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.
PBF Wildcat Tournament Rules
Standard regulations for Priest Bass Fishing Wildcat tournaments
These rules establish the standard regulations for Priest Bass Fishing (PBF) Wildcat tournaments. An individual tournament announcement may include additional rules, special conditions, or event-specific requirements. If an event-specific rule conflicts with these standard rules, the published event-specific rule governs that tournament only.
By registering for a PBF Wildcat tournament, each participant confirms that they have read, understand, and agree to follow these rules, the PBF Standard Rules, the PBF Liability Release, and instructions issued by the Tournament Director.
1. Eligibility
- All anglers must complete the official tournament registration before participating.
- PBF Wildcats are open tournaments. Neither a membership nor a prior membership purchase is required for a boater or partner to participate.
- An angler under 18 years of age must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
- All participants compete at their own risk and agree to the PBF Liability Release.
- The Tournament Director may refuse entry to or remove a participant whose conduct is unsafe, disruptive, or detrimental to the event or Priest Bass Fishing.
2. Registration
- Registration opens and closes at the times published for each tournament.
- Entry fees must be paid before an angler is considered officially registered.
- Blast-off procedures will be published with the tournament registration information.
- All anglers must check in with tournament staff before blast-off.
3. Competition Hours
- Official fishing hours will be published for each tournament.
- Fishing is not permitted before the official blast-off.
- All boats must return by the official check-in time.
- A boat arriving after the official deadline will be disqualified.
4. Boats and Safety
- Every boat must comply with all applicable U.S. Coast Guard and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regulations.
- A properly functioning emergency engine cut-off switch must be attached to the operator whenever the combustion engine is in gear.
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets must be worn and properly fastened whenever the combustion engine is running.
- Navigation lights must be used whenever required by law.
- Safe boat operation is mandatory at all times.
- Alcohol or illegal drug use during tournament competition is strictly prohibited.
- Each competitor is responsible for deciding whether they can safely operate their vessel under the existing conditions.
- The Tournament Director may delay, shorten, postpone, or cancel an event because of unsafe weather, water, facility, or other conditions.
5. Fishing Regulations
- Only largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass are eligible unless otherwise announced.
- All fish must be caught legally and in accordance with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regulations.
- Fish must be caught on rod and reel using legal sporting methods.
- An angler may not intentionally interfere with another competitor.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
- All applicable state and local fishing regulations remain in effect throughout the tournament.
6. Catch Requirements
- Unless otherwise announced, the minimum length is 18 inches for smallmouth bass, 15 inches for largemouth bass, and 15 inches for spotted bass.
- A 0.5-pound penalty will be assessed for each dead fish. More than two dead fish will result in disqualification.
- A short fish will not be weighed, and a 1-pound penalty will be assessed for each short fish presented.
- A five-fish limit applies unless otherwise announced by the Tournament Director.
- Big Bass awards will be determined by the heaviest eligible bass weighed for each Big Bass pot offered for that tournament.
7. Weigh-In Procedures
- Only fish presented during the official weigh-in period will be accepted.
- Fish should be brought to the scales in an approved weigh bag whenever possible.
- The scales will close 15 minutes after the official tournament hours end. The Tournament Director may extend the weigh-in period based on the number of participants or operational conditions.
- Once a fish has been weighed and released by tournament staff, the recorded weight is official.
- Competitors are responsible for verifying their recorded weight before leaving the scales.
8. Protests
- A protest must be submitted directly to the Tournament Director before the official results are announced.
- The Tournament Director may investigate any alleged rules violation.
- The Tournament Director's decision is final.
9. Scoring and Standings
- Tournament standings are determined by the greatest official total weight after all penalties and disqualifications have been applied.
- Big Bass is determined by the heaviest eligible fish weighed for each Big Bass pot selected for the tournament.
- If two or more competitors have the same total weight, the tie will be broken in the following order:
- Most fish weighed
- Largest largemouth bass
- Largest smallmouth bass
- Tournament Director decision
10. Payouts
- Prize payouts will be calculated according to the published payout schedule for the tournament.
- Big Bass and optional side pots will be paid according to the published event information.
- Competitors are responsible for any taxes associated with tournament winnings.
11. Sportsmanship
- Competitors must conduct themselves in a safe, professional, and respectful manner.
- Harassment, abusive language, threats, cheating, attempted cheating, or intentional rules violations may result in a warning, penalty, disqualification, suspension, or permanent removal from PBF events.
- Competitors must respect tournament staff, fellow competitors, spectators, host facilities, and public and private property at all times.
12. Tournament Director Authority
- The Tournament Director has final authority over all tournament operations.
- The Tournament Director may interpret these rules and address circumstances not specifically covered when necessary to protect the fairness, integrity, safety, or operation of the event.
- The Tournament Director may issue instructions, assess penalties, disqualify participants, or modify event procedures when reasonably necessary.
- All Tournament Director decisions concerning tournament administration, rule interpretation, scoring, penalties, protests, eligibility, conduct, and competition matters are final.
13. Media Release
- By participating, competitors grant Priest Bass Fishing permission to photograph, record, livestream, and use their name, likeness, boat, and catch in PBF news, results, website content, social media, promotional materials, and historical archives without additional compensation.
14. Rule Changes
- Priest Bass Fishing may modify these rules when reasonably necessary. Changes affecting a scheduled tournament will be communicated to registered participants before competition begins whenever reasonably possible.
Acceptance
By completing tournament registration, each participant certifies that they have read, understand, and agree to follow these PBF Wildcat Tournament Rules and all applicable event-specific requirements.
Official PBF Night Series Rules
These rules govern all PBF Night Series events and the Championship. By registering for or participating in an event, all anglers agree to follow these rules.
1. Membership & Registration
- Series Membership is $20 per angler and is required before competing. Membership is valid for the current PBF Night Series season only.
- The regular-season tournament entry fee is $100 per boat, consisting of:
- $80 Tournament Purse
- $10 Big Largemouth
- $10 Big Smallmouth
- No registrations will be accepted after 6:45 PM on regular-season tournament day.
- Championship registration closes at 5:00 PM on Championship day. Only qualified teams may register.
2. Tournament Procedures
- The standard tournament schedule is:
- Registration Closes — 6:45 PM
- Blast-Off — 7:00 PM
- Official Check-In — 3:00 AM
- Weigh-In Line — 3:15 AM
- Competitors may launch from any legal public or private ramp. All boats must report to Fate Sanders Marina for the official blast-off.
- No competitor may begin fishing until officially released by the Tournament Director.
- Official check-in occurs when a competitor enters the designated no-wake buoys at Fate Sanders Marina. All competitors must be inside the buoys by 3:00 AM.
- All competitors must be in the official weigh-in line by 3:15 AM. The Tournament Director may extend this deadline based on the number of entries or other circumstances affecting the orderly conduct of weigh-in.
- Failure to meet an official deadline will result in disqualification unless excused by the Tournament Director because of a verified emergency.
3. Competition Rules
- All current TWRA regulations apply during PBF competition.
- Only artificial lures may be used. Live bait is prohibited.
- Competitors may carry an unlimited number of rods, but each angler may use only one rod at a time.
- A partner may assist in landing a fish with a landing net.
- Cell phones may be used, but competitors may not receive or provide fishing information, including fish locations, patterns, productive lures, or tournament strategy.
- Fish may not be transferred between competitors or boats.
- Fishing inside the boat slips at Fate Sanders Marina is prohibited.
4. Fish Care & Weigh-In
- The maximum weigh-in limit is five bass. Eligible species are largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
- Minimum legal lengths are:
- Largemouth Bass — 15 inches
- Smallmouth Bass — 18 inches
- Spotted Bass — 15 inches
- A short fish will not be weighed and will result in a 1.00-pound penalty.
- One dead fish may be weighed with a 0.50-pound penalty. Dead fish may not be culled and are not eligible for Big Bass awards.
- Competitors may cull live fish at any time before official check-in.
- Official tournament scales determine all tournament weights.
5. AOY & Championship
- AOY points are awarded by finishing position:
- 1st Place — 100 points
- 2nd Place — 99 points
- 3rd Place — 98 points
- Points continue downward by one point for each finishing position.
- Official AOY standings are published on the PBF website after each completed regular-season tournament.
- Night Series Championship Qualification
A solo regular-season entry may include an event-only partner with an approved, paid Night Series membership. Points stay with the solo entry, while both actual anglers may earn individual qualification appearances. A team using a replacement substitute keeps its original team points; the absent partner may fish on another boat and earn qualification from that actual appearance. A replacement substitute on an original two-person team does not earn qualification from the substitute appearance.
Championship qualification is earned individually. Each angler must compete as a boater or partner in at least three of the four Night Series regular-season tournaments to qualify. An angler with exactly two eligible appearances may purchase one $50 Qualification Buy-In. The Buy-In must be paid and recorded by the Tournament Director before Event 4 registration closes. No angler may use more than one Qualification Buy-In per season. All Qualification Buy-In money is added to the Night Series Championship payout.
Each Championship entry must consist of qualified anglers. A qualified angler may choose to compete solo. If two qualified anglers enter as a team, they must have competed together in at least one Night Series regular-season tournament as a recorded boater/partner team or as a boater/substitute-partner team. Qualified anglers who did not compete together during the regular season may not form a new team solely for the Championship.
All Championship entries and previous teammate relationships are subject to final review and approval by the Tournament Director.
- AOY position and AOY points do not determine Championship eligibility.
- The Championship does not award AOY points.
6. Tournament Payouts
- The number of regular-season places paid is based on paid boat entries:
- 1–30 Boats — 3 Places
- 31–50 Boats — 4 Places
- 51 or More Boats — 5 Places
- When three places are paid, the tournament purse is divided:
- 1st — 65%
- 2nd — 20%
- 3rd — 15%
- When four places are paid, the tournament purse is divided:
- 1st — 55%
- 2nd — 20%
- 3rd — 15%
- 4th — 10%
- When five places are paid, the tournament purse is divided:
- 1st — 50%
- 2nd — 20%
- 3rd — 15%
- 4th — 10%
- 5th — 5%
- The Championship prize fund includes Championship entry fees, all current-season Series Membership fees, and any designated sponsorship or bonus money.
- The Championship prize fund is divided:
- 1st — 50%
- 2nd — 30%
- 3rd — 20%
- Big Largemouth and Big Smallmouth are separate awards funded by the applicable Big Bass portions of each paid entry. Dead fish are not eligible.
- If two or more teams tie for Big Largemouth or Big Smallmouth, the award will be determined using the following tie-breakers, in order:
- Highest total tournament weight.
- Most legal fish weighed.
- First team to officially weigh in.
7. Sportsmanship, Penalties & Protests
- Competitors are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully before, during, and after every PBF event.
- Penalties may include a warning, weight deduction, disqualification, suspension, or membership revocation.
- A disqualified team forfeits all tournament weight, AOY points, prizes, and awards for that event.
- Protests must be made in person to the Tournament Director before the conclusion of the official weigh-in.
8. Tournament Director Authority
- The Tournament Director has final authority regarding rule interpretation, tournament administration, safety, eligibility, results, penalties, and protests.
- Situations not specifically addressed by these rules will be decided in a manner consistent with fair competition, safety, conservation, and the best interests of Priest Bass Fishing.
PBF Home Pond Winter Series Rules
- Version
- 6
- Effective Date
- September 27, 2026
Official rules for regular-season tournaments and the Championship
These rules govern all PBF Home Pond Winter Series regular-season tournaments and the Championship. The PBF Standard Rules apply in addition to these Series Rules. Event-specific information may supplement these rules for an individual tournament.
By purchasing a Series Membership, registering for a tournament, or participating in the Series, each competitor agrees to follow the PBF Standard Rules, these Series Rules, and all instructions issued by the Tournament Director.
1. Series Eligibility
- All competitors must complete official tournament registration before competing.
- All competitors must satisfy the eligibility requirements in the PBF Standard Rules and any additional requirements published for the event.
2. Series Membership
- A $20 Home Pond Winter Series Membership is required before competing in a Series event.
- Membership applies only to the current Home Pond Winter Series and is non-transferable.
- Series Membership fees are reinvested in the Home Pond Winter Series for participating anglers, including Championship funding, trophies, awards, prizes, and other series-related benefits.
3. Registration and Entry Fees
Registration will be available through the PBF website. Ramp registration may also be accepted until the published registration closing time for an event.
- Entry fee: $100 per boat.
- $80 is allocated to the tournament payout purse.
- $20 is allocated to the Big Bass pot.
- Entry fees must be paid before registration is complete.
- Boat numbers will be assigned by random draw unless otherwise announced.
- All competitors must check in before blast-off.
- Tournament entry fees are non-refundable unless Priest Bass Fishing cancels the event.
4. Competition Hours
- Official blast-off, fishing, weigh-in, and check-in times will be published for each event.
- Fishing is not permitted before the official blast-off.
- All competitors must return by the official check-in deadline. Late arrival results in disqualification.
- The Tournament Director may adjust tournament hours or procedures because of weather, safety concerns, or other circumstances affecting the event.
5. Boats and Tournament Safety
The boating and safety requirements in the PBF Standard Rules apply. In addition:
- A U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device must be worn whenever the combustion engine is in gear.
- The engine cut-off switch must be properly attached to the boat operator whenever the combustion engine is in gear.
- Navigation lights must be used whenever required by law.
- Alcohol or illegal drug use during tournament competition is prohibited.
- Competitors are responsible for the safe operation of their boats.
- The Tournament Director may delay, shorten, relocate, postpone, or cancel an event because of unsafe conditions.
6. Fishing Regulations Catch Requirements and Fish Care
- Only largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass are eligible.
- Minimum lengths are 15 inches for largemouth bass, 18 inches for smallmouth bass, and 12 inches for spotted bass unless an event-specific rule states otherwise.
- Fish must be legally caught on rod and reel in accordance with applicable regulations.
- The limit is five fish unless otherwise published for an event.
- A short fish will not be included in the weighed catch, and a 1-pound penalty will be assessed for each short fish presented.
- A 0.5-pound penalty will be assessed for each dead fish.
- A dead fish is not eligible for the Big Bass pot.
7. Weigh In
- Only fish presented during the official weigh-in period will be accepted.
- Scales close 15 minutes after the published tournament hours end unless the Tournament Director announces an extension based on tournament conditions or total entries.
- Once a catch has been weighed and officially recorded, the recorded weight is official.
- Competitors are responsible for verifying their recorded weight before leaving the scales.
8. Tournament Scoring
Standings are determined by total official weight after all penalties are applied. If two or more entries have the same total weight, ties are resolved in this order:
- Most fish weighed.
- Largest largemouth bass.
- Largest smallmouth bass.
- Earliest official weigh-in.
- Tournament Director decision.
9. Angler of the Year
Home Pond Winter Series Angler of the Year (AOY) standings are based on official points earned at each eligible regular-season tournament.
- First place receives 100 base points, second place receives 99, third place receives 98, and each subsequent place decreases by one point. A team or solo entrant with zero fish or zero pounds receives 10 points fewer than the lowest-placing eligible entry with fish and positive total weight, with a minimum of 1 point.
- If no eligible team or solo entrant records fish and positive total weight, each eligible entry, including approved buy-ins, receives 50 AOY points. No AOY bonuses are awarded.
- Entries with zero fish or zero pounds are not eligible for AOY bonuses. Disqualified entries receive no AOY points.
- The tournament-winning team or solo entrant receives (5) five additional AOY bonus points.
- The official Big Bass-winning team or solo entrant receives (5) five additional AOY bonus points.
- An entry winning both the tournament and Big Bass receives both bonuses, for (10) ten additional AOY points.
- Bonuses are applied after results are finalized. Buy-in entries are not eligible for tournament-win or Big Bass bonus points.
AOY ties are resolved in this order:
- Most tournament wins.
- Most second-place finishes.
- Most third-place finishes.
- Greatest total season weight.
- Largest bass weighed during the season.
- Tournament Director decision.
9.1 Substitutions
- A registered team may use a substitute partner in no more than two regular-season tournaments.
- The registered boater must participate. Only the registered partner may be replaced.
- The substitute must hold an active Home Pond Winter Series Membership.
- The registered team retains all AOY points, standings, and Championship qualification credit earned in that tournament.
- Official results display the substitute's name followed by “(Sub).” The substitute receives the applicable shared tournament statistics on their Angler Profile and Member Portal but receives no AOY points or Championship qualification credit.
- A substitute may participate with different teams but may not be used during the Championship.
9.2 Tournament Buy Ins
A registered Home Pond team or solo entrant may purchase a buy-in for no more than two missed regular-season tournaments.
- Each buy-in is $100 and must be purchased and recorded before registration closes for the selected tournament.
- Buy-ins may be purchased in advance through the Member Portal or recorded by the Tournament Director.
- At finalization, the buy-in appears after all entries that physically competed and records zero fish and zero weight.
- The buy-in receives the lowest AOY base points awarded for that tournament and one Championship qualification participation credit.
- The buy-in remains part of the registered team's AOY record but does not count as a tournament fished on an angler's personal profile or Member Portal statistics.
- A buy-in receives no placement winnings, Big Bass credit, AOY bonus points, fish, weight, or other personal tournament statistics.
- Buy-ins are not permitted for the Championship.
10. Championship Qualification
The Championship field consists of up to 30 qualified teams or solo entrants.
An entry must earn at least three regular-season participation credits to be eligible. A credit may be earned by physically competing as the registered team or through an approved tournament buy-in. A substitute earns no personal qualification credit.
Championship berths are earned through the following paths:
- Top 20 in the final AOY standings.
- Winner of each of the eight regular-season tournaments.
- Team or solo entrant weighing the single largest largemouth bass of the regular season.
- Team or solo entrant weighing the single largest smallmouth bass of the regular season.
- If an entry qualifies through more than one path, each duplicate berth rolls down to the next highest eligible entry in the final AOY standings until the field is filled or no eligible entries remain.
- Championship berths are non-transferable.
- The regular-season Angler of the Year, or Anglers of the Year when awarded to a team, receive complimentary Championship entry. The Championship entry fee is waived in full.
11. Tournament Payouts
Tournament payouts are based on the number of paid boats:
- 1 to 30 paid boats: three places paid.
- 31 to 50 paid boats: four places paid.
- 51 or more paid boats: five places paid.
- The tournament Big Bass winner receives 100% of the event Big Bass pot.
12. Championship Format and Payouts
- The Home Pond Winter Series Championship is a two-day event.
- The Championship payout purse is distributed to the top teams according to the payout method selected for the Championship.
- The Championship Big Bass winner receives 100% of the Championship Big Bass pot.
- Daily fishing hours, check-in requirements, weigh-in procedures, and other event-specific information will be published before the Championship.
13. Official Schedule
- The Series consists of eight regular-season tournaments followed by a two-day Championship.
- Tournament locations, ramps, registration times, blast-off times, weigh-in times, and other event-specific information will be published for each event.
14. Protests
- A competition protest must be submitted to the Tournament Director before official results are announced.
- The Tournament Director may investigate alleged violations and request information from competitors or witnesses.
- Tournament Director decisions concerning protests and competition matters are final.
15. Series Rule Changes
- Priest Bass Fishing may modify these Series Rules when reasonably necessary for tournament operations, safety, fairness, regulatory compliance, or other circumstances affecting the Series.
- Changes will be communicated to competitors before competition whenever reasonably possible.
16. Acceptance of PBF and Series Rules
By purchasing a Home Pond Winter Series Membership, registering for a tournament, or participating in a Series event, each competitor confirms that they have had the opportunity to review, understand, and agree to follow the PBF Standard Rules, these Official Home Pond Winter Series Rules, the PBF Liability Release, and all additional requirements published for the individual event.
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.