Los Cabos Billfish Tournament Unofficial Rules

Rules
2024 IGFA International Angling Rules apply in this tournament unless otherwise stated. If necessary, registered anglers are permitted to make one rod pass per fish to another registered angler on their team. When registered anglers are fighting a fish, they must comply with the listed angling rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of each team and crew member to know, understand and abide by angling, tackle and tournament rules during this competition. Any angler, captain or mate who deliberately breaks these rules will be immediately expelled and disqualified from this and future tournaments WITHOUT a refund of any jackpot or registration fees.  Decisions of the tournament organizers and committee are final, nonappealable and nonjusticiable.

Fishing Boundary
A 50-mile radius fishing boundary from the Cabo San Lucas coordinates 22°52’35.6” N 109°53’39.9” W is in effect for this competition. To determine this in case of protest, teams must erase old GPS tracks and start new at the beginning of the first day of the tournament, all teams must have GPS tracking on for the entire duration of the tournament, and they must not erase their GPS tracks until 24 hours after 4:30 PM “Lines-Out” on the final fishing day of the tournament. Upon request from the tournament committee, teams must show their GPS tracks for all three days of the tournament to determine if they were inside the boundary. Any tournament boat witnessed outside of these boundaries by at least two other participating tournament vessels who both file an official protest can be disqualified from further competition. However, in an effort to avoid false claims against tournament leaders, any fish taken by the offending vessel on days prior to the alleged infringement will still be eligible for prize money. Any boats found making false claims of boundary infringement will be disqualified WITHOUT a refund of any jackpot or registration fees and banned from further competition.

Eligible Species
Blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, spearfish, yellowfin or bigeye tuna, wahoo and dorado. Blue and black marlin minimum eligible weight is 300 pounds. Only two marlin may be weighed per boat per day, and only one marlin may be weighed per angler per day. Striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish are release only. Minimum weight for tuna, wahoo and dorado is 20 pounds. 

Billfish Points Scoring
All billfish hookups, releases and boated fish are to be reported to tournament control along with the boat name, boat number, angler name and fish species. Billfish releases should be called in after the fish is officially released. Boated fish should be called in once the fish is onboard. Three hundred (300) points are awarded for every blue or black marlin officially released, or 1.5 points per pound for every blue or black marlin weighed and verified at or over the 300-pound minimum. Twenty-five (25) points are awarded for any striped marlin, spearfish or sailfish officially released. 

If a blue or black marlin brought to the scales fails to make the 300-pound minimum, the team that caught the fish will be penalized 300 points, plus two points per pound that the fish is under the minimum weight. For example, if a fish weighs 280 pounds, that team will be penalized 300 points for not meeting the weight requirement and another 40 points for the 20-pound difference. The total penalty would cost them 340 points, and they would receive no other points for the fish. Any blue or black marlin boated for any reason must be weighed. Failure to weigh a boated blue or black marlin will result in immediate disqualification for the remainder of the tournament and forfeiture of all points previously earned. In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins with the other team assuming the next award position. This is based on the time of release and boated time of billfish. 

Billfish Release Rules/Video Verification
At the end of each fishing day, the camera, camera connections, catch-report affidavit and all video footage taken must be turned in to the tournament committee at the weigh station no later than 7:30 PM for verification of official release points. The only exception is if a team is fighting a fish after lines out at 4:30 PM, in which case that team’s catch reports must be turned in no later than 9:00 PM. All teams must provide their own video camera(s) to verify releases. All video recording equipment must be set to the proper time and date and must be synchronized to the official tournament time. To verify a catch, you must use control letter cards provided. Teams will be informed of the letter to use prior to each day’s start of fishing. 

To score an official release, the video footage must include sufficient continuous footage to (1) clearly identify the species; (2) show an angler or crew touching the leader while the fish is still hooked OR clearly show the swivel to the leader hits the rod tip OR clearly show the connection between the leader and mainline pass through the rod tip; (3) display the catch control letter card provided by the tournament; (4) identify the time and date of the catch; and (5) show the catch and full release of the fish. Each continuous video must identify all of these elements. 

Do not delete any video taken during fishing hours, even if it does not include the above elements and will not be used to prove a catch. After the release video is taken, the time, species, catch control code letter and angler name must be written on the catch-report affidavit. Each registered angler and boat captain must then sign the catch-report affidavit. Failure to turn in the catch reports will result in disqualification of that day’s catch. 

All recordings, images, sounds, etc. become property of Bonnier LLC and may be used at any time. Recordings and/or images may be downloaded from the team’s device(s).

Any release photos posted on the tournament website or social channels or included in the tournament videos are for entertainment and marketing purposes only.

Catch-Report Affidavit
All catches must be recorded on the catch-report-affidavit sheets provided. The official time, species, control-letter code and angler name must be written on the catch-report affidavit. Each registered angler and boat captain must sign the catch-report affidavit. The catch-report-affidavit sheets must be turned in at the weigh station each day by 7:30 PM unless a team is fighting a fish after lines out at 4:30 PM in which case that team’s catch reports must be turned in no later than 9:00 PM. Failure to turn in the catch reports will result in disqualification of that day’s catch. Any team falsifying information on the affidavit will be disqualified from the tournament with no refund of entry or optional jackpot fees.

Tackle

• Rods: Unlimited in use or numbers.
• Teasers: Unlimited in use or numbers.
• Hooks: All tournament participants must use non-offset circle hooks for all species whenever live or dead natural bait is used.
• Baits: Live bait, dead bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament. Live bait cannot be purchased or received from another boat during tournament fishing hours. 

Note: The tournament committee holds the right to examine any tackle, hooks, line and/or leaders anytime during the event. Refusal to allow the committee to examine any tackle, line and/or leaders will result in immediate disqualification from the event WITHOUT a refund of any jackpot or registration fees.

Boat Check-In and Daily Fishing Hours
Fishing will commence at 7:00 AM and end at 4:30 PM each day. All fishing for live baits must be completed 15 minutes prior to the lines in Shotgun Start at 7:00 AM Any tournament boat fishing for live bait between 6:45 AM and 7:00 AM may be disqualified from that day’s fishing. Any boat may resume fishing for live bait AFTER the 7:00 AM start. The tournament committee reserves the right to change starting and finishing times for any reason it deems necessary. Boats will proceed past the water-based committee boat in an orderly fashion and display their boat number to the tournament committee members. A committee member will record your boat number and inform you by radio that you have checked in for the start. Boats will then line up behind the committee boat and wait for the Shotgun Start to be announced over the radio at 7:00 AM (Boats running late due to mechanical problems that can’t make the start can check out over the radio at any time during the day, but they must inform tournament control of their problem and estimated time and location of departure BEFORE 7:00 AM) The tournament control’s time will act as the official time for the start, catch-and-release, and end of fishing each day without exception.

Weigh Station 
Weigh station hours are 2 PM – 7:30 PM. All fish to be weighed must be at the weigh station scale by 7:30 pm all three days.

Late Hook-Ups
In the event of late hookups prior to 4:30 PM in which the fish fight continues past lines-out, all fish to be weighed or release video must be back to the IGY Marina Weigh Station no later than 9:00 PM on the day of the catch. 

Radio Start
All teams must stop bait fishing by 6:45 AM and wait for the official radio shotgun start at 7:00 AM. ANY team that is tournament fishing prior to the 7:00 AM radio start announcement may be disqualified from the day’s fishing.

Communications
The official tournament VHF channel will be 28. In the event that channel 28 is not available the backup channel will be 27. All billfish hookups, releases, boated and lost fish are to be reported to tournament control along with the boat name, boat number, angler name and fish species. Billfish releases should be called in after the fish is let go. Tournament Control international cell-phone number +1-407-533-0123 will be available for teams to communicate. During the last hour of fishing each day, all hookups must be reported. Boated fish should be called in once the fish is on board. The tournament control’s time will act as the official time for the start, catch-and-release, boated fish and end of fishing each day without exception.

All teams intending to weigh tuna, wahoo or dorado must notify tournament control at the end of the fishing day on their way in. All teams intending to weigh billfish must notify tournament control at the time it is boated and take video or a picture of the fish with the letter card to confirm the catch is complete.

Weather
There is no weather committee. The tournament is conducted on a “fish-at-your-own-risk” basis. If any portion of the tournament is fished and a team or teams land or release fish that match the tournament’s eligible species and minimum weight limits, then prizes will be awarded.

If government officials outside the jurisdiction of the Tournament Organizers decide to cancel a scheduled tournament fishing day(s) due to perceived unsafe sea conditions, the resumption of fishing will be communicated by 6:00 am the next morning on the tournament’s VHF radio channel and posted on the tournament’s social media. It’s important to understand that a resumption announcement by the Tournament Organizers doesn’t guarantee the safety of participants. The decision to fish or not should be solely based on the team’s judgment.

Optional Jackpot Fee
There are optional jackpots available to all teams registered in the tournament. Each fee represents a team entry into a specific jackpot division. The tournament rules apply to all optional jackpots. Only teams entered in the $5,000 base entry may enter the optional Daily Marlin Jackpots, Largest Marlin Jackpots, Daily Billfish Release Jackpot and Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot. Only teams entered in the optional jackpots are eligible for jackpot cash and prizes. For more information, see the “Prizes and Awards” information.

CatchStat
The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament uses CatchStat for registration and team management. CatchStat provides live scoring updates. All content on CatchStat is for entertainment purposes only. Content does not replace and may not reflect official tournament standings or payout amounts. Official standings can be obtained by contacting the tournament committee.

Protests
Participants may lodge protests against any catch which they believe was not made in accordance with these rules. All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by $500 USD. All protests will be settled on the day of the incident. All protests on October 9, 10 and 11 must be in the hands of the tournament director no later than 9:00 PM on the day of the alleged incident. The tournament committee may call a protest hearing at their discretion; a protest hearing is not guaranteed. 

The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, must be present at any official protest hearing. The tournament committee may refuse to consider any protest evidence not submitted at the protest hearing in the presence of the protested team. If the protesting or protested team fails to show up for the protest hearing, that team forfeits its right to submit evidence. 

Any boats found making false claims of boundary infringement will be disqualified WITHOUT a refund of any jackpot or registration fees and banned from further competition. Decisions of the tournament organizers and committee with regard to protests are final, nonappealable and nonjusticiable.

Sportsmanlike Conduct
All participants are expected to maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor at all times throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike or threatening conduct toward tournament organizers or other participants, or any other behavior which the tournament organizers deem inappropriate, in their sole discretion, will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team with no refund of entry fees.

Line
Monofilament, multifilament, and lead core multifilament lines may be used. The catch shall be classified under the breaking strength of the first 16.5 feet (5 meters) of line directly preceding the double line, leader, or hook. This section must be comprised of a single, homogenous piece of line. For this tournament, 130-pound-test is the maximum; tournament or non-tournament lines are eligible. If the stated line test is 130-pound or less on the label, it is allowed in the tournament. Wire lines are prohibited.

Line Backing
Monofilament, multifilament, and lead core multifilament lines may be used. Line backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions as to size or material. If the fishing line is attached to the backing, the catch shall be classified under the lighter of the two lines. Wire line backing is prohibited.

Double Line
The use of a double line is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: A double line must consist of the actual line used to catch the fish. Double lines are measured from the start of the knot, braid, roll or splice making the double to the farthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure or hook to the double line. The double line on all classes of tackle over 20 pound (10 kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 40 feet (12.19 meters).

Leader
The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure, hook arrangement or other device, and is measured to the bend of the last hook. The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. The leader on all classes of tackle over 20 pound (10 kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall be limited to 40 feet (12.19 meters).

Rod
Rods must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Considerable latitude is allowed in the choice of a rod, but rods giving the angler an unfair advantage will be disqualified. This rule is intended to eliminate the use of unconventional rods. The rod tip must be a minimum of 40 inches (101.6 cm) in length. The rod butt cannot exceed 27 inches (68.58 cm) in length. These measurements must be made from a point directly beneath the center of the reel. A curved butt is measured in a straight line. When the rod butt is placed in a gimbal, the measurement from the center of the reel seat to the pivot point of the gimbal can be no more than 27 inches. (The above measurements do not apply to surfcasting rods.)

Reel
Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Power-driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device that gives the angler an unfair advantage. Ratchet handle reels are prohibited. Reels designed to be cranked with both hands at the same time are prohibited.

Hooks for Bait Fishing
All tournament participants must use non-offset circle hooks for all species whenever live or dead natural bait is used. For live or dead bait fishing no more than two single hooks may be used. Both must be firmly imbedded in or securely attached to the bait. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than a hook’s length (the length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. A hook may not precede bait, lure or bait/lure combo by more than one hook’s length. The use of a dangling or swinging hook is prohibited. Double or treble hooks are prohibited.

Hooks for Lures
When using an artificial lure with a skirt or trailing material, no more than two single hooks may be attached to the line, leader, or trace. The hooks need not be attached separately. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than an overall hook’s length (the overall length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 12 inches (30.48 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. The trailing hook may not extend more than a hook’s length beyond the skirt of the lure. A hook may not precede bait, lure or bait/lure combo by more than one hook’s length. Gang hooks are permitted when attached to plugs and other artificial lures that are specifically designed for this use. Gang hooks must be free swinging and shall be limited to a maximum of three hooks (single, double, or treble, or a combination of any three). Baits may not be used with gang hooks. Assist hooks or other such single hooks that are attached to a lure with a lead constructed of monofilament, multifilament, wire or other such material must conform to the following: When using assist hooks on any artificial lure, other than a skirted lure, the lead cannot be more than 1½ hook’s length and the bend of the hook may not be more than 4 inches (101 mm), whichever is less, from the closest point of attachment on the lure. Double and treble hooks may not be used as assist hooks.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

Fighting Chairs
May not have any mechanically propelled devices that aid the angler in fighting a fish.

Gimbals
Must be free swinging, which includes gimbals that swing in a vertical plane only. Any gimbal that allows the angler to reduce strain or to rest while fighting the fish is prohibited.

Gaffs and Nets
Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in overall length. In using a flying or detachable gaff the rope may not exceed 30 feet (9.14 meters). The gaff rope must be measured from the point where it is secured to the detachable head to the other end. Only the effective length will be considered. If a fixed head gaff is used, the same limitations shall apply and the gaff rope shall be measured from the same location on the gaff hook. Only a single hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon or lance attachments are prohibited. Tail ropes are limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters).

Entangling Devices
Either with, or without a hook, are prohibited or may not be used for any purpose including baiting, hooking, fighting, or landing the fish.

Outriggers, Downriggers, Spreader Bars and Kites
This equipment is permitted to be used provided that the actual fishing line is attached to the snap or other release device, either directly or with some other material. The leader or double line may not be connected to the release mechanism either directly or with the use of a connecting device. Spreader bars are also acceptable when used strictly as a teaser. (An angler, captain or mate can act as a human outrigger.)

Daisy Chains, Birds, Floats and Similar Devices
This equipment may only be used if they do not unfairly hamper or inhibit the normal swimming or fighting ability of the fish, thereby giving the angler or crew an unfair advantage in fighting, landing or boating the fish.

A Safety Line
A safety line may be attached to the rod, reel or harness provided that it does not in any way assist the angler in fighting the fish.

Angling Regulations
From the time that a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the registered anglers must hook, fight, release and land or boat the fish. If necessary, registered anglers are allowed to pass the rod to another registered angler when fighting fish. If a rod holder is used and a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, the registered anglers must remove the rod from the holder as quickly as possible. The intent of this rule is that the angler shall strike and hook the fish with the rod in hand. If a double line is used, the intent of the regulations is that the fish will be fought on the single line most of the time that it takes to land the fish. A harness may be attached to the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the registered anglers. Use of a rod belt or waist gimbal is permitted. When angling from a boat, once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader. One or more gaffers may be used in addition to persons holding the leader. The gaff handle must be in hand when the fish is gaffed.

The following acts and situations will disqualify a catch:
1. Failure to comply with tournament rules, equipment or angling regulations. 

2. Resting the rod in a rod holder, on the gunwale of the boat, or any other object while playing the fish.
3. Handlining or using a handline or rope attached in any manner to the angler’s line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish. 
4. Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish at any stage of the catch. 
5. Chumming with or using as bait the flesh, blood, skin, or any part of mammals other than hair or pork rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting. 
6. Changing the rod or reel while the fish is being played. 
7. Splicing, removing, or adding to the line while the fish is being played. 
8. Intentionally foul hooking a fish. 
9. Catching a fish in a manner that the double line never leaves the rod tip. 
10. Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to possess. 
11. Attaching the angler’s line or leader to part of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish. 
12. If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the tournament angling rules. 
13. Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not considered to be disqualifying injuries.)
14. When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than one line.
15. When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played) in a manner that reduces the length of the tip below minimum dimensions or severely impairs its angling characteristics.
16. When a catch violates laws or regulations governing the species or the waters where it was caught.

The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament committee reserves the right to update or change these rules at any time. By entering the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament and paying the entry fees, all participants agree to abide by the tournament rules and accept all decisions made by the Tournament Committee as final.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament website

Jennifer Dudas, Tournament Director
[email protected]

407-533-0123