Catching the boss fish with Big Bait… Second annual East Tennessee Big Bait tourney set for Rat Branch
Published 12:30 pm Friday, June 19, 2020
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Photo Contributed by Darrell Woods Larry Turner shows off a nice smallmouth caught out of Watauga Lake. Fishermen are invited to participate in the second annual East Tennessee Big Bait Tournament at Rat Branch on Saturday, June 27th. There is a $50 entry fee.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
For all those fishermen who enjoy going out and looking to hook up with the big lunkers on Big Bait, gets your gear ready and make sure to sign up as the second annual East Tennessee Big Bait Tourney is slated to launch from Rat Branch on Watauga Lake on Saturday, June 27th, 2020.
The tournament is for swimbaits only with safe light at 2 pm.
There is an entry fee of $50 for the tourney.
Official rules for the tournament are as follows:
– Swimbaits only. Basically, if it’s a bait or a similar bait that one can find on Tackle Warehouse and find it under the swimbait heading it counts. NO BAITS UNDER 4″ or one ounce allowed. Any question about baits meeting standards can be clarified by tournament organizers prior to launch.
– Boat storage and live wells will be checked at launch prior to blastoff. No non-related baits allowed.
– All fish must be caught by rod and reel in a sporting manner – no snagging or trolling will be allowed.
– Coast Guard approved PDF’s must be worn and kill switch attached any time the boat is on plane.
– Three fish limit, 15″ on smallmouth, 12″ on spots and largemouth. No more than five fish in possession at any time and no culling at the ramp.
– All participants must be at ramp minimum 15 minutes before blastoff to allow for boat check, draw number and for everyone to get launched.
– No dead fish will be weighed with a penalty of two-pound plus loss of biggest fish.
– Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs prohibited before and during tournament hours.
– All participants shall observe a high standard of ethics, sportsmanship, and personal conduct.
– Be inside the no-wake buoys, off plane, and no longer fishing by 2 pm.
– Ties will be determined by the big fish.
All fishermen are welcome to come out and enjoy a great time of fishing.
