Dreams Come True Bass Tournament Rules

Tournament rules are included herein with special notations. It is each participant’s responsibility to read all items before entering. Rules will apply in all events unless superseded by federal, state or local laws. We reserve the right to refuse tournament entry fees or entry forms for any reason. We reserve the right to make needed changes to these rules in order to ensure the safety, welfare of the anglers, and/or the public and preserve the integrity of the Event. Any rule changes will immediately supersede all previously published copies of these rules. Officials and Tournament Director’s decisions and interpretation will be final in all matters.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to a person of any age. However, if the participant is less than 16 years of age, they must be accompanied by a person 18 years and older. Any participant 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age must possess a valid Florida boater learner’s permit to operate a boat and have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the tournament entry form. You may fish alone but are required to pay full tournament entry fees.
2. PRE-REGISTRATION & SIGN UP: Teams will take off in the order in which entry fees are received. Sign-up at the ramp will be allowed and acceptable methods of payment that will be considered are cash, credit or debit card. NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT RAMP SIGN- UP. Each team will be assigned a boat number at sign-up the morning of the tournament.
3. BOAT & HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. All boats must contain a properly aerated live well space to maintain a limit of fish. All boats must have an operating kill switch that must be attached to the operator at all times when the outboard motor is running and in gear. Violation of any of the above rules may be cause for disqualification. If running lights are not working you may be held at take-off. Event officials or directors reserve the right to refuse entry to any boat that does not meet tournament standards. No airboats, canoes, or pontoon boats are permitted.
4. LIFE JACKETS & KILL SWITCH: Life Jackets or Vest shall be worn by both team members any time the outboard motor is in gear and running above IDLE. The Kill Switch shall be connected to boat operator any time the outboard motor is running and in gear.
5. TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: You may not fish on or from any structure above the deck. All fishing must be done from the boat deck. Only artificial lures may be used, except for pork products. No wading or trolling is allowed. All fish must be caught from the boat. All traditional rods & reels are allowed. Only one rod and reel may be used at any given time by each angler. No rod may be left unattended with line or lure in water. No netting of free-swimming bass or snagging is allowed. Any fish that "free jumps” into the boat must be immediately returned to the water and may not be weighed in.
6. TOURNAMENT HOURS: Tournament blast off will begin at safe light. The Tournament Director may delay blast off due to fog or visibility issues. However, weigh-in times will not be adjusted due to blast off delays. Weigh-in will begin at 3:00 pm and continue based upon the adjusted flight weigh-in times provided to each contestant at the time of registration. Each contestant is responsible for knowing their scheduled weigh-in time. There will be a weigh-in boat near the weigh-in docks. All teams participating in the weight-in, must check in with the weigh-in boat before their designated weigh-in time. Any team checking in after their announced check-in time will be assessed a one pound per minute penalty until 10 minutes at which time they will be disqualified.
7. FISH LIMITS, PENALTIES & WEIGH-IN: 5 fish limit. Permit waivers will be provided for this tournament. There will be no minimum fish length. No culling of dead fish. No culling at ramp or in host marina. Dead fish penalty will be .50 pounds per dead fish. Teams shall not have more than (5) fish in the livewell at any time. All contestants are responsible for their own weigh bags and must use care in handling and keeping fish alive for release after weigh-in. All fish will be brought to the weigh scales in weigh bags with sufficient water to keep the fish covered until weigh-in. Any team that brings more than 5 fish to the scales will forfeit the largest fish. FOR BIG BASS, only one fish per boat is allowed to be entered in the Big Bass payout. 
8. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: St. Johns River and all rivers, creeks and canals connecting to St. Johns River. Only that water open to ALL public fishing will be considered tournament waters. Any waters closed to public fishing will be closed to this tournament’s contestants. Rodman Reservoir will be considered tournament waters. There are some Lake George canals that have been deeded to the property owners. These canals are on the west shore of Lake George (Ponderosa). If the canal is posted as “no fishing/trespassing” then it is Off Limits. Anglers may not leave their boat except in an emergency. You must fish water that is available to all competitors. No fishing within 50 yards of any boat anchored, with trolling motor up. Common courtesy should be used between unanchored boats and generally a distance of two casting lengths should be maintained between tournament competitors. No fishing in areas designated off limits by governmental agencies. No fishing within 50 yards of Launch Site. No fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump.
9. TEAM CHECK-IN: Any team checking in after his announced check-in time will be assessed a one pound per minute penalty until 10 minutes at which time they will be disqualified. If you will be late due to the rescue of a stranded boater, your fish will be weighed provided you have notified the Tournament Director prior to the rescue and the Tournament Director has been kept abreast of the rescue in progress.
10. EMERGENCY OR BREAK DOWN: One or both anglers must identify their fish with some sort of marker or separation system before entering the rescue boat with fish, to return to launch site. The "rescuee" may not fish from "rescuer" boat and their (ruscuee’s) fishing day is over. The “rescuer” may continue to fish. One or both parties shall notify the Tournament Director prior to rescue and during the course of the rescue if it will result in the boat returning to the dock late.
11. SPORTSMANSHIP: Each team is expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, safety, courtesy, and conservation. Any team found in violation of these rules or any federal, state, or local laws may be disqualified. The use of a non-competitor for “spot sitting” or spot blocking is not acceptable and is prohibited. The use, possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverages during tournament hours, which conclude upon the completion of payout, is discouraged. Anyone found to be intoxicated prior to awards presentation shall be cause for disqualification from current and future events. The use of any illegal nonprescription drugs will not be permitted or tolerated.
12. PROTEST: Anyone may submit a protest during the tournament morning prior to launch or immediately following the weigh-in of the last team’s catch, but before the start of the awards presentation. Protests shall be made in writing. The burden of proof of a rule’s infraction will be the responsibility of the angler filling the protest. Any angler making an accusation against another contestant without submitting a written protest may be subject to disqualification from current and future events.
13. CELLULAR PHONES AND RADIOS: Cellular phones and radios are encouraged for safety reasons but are prohibited during tournament hours unless of an emergency or communications with the Tournament Director. You may not receive information concerning fish location from non-competitors during fishing tournament hours.

All  participants in the event will be required to sign both a registration form and a waiver of liability. All participants also understand they can be subject to a computer voice stress analysis (CVSA) performed by a certified examiner.

Approximate Weigh In Times

*Finalized weigh-in times will be confirmed closer to tournament. These times can change until then. 

Scales will open at 2:30 PM

      Boats 1-50                                    3:00 PM

             Boats 51-100                                3:15 PM

      Boats 101-150                              3:30 PM

          Boats 151-200                              3:45 PM    

      Boats 201-250                              4:00 PM

      Boats 251 +                                  4:15 PM

*boat numbers above 250 will be weighed-in every 15 minutes in flights of 50

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Annual Dreams Come True Bass Tournament

2026 Golf Cart Drawing

Official Rules

1. SPONSOR. The 2026 Golf Cart Drawing (the “Drawing”) to be held in connection with the 7^th Annual J.B. Coxwell Dreams Come True Bass Tournament, presented by Coastal Utility and Cogburn Bros (“Sponsor”) to benefit Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. Questions or comments regarding the Drawing may be addressed to Dreams Come True of Jacksonville at events@dreamscometrue.org or by calling 904.296.3030. A copy of Sponsor’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within Florida 800.435.7352, but such registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.

    

2. TIME AND LOCATION: Tickets for the Drawing will be available until approximately 4:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, March 7, 2026 (the “Distribution Period”). Tickers are only available online at the following website: https://bit.ly/DCTBassTournament2026. The drawing will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the conclusion of the event, at approximately 6:00 p.m., at the event location, Palatka City Docks, 319 River St, Palatka, FL 32177. The drawing will take place in person and symbolize the end of the event.

    

3. ELIGIBILITY: The Drawing is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia (unless otherwise prohibited in such jurisdictions), who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. NO PURCHASE, DONATION OR CONTRIBUTION IS NECESSARY TO WIN. A PURCHASE, PAYMENT OR DONATION WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. SUGGESTED DONATION FOR TICKETS IS FIVE AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($5) EACH. Donation confirmation email constitutes receipt. Odds of winning depend on the number of tickets distributed during the Distribution Period. The Drawing is subject to all applicable federal, State and local laws, regulations and ordinances. ENTRY AND PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ENTRANTS’ FULL, UNCONDITIONAL AND IRREVOCABLE AGREEMENT TO ALL OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND SPONSOR’S DECISIONS. WHICH ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE DRAWING. Winning the Grand Prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein (in addition to obtaining the winning ticket). Sponsor reserves the right to limit the number of tickets distributed to any individual.

    

4. GRAND PRIZE: The following Grand Prize shall be distributed, which is donated by Pro Carts in Kingsland, Georgia (the “Donor”)

    

   • One (1) new 2025 or 2026 Denago EV Nomad XL Four Seater Golf Cart (subject to change).

   NO MORE THAN ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED. GRAND PRIZE IS NOT REDEEMABLE FOR CASH OR EXCHANGEABLE FOR OTHER MERCHANDISE. GRAND PRIZE OFFERED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS ONLY.

   Winner of the Grand Prize will work directly with the Donor for collection of the Grand Prize. The Sponsor will not be involved in delivery of the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize may be available to be picked up at time of the Drawing. All contact information for the winner of the Grand Prize will be provided to the Donor.

5. CONDUCT OF DRAWING: Each ticket obtained entitles the entrant to one (1) chance to win the Grand Prize. A portion of the drawing ticket(s) claimed by the entrant will be provided by the sponsor before the end of the Distribution Period. All printed tickets will have the same weight and size. At the close of the Distribution Period, all ticket stubs held by the Sponsor, representing all entrants, will be placed in a tumbler. At the time of the Darwing, one (1) winning ticket will be randomly drawn from all valid and eligible entries. The first ticket drawn wins the Grand Prize, subject to verification requirements of section 7 below. If the winner is not present at the Drawing, they will be notified by telephone and/or email.

    

6. TAXATION: Sponsor has determined that no portion of any donation or contribution associated with a Drawing ticket constitutes a deductible charitable donation. Recipient of Grand Prize is responsible for IRS back-up withholding and applicable taxes, if any. The estimated fair market value is $8,000.

    

7. VERIFICATION AND DISQUALIFICATION: The eligibility of all entrants is subject to verification by Sponsor, whose decision is final and binding in all matters related to the Drawing. An entrant is not a winner of the Grand Prize, unless and until the entrant’s eligibility has been verified by the Sponsor. Without limiting Section 10 below, the potential winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and/or a liability and publicity release before claiming the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize must be claimed by the potential winner within thirty (30) days of notice from Sponsor. If the potential Grand Prize winner fails to claim the Grand Prize within the required time period, fails to take title in his/her own name or fails to execute any eligibility affidavit or liability and publicity release (if required by Sponsor), then the potential Grand Prize winner irrevocably forfeits the Grand Prize. In the event that the potential Grand Prize winner forfeits the Grand Prize or is otherwise disqualified, Sponsor will award the Grand Prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.

   Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it determines to have tampered with, or to be tampering with, the entry process operation of the Drawing or to have acted, or to be acting, in violation of these Official Rules. Any ticket that is lost, defaced, mutilated, forged, illegible, altered tampered with, mechanically or electronically reproduce, contains printing or other errors or is not legitimately obtained is void. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the Drawing if fraud, errors, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity of the Drawing, as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. In such event, Sponsor will award the Grand Prize at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of such impairment. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Drawing is a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and costs (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

    

8. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. SPONSOR, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AGENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, AND ADVERTISING/PROMOTION AGENCIES AND DONORS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASEES”) ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR (1) ANY INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION, WHETHER CAUSED BY ENTRANTS, PRINTING ERRORS, THIRD-PARTIES OR BY ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT UTILIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DRAWING, OR (II) TECHNICAL OR HUMAN ERROR WHICH MAY OCCUR IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DRAWING OR THE PROCESSING OR ENTRIES. ENTRANTS AGREE THAT THE RELEASEES ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, LOSSES OR DAMAGE OR ANY KIND ARISING FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE DRAWING AND ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION AND USE OF THE GRAND PRIZE. THE RELEASEES DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE GRAND PRIZE AND SPONSOR AND DONORS DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES UNDER THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ENTRANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LIMITATION AND DISCLAIMERS SET FORTH HEREIN ARE MATERIAL TO THE RELEASEES’ DECISION TO CONDUCT THE DRAWING (AND ARE AGREED TO IN CONSIDERATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DRAWING), AND ARE, THEREFORE, ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. IN NOT EVENT WILL THE RELEASEES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER IN EXCESS OF THE CLAIMANT’S ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (I.E., THE EXPENSE OF ENTERING THIS DRAWING). IN NO EVENT WILL ENTRANTS BE PERMITTED TO OBTAINS AWARDS FOR, AND ENTRANTS HEREBY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS (I) TO CLAIM PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES AND OTHER DAMAGES, OTHER THAN FOR ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, AND (II) TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED, WHETHER CLAIMS ARE BASED ON WARRANT, CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY AND WHETHER OR NOT THE RELEASEEES WERE ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

    

9. DISPUTES. The Drawing is being held and the Grand Prize is being offered in Jacksonville, Florida and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising our of or in connection with (i) the Drawing or the grand Prize, (ii) the construction, validity, interpretation or enforceability of these Official Rules, or (iii) any right or obligation of the Releasees or entrants (collectively, “Disputes”), shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, exclusively of its choice of law rules. VENUE OF ANY DISPUTES SHALL LIE IN JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL CCUNTY, FLORIDA, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY FORUM NON CONVENIENS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, AND ENTRANTS IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE PERSON JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING THEREIN. Entrants agree the any Disputes must be resolved in dividually, without resort to any form of class action (expressly waving any right of participation therein). If any provision of these Official Rules if found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity for such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of these Official Rules, which shall remain in full force and effect. No wavier of any term or condition under these Official Rules shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such tern or condition of any other term or condition under these Official Rules.

    

10. PUBLICITY. By accepting the Grand Prize, the winner consents to the unrestricted use of his/her name, portrait, photograph and likeness for advertising purposes without additional compensation of any kind.

     

11. RESULTS. The winner of the Grand Prize will be announced immediately after the Drawing. Request for the name of the Grand Prize winner may be made via email to events@dreamscometrue.org, but must be received by March 31, 2026.