We’ve gotten several questions and comments from fans recently about a new rule banning tunnel hull boats from the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens in 2018.
Tunnel hulls are typically a customized aluminum boat that enable anglers to run in as little as 3 inches of water. Here’s the new rule below:
Jet drive engines and tunnel hull boats are not allowed during both official practice and competition. Any boat/hull designs other than standard mass produced units are only allowed at the discretion of tournament officials.
And here’s what Bassmaster tournament officials had to say about the rule:
B.A.S.S. amended boat and motor rules to include tunnel hulls which, like jet-propelled applications that were banned several years ago, allow anglers to traverse shallow water and shoals on certain bodies of water giving them a distinct competitive advantage. Standard factory, mass-produced aluminum boats are still allowed for use. This change was brought about by the sheer volume of requests from Opens anglers in recent weeks.
You can see all the rules for the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens here. The 2018 Elite Series rules will be posted on Bassmaster.com soon.