THE BASS FEDERATION
NEW TOURNAMENT PROTOCOLS IN PLACE
We think that fishing is the “OSD,”
or Original Social Distancing, but The
Bass Federation national office has put
extra measures in place to help keep
anglers safe as the country deals with
COVID-19.
Due to current public health concerns
and out of respect for our participants,
things might look a bit different
for a while. These extra safety steps
certainly require some temporary
changes. So, TBF asks for your patience
for as long as those safety measures
are necessary to protect the health and
well-being of anglers, staff and communities
in which we do business.
This applies to every tournament
circuit under the Federation Angler
(FederationAngler.com) umbrella. You
can see the complete list of tournament
circuits and respective websites
listed on the facing page. Events will
operate under these special procedures
until further notice.
As is always the case, safety is the
paramount concern. That won’t ever
change.
Here’s a summary of changes:
1. Rules briefings and meetings
can be streamed live on our websites. A
signed entry release from each participant
will clearly state that the person
has read the rules and understands
them. Phones can be used to check in,
and anglers can watch the rules briefings
online or listen to them from inside a
nearby parked vehicle. Extra sound systems
will be utilized so that all can hear,
even from parked cars.
2. Morning takeoffs are closed to
spectators, and we will live stream
them on social media. Livewell and
safety checks will be done in a driveby
fashion.
While TBF is excited for tournaments to return, the organization feels the best and safest way for fans to
follow the action is via live coverage on the internet.
3. Weigh-ins will be modified
because social distancing MUST be
observed. There will be no indoor
weigh-ins. They will be open-air events
only so that people can feel comfortable
spreading out as far as needed,
including the option to listen to weighins
from their vehicles. Access will be
restricted to various areas. One of the
best places to watch is from home via
live feeds on websites and Facebook
Live, as well as via live leaderboards
and various coverage we produce on
the internet.
4. Multiple flights and holding
tanks will be added to space out the
anglers during weigh-in to ensure
proper fish care and to comply with
CDC guidelines on social distancing.
Barriers will be used to separate
anglers in line.
Anglers will cross in front of the
stage on camera and place their bag
of fish in the stage container provided.
Officials will weigh them and hand
them back off the stage for pictures
and return to the lake.
Awards ceremonies that might gather
an unacceptable crowd of people won’t
be held. Plaques, trophies and prize
checks can be mailed to the winners, or
recipients can be called up one at a time
from their vehicles or boats.
Further decisions and adjustments
may be made as conditions require.
And always remember: NO MATTER
WHAT, IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME
UNTIL YOU FEEL BETTER.
“We greatly appreciate everyone’s
cooperation and understanding,”
says TBF President and CEO Robert
Cartlidge. “It impacts us all when
our fans, sponsors and spectators
cannot interact with our events,
however, due to current COVID-19
guidelines in the U.S., it is in everyone’s
best interest to follow the path
laid out by officials and to do our
part in conducting the safest possible
events for everyone concerned.
So, if we can do our small part in
reopening the economy and help
stop the spread and protect those
that may be high risk, then that is
what we need to do.”
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FLWFISHING.COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | JUNE-JULY 2020