Rules and Agreement Form

for the South Shore Open

After the team completes the entry form here , each team member must read the rules and agree to the Liability Waiver & Release of Claims below.

All forms, agreements and payment must be submitted by July 27, 2026. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Any questions can be sent to southshorebassopen@gmail.com or text/call Dennis Banik at 219-512-2924.

SOUTH SHORE OPEN RULES

*In order to compete in ANY tournament sanctioned by the Cal Sag Bass Anglers and South Shore Bass Open LLC, the participating angler MUST agree to this form. Any competing angler is responsible to read and fully understand the rules/procedures set forth on this form covered in the Mandatory Pre-Tournament Meeting, as well as ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS set forth on our website.

This form points out KEY Rules Specific to the South Shore Bass Open. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT.

If fishing in Indiana rivers and tributaries off Lake Michigan which include the Indiana Harbor Canal, Lake George Canal and Grand Calumet River at the southern section of the Indiana Harbor, Burns Ditch/Little Calumet River and adjoining tributaries/rivers, and Michigan City Harbor and its rivers and tributaries, a South Shore Bass Open competing team can only enter that area or leave that area with no more than 4 fish in their possession with a minimum size limit over 15 inches for smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass. Indiana law states that no largemouth, smallmouth and/or spotted bass 12 to 15 inches may be kept and no more than 2 fish over 15 inches may be kept per angler in these areas. Any violation of these rules will result in a disqualification for that tournament day.
Five Fish Limit/day – 14” Minimum Size Largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass only.
Tournament Waters- State of Indiana, State of Illinois, State of Wisconsin and State of Michigan waters only.
Tournament Day Fishing Hours– As outlined in Tournament Directors meeting.
Off Limits of Tournament waters begins at Friday July 31, 2026 at 3pm CST.
Blast Off – All participating anglers are to assemble in numerical order for blast off procedures. Anglers are to STAY directly behind the previous numbered boat in its “Prop Wash” Area until called. The Angler MUST break the plane of the Call Boats Bow. ALL specific instructions communicated by Tournament Director are to be followed. Failure to do so will result in a documented Verbal warning, with additional warnings resulting in a disqualification for that day.
Check-in as outlined in Tournament Director’s Meeting. Failure to check in On Time will result in penalties (SEE website “RULES”)
OFF LIMITS AREAS (Maps and Descriptions) – Clarification to All Areas outlined in Tournament Director’s Meeting. Off Limits Areas are to include the following (See Maps Below for Reference):
1. No Fishing inside the inner Pastrick Marina, Your Boat must stay Outside of Point to Point but you MAY cast into.
2. No Fishing or Casting in ANY waters separated by a wall, rocks, signs or buoys stating No Boating or No Fishing or Private Property. You MAY fish under the Bridge and the Area outside of Pastrick Marina.
3. Port of Indiana is OFF LIMITS Bullnose Point to Rock Point. Your boat must Stay Outside of Designated line but you MAY cast in.
4. Sawyer and Jardine Water Purification Plants. At NO time, shall anglers go inside the line of buoy markers with their boat. An angler may NOT cast or fish inside these buoys or areas outlined on maps.
5. No Fishing inside Chicago Harbor Lock
6. If you venture into the Cal Sag, there is No Fishing Inside the lock, 400 Feet Markers of O’Brien Lock on Either Side (Above or Below). An angler’s Boat cannot go past the 400 foot markers, but MAY cast into.
7. ALL Chicago Park District Shoreline Beaches: Beach Operating Hours are 11am-7pm, Daily: Memorial Day Weekend. When any Restrictive Buoys are present; despite operating hours listed; An angler MAY bring boat up to line of buoys (NOT Past). An angler MAY cast into Area.

OFF LIMIT AREAS FOR THE SOUTH SHORE OPEN

AUTOMATIC DQ THAT DAY FOR ANY ANGLER(s) VIOLATING OFF LIMITS AREA RULES. ZERO TOLERANCE.

THE CAL SAG BASS ANGLERS ORGANIZATION, SOUTH SHORE BASS OPEN LLC, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SPONSORS, DONORS, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEERS OR EMPLOYEES ARE NOT LIABLE or RESPONSIBLE FOR BODILY INJURY OR HARM OF ANY ANGLER(S) OR PARTY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. CAL SAG, BIG LAKE BASS, SOUTH SHORE BASS OPEN LLC, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, SPONSORS, DONORS, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEERS OR EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ONE OF ITS REGISTERED ANGLERS DURING OR NOT DURING TOURNAMENT HOURS. WE DO CARRY INSURANCE TO PROTECT PARTICIPANTS BUT SHALL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INJURY OR HARM CAUSED BY ANYONE AT ANY TIME.

Horseshoe Hammond Pre-Tournament Meeting and Hospitality Night  ****Anyone found in violation of Horseshoe Hammonds Rules and Regulations during the Pre-Tournament Registration/Meeting and/or Hospitality Night following the meeting will be disqualified from participating in the South Shore Bass Open immediately and permanently thereafter*****  Horseshoe Hammond is well advised to make the South Shore Bass Open Tournament Director aware of any Horseshoe Hammond Rules and Regulations violations by any registered participant(s) of the South Shore Bass Open and an immediate disqualification of that person(s) will result for that year’s event and any year following.

LIABILITY WAIVER & RELEASE OF CLAIMS

By participating in the South Shore Open and/or any event conducted by South Shore Bass Open LLC, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

I understand that fishing tournaments and related outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to boating accidents, drowning, slips and falls, wildlife encounters, weather hazards, equipment failure, and other unforeseen dangers that may result in property damage, personal injury, or death.

In consideration of being permitted to participate, I hereby voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation and release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless South Shore Bass Open LLC, the South Shore Open, and all affiliated sponsors, organizers, directors, officers, employees, volunteers, partners, hosts, landowners, municipalities, and associates (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, or liabilities of any kind, whether known or unknown, arising out of or related to my participation in the event.

I agree that I am solely responsible for my personal safety, the condition and operation of my equipment and vessel, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and tournament rules. I certify that I am physically capable of participation and that my boat and safety equipment meet all legal and tournament requirements.

I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims brought by third parties arising from my actions or participation in the event.

This release shall be binding upon me and my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana.

By checking the box and typing my name in the space provided below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and voluntarily agree to this Liability Waiver and Release of Claims and therefore constitutes as my signature of agreement.