In an effort to showcase individual team skills, the rules of the Costa Rica Classic Billfish Tournament have been designed to allow teams to fish this event as they would while fun fishing.

The Tournament
The Costa Rica Classic Billfish Tournament is a two-day big-fish team event with Top Team honors going to the team that tallies the most points during the tournament.

GFA Rules, circle hooks, 30lb test max.

  • Lines in 7:00 am, lines out 3:30 
  • 2 Divisions
       1) Billfish -Sailfish 100 points / Marlin 500 points
       2) Open Species - Roosterfish / Dorado / Tuna / Dog Tooth Snapper
       Minimum 24" length - 500 points for first fish in each species, 100 points thereafter, Max 5 fish total

RELEASE RULES
A camera will be included in all captains' bags. In order to score an official release a photo must be taken of the fish under control at the boat. (It is recommended that the camera be three to nine feet away from the fish.)
When you are about to make the release, you must call tournament control and ask for the control code number. Then have your designated photographer, or any other crew member, hold up the number with his/her fingers in front of the fish as the photo is taken.
After the release photo is taken, the official time, species and angler must be written on the catch report. You must also mark the control number given by tournament control in the CODE box on your release sheet. At the end of the day's fishing, both the camera, catch sheet and ALL photos taken must be returned to tournament control. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of that day's catch.

Catch Reports
All catches must be recorded on the catch report sheets provided. These sheets must be turned in to tournament control at the weigh station EACH DAY whether you catch a fish or not.
In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins.

Angler and Crew Requirements
Without exception, each boat shall have onboard one registered captain and at least one registered mate throughout the competition. There is a limit of six anglers per boat in this tournament; however, if a team has an angler drop out, an additional angler can be signed on if he/she registers and pays the Tournament Committee $700 BEFORE the start of that day's fishing.

Rules
IGFA rules apply in this tournament.

It is the responsibility of each team and crew member to know, understand and abide by IGFA 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.

  • Mates CANNOT HOOK the fish or touch the ROD, REEL OR LINE at ANYTIME for ANY REASON after the fish is hooked up.
  • The bait and switch method of angling is permitted; however, fish must be hooked at least 10 seconds before the mate may touch the leader.
  • Wind-on leaders are permitted but may not exceed 30 feet as per IGFA Rules.

Line
30-pound test maximum, tournament or non-tournament lines are eligible.
If the stated line test is 30-pound or less on the label, it is allowed in the tournament.

Leaders
The length of the leader is the overall length INCLUDING any lure or hook arrangement.

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

Rods and Teasers
Unlimited in use or numbers.

Baits
Live bait, dead bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament.

Daily Fishing Hours
Fishing will commence at 7:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. each day.

  • All fishing for live baits must be completed 15 minutes prior to lines in.
  • Any tournament boat fishing for live bait between 6:45 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. will be disqualified from that day's fishing.
  • Any boat may resume fishing for live bait AFTER the 7:00 a.m. start.

Radio Communications
All billfish hook-ups, releases and lost fish are to be reported to the Tournament Control along with the boat name, angler name and fish species. The Tournament Control's time will act as the official time for any and all catches and releases without exception.

Captain's Meeting
All anglers and boat captains must attend the scheduled angler/captain's meeting. If they do not attend, they accept and agree to be bound by all instructions and or rule changes made during that meeting.

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 team(s) land or release fish that match the tournament's eligible species and minimum weight limits, then prizes will be awarded.

Entry Fee  
This basic entry fee covers the participation of one to four registered anglers. It also covers attendance at all planned entertainment and social activities for up to four anglers, a captain and a mate.

  • $700 for each angler -- not to exceed six anglers.
  • $200 for each non-angler participation ticket package.

Guests of anglers are welcome but are required to purchase participation tickets for entry to all planned entertainment and social functions.

Protests
All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by $100. All protests will be settled the day of the incident. All protests must be in the hands of the tournament's designated rules official by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident -- unless there is a protest regarding a fish that comes to the scales late. The protesting party as well as the accused team members, captain and crew MUST be present in any official protest hearing. If the accused or protesting teams fail to show up for the protest hearing then they are forfeiting their right to be heard and will abide by the decision made by the Official Tournament Judges. All decisions made by the Official Tournament Judges are final.

 

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