73rd International Billfish Tournament – Official Rules

Revised and Approved – Version 1

1. Meetings and Official Notices
   A Captain’s Meeting will be held at 12:00 PM on __________, and an Angler’s Meeting at 4:30 PM on the same day. Both meetings are mandatory. If someone is unable to attend for a valid reason, they must notify the Tournament Committee in advance. The Tournament Control Room will be located at Club Náutico de San Juan. Official tournament notices will be posted on the bulletin board in the breakfast area by 6:30 A.M. each fishing day. Anglers are responsible for checking daily updates.
2. Fishing Area and Hours
   Fishing area boundaries: - East Limit: 65°35′W (near Cabo San Juan) - West Limit: 66°25′W (near Vega Baja) - No Northern Limit
   
   Lines in: 8:00 AM daily
   Lines out: Days 1–2: 5:00 PM, Day 3: 4:00 PM
   
   No teasers, baits, or sonar may be deployed before lines-in time. Boats may leave the marina at 7:00 AM. Any boat that departs before 7:00 AM will be disqualified for that day.
3. Permits and Substitutions
   
   • All substitutes must be registered no later than 7:45 AM on each fishing day.
   • Every boat must have a valid HMS Permit.
4. General Equipment Rules
   
   • Only conventional rod and reel may be used.
   • Electric reels (e.g., Kristal, Lindgren-Pitman) are permitted for teasers only.
   • Maximum line class: IGFA 30 lb
   • Leader: Max 30 ft; Leader + double line: Max 40 ft
   • No live bait is allowed.
   Definition of Sonar: In the context of this tournament, “sonar” refers to a device with a transducer mounted on a shaft extending from the hull. This type is used to detect fish and structure around the vessel. Deployment is prohibited before lines-in time.
5. Anglers, Eligibility, General Fishing Rules
   
   • I.G.F.A. Rules: The International Angling Rules and Release Rules formulated by the International Game Fish Association will apply, as long as they are not in conflict with other Tournament Rules.
   • Minimum of 2 anglers, maximum of 4 per boat
   • One line per registered angler in the water at any time
   • Minimum angler age: 13 years old
   • Junior Anglers: Ages 13–17
   • Bait and Switch: The use of the Bait & Switch system will be permitted only under the following rules and regulations:
     
     • The system will be used only in the short (flat) lines. The long lines (outrigger lines) will have baits or lures with hooks in them.
     • Boats using the bait & switch system can use as many teasers as wanted, placed anywhere, as long as they are in front of the long riggers.
     • In boats with only three anglers on board—or four anglers fishing three riggers with hooks and one pitch bait—the angler at the pitch bait position will have control of all teasers. Any fish attracted by those teasers can only be hooked by that angler using the bait & switch method.
     • In boats with four anglers using two pitch baits, each angler must be assigned one side of the boat and can pitch only on their assigned side. Captains who maneuver the boat to move a fish from one side of the spread to the other will be expelled from the tournament.
     • Teasers must not be placed behind the long riggers. No angler using the bait & switch system may drop a bait farther back than where the farthest teaser was located when the fish was first raised.
   • LINES & REELS: Only line complying with I.G.F.A. (IGFA Tournament Line) 30 pounds (15 Kg.) requirements may be used. The committee reserves the right to test any line. Fish released on any line exceeding IGFA 30-pound standards will be disqualified. Reels with line heavier than 30 lb are not permitted aboard any participating boat. Lighter lines will not earn extra points.
     No ratchet-handle reels (e.g., Duel), two-hand crank reels, or power-driven reels are allowed. Reels must comply with accepted sporting ethics and customs.
     Braided lines are allowed only if used as backing, in compliance with IGFA rules. If backing is used, at least the first 5 meters (16.5 feet) directly preceding the double line, leader, or hook must consist of a single, homogenous piece of IGFA-compliant 30 lb line.
6. Reporting
   Each team will receive a set of colored cards. Each morning before fishing, Control will assign the color of the day. That color must be clearly shown in the release video.
   When an angler hooks a fish, all other anglers must immediately retrieve and remove their baits from the water.
   In case of a double hookup (two fish on separate lines), the first angler hooked up has sole control of the boat until their fish is released, tagged, or lost. Boat control then passes to the second angler.
   All hooked fish must be reported immediately to Control, including angler name, boat name, and coordinates (latitude and longitude to the nearest minute). Reports may be made by VHF radio, cell phone, satellite phone, or via relay through another vessel.
   Control will assign a number for each hookup. That number must appear on the video, either verbally or visually.
   Once the fish is tipped, tagged, or lost, the report must be completed with Control.
   A fish is considered released when the swivel or leader touches the rod tip or a mate touches the leader. The knot between the main line and double line is not considered a tip.
   There is no time limit during the fight, but the fish must be released within two hours after lines-out.
   The radio should not be used for unnecessary conversation. Be brief and specific. Radios may not be used during the final 10 minutes of fishing unless to report a hooked fish.
   If a fish is fought after lines-out and released within the allowed time window, teams must contact Control to arrange video submission to the Judging Committee.
7. Video Requirements
   All billfish releases must be verified by video, clearly showing the corresponding colored card assigned for that day.
   Video must clearly display: - The angler - The colored card of the day - The species of the fish - The moment of release (tip, tag, or leader touch) - The assigned hookup number (verbal or visual) - A timestamp if available
   If the billfish species cannot be clearly identified, but it can be confirmed as a billfish, the lowest scoring billfish points will be awarded.
   If a fish is fought after lines-out and released within the allowed time window, teams must contact Control to arrange submission of the video to the Judging Committee.
8. Catch & Release Division and Scoring
   Billfish Release Policy: The CNSJ IBT is an all-billfish-release tournament. Any vessel that boats a billfish will be immediately disqualified.
   Eligible species: - Blue Marlin – 300 pts - White Marlin – 150 pts - Sailfish/Spearfish – 100 pts
   The billfish division is split into: 1. Sonar Boats 2. Non-Sonar Boats
   Awards: For both Sonar and Non-Sonar Divisions: - Top Boat - Second Place Boat - Third Place Boat
   For overall standings (combined Sonar and Non-Sonar):
   
   • Top Angle
     • First Place
     • Second Place Angler
     • Third Place Angler
   • Top Junior Angler (13–17)
   • Top Captain
   • Top Crew
   All registered anglers, regardless of category (Junior, Lady, etc.), are eligible to compete for the Top Angler – 1st Place award.
9. Gamefish Division
   Eligible Species: Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado
   Weigh-in Times at the Service Dock: - Days 1 & 2: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM - Day 3: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
   Awards (1st Place Only): - Heaviest Wahoo - Heaviest Yellowfin Tuna - Heaviest Dorado
10. Protests and Liability
    Protests must be radioed in immediately and followed by a written complaint within 1 hour of docking. All decisions by the Judging Committee are final.
    All participants enter at their own risk. The tournament, Club Náutico de San Juan, its officers, and sponsors assume no responsibility for injury, loss, or claims. Side betting is at the participant’s own risk.
    A 5 MPH speed limit applies within San Juan Bay.
    The tournament committee’s decisions shall be final and not subject to appeal once made.
11. Weather Contingency
    The Tournament Committee reserves the right to cancel or postpone fishing days due to weather. If at least one full day of fishing is completed, the tournament is considered official, and awards will be based on those results. Safety remains the captain’s responsibility.
12. Team Competition and Awards
    An optional Team Competition must be declared at registration.
    Each team must consist of three individual anglers, each from a different boat. Only one team member may fish from a sonar-equipped boat; the others must fish from non-sonar boats.
    Scoring is based on the total release points accumulated by the three anglers.
    Team Awards: - 1st Place Team - 2nd Place Team - 3rd Place Team
    In the event of a tie, the team whose final contributing release occurred earliest will rank higher.
    Teams must be registered before Day 1. No substitutions are allowed after the tournament begins.