CHOMP ON GILLS REGISTRATION ANGLER CARD
BAD NEWS BASS PRESENTS: CHOMP ON GILLS
Event Dates: August 1–31, 2026
CHOMP ON GILLS is an online Instagram fishing competition where registered anglers compete by catching qualifying bass on bluegill-style baits. This is the final stop of the 2026 CHOMP ON TOUR season.
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ELIGIBLE SPECIES
Participants may submit catches of the following species:
* Largemouth Bass
* Smallmouth Bass
* Spotted Bass
Minimum Fish Size: None. Every legal bass qualifies regardless of length or weight.
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BAIT REQUIREMENTS
* All fish must be caught using a bluegill-style bait with a recognizable bluegill paint scheme or appearance.
* Bluegill-colored crawlers, rats, hardbaits, and soft swimbaits are all eligible if they clearly represent a bluegill.
* Generic paddle tails or soft plastics without bluegill characteristics (such as fins, eyes, or a bluegill profile) are not eligible.
* Production (retail), custom, and handmade bluegill baits are all eligible.
* Handmade, garage-built, and one-off custom baits must be approved by the event judge prior to competition.
* Minimum bait body length: 4 inches.
* Tail length (rat-style baits), hardware, hooks, and accessories do not count toward the minimum body length.
* If you’re unsure whether your bait qualifies, send a direct message to event judge @ghost_of_the_jedi before fishing.
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HOW TO ENTER
1. Purchase an Angler Card Sticker at www.badnewsbass.com.
2. Clearly handwrite your Instagram username on the Angler Card.
3. Take one clear photo showing:
* Your catch
* The qualifying swimbait in the fish’s mouth
* Your Angler Card
4. Post the photo as an Instagram Feed Post.
* Instagram Stories do not qualify.
5. Tag @badnewsbass in your post.
Entry Limit: One verified entry per registered angler.
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RULES & VERIFICATION
* Angler Cards are non-transferable and may only be used by the registered purchaser.
* Public Instagram accounts are strongly recommended for easier verification.
* Handmade, garage-built, or other questionable baits may require additional photos before approval.
* Additional verification may also include proof of purchase, an order number, or supplemental photos if requested.
* These verification requests are not personal. A significant amount of time, effort, and money goes into organizing the CHOMP ON TOUR, and maintaining consistent standards helps protect the integrity of the competition for every angler.
* Instagram usernames must be handwritten directly on the Angler Card and remain clearly legible.
* AI-generated, digitally altered, or edited Angler Cards are prohibited.
* Fish must be legally caught in accordance with all local fishing regulations.
* The qualifying bluegill bait must be clearly visible in the fish’s mouth.
* Safe fish handling and catch-and-release practices are strongly encouraged.
Questions regarding bait eligibility or verification should be directed to event judge @ghost_of_the_jedi. Please allow a few hours for a response.
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PRIZES & SPONSORS
* Every verified entry earns one spot on the Tackle Snob Prize Wheel.
* Winners will be selected during the official Tackle Snob Prize Wheel drawing.
* Prizes are provided by Bad News Bass and participating sponsors.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* Visit the CHOMP ON GILLS page at www.badnewsbass.com for complete event information.
* Follow @badnewsbass for event updates and announcements.
* All entries must be posted by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on August 31, 2026.
* Buzzer Beater Rule: Any entry submitted on August 31 must be posted as a cast-to-catch video to qualify.
* Refunds or cancellations are not permitted once an Angler Card has been issued.
* One angler = one entry.
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BAD NEWS BASS reserves the right to disqualify any submission that cannot be reasonably verified, violates these rules, or does not meet the spirit of the competition. Final interpretation of these rules rests solely with Bad News Bass.