Rules & Maps
Everything you need to know before you compete. Read all rules carefully — every angler must sign off that they have received and understand the rules and waiver at their first event.
3 Divisions
Cal Sag · Big Lake · South Shore
18+ Only
Age requirement to compete
Artificial Only
No live or once-living bait permitted
Eligibility & Membership
Participation is open to anglers of any sex who are current members of Cal Sag & Big Lake Bass.
Requirements
- Must be a paid CSB or BLB member
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must sign off on rules & waiver at your first event
Pre-Tournament Practice
No off-limits restrictions during the week before a tournament. The day before, all anglers must be off the water by dusk.
Off-Limits Areas
Off-limits zones are marked on Division Rules Forms and reviewed at each pre-tournament meeting. No spots may be reserved. All fishing must be done from the boat.
Sportsmanship
Besides Safety, Sportsmanship is the absolute most important rule for any Cal Sag and Big Lake. This is a simple rule — treat everyone competing as you would want to be treated.
General Conduct
If an angler is determined to not be using good sportsmanship and is proven to have done something intentionally against what would be deemed common decency during an event, the tournament committee will vote on whether to disqualify and possibly ban the angler.
On the Water
Do not pull in front of anglers working a shoreline. Buzzing a fishing angler is prohibited — do not run your boat at high speed within 50 feet of another angler. You cannot fish within 50 yards of an anchored angler. Power Poles and Talons count as anchors when the trolling motor is stowed.
Assist Fellow Anglers
If an angler is stranded or needs help you are encouraged to help. If an angler is broke down or experiencing mechanical issues, we want you to help and tow a competitor into the dock. Please read the breakdown rules under Safety carefully.
Safety & Boating Requirements
Safe boating conduct must always be practiced and all no wake rules followed. Each competitor is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times whenever the combustion engine is running.
THE CAL SAG BASS ORGANIZATION IS NOT LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR BODILY INJURY OR HARM OF ANY ANGLER OR PARTY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. CAL SAG AND BIG LAKE BASS IS ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ONE OF ITS REGISTERED ANGLERS DURING OR NOT DURING TOURNAMENT HOURS. WE DO CARRY INSURANCE TO PROTECT ITS MEMBERS BUT SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY OR HARM CAUSED BY ANYONE AT ANY TIME.
Life Preserver Required
Each competitor must wear a USCG approved life preserver at all times when the combustion engine is running. All boats must be equipped with an ignition kill switch with lanyard attached to the operator at all times. Failure to comply results in immediate disqualification.
No Wake Zones
All no wake rules must be followed at all times as communicated by the Tournament Director and shown in Division Specific Rules Forms. Do not pass another boat in a no wake zone unless verbal communication is exchanged. Violations result in immediate disqualification.
Cell Phone Usage
No angler may use their cell phone to contact a fellow angler for competitive advantages. Cell phones may only be used for emergency purposes. Anglers experiencing safety emergencies must communicate all current events to the President immediately.
Leaving Your Boat
No angler may leave their boat unless staying aboard would result in personal injury or property destruction. You must maintain a portion of your body inside the gunnel when actively fishing. You may not leave to retrieve a lure or land a fish. Leaving the boat for fishing-related reasons is an immediate disqualification.
Boating Requirements
- HP cannot exceed the maximum B.I.A. (badged) rating for the watercraft
- Boat must be at least 14 feet in length and in seaworthy condition
- Working aerated livewell capable of keeping fish alive for 9+ hours
- Must meet all Indiana & Illinois Coast Guard requirements
Weather & Cancellations
- BLB cancellations determined 24 hours in advance via NOAA wave reports
- A Small Craft Advisory automatically cancels the BLB event
- Tournament Committee may postpone any event start time
Boat Breakdown Procedure
STEP 1
Notify the Tournament Director one hour before the announced check-in time.
STEP 2
Another competing angler may tow you in. The towing angler has one hour after check-in to weigh their fish.
STEP 3
At no time may a broken-down angler place their fish in a competitors live well under any circumstances.
STEP 4
The angler with an inoperable boat must still check in on time with their boat in the water to weigh eligible fish.
Fishing Rules & Tackle
Bait & Lures
- Artificial lures only — no live or once-living bait
- Commercially prepared attractants, sprays & dips are permitted
- One rod at a time; maximum rod length 10 feet
- Alabama/Umbrella Rig up to 5 hooks legal on NON 2-pole-and-line waters (Lake Michigan, Chicago River, Lake Calumet)
- Jerkbaits and topwater walking rigs may not exceed 3 treble hooks
- Snagging hooks are banned
Fish Limits & Species
- CSB: Max 5 fish, minimum 12 inches
- BLB: Max 3 fish, minimum 14 inches
- Eligible species: largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass only
- All IL & IN state regulations apply
- Fish intentionally snagged off a spawning bed during sight fishing will not count
Tournament Day Procedures
Livewell Checks
Conducted before blast-off by the President, Weigh Master, Tournament Director, or Co-Director(s). When possible, checks occur before anglers enter the water and register.
Boat Draw & Blast Off
- Starting positions drawn at the mandatory pre-tournament meeting
- Last boat drawn is the Call Boat
- Each angler must break the bow plane past the Call Boat before beginning their day
- Maintain numerical parade sequence directly behind the boat ahead
- 2nd blast-off infraction = automatic DQ
Check-In
- Check-in location announced at the pre-tournament meeting
- 1 lb per minute penalty for late arrival
- Not “late” until the first minute of the announced hour or half-hour begins
- More than 15 minutes late = DQ & 0 AOY points
Scoring, AOY & Championship
Places are determined by total weight. Ties are broken by big bass; if still tied, prize money is split evenly.
AOY Points System
Finish
Points
1st Place
60 pts
2nd Place
58 pts
Each descending place
−1 per place
No fish weighed
15 pts
Disqualification
0 pts
🏆 $1,000 prize + trophy awarded to AOY winner in each division. AOY = best 5 events fished; tiebreaker is total season weight.
Championship Entry Fees
Events Fished
Entry Fee
5 events
$240
4 events
$360
3 events
$480
2 events
$600
1 event
$720
Top 5 AOY Anglers
Half of applicable fee
🎖️ Championship winner receives the Belt. Biggest bass of the tournament earns a plaque.
Penalties & Disqualifications
Weight Penalties
- ½ lb Deduction
Per dead fish at weigh-in. Dead fish may not be entered as Big Bass.
- 1 lb / Minute
Late arrival to check-in. Not "late" until the first minute of the announced hour/half-hour begins.
- Short Fish
That fish and your largest fish are both removed from total weight.
Automatic Disqualifications — No Warnings
- DQ
Not wearing life jacket when combustion engine is running
- DQ
Running a posted no wake zone
- DQ
Over 15 minutes late to check-in (0 AOY points)
- DQ
Over-limit fish in livewell — 5+ CSB or 3+ BLB
- DQ
Culling a dead fish from the livewell
- DQ
Fishing in off-limits areas or outside legal hours
- DQ
Leaving the boat voluntarily for a fishing advantage
- DQ
DNR/Coast Guard citation — no license, expired extinguisher/flares, improper registration or insurance
Fish Care
- Angler Responsibility
Each angler is responsible for their own fish. "Fizzing" must be performed only by the angler who caught those fish. Supplies may be shared between competitors, but no angler may directly handle a competitor's fish or livewell water.
Tournament Committee & Protests
The Tournament Committee — President, Tournament Director, Co-Directors, and Weigh Master — holds final authority on all rules interpretations, date/site changes, and rulings.
Filing a Protest
- Must be submitted in writing, signed, within 10 minutes of weigh-in
- Concrete evidence (photo or video) is strongly recommended
- Witnesses may be asked to provide written statements
- All committee rulings are final
Polygraph Policy
Any contestant may be subject to a polygraph test at any time at the request of the Tournament Committee. A failed polygraph results in forfeiture of all prizes and a lifetime ban. All cheating will be prosecuted.
CSB & BLB Division Maps
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