”), is prohibited. Only artificial lures may be used; pork trailers are permitted. Bass must be caught in a sporting manner. Intentionally snagging a specific fish is prohibited.

Each boat must carry all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment and have a functional aerated livewell. A legible manufacturer-affixed maximum-capacities placard showing the boat's maximum horsepower rating is required. Falsifying an entry form or altering a motor horsepower marking or capacity placard is grounds for disqualification and may lead to ineligibility for future FOG tournaments. A boat without a factory-installed fuel tank may carry no more than 18 gallons in portable tanks that meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Fuel tanks must be secured in the boat. A team may not place portable fuel tanks or other fuel containers on tournament waters or the shoreline for use before or during the event. The Tournament Director will require each team to demonstrate its engine emergency cutoff switch before official takeoff.

The standard limit is five bass unless fishery guidelines or the Tournament Director establish a different limit for an event. All culling must occur on the water. Teams may not retain more than five bass without culling, and a dead fish may not be culled from the day's catch. If a team brings more than five bass to weigh-in, its catch will be reduced to five by removing its largest fish first. Each dead bass presented at weigh-in incurs a 0.5-pound (8-ounce) deduction from the team's total weight. Dead fish are ineligible for Big Fish awards. Fish that appear altered or mangled will not be weighed.

A team arriving late to check-in is penalized one pound per minute. A team more than 15 minutes late is disqualified. The Tournament Director will communicate any event-specific check-in procedures.

Tournament registration is available online at fishfog.com. Teams are strongly encouraged to pre-register and complete their membership and entry requirements online before arriving at the ramp. Refer to the event page for registration deadlines, payment options, and any event-specific instructions. When on-site registration is offered, it will begin no later than 90 minutes before the scheduled start and normally closes 30 minutes before the start. Cash is accepted for on-site registration. The Tournament Director may accept a late entry at their discretion. Teams must be at the ramp 30 minutes before the start for the pre-tournament meeting. Takeoff order will be determined by entry receipt order or a registration drawing, as announced by the Tournament Director.

The Tournament Director will explain weigh-in procedures at the pre-tournament meeting. Each team must present its catch to tournament officials. After presentation, only officials may handle the fish or operate the scale, basket, or other weigh-in equipment.

Before takeoff, the Tournament Director or a designee will physically inspect competitors' livewells. Fish-care additives are encouraged.

Contestants must act with sportsmanship, courtesy, and respect for conservation, fellow competitors, officials, FOG, and its sponsors. The following are grounds for immediate disqualification: intoxication; use of illegal substances; physical or verbal abuse of officials or members; possession of alcohol or illegal substances in the boat or on one's person during tournament hours, including weigh-in; or unsafe or unsportsmanlike boat operation. Officials may shorten, postpone, or cancel an event because of unsafe weather or water conditions. Safe boating is required. Each contestant must wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device whenever the combustion engine is running, from launch through weigh-in.

The Tournament Director will announce any additional off-limits areas at the pre-tournament meeting. Fishing in an off-limits area results in disqualification. Contestants may fish public tournament waters accessible by boat except where boating, entry, or fishing is prohibited by local, state, or federal authorities. Do not fish within 50 yards of another contestant's boat that was first anchored with its trolling motor raised unless that contestant gives permission. Permission given to one team extends to all teams for that water. Having a noncompetitor hold a fishing location for a team is grounds for disqualification.

Competitors must remain in the boat during the tournament except for illness, brief personal needs, severe weather, or another hazard. A team leaving tournament waters early should attempt to notify the Tournament Director before departure. If a boat becomes disabled, one team member must remain with it. The other may take the day's catch to weigh-in aboard another competitor's boat after contacting the Tournament Director.

Anyone determined to have cheated in a FOG event will be banned from future FOG events. Protests must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director before weigh-in closes. Verbal protests are not accepted.

Members must carry liability insurance on any watercraft used in FOG competition. Failure to carry the required coverage or providing false insurance information results in disqualification.

These general rules remain in effect for the season. Rules and procedures for a specific tournament may be changed before that tournament begins. The Tournament Director will communicate applicable event instructions. The current published rules are available at fishfog.com or from the Tournament Director.

The Tournament Director's decisions concerning rule interpretation, eligibility, penalties, protests, weigh-in, and tournament results are final. All protests, corrections, and requests to change an event result must be submitted to the Tournament Director before the close of weigh-in. When the Tournament Director announces that weigh-in is closed, the tournament is over and its results are final. No entry, catch, weight, penalty, placement, payout, AOY award, or other action for that tournament may be added, changed, or reversed after that time.