2025 THORNE BROS CLASSIC TOURNAMENT RULES
We respectfully ask that all participants read, abide, and fully understand the rules. All rules are made with the intent to safeguard the highest in sportsmanship, fair play, safety, and integrity. Please acknowledge that you understand the following rules by submitting a signed Release and Waiver of Liability form at the time of registration. The following materials are due at the time of registration: 2025 Thorne Bros Classic Registration form, signed and dated Release and Waiver and Liability form from each participant, and the teams registration fee. A tournament registration is not considered final until Thorne Bros receives the full tournament fee from the registering team. Proof of boat insurance must also be submitted before one is able to participate in the tournament. This can be submitted at the time of registration or up until the morning of the tournament at check-in on Monday July 28th, 2025.
CONTESTANTS ENTRY
Contestants are responsible for having the entry form completely filled out and signed in order to fish the 2025 Thorne Bros Classic Tournament. All contestants agree that by paying the entry fee they have read all the following Thorne Bros Classic contest rules and choose to abide by them to the highest standards. All teams are required to have two anglers, no single anglers are allowed to fish this tournament. All contestants agree that by participating in the Thorne Bros Classic tournament they are completely responsible for knowing and following the rules of the event. Each boat is only allowed two people in the boat during the tournament. No spectators or any other people who are not one of the two registered anglers are allowed in the boat.
PARTICIPANTS AND ELIGIBILITY
Kids are encouraged to fish this tournament. Kids under 18 years of legal adult age must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian and be accompanied by an adult at all times during the event. Parents or guardians are completely responsible for the child's safety participating in the Blackfish Classic. Kids will be disqualified from the event if they fish the tournament without
the signed consent from a parent or guardian. Thorne Bros Classic reserves the right to deny any entry which is
not in the best interest of the organization.
ENTRY FEE
Entry fees are $700.00 per team which also includes “big fish” prize money. Entry fees for the tournament should be submitted online at the time of registration, along with other registration documents. A team is not considered as registered for the tournament until the tournament fee, registration form and signed waivers are received. All entries and required documents must be submitted by the start of the tournament on Monday July 28th 2025. Regular registration will end Sunday July 21st at 11:59 pm. Teams that register after that deadline will be assessed an additional $50 late fee at the time of registration. In the case of a bounced payment, all incurring fees will be assessed along with an additional $50 fine.
For the 2026 tournament, there will be a priority registration window for the top 40 finishing teams from the 2025 Thorne Bros Classic Tournament prior to tournament registration opening to the public on January 28th 2026. Priority registration is only for the top 40 teams from the 2025 tournament and each team is allowed one tournament spot for one or both of the anglers who fished
in the 2025 tournament. This registration spot must have at least one member from the 2025 tournament on the team in the 2026 tournament. Any team that does not follow this rule will have their tournament spot given up and their money will be refunded.
The registration cap for this tournament is 100 boats maximum. In the event that all tournament spots are filled, we
will start a waiting list of teams waiting to enter. In the event that a registered team backs out of the tournament we will contact teams in order from the waitlist to register for the tournament. Teams that are on the waitlist that are not able to fish the tournament will have their tournament registration returned after the tournament has concluded.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
All members must carry a minimum of $300,000 of liability insurance on the boat they use during the Classic event. Failure to comply or reporting of false information will result in disqualification. Responsibility to carry proper insurance is each participant’s duty. Contestants must have boaters insurance. Proof of insurance can be submitted at the time of registration up until the check in at the tournament.
SAFETY
Thorne Bros asks all competitors to be extremely safety conscious during all parts of the tournament. Each competitor fully accepts complete responsibility for their own safety while participating in all parts of the Blackfish Classic event. Safe boating conduct will be observed at all times by each competitor. Each competitor will be required to wear a Coast Guard approved life vest, securely fastened, at all times while the boat is being propelled by the big combustion engine.
Boats must have a kill switch attached to the driver of the boat when the big motor is engaged. Failure to comply is grounds for disqualification. Running lights must be on if necessary and functioning properly at the takeoff of each tournament. Each competition boat must be equipped with an aeration live well or similar device capable of keeping a tournament limit alive throughout the course of the competition day. Grounds for disqualification from the event will occur if competitors do not comply with local, state, federal, or Thorne Bros Classic safety guidelines or laws. Competitors are responsible for their own safety during the tournament. Each competitor agrees to accept full responsibility for their personal safety by entering the tournament. All contestants must completely read the rules to participate in the Thorne Bros event in regards especially to safety.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Participants in the Thorne Bros Classic event are expected to follow the highest standard of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation. Thorne Bros prohibits contestants from the use of alcohol or drugs during the fishing tournament. We expect participants to act in a sportsmanlike manner and obey the intent of the written Thorne Bros Classic rules and guidelines. The Thorne Bros Classic Tournament Director(s) will have the final word and decision in all sportsmanship protests. No refunds will be given in the event of any disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct is grounds for disqualification. Contestants agree that all decisions regarding unsportsmanlike conduct are final by the Thorne Bros Classic Tournament Director(s).
OFF LIMITS PERIOD
There will be no off limits period up to tournament day (12 am on Monday July 28th 2025) which will then be off limits right up to the start of the tournament.
BOAT INSPECTION
A full interior compartment check prior to “take off” will be conducted the morning of the tournament. Please have compartments on the boat open for morning boat inspection. Boats will be checked at The Shoreline Hotel docks and boat take off will be determined by boat number. Teams are responsible for getting to boat inspection on time. Boat checks will happen at your assigned dock and check in time right before your scheduled take off time based on your boat number. If you are late for boat check, teams may be up for disqualification at the discretion of the tournament director. Teams are not allowed to leave the takeoff area until their boat has been inspected and their flight is scheduled to leave. Teams without a boat inspection before participating in tournaments are subject to disqualification. No teams fishing the event will be able to weigh any fish for prize money without being inspected. At the time of boat inspection participants will need to show proof of Minnesota Fishing License in order to participate in the tournament.
BOAT NUMBERS
Teams that register for this tournament will all be entered into a random boat draw for boat number. Teams will be notified of their boat numbers the week before the tournament via email. During check in, teams will receive two boat motor decals with their
boat number that will need to be displayed throughout the tournament. Teams will also receive a colored yard tape for their trolling motor to signify that their boat has passed inspection. Both the decals and the tape should not be removed anytime during the tournament.
The Tournament Director(s) have the authority to change boat numbers. Changes in boat order could occur due to reasons such as safety, tardiness of contestants, avoidance of rules, missing boat check, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
TAKE OFF
Boat checks and take off times will be assigned via boat number. We will be doing multiple flights of five boats each. Teams are expected to be at their assigned dock at their assigned dock arrival time for boat check. If you arrive at the Shoreline Hotel before your
assigned dock arrival time, you may hang out in the bay or be docked at another dock until it is your team's time to check in. Teams will be checked in and given their boat number decals and trolling motor decals. Once given the okay, boats will proceed to the area in front of the Spring Park Boat Launch to prepare for their flight to take off. The next flight can then proceed to the boat check stations once the flight before them has left their assigned dock.
During boat take off we ask that all boats and anglers are respectful to the people and houses near The Shoreline Hotel in terms of noise. We will not be using a loud speaker in the morning during take off so please pay close attention to the dock signs, time and flow of traffic.
EMERGENCIES
Competitors shall remain with their partners in the boat at all times during
the tournament, except in the event of health concern, severe storm or other weather, or a boating or navigational hazard. Competitors may leave the boat to dislodge it, but are
required to return to the boat in a prompt manner. If for any reason either or both team members decide to leave the tournament early, both members shall bear full responsibility for notifying one of the tournament director(s). If one team or both team members leave the water early, he/she may not return and resume fishing. Boats may not land at any point during the tournament except at the tournament base, The Shoreline Hotel or will be up for disqualification from the tournament. One partner may continue fishing for the remainder of the tournament if another team member has to leave.
In the case of a mechanical breakdown, one partner may return with fish by another tournament boat while the other partner is permitted to stay with the non-functioning boat. In the event of an emergency during the tournament, you must contact one of these following individuals who serve as tournament directors. Also, any calls that you receive during the tournament from any of these individuals must be answered.
- Ben Olsen (612)804-3399
- Matt Johnson (612)385-3379
COMMUNICATION
Anglers shall be prohibited from using cell phones, text messaging or marine band radio contact with other anglers on the water and others not on the water during tournament hours (6:30 am - 4:05 pm), other than for emergency reasons. Any communication between anglers for the purpose of assisting another competitor returning to the “weigh in” due to a mechanical failure will first need to be approved by one of the tournament director(s).
FISHING LINES/BAIT
Anglers will be required to comply with all state and local regulations regarding the number and type of fishing lines. Participants will be allowed to use only one rod per angler. No live bait is allowed. All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner with a lure attached to a line on a rod and reel with the rod in hand.
WEIGH-IN
Weigh in will begin at 2:30 PM and will be based on assigned weigh in time based on your boat number. Teams must be checked in by their designated check in time given at tournament check in. All teams must come back to check in at the conclusion of the tournament for the safety of all anglers. All teams must be visible by one of the tournament boats near The Shoreline Hotel by their check in time to avoid being assessed a late penalty. Upon arrival into the channel, you must give your check-in key chain with your boat number to one of those boats. If you choose to not weigh fish, after giving tournament workers your keychain you may proceed back to the boat launch. Every team must turn in their key chain to a tournament worker regardless if they weigh in or not.
Weigh bags will be limited and given out to teams as they come in for weigh in in order to avoid overcrowding at the weigh-in tanks and to allow for efficient fish management throughout the weigh in. Teams are required to stay in their boats at the docks until given a weigh bag and directed by a tournament worker that it is safe to proceed to the weigh area. Once fish have been presented to a Tournament Official to be “weighed” all fish become the property of the Thorne Bros Classic and no additional fish may be brought to the scales. All fish that are alive will be released by boat to Lake Minnetonka after being weighed in by tournament workers. The weigh-in and tournament results will be streamed live on Facebook and on the tournament website.
Once a team member has checked in or left the boat for the purpose of checking in, neither team member may fish or continue fishing. It is the team’s responsibility to be at the weigh in on time. Teams need to present themselves in a completely sportsmanlike, friendly manner at the weigh-in to staff, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators. Competitors should be aware that video, pictures, and interviews may be occurring.
LATE POLICY
In the event that a team does not show up by their assigned morning check-in time, the team will have to wait until the Tournament Director(s) can safely add their boat into the line up to get their boat checked and released. Any team that leaves late due to them arriving at the tournament late will be required to still be back in time for their afternoon weigh in time based on their flight.
Competitors need to be within sight of the docks at the Shoreline Hotel and be seen by an authorized Thorne Bros Classic official in one of the boats by their PM check-in time to not be considered late for weigh-in. You just have to be seen by that time, your keychain does not have to be turned in by that time but your token will have to be turned in before you can proceed to weigh in. For every one minute late, one pound will be taken from the total weight of the team.
SCORING OF FISH
A five (5) fish limit per boat. Winners will be determined by the total weight of Largemouth and Smallmouth bass in pounds and ounces to the hundredths decimal place. All bass must measure at least 12” in length to count (measured with a closed mouth and the tail fanned). No foreign matter or regurgitated materials may be placed in a fish.
Short fish in all situations will not be allowed to weigh in. If a short fish is brought to weigh in, there will be a one pound penalty plus no weight added for the short fish. Dead fish will receive a penalty of four ounces (1/4 pound) per dead fish weighted. Dead fish will not qualify for the Big Fish prize.
PRIZE PAYOUT
The following prizes will be awarded for the Thorne Bros Classic Tournament following the weigh-in: 1st Place will be $15,000*. Payouts will be designated to one place paid in cash or prizes for every five boats entered in the tournament. Big fish will be paid out to the winning participant with the heaviest bass (total weight). Dead fish do not qualify for big fish.
Trophies will be awarded to the first place team, and plaques will be awarded to the second and third place teams. The individual who is awarded the big fish prize will receive a plaque in addition to a $1000 check.
At the time of prize payout, winners may be asked to complete and submit a W-9 taxpayer form before the transfer of prizes/money occurs. Failure to submit this information will result in the winner not receiving their prizes. Winners in the top five teams may come back to claim their prizes and money after the conclusion of the weigh in. Any other checks/prizes will be sent out via mail to the other teams the week of the tournament. For check payments, each team will get their prize money split between the two partners.
All contestants are subject to a polygraph test at any time before receiving any winnings at the Thorne Bros Classic event.
NO FISH DECISION PRIZE MONEY
Prize money will be given to the highest finishing contestant or contestants for each specific event. If only one or a few teams officially weigh fish the remaining places and prize money will be given and divided by the highest placing team or teams. In the case of one or a few teams officially weighing fish, prize money will be given only to the teams that have officially weighed fish. The other empty spots will remain empty and prize money divided by the highest finishers who weighed fish.
In the rare event that absolutely no team officially weighs any fish prize money will NOT be refunded to participating teams since no team placed in the money. In all rule and prize money decisions, contestants agree that the Thorne Bros Classic Tournament Director(s) make all final decisions. Contestants will not be awarded or refunded based on not catching a fish. It is the team’s goal and responsibility to catch fish and not Blackfish or the tournament directors. Therefore, no payout or refund will be given for a team that has not caught a
fish during the tournament.
TIE BREAKERS
All ties will be broken by the big fish. If there is still a tie then the teams will split the prize money evenly. All teams are required to weigh a big fish during weigh in.
PROTESTS/POLYGRAPHS
Any protest regarding tournament contestants must be submitted in writing to one of the Tournament Directors within 10 minutes of the close of the weigh-in. The Thorne Bros Classic reserves the right to require a polygraph test of any participant at any time. This test does not have to be administered on site and may be set up by the Tournament Director(s) at his/her discretion. All participants agree to abide by the results of any polygraph test administered.
In the event of a protest the protesting team or individual must present, in written form, a detailed account of the complaint and a $200.00 protest fee to the Tournament Directors. The letter or the acknowledgement of a letter being written must occur within the “10 minute” window of time mentioned above. The fee will be returned only upon positive verification of the protest and the tournament directors have the discretion of mailing any and all checks to any teams pending the outcome. All decisions regarding protests will be made with the “spirit and intent of the rule” taken into “best context” with the director’s decision being final. If found invalid, the check will be cashed, and the protesting team will cover all associated costs. Valid protests will result in the disqualified team covering the costs.
CONTINGENCY BONUSES
If participants of the Thorne Bros Classic Tournament wear a Thorne Bros branded
jacket, shirt, or hat during weigh in and place in one of the top twenty teams of the tournament they will receive a $250 Thorne Bros gift certificate that will be valid for redemption online at thornebros.com or in-store. Winners will receive a gift certificate code for $250 off a one-time online purchase within one year. This is an individual based award, but if both team members who place in a top ten spot wear a Thorne Bros apparel item they will both receive a $250 gift card. This prize certificate will be mailed out the week of the tournament after the results are final.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event that there is a delay in the tournament due to fog, lightning or high winds or any other conditions that may be of life threatening conditions during the tournament, all competitors are expected to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure safety. After the threat has been cleared, the tournament either will continue or will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director(s). There will be no refunds for delays of the tournament or tournament finishing early due to inclement weather.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event that the tournament is canceled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, participants will be notified of this decision from the Tournament Director(s) before the day of the tournament and will be refunded the total registration amount.
REFUNDS
Boat/engine malfunction/equipment failure is the boaters/contestant’s responsibility and no refunds will be allowed. This would include no refund for any vehicle, boat or engine failure or breakdown of contestant’s equipment. Operation of vehicle, boat, and the engine is the contestant’s responsibility along with being a safe driver of the boat. In case of any disqualification for any reason entry fees will not be given back to the contestants. There will be no refund of registration fee within one week of the tournament. Please contact us if there is an emergency situation. Inclement weather or rough waters during the event do not constitute the refund of entry from the event. Competitors are fully responsible for all safety concerns.
RULES INTERPRETATION
All decisions regarding any tournament rules, matter, protest or complaint will be made with the “spirit and intent of the rule” taken into “best context” with the tournament director’s decision being final. There will be no refunds of entry fees in disqualifications. All directors’ decisions are final. The responsibility of knowing the rules is the contestant’s responsibility. All contestants by paying an entry fee into the Thorne Bros Classic event agree to abide by the Thorne Bros Classic tournament rules. Contestants are required to read the rules before participating. Contestants are required and it is their own responsibility to know all the rules of the DNR, or law ordinances, and abide by any federal, state, and local laws, regulations or guidelines pertaining to events and the activities of fishing, boating, and social distancing. Contestants are required to know the rules including the director’s decisions and the written rules.
Payout based on full field.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS
Ben Olsen - ben@thornebros.com (612)804-3399
Matt Johnson - mattjohnson@mattjohnsonoutdoors.com (612)385-3379