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2026-27 Tournament Rules

The 2026 Bassmaster High School Series and B.A.S.S. Nation youth rules require all participating student anglers to be current B.A.S.S. members, maintain required school enrollment/grades, submit signed liability waivers, and have proof of an approved boater safety course completion. Every competing boat must also include an adult “Boat Captain” or coach meeting specific horsepower and safety guidelines.

Eligibility & Participation

    • Membership: Anglers must be in grades 9 through 12 and hold active B.A.S.S. memberships.
    • Safe Boating: Mandatory completion of an approved state boater safety certification for applicable participants and boat captains.
    • Waivers: Properly completed and electronically signed tournament rules and parental/legal guardian consent waivers must be submitted to B.A.S.S. administration prior to competition. 

Boat & Equipment Standards

    • Boat Captain: Each team/boat must be accompanied by an adult coach or captain who handles safety overview (and operates the primary combustion engine), while student anglers fish.
    • Horsepower: Outboard engines used during official practice and competition cannot exceed the maximum 250-horsepower rating set by B.A.S.S. guidelines.
    • Tackle & Gear: Artificial lures only; landing nets are permitted during competition unless otherwise specified by the tournament director.

Competition & Conduct

    • Off-Limits & Practice: Strict adherence to designated tournament off-limits periods and official practice windows, prohibiting outside information-sharing or bartering regarding fish locations.
    • Sportsmanship: Competitors must maintain high standards of courtesy, safety, conservation, and self-policing of rules on the water.

To review the complete text, official entry forms, or specialized state-level trail guidelines, visit the High School Resources – Bassmaster or download the official Bassmaster High School Series Rules PDF.
In Mississippi, high school student anglers generally compete under the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) regulations, the state-level Mississippi B.A.S.S. Nation bylaws, or concurrent Mississippi Bass Federation (TBF/SAF) standards.

Key Mississippi Rules

    • Creel & Size Limits: Mississippi events generally enforce a strict 5-fish limit per team, requiring all bass to be a minimum of 12 inches in length (unless local lake rules dictate a larger size).
    • Weight Penalties: Dead fish incur a 0.5-pound penalty per fish. Bringing a short fish to the scales results in a 1-pound penalty.
    • Late Check-in: Anglers face a 1-pound per minute penalty for checking in late to the weigh-in, up to a maximum of 15 minutes before disqualification.
    • Boat Captain Age: To serve as a Boat Captain in Mississippi youth trails, adults must be at least 19 years old and possess an approved boater safety course certificate.
    • Uniforms: For formal MHSAA-sanctioned events, official school uniforms must be worn during tournament hours and post-season weigh-ins.

New 2026 Rules & Important Updates

    • Guide Service Restrictions: Any individual who acts as a professional fishing guide on a scheduled tournament water body within 30 days prior to the event is completely barred from participating. They are strictly prohibited from fishing, coaching, or being present in the boat with any student angler. 
    • Membership Verification: All tournament dues and official B.A.S.S. memberships must be fully processed and paid before launch. Anglers lacking official proof of payment are automatically ineligible for any tournament prizes, checks, or national advancement spots until confirmation is recognized. 
    • Mandatory Captain Certificates: Every boat captain, regardless of age, experience, or state-level birthdate exemptions, must hold a valid state-approved Boater Safety Course certificate. Proof of completion must be uploaded digitally prior to the first tournament check-in. 

Equipment & Safety Mandates

    • Insurance Proof: Boat captains must maintain a physical or digital copy of the boat’s up-to-date liability insurance policy on board at all times. Failure to produce this during inspection or check-in is grounds for immediate team disqualification.
    • Chest-Style Life Jackets: All participants (anglers and captains) must wear an approved chest-style life jacket at all times while the outboard engine is running, while standing on the loading piers, or during boat launching/unloading.
    • Engine Caps: In alignment with national standards found via Bassmaster High School Resources, outboard engines cannot exceed the maximum 250-horsepower rating or the boat’s maximum structural USCG plate capacity rating.

Scoring & Penalties

    • Creel Limit: 5 fish per team, with all legal bass required to break a minimum of 12 inches unless local reservoir or lake regulations dictate a larger length.
    • Dead Fish Penalty: A deduction of 0.5 pounds is assessed for every dead fish brought to the scale.
    • Short Fish Penalty: Bringing a fish to the bump tank that fails to meet the 12-inch limit results in a 1-pound penalty and loss of the fish.
    • Late Check-In: A penalty of 1 pound per minute is deducted from the total weight for teams arriving late to their flight’s designated check-in window, scaling up to 15 minutes before absolute disqualification.