1). Entries

A.) REGULAR TOURNAMENT FEES: $75.00 per team ($150.00 for a two-day event) which does include big fish ($70.00 entry fee + $5.00 big fish). Only one (1) fish will be allowed to be weighed for Big Fish. Only one (1) "Big Fish" will be paid out on a two (2) day event. You must be a paid member of Indiana Slab Masters prior to entering any Indiana Slab Masters event of the season. All competitors under the age of 18 will require a free youth membership for the Indiana Slab Masters.

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B.) MEMBERSHIP AND FEES: You will be granted a season membership after confirming that you have read and understand each of the ISM Rules. Teams cannot fish in the ISM nor gain season membership until all rules are read, and signed off on the membership form. Season Membership runs from January 1 to December 31 of the same calendar year that dues are paid. Individual new and renewal memberships will be $50.00 a person and will be due prior to the first tournament member fishes of season. Under the age of 18 membership is free for all youths. A parent or guardian must sign a membership release form for each youth fishing. A member may have a guest for a single tournament for a $25.00 guest membership. If the guest fishes’ additional events, they must convert the guest membership into a season membership at any point during the year by paying the additional $25.00.

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C.) You may enter tournaments alone. No more than (2) team members are allowed in participating boats during tournament hours. Exception: Unlimited number of youth(s) under the age of 18 (not requiring a fishing license, but still only 6 poles per boat may be used) No other persons are allowed in competing boats during tournament hours. IN Slab Masters reserves the right to place a spotter and/or observer with any participant, and/or to board and inspect any and all boats entered in any Indiana Slab Masters events at any time. All members must have an entry form (weigh voucher) when entering tournaments and must fish from the same boat during all tournament hours.

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D.) All persons entering any Indiana Slab Masters tournament or event are subject to a polygraph test at any point, at the request of Indiana Slab Masters Officials. Refusal/failure of a polygraph will result in disqualification in any Indiana Slab Masters event, revocation of membership, and forfeiture of any money and/or prize(s). No refund of any kind will be made to any person(s) who refuse or fail a polygraph. All test results and decisions made by IN Slab Masters Officials are final.

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E.) IN SLAB MASTERS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY FEE: $150.00 per team, which does include Big Fish ($140.00 entry + $10.00 big fish) 100% payback for the classic.

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F.) IN SLAB MASTERS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: You will be eligible for the Indiana Slab Masters State Championship if you physically compete in (4) regular current season tournaments.

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G.) In case of extreme weather/water conditions, Tournament officials reserve the right to cancel, postpone and/or to reschedule any tournament or event. All entry fees will be refunded, in the case of tournament cancellation.

 

2.) On the Water Rules:

A.) Fish-able waters are defined as areas on tournament lakes/reservoirs that can be accessed by all boats. 

NOTE: Ramps that don’t allow full lake access during closed waterfowl resting areas on any lake are off limits until the waterfowl resting area is open. (example: Crooked Creek Ramp when Middlefork refuge is closed and Northfork Ramp when Pine grove refuge is closed at Lake Monroe)

Bank fishing is not allowed & teams must fish from a boat. All ramp, launch and license fees are the responsibility of participants & are not included in any entry fees. All boats must stay a minimum distance of 25 feet from other tournament boats while fishing and maintain good sportsmanlike conduct at all times.

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B.) All Participants must use rod & reel combos or hand-held poles. A maximum of 3 rod & reel combos or hand-held poles can be used per person and a maximum of 2 hooks per rod/pole. There is a maximum use of (6) poles at one time per boat (even with (2) members and youth(s) fishing together), although you may have as many poles in the boat as needed. The use of rod holders is allowed. Artificial and/or live bait may be used. All crappie must be hooked in the mouth or lips. A landing net may be used and no other types of nets for catching fish are allowed.

C.) During the morning livewell checks, board members will be checking for the current year’s lake permits and current boat registration. The same consequences as are listed below will be in effect, if your boat does not have the current legal status. The use of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs during tournament hours is prohibited. All competitors must follow all state boating laws, including recognizing idle zone and speed limits. If you receive a ticket for a boating law violation, you are disqualified from that event. All competitors are expected to practice safe boating practices and be respectful of all other boats on the water. If a member files a complaint about unsafe or unlawful boating practices of a team the following consequences may occur:

 

• 1st offense – Officers Official Warning

• 2nd offense in same season - Disqualification for that event

• 3rd offense in same season – Discipline action determined by the Board of Directors that could result in revocation of membership.

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D.) No one shall be hired or compensated in a professional capacity to fish with or for you, spot for you, or physically mark spots for you 30-days prior to or during any tournament. Spot sitting by competitors or non-competitors’ boats will not be allowed and be considered unsportsmanlike.

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E.) Binoculars/sight magnifying devices are not allowed for the purpose of spying on other competitors during tournament hours. No communication devices of any kind shall be used to communicate to or receive fishing information to or from anyone during tournament hours.

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F.) Livewells will have no fish until after the tournament starts. If a dead fish is found in the livewell during livewell checks, members must remove the fish so there are no fish in the livewell. There will be no penalty for having a dead fish in the livewell and having to remove it. No loose live bait of any kind shall be put in any livewell holding crappie to be weighed in at any tournament. Weight enhancement of any kind is not permitted and is grounds for immediate disqualification. There will be a mandatory livewell check of each boat prior to every tournament

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G.) Every angler will be required to follow all state boating laws. Life vests are recommended to be worn, but is currently not a state boating law.

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H.) If a formal complaint is registered from someone witnessing an ISM member performing unsafe boating practices during tournament hours, the following discipline will occur:

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· 1st offense – Officers Official Warning

· 2nd offense in same season - Disqualification for that event

· 3rd offense in same season - Discipline action determined by the Board of Directors that could result in revocation of membership.

 

3.) TOURNAMENT TIMES:

A.) All Tournament Lakes and Rivers will be off limits from Monday thru Thursday before any given tournament. Friday morning (the day before the tournament) practice is open from 12:01am-11:59pm (Must be off the water by midnight Friday)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This amended rule will be strictly enforced and treated just like cheating. If a team (1 or both members or sub) fishes a tournament lake on the Monday thru Thursday off limits time before a tournament, you will not be eligible to fish that tournament. If you fish a tournament lake or river during the Monday-Thursday off limits period before a tournament and attempt to fish in the tournament, disciplinary action, including disqualification of the tournament and possible expulsion from the club, including a ban for life, could result.

All references to tournament times by Indiana Slab Masters are understood to be EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST) no matter what time zone the tournament waters are in. Pre-fishing cut off time is 11:59pm the day before any tournament. You must be off the water BY MIDNIGHT and tournament waters are off limits until you are released on tournament day. (no early launching, nor having boat in the water in any manner, which would be grounds for disciplinary action)

 

B.) Tournament Registration sign-up, fishing, and weigh-in times and locations will be announced in advance, every attempt will be made to have an early sign up the day before the tournament at sign-up / weigh-in site.

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C.) On tournament morning, all vehicles will line up in a double file line in a pre-designated area of the parking lot near the sign-up / weigh-in location, with the right lane for those who are launching at the sign-up site. (NOTE: If you are lined up and not leaving immediately upon release of the vehicles, please immediately pull out of the line so all competitors can leave)

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D.) After all competitors are signed up for the tournament and every vehicle & boat trailer lined up, and all livewells have been checked, a signal will be given for release of all vehicles to launch at your desired launch site. Fishing start and stop times will still be followed.

 

4.) PAY OUTS:

A.) Regular Season Tournament pay outs will be based on 80% of total entry fees, and 100% of the big fish, plus prizes and bonuses if available.

There will be one spot paid back for every 5 teams for over 30 teams

• 1st - 5th place + Big Fish will be paid if 25 or more teams/boats enter

• 1st - 4th place + Big Fish will be paid if 20 - 24 teams/boats enter

          1st - 3rd place + Big Fish will be paid if 13 - 19 teams/boats enter

• 1st & 2nd place + Big Fish will be paid if 7 - 12 teams/boats enter

• 1st & Big Fish will be paid if less than 6 or less teams/boats enter

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 B.) The Indiana Slab Masters State Championship pay out will be based on 100% of total entry fees including Big Fish, plus prizes and bonuses if available. The Pay out schedule will be the same as regular season tournaments as per number of teams/boats entered

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 C.) In case of a tie on the five (5) crappie total weight at the weigh-in, the tie will be broken by the team with the single heaviest crappie in the 5-crappie limit. It is important for each team to weigh their heaviest crappie in case this occurs. There is no tie breaker in the big crappie pot and a split payout will be awarded to tied competitors if this occurs, and big fish plaque will be awarded to the heaviest stringer.

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D.) Winners of any Indiana Slab Masters event agree to provide Officials with any requested info or verification in writing or verbally at any time. Payouts may be in the form of (or a combination of) cash, prizes, or checks. 

 

5.) WEIGH - IN:

A.) Teams can weigh a maximum of (5) five crappie and all crappie must be alive.

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B.) All crappie brought to the scales must be in a covered aerated container. 

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C.) All crappie presented at weigh-in must have been caught during tournament hours by the team weighing them.

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D.) The only fish accepted for weigh-in are crappie and any references made by IN Slab Masters to "fish" or "Slabs" is understood to be crappie.

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E.) If more than five (5) crappies are brought to the weigh-in fish check-in station or scale, you will be disqualified for that event.

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F.) The Scales will open 60-minutes after the stop fishing time and the weigh-in line will close 30-minutes after opening. You must be in line before the line closes and you must be acknowledged by Officials in order to weigh your crappie.

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G.) Tournament Officials reserve the right to adjust scale set up and closure times in case of extreme weather conditions and/or any other reasons. In the event this should occur, participating member will be notified at the appropriate time using the information provided by the member's registration form.

Important Note: In the event that you or your team have an emergency and/or need to leave the tournament early and want to have your fishing day count towards 1 of the 4 IN Slab Masters Classic qualifications, it is YOUR responsibility to contact one of the Tournament Officials prior to the closing of the scales.

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H.) Upon arrival at the weigh-in line, Teams will present an Indiana Slab Masters weigh-in voucher to a Tournament Official at the checking station. Once the number of crappie and whether any crappie are dead are verified and entered on the weigh-in voucher, you will proceed to the weigh-in scales for weighing your fish.

NOTE: After your crappie have been verified alive by ISM Officials, you can still weigh all of your crappie, even if one or more die while waiting in line to weigh-in.

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I.) Any crappie that is brought to the check-in that are determined dead by Officials will be removed and will not be allowed to be weighed. Determining whether a crappie is dead or alive is the sole responsibility of Indiana Slab Master Officials and all decisions are final.

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J.) All competitors bear the responsibility to weigh their biggest crappie in case of a tie. Any jig heads left in crappie must be declared to the Tournament Director at the weigh-in/check-in station. All crappie brought to the weigh-in scales for weigh-in must be alive.  

 

 K.) ALL TOURNAMENT FISH MUST BE RELEASED AT PREDESIGNATED RELEASE SITE unless weak. This rule will be strictly enforced in the 2026 season. 

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L.) All crappie as long as alive regardless of size can be weighed. IN Slab Masters requires release of all fish weighed in (Trophy fish may be kept).

M.) Pictures, etc. will/may be taken by IN Slab Masters during the tournaments and weigh-in for miscellaneous purposes and all competitors will be expected to be available for them.

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N.) Any protests must be made in writing to Tournament Officials within 10 minutes after the official weigh-in has concluded. All protests must cite the Rule number/letter(s) that were allegedly broken. If a polygraph is determined necessary, half of the cost of the polygraph will be required by the protesting team.

O.) If you refuse to take or if you fail a polygraph, that competitors' membership will be terminated with no refund, also the individual(s) will be banned from any future IN Slab Masters events and forfeit the right to any cash, bonus, and/or prizes allegedly won. Anyone caught in the wrong may be subject to criminal charges. (Cheating in any event is the same as stealing) We also reserve the right to make this information available to the public. We do not tolerate any type of cheating and are very serious about this.

 

6.) OTHER:

A.) By your participation in these tournaments or events, you agree to comply with and uphold the rules set forth by Indiana Slab Masters and any State regulations that apply to fish-able waters and anyone is subject to disqualification for violations. The interpretation of these rules will be solely at the discretion of Indiana Slab Masters Officials. Decisions of the Tournament Officials are final in all matters concerning these tournaments & are not subject to appeal. The Indiana Slab Masters is not liable or responsible in any way for injury, death, or damages of any kind that might occur to persons or real property that engage in any Indiana Slab Masters tournaments or events. It is highly recommended that each participant have boat insurance to cover their personal property and belongings, along with any liability that would occur during the Indiana Slab Masters events.

 

7.) Sportsmanship

A.) Indiana Slab Masters members or potential members are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, honesty, courtesy, safety, conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, the Indiana Slab Masters, ISM sponsors, the sport of crappie fishing, and the ISM efforts to promote the sport of crappie fishing.

B.) Breaking this Sportsmanship rule will result in a full board and officer review and possible disciplinary action

C.) Examples of conduct not complying with these standards include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Violation of / or failure to comply with any of the official rules.

• Suspension/disqualification from any tournament or fishing organization for cheating, refusing or failing a polygraph.

•  Any other words, conduct or actions (including and not limited to social media pages, discussion forums, and internet sites) reflecting unfavorably upon the Indiana Slab Masters or any of the officers or board members

• Failure of fair competition and compliance with the tournament rules, or which fail to comply with these standards set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph.

 

8.) Teams:

A.) Teams and the use of the term team in the rules is defined

as the following:

• Two members fishing together

• One member fishing alone

• An unlimited number of youths (under the age of 18) and not required to have a fishing license may fish at any time with a team (Only 6 poles per boat can be used)

B.) Each member will qualify for IN Slab Masters State Championship if you physically compete in (4) events in any given regular season. Exceptions: full approval of board members and officers

C.) Youths may fish with a two-person team as long as they are under the age of 18