CastingKids Competition Rules:

Participation and Eligibility:

Participation in the BASSMASTER CastingKids program is open to anyone between 7 and 14 years of age. The contestants will compete in two age groups, 7-10 and 11-14. Age will be determined as of March 31, of the next year. Proof of age to the satisfaction of program officials is the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians of the competitor and will be required prior to competing at the state level.

Registration and Official Practice:

Each competitor must register in person at the site of the BASSMASTER Castingkids competition. After registration, each participant will be given an opportunity to practice on a contest line.

Conduct of the Competition:

Zebco spincast rods and reels will be provided for use in all BASSMASTER CastingKids competitions. All competitors will be required to use these rod-and-reel combinations.l Under no circumstances will competitors be allowed to provide their own tackle. After sufficient practice, as determined by the program officials, all competitors will enter the contest lane(s). Each competitor will be required to flip to an official target form 10 feet away, pitch from 20 feet away and cast from 30 feet away.

Scoring is based on a point system. The competitor who scores the most points wins. Points are determined by where the lure comes to rest on the target. While a lure allowed to bounce either forward or backward prior to coming to rest on the target, a competitor may not pull the lure backward once it has hit the target. If this is done a zero is scored. If the lure is on the line dividing the 20, 30,40 or 50-point areas, the official score is the area where the part of the lure to which the line is attached rests. Each competitor will be given two (2) chances from each distance using the method of the distance. The three best scores (one each from 10, 20 and 30 feet) will be totaled and that total will be the competitor's score. Total possible score is 150 points. Total score ties will be broken by casting from the 30-foot position until there is a winner in each group.

Definitions:

a. Flip: Any underhand pendulum-type cast where the bail is closed (spinning reel) or the reel is engaged (spincast reel) prior to the attempt. The contestant will be allowed to swing the lure over the target to determine range so long as the lure does not touch the target.
b. Pitch: Any underhand pendulum-type cast with the bail open (spinning reel) or the reel disengaged (spincast reel) so as to allow the weight of the lure alone to pull off the line needed to reach the required distance. At the start of the pitch, the lure must be a minimum of two (2) feet past the rod tip.
c. Cast: Any overhand or sidearm cast with the bail open (spinning reel) or the reel disengaged (spincast reel) so as to allow the weight of the lure to pull off the line needed to reach the required distance. At the start of the cast, the lure must be within one (1) foot of the rod tip.

Competition Registration Form:

The completed white copy is to be returned to B.A.S.S. HEADQUARTERS, P.O. Box 17900, Montgomery, AL 36141-0900, the yellow copy is to be retained by the local chapter and the pink copy is to be returned to the contestant. Additionally an extra copy must be provided to the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, Youth Director.

CastingKids Planning Kit:

To conduct a successful CastingKids Program, Planning Kits are available by contacting CastingKids Coordinator at 5845 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36177, Phone (334) 272-9530, Fax (334) 279-7148.