We are excited to announce the AFB Tournament Series which will be kicking off in February of 2012.  The season will consist of 12 tournaments over 12 months and a champion will be crowned at the end of the series based on total weight.  We are targeting anglers who want the competitive nature of tournament fishing but wants to keep it fun and fish with a good group of guys who enjoy each other's company.

We are working hard to put together a competitive series with good payouts and the chance to fish a lot of different water while keeping entry fees affordable.  All fees collected will be paid back over the course of the season.

2/4 Neely Henry (Gadsden City Docks)

3/17 Guntersville (Brown's Creek)

4/7 Lake Martin (Wind Creek)

5/5 Lay Lake (Paradise Point)

6/2 Weiss Lake (Leesburg Landing)

7/28 Lake Eufaula (State Park)

8/11 Lake Mitchell (Higgins Ferry)

9/15 Logan Martin (Lakeside Landing)

10/13 Bankhead Lake (Franklin's Ferry Marina)

11/10 Alabama River (Cooter's Pond)

12/1 Lake Jordan (Bonner's)

1/12 Lake Wheeler (Ingall's Harbor)

***Dates and locations are subject to change.  In the event of any schedule change, information will immediately be posted here as well as on the forum boards.  There will be no changes made less than 14 days prior to an event.

TEAMS

A team may consist of either one or two anglers.  All team members must be members of the forums on this site no later than the day before the event they are participating in.

In order to establish a team, that team must fish (7) events in a single season without substitution.  One team member may fish solo and still register as a team for that event.

In the event that one team member is not present to fish an event, a substitute may be used.  In the case of a team consisting of only (1) member, a second angler may be used in up to (5) events provided that the solo angler fishes (7) events in the solo format to establish his team.  A child 16 or under may be used as a substitute with no penalty and will be counted towards establishing the regular team.

All substitutes will be required to be paid members of the trail with the following exception:  A child 16 or under may be used as a substitute without becoming a member.

Each team must fish a minimum of (9) events to be eligible for post season payout with the exception of “big fish for the series”.  (7) of those must be fished without a substitute.

SCORING

A team will receive points equivalent to pounds weighed in at each event.  These weights will be carried to (2) decimal places.

At the end of the season, each team will be allowed to drop it’s (3) lowest weights to establish a final total based on (9) events.  In the event of a tie, the winning team will be determined by their largest fish weighed for "big fish" pot during the year.

Included in those (9) weights, each team must include a minimum of (7) weights that were caught with both team members present, one team member fishing solo or one team member and a child 16 or under.  Only (2) tournaments in which a substitute was used can be included in final weight consideration.

All prizes will be awarded to the team with the exception of any door prizes or other items not included in the entry pool.

FEES

All members of each team will be required to pay a one time $40 membership fee for the season.

Each tournament will consist of a $50 entry fee per team as well as an optional $10 “big fish” entry.

Entry fees can be paid in advance via PayPal or may be paid on tournament day.

All fees paid on tournament day must be CASH.

PAYOUT

Payouts will be based on (1) team per every (5) entries.

All tournaments will have a 100% cash payout on the day of the event.

After the final tournament has been fished and scores for the year have been established, there will be two final payouts which will equal 100% of all membership fees collected throughout the season.

The “champion” based on cumulative weight for the season as described above will receive 75% of the membership fee pot.

The “big fish” winner of the season will receive the remaining 25% of the membership fee pot.

In order to be eligible for “big fish” of the season, that fish must have been the winner of the “big fish” pot on the day it was caught.  If a team does not participate in “big fish” pot on the day the fish was caught, that fish will not be considered for “big fish” of the season.

RULES

Tournament hours will be set no less than one week before each event.  Typically these hours will be from safe daylight until either 2 or 3 pm central time.

Each team will be allowed to weigh (5) fish per tournament.  Culling must be done upon catching the 6th fish.  At no time may any team have more than (5) fish in the livewell.  Penalty is immediate disqualification.

Each team will be allowed to weigh in (1) dead fish per event.  A dead fish will result in a penalty of .5 pound (8 oz.) deducted from that team’s total weight for the day.

No culling of dead fish.

A dead fish may NOT be weighed for “big fish”.

Unless otherwise stated, each tournament will have a 12” minimum size on all fish.  It is the team’s responsibility to make sure that all fish weighed in are legal and meet the size requirement.

If a short fish is presented for weigh-in, that fish will be removed from that team’s catch along with their heaviest fish of the event.  Any fish removed as a result of bringing a short fish to the scales will NOT be considered for “big fish” pot.

All teams will be responsible for providing a safe and legal vessel to fish from.  All vessels must meet USCG requirements, local laws and state laws.

All vessels must be equipped with an operational kill switch, livewell and running lights to participate.  Operator must also have valid liability insurance and be able to produce proof of such upon request.

Kill switch and flotation device must be worn at all times that the big motor is in gear and the vessel is on plane.

Teams late to weigh in will be assessed a (1) pound per minute penalty up to (15) minutes.  After (15) minutes, that team will be disqualified and will receive a (0) weight for the day.

In the event of mechanical breakdown, a team may receive assistance from another team in the form of being towed to the dock or having that team and their catch transported to the dock without penalty.  No outside assistance from anyone not participating in the event may be used under penalty of disqualification.  Teams receiving assistance as well as providing assistance must still be on time for weigh-in. 

There will be NO early weigh-ins.  Weigh-in time will be established on the morning of each event and will be strictly followed.  In the event that a team must come off the water early because of mechanical failure or any other reason, it is the responsibility of that team to maintain their catch and present it at regular weigh-in time.

All fish must be caught on a rod and reel, hooked in the mouth and on artificial bait.  No trolling with the outboard.  Only one rod per team member may be used at any given time.

On lakes with a lock system, there will be no locking through to any other body of water.

Boat numbers will be assigned at the time of registration.  A team is considered to be registered when entry fee is received.

Any dispute on tournament day will be handled by all present members of the tournament board who are not involved in the dispute.  All decisions will be final.

There will be absolutely NO illegal drugs or alcohol onboard any participating vessel on the day of the event.  Any angler who appears to be intoxicated will not be allowed to participate in that day’s event.  Penalty is immediate disqualification and suspension from the remaining events.