2026 PBF Night Series • Registration closes at 6:45 PM • All events launch from Fate Sanders Marina
Priest Bass Fishing

Priest Bass Fishing Rules

Priest Bass Fishing Standard Rules

These Standard Rules apply to all Priest Bass Fishing (“PBF”) tournaments, series, championships, Wildcat events, and other PBF-sanctioned events.

These Standard Rules apply in addition to any rules published for a specific PBF series, championship, Wildcat tournament, or individual event. Participants are responsible for complying with both the PBF Standard Rules and all applicable series- or event-specific rules.

The inclusion of the same or similar requirement in a series or event rule does not replace, waive, or limit these Standard Rules.

By registering for, entering, or participating in any PBF event, each participant acknowledges and agrees to these Standard Rules.

1. Liability Release

Participation in any Priest Bass Fishing event is voluntary.

By registering for or participating in a PBF event, each participant releases Priest Bass Fishing (PBF), its Tournament Directors, officers, representatives, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, property owners, ramp or marina operators, and other persons or organizations associated with the event from claims for injury, death, property damage, loss, or other damages arising from or related to participation in the event, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

This release includes claims arising from the ordinary negligence of a released party but does not waive any right or claim that cannot legally be waived under applicable law.

2. Hold Harmless

Each participant agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to hold harmless Priest Bass Fishing (PBF), its Tournament Directors, officers, representatives, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, property owners, ramp or marina operators, and other persons or organizations associated with a PBF event from claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses resulting from the participant’s actions, conduct, equipment, boat operation, or participation in the event.

Each participant is responsible for their own actions and for the safe and lawful operation of any boat, vehicle, trailer, or equipment under their control.

3. Participation at Your Own Risk

Fishing, boating, launching, retrieving, and participating in outdoor tournament activities involve inherent risks.

These risks may include, but are not limited to, changing weather conditions, lightning, wind, waves, extreme temperatures, hazardous water conditions, submerged or floating objects, boat traffic, mechanical or equipment failure, slips and falls, collisions, drowning, injury from fishing equipment, wildlife, and other known or unknown hazards.

Each participant knowingly and voluntarily assumes the risks associated with participating in PBF events, including traveling to and from tournament locations, launching and retrieving boats, operating or riding in a boat, fishing, and participating in weigh-in or other tournament activities.

Each participant is responsible for determining whether conditions are safe for themselves, their passengers, their boat, and their equipment.

The decision to launch, remain on the water, continue fishing, seek shelter, return to the ramp, or withdraw from an event remains the responsibility of the participant.

4. Tournament Director Authority and Decisions

The Priest Bass Fishing Tournament Director has final authority over the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of PBF rules during an event.

The Tournament Director may interpret these rules, resolve disputes, address circumstances not specifically covered by the rules, assess penalties, disqualify participants when warranted, modify event procedures when reasonably necessary for safety, fairness, or tournament operations, and make other decisions necessary for the proper administration of a PBF event.

The Tournament Director may also take reasonable action when unexpected conditions, emergencies, weather, safety concerns, facility issues, or other circumstances affect an event.

All Tournament Director decisions regarding tournament administration, rule interpretation, scoring, penalties, protests, eligibility, conduct, and competition matters are final.

5. Sportsmanship and Conduct

All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a safe, respectful, honest, and sportsmanlike manner before, during, and after all Priest Bass Fishing events.

Unsportsmanlike or detrimental conduct may include, but is not limited to, cheating or attempted cheating, dishonesty, fraud, threats, harassment, fighting, abusive or disruptive behavior, intentional interference with another competitor, intentional damage to property, unsafe conduct, or behavior that negatively affects Priest Bass Fishing (PBF), its Tournament Directors, participants, sponsors, host facilities, property owners, or the reputation and integrity of the organization.

Participants are responsible for their own conduct and, when applicable, the conduct of their partner or others acting on their behalf in connection with the event.

The Tournament Director may issue a warning, assess a penalty, disqualify a participant, require a participant to leave tournament property, refuse entry into a future event, or take other reasonable action when conduct is determined to be detrimental to the safety, fairness, integrity, reputation, or operation of PBF.

Serious or repeated violations may result in suspension or permanent exclusion from future Priest Bass Fishing events at the discretion of PBF and the Tournament Director.

6. Eligibility

Participants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or have permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate.

Participants under eighteen (18) may be required to provide written permission, a completed parent or legal guardian release, or other documentation requested by PBF before competing.

All participants must also satisfy any additional eligibility requirements established for the applicable PBF series, championship, Wildcat tournament, or individual event.

PBF and the Tournament Director reserve the right to refuse or revoke entry when reasonably necessary to protect the safety, integrity, or proper operation of a PBF event.

7. TWRA Regulations

All participants must comply with all applicable Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) laws, regulations, proclamations, and requirements while participating in a PBF event.

Participants are responsible for knowing and following the laws and regulations applicable to the body of water being fished, including fishing regulations, boating regulations, fish length and possession requirements, restricted or prohibited areas, and other applicable TWRA requirements.

PBF rules do not authorize a participant to violate any federal, state, or local law or regulation.

A violation of applicable law or TWRA regulation may also result in a tournament penalty or disqualification at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

8. Fishing License Requirements

Each participant is responsible for possessing all valid fishing licenses, permits, and other credentials required by law for the waters being fished.

PBF does not provide fishing licenses and is not responsible for determining whether an individual participant possesses the proper license, permit, exemption, or other required credential.

Participants are responsible for understanding and complying with their individual licensing requirements before participating.

Failure to possess a required fishing license or permit may result in disqualification in addition to any penalties imposed by the appropriate governmental authority.

9. U.S. Coast Guard and Boating Safety Requirements

All boats used during a PBF event must comply with applicable United States Coast Guard, TWRA, and federal, state, and local boating safety requirements.

The boat operator is responsible for ensuring the vessel is legally and safely equipped and operated.

This includes maintaining all legally required safety equipment, which may include personal flotation devices, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, emergency equipment, vessel registration, and other equipment required for the vessel and waters being used.

Each boat operator is solely responsible for the condition, seaworthiness, legal operation, and safe operation of their vessel and for the safety of persons aboard that vessel.

PBF and the Tournament Director do not guarantee that water, weather, boating, or tournament conditions are safe.

Nothing in these rules requires a participant to launch or operate a boat when the participant believes conditions are unsafe.

10. Media Release

By registering for or participating in a Priest Bass Fishing event, participants grant PBF permission to photograph, record, film, livestream, or otherwise capture their name, image, likeness, voice, tournament participation, catch, weigh-in, results, awards, and related event activities.

Participants authorize PBF to use such material for legitimate PBF purposes, including the PBF website, social media, tournament coverage, promotional materials, advertisements, sponsor materials, printed materials, broadcasts, livestreams, and promotion of current or future PBF events without additional compensation.

PBF may identify participants by name in connection with tournament registrations, standings, results, photographs, videos, awards, and other legitimate tournament-related content.

For participants under eighteen (18), any media authorization requiring the consent of a parent or legal guardian shall be obtained from the participant’s parent or legal guardian.

11. Agreement and Acknowledgment

Registration for, entry into, or participation in a Priest Bass Fishing event constitutes acknowledgment that the participant has had the opportunity to review, understands, and agrees to comply with these PBF Standard Rules.

Participants further acknowledge that these Standard Rules apply in addition to all rules, requirements, procedures, and conditions established for the specific PBF series, championship, Wildcat tournament, or individual event in which they participate.

Participants are responsible for reviewing and understanding all applicable PBF, series, and event rules before competing.

The repetition of a PBF Standard Rule within a series or event-specific rule does not replace, waive, reduce, or otherwise limit the application of these Standard Rules.

By participating in a PBF event, each participant acknowledges the inherent risks associated with fishing and boating, accepts responsibility for their own safety, actions, equipment, and conduct, agrees to comply with applicable laws and regulations, and agrees to comply with the decisions and authority of the Priest Bass Fishing Tournament Director.

Member Acknowledgment

By submitting a PBF membership application or tournament registration, each member confirms that they have read, understand, and agree to follow the official PBF Tournament Rules.

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