Below are some updates and information for those taking part in the first annual opening day big bass challenge, "Quinte Bass Champs" tournament. It's going to be a great event! Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time in the morning to get squared away. Dont forget to follow us on Twitter @quintebasschamp


Registration:

At least one member from each team must present themselves to the registration table in the morning by the George Street launch before 6:30 AM or at ProAdvantage Sports and Hobbies (48 Dundas St W Belleville) on Friday night before 9 PM.

Boat Check:

All teams must report to the check-in boat after launching. Both team members must have their life jackets on. The kill switch must be attached to the driver. All live wells must be open for inspection and running. The tournament committee will randomly select up to 10 boats for additional compartment inspection by drawing lots. Be prepared to open all hatches upon request. (Example: registration forms are pulled randomly from a hat and those ten teams are then marked to be directed to open all compartment hatches for close inspection when they arrive at the boat check. Prior notice of your team being drawn will not be given) Teams not checked in by 6:45 AM may be held back until after blast off.

Blast Off:

The trickle start blast off will take place in three flights. The first flight will be boats 1-40, the second 41-80, and the third 81-xxx. At 6:45 AM, boats will be called by number via loud hailer to proceed past the blast off boat. When your boat number is called, signal tournament officials by waving until you are acknowledged. When directed, proceed past the blast off boat at trolling speed before putting the boat up on plane.

Weighing in Fish

Prizes will be awarded for the three heaviest largemouth bass per hour. Hour one is from blast off to 8AM. Hour two is 8-9AM. Hour three is 9-10AM and so on, until the final hour which is 2-3PM. The top three leading weights during each hour will be made known to competitors by following us on Twitter @quintebasschamp and also by a large leaderboard near the scales at George Street Park. This leaderboard will be visible from the water. Once a boat passes the marker buoys on route to the dock, the team has committed to weigh-in at least one fish for that hour. Teams may weigh in up to two fish in any hour. Once a team docks they must bag one or two fish and proceed directly to the scales without delay. At 3PM, be mindful that boat traffic at the weigh-in site may be heavy. There will be no need for every boat to rush in at the last minute but leave yourself extra time if you plan to weigh a fish in the final hour to be safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q – What if we don’t have a ‘Smart Phone’. How will we get the Twitter updates.
A – Sorry. Maybe you can get a friend with a Smart phone to text or call you with updates. We also have the leader board visible from the water.
Q - What if we get to the dock and have two fish in the livewell but only want to weigh one?
A - No problem, but once a fish goes in the weigh bag it is committed and must be given to the weigh master.
Q - Does the hourly leader have to wait at the weigh-in until they win the hour or are bumped out?
A – No, you can go fishing, but it might be more fun to stick around.
Q – Do we have to launch at George St Park?
A – No, but you must register, check in at the boat check boat, and blast off in order from George Street.
Q - Tournament waters are closed to boating the week before the tournament but I work for a Marina and may have to take customers for test drives that week. Will I be penalized?
A – If you have a legitimate need to be on the water, let us know. The tournament committee will make a decision and get back to you right away. We are reasonable people and common sense always prevails.