Bama Blues 2021 Rules

These rules have been established to encourage fairness, safety, conservation, and significant care for the fish caught. It is the goal of this event to move our sport forward as an example for all to follow.

In case of severe weather/dangerous water conditions, BAMA BLUES reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event for boater’s safety.

Entries made and paid for are prohibited from being sold, bartered or given away without the expressed written consent of a tournament official. All Entries Are Final! Good sportsmanship is expected of all individuals during the tournament. Failure to follow good sportsmanship may result in disqualification.

Any disorderly conduct will be reason alone for disqualification.

Any violation will result in automatic disqualification.

All Local, State & Federal rules will be observed. 

Tournament Hours: 6:00AM – 3:00PM. Livewell checks will begin at 3:00am at the First Creek Boat Ramp.  

Teams are limited to a maximum of a 3-person team.

All children 16 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Life vest must be worn at take-off and encouraged while underway at all times.

Fish may only be caught by Rod and Reel method only.

A maximum of 3 fish per boat will be allowed at weigh in. Only 2 fish 34 Inches or over and 1 under will be allowed. Blue, Channel, and Flathead catfish may be weighed.

No snagging or chumming will be allowed

No foul hooked fish will be accepted

No fishing intentionally baited holes.

All tournament boats must maintain a distance of 50 yards between each other while fishing. Fishing is defined as an anchor rope or fishing lines are in the water.

Buddy fishing or sharing of information during tournament hours including techniques, baits, location, etc. is strictly prohibited.

The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.

No fishing outside of the boat.

Fish may only be caught by Rod and Reel method. No Trotlines, Limb Lines, Hoop nets or noodles will be allowed

No alcoholic beverages, marijuana or illegal substances are allowed on board or used during tournament hours.

No trailering or locking through allowed. All fishing will be done on Wheeler Lake or attached tributaries. No Exceptions!

Onboard live wells must be no less than 50 gallons, employ an electric fresh water circulating pump and include proper aeration. OXYGEN USE IS ENCOURAGED.

All boats must be at First Creek Boat Ramp by 3:00pm. 

There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Weigh in will begin and take place at First Creek Boat Ramp at or before 3:00PM.

There may not be any extra fish in live-well. If there are more than 3 fish in live-well at weigh in it will result in disqualification.

Dropping of fish at weigh in is discouraged.

Placing of ALL fish into the weigh totes must be completed with care. No throwing or mishandling will be tolerated.

No dead fish will be allowed at weigh in and will disqualify your team.

No culling of fish at weigh in.

Ties will be decided by the team with the largest fish.

Any protests must be made before the Awards Ceremony and must be in writing. We will not accept any protests thereafter.

This is a catch and release tournament. All live fish must be released healthy and alive. They may not be taken home with tournament participants.

Angler’s that consider their catch to be a possible record will be responsible for caring for the fish until the proper authorities are notified and arrive for verification purposes.

Social Media live feeds are allowed and encouraged. However, caution must be used not to reveal to much relevant information when going live during the tournament hours. 

All fishermen are subject to a polygraph exam.

Any team having a member who fails or refuses to take a polygraph test or whose condition does not permit administration of a test because of contestant’s use of alcohol or drugs will be disqualified.

 NOTE: There will be someone at the weigh in site throughout the tournament. If you have a large fish or fish that will not survive until 3:00PM, you may bring your fish to be weighed and recorded. We will then release the fish and you can continue to fish. Once the weight has been recorded and you can not cull that fish when you come back in.

If you have fish that you feel will not survive until weigh in time bring them in so they can be weighed and released. That is why we have someone at weigh in. So that the fish can be released with the least amount of stress and a successful survival rate.

Boat numbers will be issued in the order entries are received and payment is made. 

This is a live document. Rules are subject to change without notice. 

Rules will be handed out at Registration. Each team must sign and acknowledge.

One participant from each team MUST be present for the mandatory captains meeting to be held at 5:00 PM. If fishing by yourself then you must be present. No exceptions

No pre-fishing tournament waters after 8:00AM on 1/1/2021

Absolutely no refunds will be issued for any reason other than cancellation of the event.

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WAIVER/RELEASE FOR Bama Blues 2021:

By entering the Bama Blues event, you attest to have read the accompanying event information and understand the policies of the event. I know that fishing on a river is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter unless I am medically able and properly trained. I assume all risks associated with my voluntary participation in this event, including but not limited to, falls and potential drowning, the effects of the weather, including extreme temperatures, boat traffic and all conditions on the river, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Knowing these facts, and in consideration of your accepting my entry, I for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, or anyone else who might claim on my behalf, covenant not to sue and WAIVE, RELEASE AND DISCHARGE Bama Blues, the City of Rogersville, Al, Joe Wheeler State Park,  and any and all sponsors, officials, workers or volunteers, their representatives, successors or assigns for ANY AND ALL claims or liability, whether foreseen or unforeseen, for death, personal injury or property damage arising out of, or in the course of my participation in this event. I further grant full permission to the above-mentioned sponsors, organizers and or agents authorized by them, to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings or other record of the event for any reasonable purpose