Mar. 06, 2021

March Bass Tournament

March 12th - March 28th

One tournament - Two Ways to Win.

WINNERS FOR BEST 5 TOTAL WEIGHT & BIG BASS BY WEIGHT

Cost: $20 ENTRY FEE + $5 Tournament Processing Fee.

100% OF ENTRY FEES PAID OUT. See Prize Breakout below.

Connect Fishing League Big Bass Bonus Contingency Prize:

Extra $50 Cash Payment available to the Big Bass Winner if he or she is an Active Connect Fishing League Member prior to the start of the event.

This is an open tournament for anyone to participate in. Must be a Connect Fishing League member for the Big Bass Bonus Contingency Prize.

Public Water Only

Weight Based - Best 5 catches by weight. Must be weighted with a ConnectScale Device

Weight Based - Biggest Catch by Weight. Catches must be weighed with a ConnectScale device.

Length Verification Required - We will use our Standard Weight tool to help verify catches. All catches must have a length entered on a measuring board with clearly visible tick marks. Catches must be at least 12 inches to be scored.

Required Fields to be captured on app for this event:
Weight - From ConnectScale
Length - Input manually to nearest ¼” (Please round down)
Species - Select Appropriate Species

Tournament Code will be available on the Event details page in the app at the start of the event.

In order for this tournament to go smoothly, do some preparation ahead of time. Each angler must have either an iPhone or Android and install the free ConnectScale app to record your catches. To get the ConnectScale app iPhone Users -Download on iTunes App Store and Android Users - Download on Google Play.

For Weight Scoring - All catches must be weighed with a ConnectScale. No other weighing devices are allowed.

For Length Scoring - Must use a measuring device that has a bump piece and shows ¼” increments.

Species: Black Bass tournament (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, or Spotted Bass).

Read the rules carefully. Failure to comply with the rules will result in penalties, disallowed catches, and possible disqualification.

Prizes

Best 5 By Weight - 75% of total entry fees (Prizes will be distributed based on # of Participants).

1 - 9 Participants. 75% of Entry Fees Paid to Winner
10-19 Participants. 50% of Entry Fees Paid to Winner 25% Paid to 2nd Place
20 or more Participants. 40% of Entry Fees Paid to Winner, 20% Paid to 2nd Place 15% to 3rd Place

Biggest Bass By Weight - 25% of total entry fees.

Bonus Contingency Prize - $50 additional bonus if the winner of Big Bass By Weight is an Active Connect Fishing League Member.

Winner(s) will be announced within 48 hours of the end of the competition.

Prizes will be paid via PayPal or Physical Check

Details:

What to do now?

Get the ConnectScale app and become familiar with the app in advance. The app can be found here for iPhone and here for Android.
Instructional videos for the app can be found here: https://connectscale.com/pages/videos

When to fish?

Starts: Friday March 12th 6AM EST

Ends: Sunday March 28th 9PM EST

Where to fish?

Any public waterway in the United States or Canada. No private ponds allowed. If anyone can fish the waterway, even if a fee might be charged like a state park, then this is considered a public waterway. If you have a question on if a waterway is considered public please check with the Tournament Director prior to submitting your catches from that location.

Who can fish?

Any angler in the United States who is not under a Shelter In Place Order from Local, State, or National Government. All anglers must follow all applicable laws and have appropriate licenses.

Submitting a Catch:

Step 1 - The ConnectScale App

All anglers must use the ConnectScale Fishing App to register and log entries.

iPhone Users - Download on iTunes App Store.
Android Users - Download on Google Play.

Once you have downloaded the app. Complete setting up your User Profile with First and Last names, Email, and a Profile Picture that shows your face.

To confirm registration for the tournament, use the ConnectScale app, tap the Events Tab on the Bottom Menu. Select the My Events page on top of the page and select the Join button for the Black Friday event. You can find the tournament ID in the ConnectScale app on the events detail page once the event begins.

Step 2 - Measuring Devices

All entries must be verified using one of the recommended measuring devices listed at the end of the rules. For the big bass by weight competition, your catches must be weighed with a ConnectScale.

Step 3 - Go Fishing and Catch a Bass

Only “black bass” (largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass) are eligible for scoring in this tournament.

Step 4 - Measure and Log

Record your catch weight with the ConnectScale and enter it into the ConnectScale app.

Measure the length of the catch with your measuring device and enter the length into the ConnectScale app. The measurements are used to confirm the validity of the catch. The length of the catch is not used to determine the winning catch but to validate the integrity of the entry.

The nose of the catch must touch the bump on the measuring device. Lengths should be recorded in the nearest quarter inch rounded down.

Using the ConnectScale app, input the following data:

Weight of the catch in the Weight Field automatically obtained from ConnectScale.
Length of the catch in the Length Field.
Select appropriate species of catch. (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, or Spotted Bass)
Tap the Event Code Field and make sure the Tournament Code for the Weekend Challenge. The event is selected with a Green Checkmark.
Verification Photos - Verification photos for each catch must be entered into the ConnectScale app at the time of the catch. The photo must show the weight, length verification, and Tournament ID.

Verification photos must show the Unique Tournament ID. Tournament ID cards can be printed using the official Connect Fishing League Tournament card. The Tournament Code will be posted on this rules page and in the app at the start of the event.

Rules:

Must fish public water.
Boat, Kayak, Tube, and Bank/Shore Fishing Permitted
Catches must be submitted to the tournament at the time of catch.
All catches are submitted using the ConnectScale Fishing App.
Adding Length Measurement must be done in Inches in .25 inch increments. For instance, x.00 x.25 x.50 or x.75 where x is the number of inches.
Users must Round Down and enter to the closest .25 or (¼) Inch mark.
Any submission not rounded to .00 .25 .50 .75 will be disqualified.

Board Measurement	Rounding	Length Entered on App
12 1/8	12	12.00
12 3/8	12 1/4	12.25
12 5/8	12 1/2	12.50
12 7/8	12 3/4	12.75

Tiebreakers:

Total Number of Fish Legally submitted
Biggest Individual Fish
Next Biggest Fish until all fish have been accounted
If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined by the earliest photo submitted of their largest fish

Photo Requirements: (PLEASE READ)

Each submission must be a unique catch. Violations will be excluded.
For Weight Verification, each submission must include a photo that includes the ConnectScale and clearly shows the weight of the catch on the ConnectScale Screen. If weight is not clearly visible on the ConnectScale then the catch will be excluded.
Each submission must include Unique Tournament ID. This code will be published at the start of the event on the event detail page. Violations will be excluded.
Each photo must show the entire fish from mouth to tail on a measuring board. Violations will be excluded.
The mouth/lip, eye, and tail fin must not be covered or obstructed in the photo. Violations will be excluded.
The tail of the fish may be pinched.
The mouth of the fish must be closed and placed against the beginning of the board. Violations will result in a 0.25 LBS Penalty.
The measurement must be from left to right with dorsal fins on top of the photo and pelvic and anal fins downward. Violations will be excluded.
Measurement markings on board must be clearly visible. If a catch is questioned and the judge can not clearly see the tick marks then the catch will be excluded. Violations will be excluded.
Photos must be taken with participants' own phone using the In-app photo feature or upload from the photo gallery. Violations will be excluded.
Photos should be taken straight on or from directly overhead and not at an angle to ensure verification of the catch. If the tournament director is not able to easily read the measurement, entries may be disallowed. Violations will be excluded.
Blurry photos or photos where the length marker is unclear will be excluded. Violations will be excluded.
Second generation (screenshot, or photo of photos) will be excluded. Violations will be excluded.
The catch must be in a natural state and unaltered. Violations will be excluded.
Any catch submitted that does not meet all of the criteria will be excluded from the total. Violations will be excluded.
Tournament judges and the tournament director will have the final decision on any violations and rulings.

In the ConnectScale APP, make sure the Private catch slider is turned off and not showing Green. If the catch is kept Private we will not see it in Public Feed or in the database when we are verifying results. You may keep Share Map (GPS) Location private so that no other users will not know your location but the tournament admin will still be able to verify that the catch was weighed on a body of water and for safety verification. After you have completed ALL of the steps above, tap Save in the top right-hand corner to save the catch submission and enter the catch in the competition.

Log as many catches as you like during the tournament. The app and leaderboard will automatically score catches. All scorable catches must be over 12 inches. The leaderboard will automatically calculate your best catches logged.

Live Leaderboard:

Keep up to date with standings of all our events by using our new Live Tournament Leaderboard

Tournament judges and the tournament director will have the final decision on any violations and rulings. We reserve the right to adjust readings to verified length and weight.

Measurement Boards

Must use a FLAT bump board with ¼ inch tick marks manufactured by a company. Tick marks must clearly be visible.

Contestants are responsible for their own measuring device.
Tournament Admin’s have the right to verify those devices.
Anyone found to be using a measuring device that is determined to not be legal, will be disqualified from the tournament.
Please ensure the markings on your measuring device are clear but not excessive and can be seen by the scoring official.
A clean and clearly marked measuring device is expected.

Disputes and Complaints

Any concerns about the rules should be discussed before the start of the tournament.

The tournament director has the final decision on any complaints.

Formal Complaints must be submitted to the tournament director and provide documentation including event, title date, name of angler, catch #, description of condition being disputed, and reason for dispute and requested action.

Unless a clear violation of law or fraud, any dispute issued after 24 hours of the end of the event will be reviewed without affecting the results.

Prizes

Advertised Payout amounts may be modified based on the final number of paid participants. Prizes will be processed after all photos submitted have been judged and results reviewed. Winners must complete Prize Claim Form that will be emailed to them to claim their prize.

Taxes

Competitors are responsible for all applicable taxes. Participants that win a cumulative prize for the year of over $600 must complete a IRS W9 Form before any prize amount exceeding $600 will be distributed.

Waivers and Releases

By registering for an event the participant grants Connect Outdoors, Inc the right to use all photographs, likeness, stories, accounts, interviews, and information pertaining to the event for marketing and promotional purposes. This release is granted without expectation of additional compensation.

As a condition of participation and by virtue of registering for competitions, each participant agrees to accept the terms and conditions of Connect Outdoors, Inc Waiver and Release of Liability. This absolves Connect Outdoors, Inc, its officers, staff, and volunteers from responsibility and threat of litigation in the case of injury, loss, or death sustained by a participant while participating in an event.

Verification Truth Test

Each participant agrees to submit to a Test using polygraph or voice stress analysis and to abide by its findings.
Mind-Altering substance and alcohol consumption prior to test is prohibited.
Refusal to participate in Test will result in disqualification of the tournament.
Test failure will result in disqualification of the tournament.
Verification Truth Test will be used by the Tournament Director’s sole discretion and the determination of the meaning of the Test results will be made by the Tournament Director.

Liability Release

In consideration of membership in CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC Tournament Fishing Circuit as well as being granted permission to participate in the fishing tournaments and other events held or sponsored by CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC THE VIRTUAL ENTRY PARTICIPANT HEREBY RELEASES, DISCHARGES, WAIVES AND RELINQUISHES ANY AND ALL ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR WRONGFUL DEATH OCCURRING TO HIM/HERSELF ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO , OR CONNECTED WITH IN ANY MANNER ENTRY OR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENTS, wherever or however the same may occur and for whatever period said activities may continue, and the VIRTUAL ENTRY PARTICIPANT agrees that under no circumstances will he/she or his/her heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns prosecute or present any claim for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death against CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC: PARTICIPANTS UNDER 18 or any of their principals, officers, directors, employees or agents (“Released Persons”) for any of said causes of actions, whether the same shall arise by the negligence of any of said persons, or otherwise. The VIRTUAL ENTRY PARTICIPANT further and separately agrees to indemnify, save, and hold harmless Released Persons from any loss, liability, damage, or cost, including but not limited to court costs and attorney’s fees, that they may incur, in connection with participation in Events, whether caused by the negligence of Released Persons or otherwise. This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the applicable law. The further states that he/she has carefully read the foregoing, knows the contents thereof, and has AGREED TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF this release as his/her own free act. ALL PARTICIPANTS agree, by his or her ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS on this agreement, to a polygraph or voice stress analysis examination, commonly referred to as a truth verification test, and to abide by its conclusion. Truth verifications test(s) will be used at CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC sole discretion and administered by it or its agents. Refusal to take or failure to pass the examination as determined by CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC will result in disqualification, at the sole discretion of CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC . The ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by or against the undersigned regarding any matter whatsoever in connection with the tournament. Verification of liability insurance: I, the ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS, further state that I maintain liability insurance on any watercraft used in any CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC Tournament Fishing event. Attorney’s Fees: Only CONNECT OUTDOORS, INC and or CONNECTSCALE, LLC and Released Persons are entitled to recover their attorney’s fees. The undersigned is not entitled to recover attorney’s fees regardless of the outcome of any litigation or settlement. The laws of the State of Tennessee, excluding only its choice of law provisions, shall govern the validity, enforcement, and interpretation of this Contract. Any dispute or cause of action under this Contract shall exclusively be filed and resolved in a state court located in Washington County, Tennessee and the VIRTUAL ENTRY PARTICIPANT irrevocably agrees to submit to personal and subject matter jurisdiction in the same. I AGREE by my ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS that I have read and understand the above agreement and all Rules.

Final Details

Connect Outdoors, Inc and its staff reserves the right to disqualify or omit any catches that do not meet the rules described above. All decisions are FINAL.

All users must practice safe social distancing measures as outlined by the CDC. The tournament will be postponed if a national quarantine or shelter in place order is given.

CDC Guidelines to protect yourself:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

CDC guidelines regarding travel in the US:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html

As a condition of participation in a competition, and by virtue of using the app, each competitor agrees to accept the terms and conditions of the ConnectScale terms & conditions including a waiver and release of liability.

Prizes

Details:

What to do now?

When to fish?

Where to fish?

Who can fish?

Submitting a Catch:

Step 1 - The ConnectScale App

Step 2 - Measuring Devices

Step 3 - Go Fishing and Catch a Bass

Step 4 - Measure and Log

Rules:

Photo Requirements: (PLEASE READ)

Live Leaderboard:

Measurement Boards

Disputes and Complaints

Prizes

Taxes

Waivers and Releases

Verification Truth Test

Liability Release

Final Details

OTHER LINKS: