guns & hoses

These rules and regulations are the official rules of the Guns and Hoses (G&H).  These rules are subject to change at any time without notice.  It is the responsibility of each competitor to read and understand these rules.  By entering into a G&H event you agree to abide by all of the rules and criteria set forth below.  Furthermore you agree that the tournament director or his representative have the final decision in all matters related to the tournament and its outcome.

Should a protest for eligibility occur the tournament director will withhold any winnings while an investigation into the eligibility of the protested angler takes place.  It is each angler’s responsibility to know and understand the eligibility requirements of any G&H event prior to entering that event.

1: Participation: One person per team must be Sworn/Retired Police and Fire, EMT, Corrections, Probation/Parole, Border Patrol, Current/Retired/ Veterans of all military branches, and Tribal/Federal fire and law enforcement agents. A team cannot consist of more than 2 people. 

The tournament director has the final decision of who is eligible to fish a G&H event.

2: Off-limits:  There will be no off limits for G&H. You must be off the water by DARK the day before the event. 

4: Guides: Hiring guides or fishing with a guide for the purpose of locating bass for a G&H event is strictly prohibited.  Any angler found to have hired a guide or fished with a guide on the body of water in which a G&H event is held within 30 days prior to an event shall be subject to disqualification.  SWCT considers splitting prize money or a portion of any prize money with any angler not eligible to fish a event as hiring a guide. Splitting prize money does not apply if you are fishing another sanctioned tournament and you are partners.

5: Membership: We do not require a membership to fish a G&H event.

6: Safety: All participants shall observe local and state regulations specific to boating safety at all times during practice and competition and do not hold either Lyle Danuser / Southwest Custom Tackle LLC, the G&H, its director, staff, or sponsors liable for anything that happens during an event.  A United States Coast Guard approved life vest must be on and secured by all competitors anytime the outboard motor is on.  The boat operator shall have the ignition shut off device (kill switch) attached to themselves anytime the outboard motor is running. Navigation lights remain on when it is dark.

7: Observers: The tournament director may grant permission for an angler to have an observer in the boat. This observer must be approved by the tournament director prior to registration and is not allowed to fish or assist in landing a fish in any way.  This includes hanging onto an object to keep the boat from moving, handing the competing angler the net, netting the fish, handing the competing angler a rod, lure, or bait, bait selection, etc.  The observer is only there for safety reasons. 

8: Boat/License Requirements: All watercraft that is used during a G&H event if required by law must have attached a US Coast Guard rating plate.  The horsepower of the boat shall not exceed the maximum horsepower requirements stated on the US Coast Guard rating plate.  Each boat shall have a working kill switch, aerated livewells, and be properly registered.  Each contestant must have and provide proof of upon request a current fishing license with necessary stamps or endorsements.  Any citation given by local, state, or federal law enforcement officials shall be grounds for disqualification.

9: Insurance: It is the sole responsibility of all G&H participants, competitors, and owners to carry and maintain the state required minimum liability coverage for themselves and their passengers.

10: Permitted Fish and Fishing Methods: All largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass must be taken in a conventional and sporting manner.  At no time shall any angler be permitted to use more than one rod and one reel at a time.  Anglers shall follow Arizona state regulations concerning quantity of hooks allowable by law.  Intentional snagging of fish shall be grounds for disqualification.  Any fish taken while site fishing must be hooked inside the mouth.  The use of live or cut bait during practice or tournament hours shall be strictly prohibited.  No team shall be allowed to troll using the outboard motor. 

11: Fishable Waters/Tournament limits: Unless lake rules state a lesser number the tournament limit of bass shall be 5 fish per team.  The minimum size limit shall be determined by the tournament director prior to the event.  If no minimum size limit is specified the minimum size shall be 12” for Central Arizona and 13″ for Lake Havasu and the Colorado River (both measured mouth closed and tail pinched on a flat board).  At no time shall a team possess more than a limit of fish.  Once a limit is achieved and the next fish is caught the team must cull immediately.  No culling inside the host marina will be allowed. If one of your fish dies, it is to remain part of your limit and cannot be culled. If your big fish is a dead fish it will still be able to be weighed as a big fish. Only non-puncture cull tags must be used during a G&H event. All fishing and landing of fish must be done from the boat. A contestant may not leave the boat to untangle a fishing line or lure from the boat or any structure. No contestants are permitted to leave their boat in an effort to propel or float their boat to or from fishing waters they could not otherwise reach. The use of push poles is permitted. If the water level drops and you become stuck in a backwater, you may get out of the boat to get out of the area. 

12: Encroachment: While some lakes fish smaller than others, anglers are requested to use common sense and work with other competitors.  As a general rule no team shall pull within 25 yards or 75 feet of another competitor’s boat.  Having a cast land within 10 yards or 30 feet of another competitor’s boat shall be considered encroachment.

13: Penalties: All penalties shall be assessed by the tournament director if necessary.  Dead fish shall have a penalty of .50lbs.  Short fish or illegal fish (in case of slot lakes) shall be a loss of 1lb plus loss of fish.  Don’t be late to check in.  All anglers are required to check in on time with a tournament official.  Any angler/team checking in late will have their catch for the day disqualified.  If an angler’s/team’s check in time is 3:00 you have until the clock turns to 3:01 before you are late. 

14: Mechanical issues: In the case of a mechanical issue one member of the team may bring their fish in with another competitor.  An angler/team can be towed in by any boat not in the tournament.

15: Alcohol and Drugs: The use/possession of alcohol or drugs during the tournament is strictly prohibited and cause for disqualification.

16. Spot Holding/Spot Blocking:  . There will be no spot holding or spot blocking. This includes anglers in or not in the tournament, including but not limited to friends, family, members, or fishing guides. No anglers shall work as a team to guard or block other boats from entering an area of water. If a boater leaves a spot it is no longer his spot. This is a sport of sportsmanship and integrity and we expect everyone to act accordingly. Spot blocking or spot holding will result in disqualification. 

17: Angler Cooperation: All anglers/teams are required to cooperate with tournament officials at all times both on and off the water.  This is included but not limited to a request for polygraphs, pictures, and information for press releases.  All photographs taken by Southwest Custom Tackle LLC staff are the property of SWCT and may be used at any time for social media, advertising, or information purposes.

18: Sportsmanship: All contestants are to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship. This includes but is not limited to social media comments and posts.  Any angler/team that is found to have brought unfavorable publicity to G&H, Southwest Custom Tackle, or the sport of bass fishing shall be subject to disqualification. 

19: Protests: All protests must be given in writing to the tournament director within 30 minutes of the anglers check in time.  It will be the tournament director’s responsibility to make a decision based on the information provided by both parties.  Both parties involved must be readily available for discussion with the tournament director when requested.

20. COVID Regulations:  It is possible that certain agencies that issue Southwest Custom Tackle LLC (SWCT)the permit will require certain safety measures due to COVID.  We respectfully ask that every participant when capable follow these guidelines put in place by the governing agency.  At the same time we respect each person's right to do what they feel is best for their health and well being.  By entering into a Southwest Custom Tackle LLC tournament event you acknowledge that you may or may not come in close contact with another person.  Furthermore, you agree you are entering this event at your own risk and hold harmless Southwest Custom Tackle LLC., and its sponsors.

21. Media Disclaimer: Southwest Custom Tackle LLC has the irrevocable right and permission to use photographs and/or video recordings of tournament anglers on www.swctackle.com, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube.com and other websites, as well as in publications, promotional flyers, or for any other similar purpose without compensation. Photographs and/or video recordings of anglers may be placed on the Internet. Anglers may be identified by name and/or title in printed, Internet or broadcast information that might accompany the photographs and/or video recordings. All anglers waive the right to approve the final product. All such portraits, pictures, photographs, video and audio recordings, and any reproductions thereof, and all plates, negatives, recording tape and digital files are and shall remain the property of Southwest Custom Tackle LLC. Tournament anglers hereby release, acquit and forever discharge Southwest Custom Tackle LLC, its owner and employees from any and all claims, demands, rights, promises, damages and liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use or distribution of said photographs and/or video recordings, including but not limited to any claims for invasion of privacy, appropriation of likeness or defamation.

Guns and Hoses would not be possible without our sponsors. We would like to thank the following people and businesses for your generosity:

Jerry Brown and the WRECORP Roof Consultants 

ZRS Construction

DD26 Fishing

Copper State Tackle & Marine

Upgrade Fishing

8 Up Fishing

Southwest Custom Tackle

Stewart Mechanical 

Reckless Rodents

Comparion Insurance- Zach Meredith

Rix Stix 

Signature Customs

Critter's Custom Baits