How does the Berkley Big bass tourny work?

[obsessed fisherman]

Looks like I've got my son to agree and fish with the old man during the upcoming tournament. Just curios about how the weigh-ins go and about checkin. He won't be starting with me each day,so I'm thinking of launching at Holland Tract and go to Russo's for check-in. Are the tourny people set up for this or has it been your experience to just launch at Russo's. I'm a little concerned about finding a place at Russo's to tie up the boat while a check-in. Last year I went to participate, but it seemed disorganized with long lines and I just turned around and went home.

Also, when we come in to weigh a fish, do we have to do it at the top of the hour or anytime during the hour. If we weigh at say 11:15am, do they want you to stay until noon for the results or do you weigh and go back to fishing right away. My boat does 30mph and so I'm trying to do a little pre-tourny strategy about when I'll come in to weigh the big ones I know we'll catch. Most of the spots I fish are a ride from Russo's.

[WackySenko]

You can launch from anywhere and motor over to Russo's for livewell check at the docks, starting at 4:00 A.M.
You can come in whenever you want for an hourly weigh-in. If your weight is enough to put you in one of the seven seats, you sit there until you more weight eliminates you from the top seven, for that hour, or the hourly weigh-in has ended.
Whoever is in the seats at the hour will be the hourly winners.
You get to go back to fishing either when you are knocked out or the hour is up.
If you are in the weigh-in line, waiting to weigh, and the hour is up then you are in the line for the next hour.
I hope this helps.
Any further questions can be answered by Vince at 916-768-0938. He can also verify what I stated.

Good Luck