I've been invited to join a small bass club for the 2007 season.  I've not fished in tournaments since the late 80's but there is a tourney rule in the club that I don't agree with.  The new club rules for 2007 allows you to weigh in up to two dead fish with a .5 lb deduction for each dead fish.  Being the new kid and not wanting to create a huge wake thought it might not be good to say anything. It is my personal opinion that no dead fish be allowed so that more emphasis is put on keeping the catch alive. However I have mentioned this to my would be partner and he agrees that it is not a good rule. I would like to have some input from forum members here cause I have until Feb. 17th before annual dues are paid.  

Rules are rules.  There is always a chance that even a seemingly healthy bass in the livewell could die without warning, even if the boat owner considers himself/herself the master of keeping fish alive.  Also, I've not fished with a club yet that does not have a dead fish weight deduction penalty.  So, you could petition it to the club directors board about your dilemma, but I'll bet there are many anglers out there who feel the way you do.  Maybe you could start your own club, with a live fish weigh in only.  Others may follow.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

fish are going to die on you for what ever. gut hook, pulling them out 30ft of water in the summer and so on. thare is allways somebody ready to take them home for a fish fry. nothing wrong with that.

not to mention that culling/releaseing a dead fish is illegal in most states.

This is my clubs dead fish rule if you'll notice it is progressive. What this dose is forces you to keep fish alive if you see there is a problem Bass/FLW many state federations have adopted this rule. Maybe its something you could bring up to your tournament committee you could even volunteer to serve on it before bringing it up.

Volunteering to help sometimes goes a long way.

14. Live fish

     Every effort must be made to keep bass alive through the use of a properly aerated livewell and the use of livewell additives that promote the healthy return of bass to their natural habitat. The penalty for dead fish are as follows 1 dead 4oz,2 dead 10oz 3 dead 18oz 4 dead 28oz 5 dead 40oz.

This year our club has gone to having a scale in every boat .  After the fish is boated it is placed in a mesh bag and weighed.  The fish is then released and both angles sign off on the weight.  

Thanks for the responses it helps to know overall how everyone else feels about this topic.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone cause I would never cull a dead fish but simply would not have offered it up at the weigh-in.  I am going to join the club and have already volunteered to help out with some of the duties.

Great fishing to all of you.

OUR DEAD FISH RULE IS:  FOR EVERY FISH DEAD .25 PER FISH IS DEDUCTED FROM TOTAL WEIGHT.  NO MORE THAT 3 DEAD FISH....DQ'd IF 4 OR MORE.

In my experience most if not all clubs take their rules or by-laws from the BASS rules or by-laws. Then they make adjustments to fit the club.

I agree that more emphasis should be placed on trying to keep the catch alive, however there are going to be times when you will have a fish die on you no matter how hard you try to keep em alive. Our club deducts .2 off  for each dead fish. Although I think we should try hard to keep those fish alive I also dont agree with culling dead fish.