2025 1st Annual Bass Tournament
DATES: MARCH 6-8, 2025
Registration: Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tournament Day 1: Friday, March 7, 2025 - Fishing Time 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Check-In
Final Tournament Day: Saturday, March 8, 2025 - Fishing Time 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Check-In
LOCATION: Big Bass Marina on Lake Toledo Bend - 363 Big Bass Lane, Many, LA 71449
Online Registration Only: Deadline is February 25, 2025 at 10:00PM CST
In-Person Registration: Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Big Bass Marina
EVENT CONTACTS:
- Brent Boquet; Business Development; Fenstermaker
- Christopher Aston; President/Director of Sales; Cajun Cutters, LLC
- Blayne Prejean; Business Development; RSS
BASIC EVENT INFO: The First Annual Louisiana Pipeliner’s Association Bass Tournament will be held at Big Bass Marina on the world-famous Trophy Bass Factory, Lake Toledo Bend. This venue will allow for our 125-boat field to produce very impressive bags of fish considering the highly productive time of year. This will be a “trailer-able” tournament and participants are not required to launch at the venue; however, all fishing must take place on Toledo Bend Reservoir. We anticipate a great group of Sponsors will want to be present for this inaugural event which will include multiple high-level operators in the pipeline industry. All proceeds from this tournament will primarily support the Louisiana Pipeliners Association Scholarship Fund, while also providing a generous payout to the participating anglers. Payouts will be determined by number of registered teams. So far, the Louisiana Pipeliner’s Association have provided OVER $1,000,000.00 in scholarship funds to very deserving students attached to pipeline organizations and their crews.
ELIGIBILITY: Any fisherman with an annual or retirement income is directly resultant from being employed or engaged in the Oil &Gas pipeline, transmission of Oil & Gas, or direct service to these industries. Spouses or dependents of an eligible participant may fish only with that participant. Anyone who is now serving as a licensed guide or has guided without a license for pay on Toledo Bend within the past (6) months will not be eligible. Participants must have a valid Texas or Louisiana fishing license in possession during tournament fishing hours. Eligibility for participating in Louisiana Pipeliner’s Association Bass Tournament is subject to qualification and approval by the Louisiana Pipeliner’s Association Bass Tournament committee.
Toledo Bend Guides and Eligibility:
- Anyone who is now serving as a licensed guide on Toledo Bend or has guided without a license for pay on Toledo Bend within the past (6) months will not be eligible to fish.
- Any participant in this tournament shall not engage and/or communicate with a “Toledo Bend Guide” in any way during tournament hours. Please note additional eligibility section above and Section 13 in Rules Section below.
- By entering this event, I agree to the following: I have read, understand, agree with, and will abide by all the rules. I understand that any infraction of these rules shall be seen as a cause for disqualification from this tournament.
- This Bass Tournament is limited to the first 125 qualified teams who apply. After the registration deadline, please reach out to one of the tournament directors. Registration Deadline is February 25, 2025 at 10:00PM CST.
- Prize checks not cashed within 90 days of date issued shall be considered a donation to Louisiana Pipeliner’s Scholarship Fund.
2. TOURNAMENT SAFETY: All State, Coast Guard, Federal and Parks & Wildlife regulations and/or guidelines shall apply at all times. Safe boat conduct must be observed always. No vessel shall have an engine with higher horsepower rating than the approved Coast Guard maximum. Capacity and/or rating plate must be attached to the boat. Every boat must be equipped with some type of emergency kill switch. Life jackets must be fastened and kill switches must be attached anytime the boat is moving above idle speed.
3. DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: At no time during the tournament fishing hours are drugs (other than prescription) and/or alcoholic beverages allowed to be consumed or in the boat. Consumption of these shall not occur prior to presenting your fish at the weigh-in or prior to taking a polygraph test by you or your partner.
4. APPLICABLE POLYGRAPH: If you have ever failed to pass a polygraph test in any tournament due to cheating, you are not eligible to fish in this tournament. If you have ever been disqualified from any tournament for cheating, you are not eligible to fish this tournament. Every contestant is subject to a polygraph test. Teams notified of the time and location for polygraph must report as required. Failure to report for polygraph will be grounds for disqualification.
5. TOURNAMENT TEAMS: This is a team tournament and all people in the boat must be contestants of the tournament. There must be two (2) and no more than two (2) registered fishermen in the boat at any time. Any competitor's action will directly reflect on his teammate. There shall be no use of guides in any method during tournament hours, this includes tag-along boats not entered in this tournament.
6. ALLOWABLE TOURNAMENT HOURS: Fishing hours will begin at 7:00 a.m. each morning.
1. DAY ONE - Odd team numbers must stop fishing at 2:00 p.m. and be in the weigh-in line at Big Bass Marina by 3:00 p.m. Even team numbers must stop fishing at 3:00 p.m. and be in the weigh-in line at Big Bass Marina by 4:00 p.m.
2. DAY TWO - Odd team members must stop fishing at 3:00 p.m. and be in the weigh-in line at Big Bass Marina by 4:00 p.m. Even team numbers must stop fishing at 2:00 p.m. and be in the weigh-in line at Big Bass Marina by 3:00 p.m.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the team to understand and follow the listed weigh-in times as they will be enforced and are grounds for disqualification. Scales do not open until noon each day. Each team may weigh in only one time per day.
7. LAUNCH LOCATION: Each team may trailer and launch from any ramp on the lake. Competitors may leave launch area at 4:30 a.m. Nevertheless, no fishing until 7:00 a.m.
8. EQUIPMENT AND TACKLE: No live or prepared bait is permitted, only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork type baits, rinds or artificial scents. Only one fishing rod may be used at a time per competitor. Other rods may be in the boat ready for use. No trolling “dragging” with trolling motor while towing more than two rods, one per competitor.
9. FISHING VESSEL: Boats must be 14 feet or longer. All boats must have an aerated live well. No trolling with main engine is allowed. Identification tagging will be provided and must be displayed on every boat. Failure to display furnished tournament identification will be grounds for disqualification from this event. The boat operator must have registration and proof of liability insurance for a minimum of $100,000 to cover you and your partner, if not you will be subject to disqualification. No kayaks, etc. will be allowed.
10. ALLOWABLE FISHING WATERS: Wade fishing is not acceptable. No fishing is allowed within 100 yards of a non-anchored tournament boat without that competitor’s permission. No fishing is allowed within 50 yards of an anchored or tied tournament boat with the trolling motor out of the water, without this competitor’s permission. No fishing within 50 yards of any gas pump. No fishing within 200 yards of weigh-in site.
11. FISH SCORING: Scoring is based on the total weight of a 5 fish limit per team per day. Only largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky spotted bass (black bass) shall be weighed in. Length is a minimum of 14 inches measured on a flat board with the tail compressed. A penalty of .10 of a pound will be assessed for each dead fish. Teams are not allowed to have more than 5 fish in their procession at any time; upon catching the 6th legal fish, culling will be done immediately. Culling of a dead fish is not permitted. Fish offered for weighing that are less than 14 inches in length will be disqualified and a 1 pound deduction per undersized fish will be the penalty. If an excess of 5 fish are presented for weighing, the team is inevitably disqualified for that day's weight. Iced or frozen fish will not be weighed. All live fish are to be released.
12. SCORING TIE: In case of a tie for any place, the winnings will be combined and split equally.
13. ELECTRONICS AND TRACKING: No tracking devices allowed. No radios, cellular devices, or any other type of communication device for the purposes of locating and/or catching fish. Use of a GPS is legal, mobile phones may be used for business purposes or GPS only. Fish-finders are allowed on pre-fishing days prior to the tournament. However; fishermen are not allowed to use fish-finders to locate fish from 12:00 am to 6:59 am on tournament days. So, items that include but are not limited to LiveScope, Active Target, or 360 Imaging cannot be used to locate fish from 12:00 am to 6:59 am on tournament days.
14. TOURNAMENT PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing to one of the tournament directors within 30 minutes after designated weigh-in time. All decisions rendered by the Directors are final.
15. MULTI TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION: Should you be fishing another tournament on the same day we ask that your fish are weighed in at our tournament prior to your weighing them elsewhere. You must make us aware of this prior to the tournament such that we know to not keep your fish for release. Most stringent tournament rules shall apply.
2-MAN TEAM: $750/Team with Guaranteed Entry Prize
Payouts will be determined by number of registered teams
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Platinum Sponsor: $15,000 (SOLD) – Includes (6) Tournament Sponsor Passes, Provision of Entry Prizes, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, and on Each Individual Prize Provided (approx. 150 items)
Grand Prize Sponsor: $4,000 (SOLD) - Includes (1) Tournament Team Entry, (2) Tournament Sponsor Passes, Provision of Grand Prize, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, and on the (1) Grand Prize Provided
Weighmaster Sponsor: $3,500 (SOLD) - Includes (1) Tournament Team and Polygraph Weighmaster Entry, (1) Tournament Sponsor Pass, Provision of Tester, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Private Banner Weigh Station and Polygraph Station
Weigh-bag/Diddy-bag Sponsor: $3,500 (SOLD) - Includes (1) Tournament Team Entry, (1) Tournament Sponsor Passes, Provision of Weigh-bags/Diddy-bags, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Private Banner Weigh Station and Polygraph Station
Tent/Wristband Sponsor: $3,500 (SOLD) - Includes (1) Tournament Team Entry, (1) Tournament Sponsor Passes, Provision of Tent and Wristbands for event, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Private Banner Weigh Station and Polygraph Station
Operator Sponsor: $2,500 - Includes (2) Tournament Team Entry’s, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, and (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes (must be a Transmission Company who owns and operates pipelines {ie. TC Energy, Williams, Air Products, Enbridge, Shell, etc.})
Gold Sponsors: $2,000 – Includes (2) Tournament Team Entry’s, Company Name on Gold Sponsor Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, and During Door Prize drawings
Silver Sponsors: $1,000 - Includes (1) Tournament Team Entry, Company Name on Silver Sponsor Banners, and During Door Prize drawings
Venue Sponsors: $500 - Includes (1) Tournament Sponsor Pass and Company Name on Venue Sponsor Banners
Thursday Lunch Bag with Drink Sponsor: $500 - Based on Sponsor Provision, Serving of Food and Food Preparation for (250) people, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Food Table
Thursday Drink Sponsor: $500 – Based on Sponsor Provision of Beer, Soft Drinks, and Water for (250) people {no hard liquor}, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Drink Table
Friday Lunch Bag with Drink Sponsor: $500 (SOLD) - Based on Sponsor Provision, Serving of Food and Food Preparaon for (250) people, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Food Table
Friday Dinner Cooking/Food Sponsor: $750 (SOLD) – Based on Sponsor Provision, Serving of Food and Food Preparation for (250) people, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Food Table
Friday Drink Sponsor: $500 (SOLD) – Based on Sponsor Provision of Beer, Drinks, and Water for (250) people {no hard liquor}, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Drink Table
Saturday Lunch Bag with Drink Sponsor: $500 (SOLD) - Based on Sponsor Provision, Serving of Food and Food Preparation for (250) people, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Food Table
- Saturday Dinner Cooking/Food Sponsor: $750 (SOLD) – Based on Sponsor Provision, Serving of Food and Food Preparation for (250) people, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Food Table
Saturday Drink Sponsor: $500 (SOLD) – Based on Sponsor Provision of Beer, Soft Drinks, and Water for (250) people {no hard liquor}, Company Name on All Banners, Websites, Social Media Posts, Throughout Event Announcements, (4) Tournament Sponsor Passes, and on the Drink Table
NOTE: All banners and signage to be provided by the Louisiana Pipeliner’s Association.
