Here's The Skinny (Bounty Rules Simplified)

• 1. Join BountyFishing.com (Free).
• 2. Check the schedule to find the right tournament.
• 3. Register for a tournament at least one day before you plan to fish.
• 4. Before you go fishing, retrieve your BountyCode.
• 5. Go to your favorite fishing spot and fish.
• 6. Take 2 pictures of your catch according to Bounty's rules.
• 7. Upload your pictures from your profile page and keep an eye on the leaderboard to monitor the unofficial results.
• 8. When the tournament is complete, Bounty validates the photos and posts the official results. All money winners will receive their check(s) within 30 days.

Please make sure that you read the official rules before you compete. If you have any questions, email us at info@bountyfishing.com.

Watch the How to Compete tutorial.

Official Qualifying Guidelines, Rules & Conditions

1) GENERAL

To be eligible for prizes you must register as a BountyFishing member prior to participating in a BountyFishing Tournament. Fish must be caught by the individual listed as the “Registered Angler”. The registered BountyFishing angler is responsible for completing the online official BountyFishing tournament affidavit when uploading the tournament photos. All materials submitted, unless noted otherwise, become the property of BountyFishing.

Winners will be ranked according to length validated by BountyFishing. In the rare case of a tie, members who submit their catch first win. The winners will be announced within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of the conclusion of the weekly tournament. Cash prizes will be awarded thereafter by check. Should you prefer to be paid via PayPal please send an email with your request to info@bountyfishing.com within 48 hours of the Official Results. All cash prizes are paid within 30 days of the completion of the tournament.

Each winning entry is validated by BountyFishing and all decisions are final. Participants may be required to provide additional information if requested by BountyFishing (including, but not limited to, additional images from the same camera that was used for your tournament photos). BountyFishing reserves the right to reject or accept any entry. Any falsification of information provided by the registered angler will lead to disqualification. Failure to comply with these rules will result in forfeiture of prizes. Additionally, you may be subject to prosecution under local state/provincial and federal laws.

2) PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY

Participation is open to BountyFishing members in North America with the following exceptions:

Residents of Vermont, Maryland, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Colorado, Tennessee, Quebec and Mexico and those under 18 years of age are not eligible to compete but are welcome to join BountyFishing.com and participate in the online community.

Entrants must provide proof of age and residency. BountyFishing reserves the right to reject any entry which they feel is not in the best interest of the tournaments. Final BountyFishing tournament eligibility and bounty authorization will be determined only by BountyFishing. Persons employed by BountyFishing and its affiliated companies are not eligible for prizes.

3) BOUNTYCODE

The BountyCode is a unique, seven digit alpha-numeric code which is randomly generated at the start of each day (daily codes) and week (weekly code). The codes are generated at midnight EST.

The BountyCode must be clearly visible in your photo of the “Fish with Ruler” as it will be used to validate the date of your catch.

4) SPECIES

See the schedule for the current eligible species list.

Hybrids will be counted as the larger of the parental species. Entries in which species are incorrectly identified may be subject to disqualification.

Due to Washington state regulations, BountyFishing will not accept Tiger Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy x Esox lucius) or any Trout species from Washington State.

5) FISH

• Only your longest fish, per species is eligible for prizes. Should you wish to upgrade your catch it will replace any existing fish you have previously entered for that species.
• You can enter multiple categories.
• You are judged on the LENGTH of the fish and NOT the weight.
• All fish must be caught alive using legal angling methods.
• Anglers must abide by all state/provincial rules and regulations.
• Absolutely no fish caught in fish hatchery waters, fish culture stations, "Fish & Pay" Lakes, private ponds or fishing preserves may be submitted. Furthermore, no fish captured using unconventional methods is eligible.
• Fish showing signs of improper handling will be disqualified.
• You may not submit the same fish more than once in any twelve (12) month period.

6) MEASURING DEVICE

Only a valid ruler, tape measure or measuring board will be accepted by BountyFishing for measuring the length of the fish. This device must be displayed clearly in your photo of the “Fish with Ruler”. BountyFishing, at its sole discretion, will disqualify anyone suspected of using an inaccurate measuring device. Winners may be asked to submit the measuring device, used in the tournament, for verification.

Please Note: While not mandatory, the use of a rigid ruler or hard tape measure will produce a more accurate measurement.

7) CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS AND SETTINGS

Camera Specifications:

• 4 Mega Pixel minimum.

Camera Settings

Most digital cameras have three important settings:

• Resolution: File size must be set to the largest size.
• File Type: Must be set to JPEG.
• Quality: Must be set to High.

In addition:

• No image manipulation is allowed!
• Images must be uploaded to BountyFishing in the unedited JPEG format in which they were captured.
• All images must be clear and of good quality.

NOTE: BountyFishing reserves the right to reject and/or disqualify images of poor quality.

8) PHOTOS

• Your catch (the live fish) must be alive when measured and photographed.
• Using your digital camera, you are required to take one photograph showing the "Fish with Ruler" and another photograph showing "Fish with Angler" (see below).
• Both photographs that are uploaded to BountyFishing for any individual entry must come from the same camera.

Photo 1 (Fish with Ruler):

Your catch (the live fish) lying flat with a measuring device below the fish, clearly indicating the length of the fish and clearly displaying the BountyCode.

• You must take the photograph from directly above and centered on the fish.  
• All photographs must be clear.
• The fish must be lying down on a flat surface.
• The fish must be visible from tip to tail. Any part of the fish not visible in the picture will not count as part of the length.
• The measuring device must be clearly visible and must be placed below the fish as shown in the example below. Entries with the measuring device placed above or on top of the fish or where the measuring device is not clearly visible may be disqualified.
• Total Length is measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail while the fish is lying on its side. The tail may not be pinched, compressed, or squeezed in any manner.

Please Note: While not mandatory, the closer the ruler is to the fish, the more accurate the measurement.

Photo2 (Fish with Angler):

You, holding your catch (the live fish) horizontally, chest high and as close to your body as possible.

• The picture must be close enough to ensure the fish fills most of the frame.
• You must be facing forward with your eyes open and clearly visible. Sunglasses are NOT allowed!
• Photographs of the fish hanging in a vertical position will not be accepted.

9) UPLOAD IMAGES

For Daily Codes, upload BOTH the “Fish with Ruler” and the “Fish with Angler” via the BountyFishing website prior to midnight on the day of your outing. For Weekly Codes, upload your tournament photos prior to the tournament close midnight on Sunday.

If you experience any technical difficulty whatsoever. Please email your original images to info@bountyfishing.com along with the affidavit completed before the deadline.

10) PRIZES

All prize money may be subject to both state/provincial and federal taxes. BountyFishing assumes no responsibility for failure to adequately report your winnings.

As a member of BountyFishing.com, you hereby acknowledge and agree that BountyFishing shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the fulfillment or quality of any of the prizes which may be from time to time offered by third party sponsors of this web site (the "Prizes"). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge that BountyFishing makes no representations, warranties, terms, conditions, understandings or collateral agreements, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the Prizes. You further acknowledge and agree that should you not receive a Prize for any reason, or should you not be satisfied with the quality thereof, your sole recourse shall be limited to a claim against the sponsor offering the respective Prize, and you agree to indemnify BountyFishing and hold it harmless from any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense, arising out of any such claim.

11) STATE/PROVINCIAL GAME REGULATIONS

All participants are required to abide by all state/provincial laws and game regulations. All fish must be caught alive in a legal and sporting manner, by proper angling methods.

12) PROTEST

All protests must be submitted via email within 24 hours after the final tournament standings have been posted. A $150 online contesting fee will be required. All claims and/or disputes will be examined, and all decision rendered by BountyFishing will be final. BountyFishing reserves the right to refuse any application. Participants that refuse to cooperate will be disqualified.

13) CANCELLATION

BountyFishing reserves the right to add, delete, or modify the list of eligible species, enhance, change, alter, or terminate the tournaments at any time.

14) GENERAL RELEASE

Fishing presents hazards at any time: weather, faulty equipment and poor seamanship, to name a few. As a condition of entering the Tournament the participant fully indemnifies BountyFishing and all it’s, employees, directors, representatives and agents.

15) MODIFICATIONS

These Rules may be amended or modified by BountyFishing in its sole discretion at any time. Any such amendments will be posted to this page and will apply to any transactions and events that occur after the effective date thereof. It is your responsibility to review this page from time to time for such amendments.

16) REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS

The following rules apply to Largemouth (North & Central) and Channel Catfish (Central & South) only.

Rules 1 through 15 apply to regional tournaments. Please make sure to read them carefully. A region is defined as a list of eligible states/provinces that may be fished for entry into a regional tournament. BountyFishing regional tournaments work the same way as our regular tournaments with the following rule additions:

If you are using a GPS enabled camera, GPS must be enabled and the location data must be captured.
Rules 1 through 15 apply (business as usual).

If you are not using a GPS enabled camera.

1. You can purchase a weekly pass at the weekly price, however, you can only use the daily BountyCodes. Weekly codes will NOT be accepted. If your photo contains a weekly code your entry will be disqualified so please be careful!

2. You will be required to submit 2 photos of landmarks that prove your fish was caught in the region you're competing in. Take one picture before fishing and one picture after. The SAME camera that is used to take the "Fish with Ruler" and "Fish with Angler" photo must be used to take the landmark photos. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Only if you place in the money will you be required to forward the 2 landmark pictures by email. An email request will be sent to you after the "Official Results" are posted.

Until then, please store your "Landmark" pictures safe on your computer.

3. You may not compete in more than one region for the same tournament.

Examples of landmarks including but not limited to are:

• Your house or hotel.
• A marina or boat launch.
• A tackle shop.
• Famous landmark.
• An intersection showing both street signs.

Regions for Largemouth Bass are defined as follows:

NORTH: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland / Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, Nebraska, Iowa, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Indiana, Wyoming, West Virginia.

SOUTH: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.

Regions for Channel Catfish are defined as follows:

NORTH: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland / Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.

CENTRAL: District of Columbia, Nebraska, Iowa, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Indiana, Utah, Wyoming, West Virginia.

SOUTH: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.

Please note: Residents from certain states/provinces, although included in the defined regions, are currently ineligible for tournament entry. See eligibility.

This rule may be amended or modified by BountyFishing in its sole discretion at any time. Any such amendments or modifications will be posted to this page so please check back regularly.

17) Slot Tournaments

You must try to catch the species listed measuring closest to the indicated slot limit without going over.

Example:

Redfish Slot (18"-27")

Redfish must measure greater than or equal to 18" and smaller than or equal to 27". If you submit a fish outside the slot you will be disqualified.

All other rules apply.

18) POLYGRAPH TEST

By the submission of your entry, at any time, you may be required to take a polygraph test at the discretion of BountyFishing.com

All prizes may be subject to the results of the test. Any contestant refusing to submit or abide by the results of the polygraph test is subject to immediate disqualification and withholding of any prizes won.

The time and place for the polygraph testing will be chosen by BountyFishing.com The polygraph test will be administered in or near your home state/province by a BountyFishing.com approved examiner administered to ASTM standards.

In the event that a test cannot be taken at a scheduled time, BountyFishing.com reserves the right to reschedule the test within 30 days of the date on which the fish was caught. The rescheduled test must be administered by a BountyFishing.com approved examiner administered to ASTM standards.

If an angler wishes to dispute an unfavorable polygraph result, the angler may have a second polygraph conducted within 10 days by a qualified polygraph examiner at the angler's expense. This polygraph must be administered to ASTM standards. The decision as to which of the two polygraph tests will be used to determine prize money eligibility is that of BountyFishing.com in cooperation with the polygraph examiner(s).

BountyFishing.com has an exclusive agreement with Global Polygraph Network "GPN" for online fishing tournaments.

Established in 1987, GPN is the world's largest provider of polygraph (lie detection) services and referrals.

Last updated: Aug 8,2012