weekend warrior bass series Havasu region

The Weekend Warrior Bass Series here in after known as the (WWBS) is designed for the entry level or average fisherman that works a full time job but still enjoys the thrill of competition.  We want people to be able to have an enjoyable day on the water knowing they are not fishing against a professional angler.

These rules and regulations are the official rules of the WWBS.  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 WWBS event you agree to abide by all of the rules and criteria set forth below. Not following the WWBS rules outlined in this document is grounds for disqualification. 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 WWBS event prior to entering that event.

1: Participation: Participation in a WWBS event is open to anyone providing a team or team member has not:

1. A) Fished MORE than two Pro tournaments per state, per year in the last two years (MLF, BASS, WON, BAM Pro Tour, USAC, etc.) as a PRO (BOATER).  Federation events DO NOT count as Pro tournaments. Once an angler fishes their limit of Pro events they are immediately ineligible to fish any WWBS event, including the WWBS championship.
2. B) Fished as a touring PRO or made the majority of his/her income from fishing in the last TWO years. 
3. C) Been a licensed fishing guide in the last TWO years.

        4.   D.)  Been banned from any tournament series nationwide.

IF YOU COULD/CAN SAY YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE YOU ARE INELIGIBLE! 

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

By participating in the 2024-2025 season, you further agree to the changes in the participation rule for the  2025-2026 season.  If you do not agree to the rule changes for the 2025-2026 season, please refrain from participating in this season of the Weekend Warrior Bass Series. Participation in 2025-2026 will be open to anyone providing the team has not:

1. A) Fished more than two Pro tournaments per calendar year in the last two years (MLF, BASS, WON, BAM Pro Tour, USAC, etc.) as a PRO (BOATER).  Federation events DO NOT count as Pro tournaments. Once an angler fishes their limit of Pro events they are immediately ineligible to fish any WWBS event, including the WWBS championship.
2. B) Fished as a touring PRO or made the majority of his/her income from fishing in the last TWO years. 
3. C) Been a licensed fishing guide in the last TWO years.

        4.   D.)  Been banned from any tournament series nationwide.

If you win Angler of the Year in the 2024-2025 season and become ineligible under the 2025-2026 rule change, you will forfeit your title as Angler of the Year and the privilege to fish for free in the 2025-2026 season. No monetary compensation will be provided for the Angler of the Year award if you are ineligible to fish, even if you have won the title. 

2: Off-limits:  There will be no off limits for the Weekend Warrior Bass Series. You must be off the water by DARK the Friday before the event. Check with the tournament director for championship off-limits.

3: Solicitation of Information: All anglers are expected to locate their own fish.  No angler shall knowingly solicit information or pre-fish with anyone other than an immediate family member, team partner, or another angler eligible to compete in a WWBS event within 14 days of any WWBS event.  No WWBS angler may follow a non-competitor on the water within 14 days of a WWBS event.  No WWBS angler may utilize a non-competitor’s GPS, SD Card, or any other form of electronic device for the purpose of locating fish within 14 days of a WWBS event or during an event. *The only exception to rule #3 is if you are fishing another sanctioned tournament that falls within the 14 day period.

4: Guides: Hiring guides or fishing with a guide for the purpose of locating bass for a WWBS 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 WWBS event is held within 30 days prior to an event shall be subject to disqualification.  WWBS considers splitting prize money or a portion of any prize money with any angler not eligible to fish a WWBS 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 WWBS 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 WWBS, 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 WWBS 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 WWBS participants, competitors, and owners to carry and maintain the state required minimum liability coverage for themselves and their passengers.

10: Championship Qualifications: Points are awarded in every WWBS event starting at 300 for first, 299 for second, 298 for third, etc. Bonus points are given at each event based off of weight caught. Example: Team A wins the tournament with 15.25lbs. They will receive 315.25 points (300 points for first plus 15.25 bonus points).

Any Angler/Team fishing a total of 4 tournaments in their region will make the year end championship for that region.  Any team that fishes a minimum of 3 events in each region will qualify for both championships.

Should a team need an extra event to make the championship they may pay an entry into a qualifying event and not fish.  This can be done one time per team per season.  Teams wishing to exercise this option understand that they will earn the minimum number of points awarded at the event.  These points can not count towards AOY points should the team be in contention for AOY.  The money paid will be paid back at the qualifying event as if it was another boat fishing.  Teams wishing to pay and not fish must contact the tournament director a minimum of one week prior to the qualifying event they wish to pay the entry for.

In the event an angler is unable to make the championship, two qualifying anglers can fish the championship together. This is only allowed if both teams have qualified for the championship and it is approved by the tournament director prior to the championship.

Each championship will have daily options.  DAILY options will be paid back at 100%.

Your boat # at the championship will be determined based off of where in the points you finished the season.  For example AOY will be boat number 1 for day one of the championship.  Teams will go out in reverse on the second day.

11: Partner Designation:  Anglers can fish solo if they choose to do so. If you choose to have a partner, an angler must designate a partner prior to the third event taking place. The points that the solo angler accrued fishing by him/herself will count for the team providing the designated partner DID NOT fish either of the first two events. 

12: Medical Exemption: The tournament director at his discretion may grant an angler a new team partner should the anglers original team partner have to withdraw for the season due to a medical issue.  The team will continue to accrue points providing the angler with the medical issue does not fish the remainder of the season.

13: 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. There will be no use of drones allowed during tournament hours by competing anglers unless it is approved by the tournament director prior to the start of the tournament for media purposes. 

14: 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 or they will be disqualified.  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 WWBS events. 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. 

15: 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.

16: 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. 

17: 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.

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

19. 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. 

20: 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.

21: Sportsmanship: All contestants are to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship. This includes but is not limited to social media comments and posts.  If you have a comment or suggestion regarding the tournament, talk to your tournament director directly. Any angler/team that is found to have brought unfavorable publicity to WWBS, Southwest Custom Tackle, or the sport of bass fishing shall be subject to disqualification.

22: 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.