Buddy Bass Tournament Series Enters 3rd Round  

Anglers will battle for undisclosed cash prizes and improved tournament standing as the Horizon Trike and Marine-sponsored Buddy Bass Tournament Series comes to Lake Dardanelle. The upcoming event on Saturday, April 27, 2024, is the 3rd installment of the 5-part series leading to a grand finale in September. 

The event is open to all fishing enthusiasts, and anglers can register online or in person at the Horizon Trike & Marine Center. There's a $250 entry fee per boat and $10 for Big Bass. While contestants may pay their entry fee through PayPal, the payment method attracts a $5 service fee. 

Since the registration date determines a team's starting position, contestants are encouraged to register well before the deadline. Ultimately, contestants have until 5:45 a.m. on the material day to register for the fishing tournament. 

Strict Tourney Rules 

Contestants are bound by the tournament rules set by Horizon Trike and Marine. Each team will comprise two anglers, and participants must pair up and fill out a joint registration form. Each team is on the hook for their launch fee at the Dardanelle ramp, as it's not covered by the entry fee.  

The Bass Buddy tournament is a catch-and-release event, and all bass caught during the contest belongs to the organizers, Horizon Trike and Marine, and will be released after the weigh-in. To ensure all fish is released unharmed, live baits and trolling are prohibited — only fishing rods are permissible.  

There's a five-bass limit per team, and each boat must be equipped with a livewell to keep the fish alive until weigh-in. All contestants must wear a life jacket and may not leave the boat until safe light. 

Weigh-in will commence at 3 p.m. and be conducted in waves, 15 minutes apart, if the event attracts more than 80 teams. Any team late for the weigh-in will be disqualified from the event. 

Only two species, largemouth, and spotted bass, are eligible for this fishing event. All largemouth bass must be over 14", and spotted bass over 12" count as legal fish during weigh-in. Any contestant who attempts to weigh short fish will face severe consequences. All short fish will be disqualified, and the team will face a 2-pound penalty deducted from their catch. 

Anglers must keep their catch alive and release it after the weigh-in. Contestants will be assessed a quarter-pound penalty for any dead fish presented during the weigh-in. 

All contestants must submit to a polygraph test if and when asked to take one by the event's organizers. The organizers will ban contestants who decline or fail a polygraph test from the event.