LTT 2026 Official Rules

The Lakes Tournament Trail (LTT) constitutes the owners, management, and members of the trail.

1. Definitions & Integrity

Polygraph Testing: To maintain the highest standards of integrity, a polygraph test may be administered at any time for any reason deemed necessary by the committee.
Protests: All protests must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director or a staff member before the conclusion of the daily weigh-in using a formal protest slip.
Testing Responsibility: The accusing party is responsible for the planning, coordination, and financial costs of any required polygraph, subject to LTT approval. If the accused party fails or refuses the test, the team is disqualified and must assume all costs.
Inspections: All vessels are subject to a comprehensive inspection at any time. LTT reserves the right to refuse any entry for any reason.

Single Event Entry: The fee for any individual qualifier is $300. This applies to all single entries, whether prepaid via PayPal/Mail or paid at the ramp.
Full Season Entry: Pre-registration for the full season is $1,500, which includes the Championship entry and Big Bass winnings.
Deadlines: Mail-in entries must be postmarked at least six days prior to the tournament date.
Early Pay Incentive: Teams paying for the full season prior to March 31st receive a “double ball draw” for boat numbers at each regular-season event.
Refund Policy: No refunds or transfers for no-shows, disqualifications, or mechanical breakdowns. Ramp fees and license costs are the team’s responsibility.

Mandatory Prepayment: To be eligible for the Championship, teams must prepay the $1,500 full season fee no later than April 5th.
Exclusion: Teams paying for individual events (including Ramp Pay) are not eligible for the Championship.
Participation: Eligible teams must compete in at least two regular-season events.
Alternates: One alternate is permitted per team; they must fish at least one qualifier to be eligible for the Championship.

Check-in: Registration closes 20 minutes before start. Failure to check in by the flight deadline results in an automatic disqualification.
Mandatory Meeting: Held on the water 5 minutes before takeoff to cover official time, limits, and lake-specific rules. Boats must be launched and ready.
Safety Gear: USCG-approved PFDs must be worn on plane. A working kill switch attached to the driver and a working livewell are mandatory.
Motor Rating: Motor sizes must not exceed the Coast Guard rating plate; safety is the owner’s responsibility.

Limits: Daily limit is five bass (12” minimum) unless lake regulations differ. No more than 5 fish may be kept in your livewell unless you are in the act of culling. You may have 6 fish while in the act of culling.
Fish Count Violations: If you have 6 fish in your livewell at any point after check-in, there is a 2lb penalty and the smallest fish must be released. Having more than 6 fish in your livewell at any point results in automatic disqualification.
Measurement: All fish are measured with mouth closed and tail pointed. Short fish incur a .50lb penalty (one courtesy allowed). Dead fish incur a .50lb penalty.
Culling: Must be done prior to check-in and is prohibited within sight of the ramp. Culling a dead fish results in automatic disqualification.
Big Bass: To qualify for the Big Bass prize, the fish must be alive.

Point Structure: LTT operates on an 80-point scale (80 for 1st, 79 for 2nd, etc.). Participating teams receive 20 “show up” points.
Angler of the Year (AOY): Points from each qualifier determine the champions. 1st Place: Free entry for the next season. 2nd Place: $300. 3rd Place: $200.
Plaques: Awarded for the top 3 places and Big Bass for all qualifiers and the championship. For AOY, a plaque is awarded to 1st place only.
Ties: Settled by split checks or a coin flip if both teams agree.

Prohibitions: No live bait or trolling (drifting is allowed). One rod per person. Cell phone use is prohibited except for emergencies. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Sportsmanship: Unsportsmanlike conduct or passing in no-wake zones is grounds for disqualification.
Off-Limits: No off-limits for qualifiers. For the Championship, fishing is prohibited between Day 1 weigh-in and the Day 2 start.
Documentation: Signed entry and liability waiver required annually. LTT may collect SSNs for 1099 purposes at year-end.

Matters not covered revert to the Tournament Director’s discretion.