1. Fishing must be performed in accordance with principles of good sportsmanship, and in compliance with these and IGFA rules as published in the 2007 Edition of the IGFA World Record Game Fish book under “International Angling Rules.” World Sailfish Championship tournament rules will be strictly adhered to, and all decisions of the Tournament Director will be final. Any angler(s), captain(s), or mate(s) found to be in any violation of any tournament rule may be disqualified from this tournament.
2. There is no maximum number of anglers per boat. This is an OPEN EVENT: Professional guides, captains, and mates are eligible to participate as anglers.
3. A boat may only be changed as a result of mechanical breakdown and after approval is received from the Rules Committee.
4. The maximum number of fishing lines in the water shall be four (4), with a maximum of two teasers. Only single hook rigs are permitted. We require the use of non-offset circle hooks when used with live or dead bait or natural bait/artificial lure combinations.
5. No one except the angler may touch the rod, reel or line after the fish has been engaged. “Engaged” is defined as the time at which drag is engaged (engage the drag lever or close the bail). No one except the angler may touch the rod, reel or line while the fish is being fought. The angler, captain, or crew may only touch the leader during the release of the fish. They must touch the leader and not the double line. It is recommended that the leader be cut as close to the fish as possible, rather than by breaking the leader.
6. Crew members are permitted to cast baits. Once an angler is fighting a fish, the angler must fight it to conclusion (loss or release) before fighting another fish. If there is a multiple hookup, the angler may proceed to the next fish once the first fish has been fought to conclusion. No one else may touch the rod other than the angler who engages the fish.
7. A mutilated fish is not eligible.
8. Double line, if used, must leave the rod tip during the fight, and the fish must be fought on specified class line. The double line shall be limited to fifteen (15) feet and the leader shall be limited to fifteen (15) feet. However, the combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed twenty (20) feet.
9. Line Test Limits: It is the responsibility of the angler and crew to ensure that the proper test line is used. Manufacturer’s stated test line is a maximum of 20 lbs. test. Lower test line may be used, but no bonus is awarded for using lower test line. No braided lines may be used (i.e. Spiderwire, Spectra or FireLine), only monofilament or co-polymer.
10. Live, dead or artificial baits may be used. No entangling devices or material may be used. Live bait chumming is PROHIBITED throughout the course of this tournament. Any bait that is replaced on a fishing line or teaser line because of injury, weakness, fouling, or for any reason whatsoever, shall be retained within the vessel. In addition, any vessel participating in this tournament shall not permit any other vessel to “chum” on their behalf. Ground chum is permitted for the purpose of catching bait only and not to be used while sailfishing.
11. Tournament anglers who use live or dead natural bait are required to use non-offset circle hooks in the tournament. The only condition in which traditional j-hooks may be used is when anglers are using artificial bait alone. Circle hooks may NOT be modified.
12. Bait may be obtained by any means before commencement of fishing hours each day. During fishing hours, boats may catch their own bait but may not obtain bait from any other boat. Ground chum may be used to obtain bait only..
13. Good sportsmanship rule: Conduct yourself with professional courtesy. Un-sportsman like conduct will be penalized accordingly.
a. Notify offending boat on VHF
b. Video the offense
c. Notify committee boat immediately
14. No ariel assistance during fishing hours.
15. Rules committee has final discretionary judgment with regard to any and all rule interpretation.
VALIDATION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Video: Failure to video a fish will result in disqualification of that particular fish. In the event your video camera malfunctions or some other unusual circumstance results in no video, the angler may petition the Rules Committee to have his catch allowed. The Rules Committee may request special polygraph test or other corroborating evidence that would help validate the catch. Basically, NO VIDEO=NO FISH. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.
2. Break confirmation: Once a release has occurred, a team member must contact the Committee Boat for a confirmation number. Once you have received the fish confirmation number, have the angler or camera operator turn the camera back on and state the release # for the day and confirmation #. If a team is hooked up to multiple fish, a crewmember should state that on camera with video evidence to support it.
3. Mini DV Tapes or Mini SD Chips, line and angler’s register (provided in packet) will be turned in at the Committee Boat anchored in Key West Harbor (near the Westin Marina) and at the Oceanside Marina fuel dock by 5:00 pm Wednesday and Thursday and 2:00 pm on Saturday or the catches for the day do NOT qualify.
4. Polygraph: All winning teams will be subject to and must pass polygraph testing. Refusal to take the test will result in disqualification. Any person aboard the boat also may be subject to and must pass the polygraph test. Refusal to take the test will result in disqualification. Polygraph tests will include but will not be limited to questions on angling and release procedures and species of fish. Polygraph tests are final and winners are not official until test results are obtained.
5. Release: Proper release techniques must be used. Release is official only if the following conditions are met:
a. All sailfish must be released. Fish must be fought on the specified class line (i.e., double line and the leader must leave the reel) for the majority of the time the fish is hooked up. The fish must be brought close enough to the boat for the mate, angler, or captain to touch the leader and recognizable video be taken for a qualified release.
b. After the leader has been touched, the angler may continue to fight the fish in an effort to tag it. If possible, multiple video shots of the fish, angler and tag should be taken. There are no additional points for tagged fish. However, there is a separate prize for most tagged sailfish. Video of tagged fish are required.
COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTING:
1. The Committee Boat will monitor VHF Channel 78 with VHF Channel 80 as a back up.
2. All boats must report “hook-ups” and “releases” to, and be acknowledged by, the Committee Boat at the time of the occurrence. Failure to report fish in a timely manner will result in disqualification. A radio report of a multiple hook-up isn’t enough. The Committee Boat needs to know how many (double hook-up, triple hook-up, etc). Upon release of the fish, you must report angler’s name. Reports may be relayed by another boat or made by telephone if the reporting boat cannot reach the Committee Boat. The phone number to call will be available at the Captain’s meeting.
3. If any boat is “hooked-up” at the time the Committee Boat calls for “lines out,” the boat must reaffirm the “hook-up” with the Committee Boat.
4. Video tapes/discs, line samples and angler’s register must be submitted within one and one-half (1 1/2) hours after the Committee Boat calls for “lines out of the water.” An exception to this rule will be allowed in the event that a “hook-up” was reaffirmed with the Committee Boat at the time of “lines out of the water. ” In this case, the video tapes/discs, line sample and angler’s register may be submitted two (2) hours after “lines out of the water.” If the video tapes/discs, line and angler’s register (provided in packet) do not make it to the Committee Boat anchored in Key West Harbor (near the Westin Marina) or to the Committee Boat at the Oceanside Marina fuel dock in the allotted time, no points will be awarded for that day. Control area is the area in the channel between the Fort Zachary Taylor jetty and Mallory Square docks. Confirmation must be made by the Committee Boat.
Acts or situations that will disqualify a release:
Any violation of these rules or violation of the guidelines as published in the 2007 edition of the IGFA World Record Game Fish Book under “Angling Regulations” will disqualify a fish. All decisions of the Rules Committee are final.
PROTEST:
All protests must be in writing and submitted to the Rules Committee on the day of the alleged violation by 7:00 p.m. with a deposit of $100.00. If the alleged violation is found to have occurred, the deposit of $100.00 will be refunded. If the Rules Committee finds no violation, the deposit will not be refunded. The decision of the Rules Committee will be final.
Hold Harmless: It is expressly understood that all registered participants and non-registered occupants of their boats enter into the World Sailfish Championship (WSC) voluntarily and at their own risk. Further, each registered and non-registered participant on behalf of other family members and/or executors agrees to release and hold harmless Sailfish Pro Series (SPS), World Fishing Tour, EXECUTIVE ADVENTURES, World Sailfish Championship and their officials, officers, directors, owners, members, representatives, agents, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, promoters, advertisers, sponsors, partners, joint venturers, affiliates, assigns, polygraph examiner, the city and county where the event is held and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the WSC (collectively, “Released and Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, losses, damages, demands, causes of action, suits and liabilities of every kind arising out of, related to, or resulting from any SPS tournament, activity or event, including but not limited to the WSC, including without limitation, any claim for loss, damage or destruction of property, or injury (including death), regardless of whether such loss arises in whole or in part from the negligence of any Released and Indemnified Party. This release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as possible under applicable law, and if any portion of this release is held invalid or unenforceable, the balance shall continue in full force and legal effect.
