VPA BASS FISHING COMMITTEEJefferson Goodrich, Chair, Essex; Charles Wood, Essex; Jeff Thomas, Hartford; Jeff Moreno, Hartford; Lauren Thomas, Vermont Principals Association; Chris Weber, Vermont Bass Masters; Sean Graves, Keene NH; Jimmy Kennedy Vermont CBS; Bernie Pientka, VT Fish and Wildlife
This manual is published by the Vermont Principals Association with the permission and support of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association. 2 Prospect Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05452.Neither the whole nor part of this publication may be copied or reproduced and/or translated without first obtaining written permission from the publisher.
POINTS OF EMPHASISPlease note the points of emphasis do not include all changes to the Policy and Procedures Manual. Please review the manual carefully.It is the expectation of the Bass Fishing Committee that coaches will rely on anglers “voice” in the “decision making” process including but not limited to choosing the location to fish, where and when to cast their line, which lure to use, etc.
Schools will again be allowed to enter both a VARSITY and a JV boat in both the VPA Classic and in the Vermont State Championship. This is the second year trying this format with the idea of expanding opportunities for student-athlete participation. The boats (anglers) will need to be identified at the time of registration. (Not after the fact.)
Bass Fishing will continue to be aligned into one coed division: Multiple teams have added this year. The Bass Fishing Committee will continue to monitor this alignment and changes will be considered as needed moving forward. Last year we added two teams to the Bass Fishing League and the committee anticipates more growth in the sport this season. Total number of schools participating last year was 18.
Due to the negative impacts that exotic invasive plants and animals can have on VT’s aquatic communities, it is imperative that all anglers check their boats and trailers for aquatic invasive species prior to launching and when leaving a waterbody. This includes checking boats and trailers for aquatic plants as well as making sure that live wells and other equipment is completely dry after use. Not only is it illegal to transport exotic plants and animals in Vermont, increasing instances of boats arriving at launches with exotic species on them will only make access at boat access facilities more difficult in the future. Additionally, exotic invasive plants have the potential to lead to impacts to native plant communities and the fish that depend on them.The VT Fish and Game Department is very excited that VT high school students now have the opportunity to participate in fishing as a sanctioned High School Sport and fully supports this endeavor. Have a safe and productive tournament season.
A. Tournament Dates:
Weight will be re-set to zero after the Classic tournament
F. Coaches/Captains/Volunteers at 7:00 a.m. morning of each tournament. Schools cannot arrive with their boats until after 6:30 a.m. no exceptions. Please arrive by 6:45 am day of tournament.
Flight 1 (Varsity)7:00 a.m. Mandatory pre-tournament meeting on shore for all boat captains, coaches and anglers.7:15 – 7:30 a.m. Safety checks for boats will be done on a first come first serve basis. They will be checked for invasive plants and other species. Boats in water.7:45 a.m. Tournament begins2:45 p.m. Participants must be docked 3:00 p.m. Weigh-in begins
Flight 2 (JV)7:00 a.m. Mandatory pre-tournament meeting on shore for all boat captains, coaches, and anglers.7:30 – 7:45 a.m. Safety checks for boats will be done on a first come first serve basis. They will be checked for invasive plants and other species.Boats in water.8:00 a.m. Tournament begins2:00 p.m. Participants must be docked 2:15 p.m. Weigh-in begins
Flight Itinerary – When two flights are needed / Qualifiers (Note: Adjustments to this schedule may be made at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.)
Awards shall be presented following the final weigh in.
Lightning:Lightning is the most consistent and significant weather hazard that may affect outdoor athletics. Within the United States, the National Severe Storm Laboratory (NSSL) estimates that 100 fatalities and 400-500 injuries requiring medical treatment occur from lightning strikes every year. The existence of blue sky and the absence of rain are not protection from lightning. Lightning can, and does, strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain shaft. It does not have to be raining for lightning to strike. Additionally, thunder always accompanies lightning, even though its audible range can be diminished due to background noise in the immediate environment, and its distance from the observer.
The following guidelines are mandatory: