Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register for the tournament at the pairings?  No, tournament entry forms and entry fees must be delivered to a ABFN director or postmarked by the Saturday immediately preceding the first tournament day.

What is a Guaranteed Boater?  Those boaters registering with a non-boater are guaranteed the use of their boat for the given tournament.  Please note that the non-boater must be listed on the boaters entry form and the boater must be listed on the non-boaters entry form.

Do I need Boat Insurance to fish a Federation Nation tournament?  Yes, $100,000 minimum liability coverage is required to use your boat during all Federation Nation events.  This includes using the boat during the official practice period.  Proof of insurance coverage must be maintained in the boat during all tournament events including official practice.

How do I qualify for the State Championship?  The top 50 non-qualified finishers at each of the four qualifying events are qualified to fish the state championship.  Also, the top 100 non-qualified finishers in the Angler of the Year standings will be qualified to fish the state championship.  The last method to qualify is to be a member of a winning 6-man team regardless of your individual standings in the tournament.  This will result in roughly 300 anglers being qualified for the state championship.

How are Angler of the Year standings calculated?  Points are awarded at each qualifying tournament with the tournament champion receiving 200 points and then reducing by one point for each place after first for all contestants weighing in at least one fish.  For example, the contestant who finishes in 20th place will get 181 points (points = 201 - place).  Those contestants that do not weigh in a fish during the tournament are awarded 10 points.  The same methodology is used for the State Championship with the exception that the tournament champion receives 300 points and then reducing by one point for each place after first for all contestants weighing in at least one fish.  Thus, 20th place at the State Championship will receive 281 points (points = 301 - place).  The Anglers are then ranked by the total points they received from all four qualifying events and the state championship.

How are Non-boater Angler of the Year standings calculated?  Points are awarded at each qualifying tournament for only those participants registering for the event as a non-boater.  The highest finishing non-boater will receive 200 points and then reducing by one point for each subsequent non-boater weighing in at least one fish.  Those non-boaters that do not weigh in a fish during the tournament are awarded 10 points. 

What are rules for the qualifying event  6-person team?  All members of the Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation are eligible to participate on a 6-man team at the four qualifying events.  Each member can participate on only one team per event.  A club may have more than one team per event.  Once a member has been on a winning team, he/she can not be on another team in the same year.  Once a member has represented a club as a team member in a tournament, he/she may not fish as a team member of a different club.  The winning 6-man team from each club will compete at the State Championship for team money.

Do I need to check in with the Federation prior to the tournament?  No, check in is no longer required.  If for some reason you can not make the pairings, you must arrange for someone to meet your partner and you will default to a non-boater.  Failure to make the pairings or arranging for someone to meet your partner will result in forfeiture of your entry fee.