top of page

Tournament Rules

🎣 OFFICIAL 2025 JOE POOL LAKE TOURNAMENT RULES

1. DECISIONS & INTERPRETATION

All decisions of the Tournament Director are final and not subject to appeal. The Tournament Director shall have complete discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of all rules. Each competitor agrees to report any rule violation to the Tournament Director immediately upon discovery.
Violation of any tournament rule may result in penalties including:

  • Weight deduction,

  • Loss of fish weight for a specific period,

  • Disqualification for the day,

  • Forfeiture of winnings, or

  • Ineligibility to participate in future events.

Protests must be submitted in writing within 10 minutes of the official closing of the scales.

 

2. PARTICIPATION & ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open to all anglers 18 years of age or older, or teams consisting of one adult and one youth angler under 18. Two-youth teams (both under 18) are permitted with written consent from a parent or guardian and require a boat captain over the age of 18 years of age.

Professional anglers are not eligible. A professional angler is defined as:

  • Any angler who has competed in the Bassmaster Elite Series or Bass Pro Tour within the preceding six months.

  • Any angler who has guided for bass on Joe Pool Lake for pay within 30 days of the tournament.

All participants must possess a valid Texas fishing license if required by Texas laws.

 

3. TEAMS

This is a two-person team event, except for youth teams as stated above. Only registered contestants may be in a boat during tournament hours. No replacement partners are allowed after official check-in unless approved by the Tournament Director.

 

4. TOURNAMENT DATE, HOURS & LOCATION

  • Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025

  • Location: Lloyd Park – Grand Prairie, Texas

  • Launch: Following livewell inspection (begins 6:30AM)

  • Official Start: 7:00 AM

  • Weigh-In: Begins at 3:00 PM at Lloyd Park Pavilion

  • Check-In Deadline: All boats must be in line by 3:30 PM. Late arrivals will be disqualified.

 

5. ENTRY FEES

  • $120 Entry Fee: Includes tournament registration and Lloyd Park gate fee.

  • $150 All-In Entry: Includes tournament registration, gate fee, and Big Bass Pot entry.

  • Entry fees must be paid prior to launch. No refunds after blast-off.

 

6. SAFETY

Safe boating practices must be observed at all times.

  • A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be worn and fully fastened anytime the outboard motor is running.

  • A kill switch lanyard must be attached to the operator whenever the motor is engaged.

  • The driver must remain seated while the motor is in gear.

  • All bridges are IDLE SPEED ONLY.

  • Tournament hours may be delayed, shortened, or canceled due to unsafe weather at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Competitors may seek shelter in severe weather, but no fishing may occur while off the water or under shelter.

 

7. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS

  • Only artificial lures may be used.

  • One rod per angler may be used at any time.

  • Trolling with the combustion motor is prohibited.

  • Live or cut bait is not allowed.

  • All fish must be caught alive and in a sporting manner.

  • Fish must be hooked inside the mouth when sight fishing.

  • Anglers may not leave the boat to land a fish or gain access to water.

Switching or sharing fish between teams is a major rules violation and will result in immediate disqualification.

 

8. SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT

All participants must exhibit integrity, courtesy, safety, and sportsmanship at all times.
Unsportsmanlike conduct includes but is not limited to:

  • Consumption or possession of alcohol or controlled substances during tournament hours.

  • Cheating, rule manipulation, or sharing fish.

  • Interference with another competitor’s fishing area.

  • Any behavior that reflects negatively on the event or its sponsors.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to deny or revoke entry for any reason deemed necessary to preserve tournament integrity.

 

9. COMMUNICATION & ASSISTANCE

During tournament hours, contestants may not receive fishing information from non-competitors via phone, radio, or any other communication device.
In the event of an emergency, call 911 first, then notify the Tournament Director.

 

10. BOAT & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

  • All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards and have functional aerated livewells.

  • Outboard horsepower must not exceed the U.S. Coast Guard maximum for that vessel.

  • Jet drives, airboats, and surface drives are not permitted.

  • All boats must be propeller driven with conventional wheel steering.

  • Minimum of $300,000 liability insurance required.

 

11. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS

  • Tournament waters are limited to Joe Pool Lake and all waters publicly accessible by boat from the main lake.

  • No fishing in restricted or no-fishing zones, marinas, or areas marked by buoys.

  • No fishing within 50 yards of an anchored competitor’s boat (trolling motor up) or within 25 yards of a non-anchored boat unless both teams agree.

 

12. SCORING & WEIGH-IN

  • Only largemouth bass will be counted.

  • Joe Pool Lake Slot Limit:

    • 4 bass under 14 inches and 1 bass over 21 inches per team.

    • Any fish between 14–21 inches must be released immediately.

  • Maximum limit: 5 bass per team.

  • Dead Fish Penalty: 0.50 lbs deducted per dead fish.

  • Short Fish Penalty: Any fish under legal size will not count, and a 1 lb penalty will be assessed.

  • Culling of dead fish is prohibited.

  • Only live fish are eligible for Big Bass.

Weights will be recorded in pounds and hundredths of pounds.

 

13. TIES

In the event of a tie for 1st place, the tie will be broken by the largest single bass weighed. If still tied, the prize money will be split evenly between the tied teams.

 

14. POLYGRAPH & PENALTIES

All contestants agree to submit to a polygraph test if requested by the Tournament Director. Refusal to submit will result in disqualification.
Penalties for violations may include disqualification, loss of prize money, suspension from future tournaments, or other disciplinary action deemed appropriate.

 

15. PAYOUTS

Payouts will be 1st place $500, 2nd place $350, 3rd place $150, Big Bass Pot $500 GUARANTEED payout.

Big Bass Pot will be awarded to the largest bass weighed by a team entered in the optional Big Bass category.

 

16. TOURNAMENT CONTACT

Tournament Director: Phillip Wagner
Phone: 972-816-5320
Email: MansfieldBassFishingTeam@gmail.com

bottom of page