The Water Valley Open Bass Tournament

Water Valley Open Bass Tournament 🎣

📅 Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025 | Safelight – 2 PM
📍 Location: The Marina – 445 Baja Dr, Windsor, CO 80550
💰 Entry Fee: $500 per team (15-team max) | Side pots for big bass, & crappie: $20 per team (80% payout)
👥 Team Format: 2-person teams only (no single entries) | First come, first serve registration begins May 31, 2025

Tournament Rules & Eligibility:

✅ Open format for anglers with boats that have working live-wells
✅ No practice period day before the tournament
✅ Boats must have a working kill switch for the combustion engine – no exceptions
✅ PFDs must be worn and kill switch attached when the combustion engine is running
✅ Watercraft owners must carry $300,000 liability insurance (proof required at check-in)
✅ Live-well inspection required before launch
✅ Wakeless speed only on the reservoir
✅ Maintain a 50ft courtesy cushion from other boats when possible (small fishery, expect to be near others)

Fishing Rules:

🎣 5 black bass limit per team (largemouth & smallmouth, 12” min length) – all fish must be alive
🎣 Only 5 bass, 1 crappie, allowed in live-well at any time
🎣 Dead fish penalties: 1 lb. deduction for dead fish, ½ lb. deduction for short fish
🎣 No culling of dead fish – must be kept in your bag
🎣 Ties broken by heaviest bass in the bag
🎣 Artificial lures only | No trolling | Only 1 rod & reel per angler at a time
🎣 Sight-fished bass must be hooked inside the mouth – no snagging
🎣 Lures limited to 3 hooks per setup, including A-rigs

Pre-Tournament Meeting:

📢 Mandatory meeting 1 hour before start time (exact time TBD)
📢 Both anglers must attend to be eligible to fish
📢 Launch order will be drawn at this meeting
📢 Tournament boundaries and off-limits areas will be discussed

Payouts & Prizes:

🏆 1st Place: $1,500 + merchandise/gift cards
🥈 2nd Place: $900 + merchandise/gift cards
🥉 3rd Place: $700 + merchandise/gift cards
💰 Side Pots (Big Bass, Crappie): 80% payout based on participation

🎉 Post-Tournament Meal & Awards Ceremony! Enjoy a great day of competition and camaraderie on the water!

Click Here for Competition Registration

If you have questions about the competition or registration, please reach out to Jeff Colwell at 970-219-3913