Proposed 2009 July Open Tournament Rules

This is a total release tournament:

Fish may not be boated. BVI fishing regulations do not allow the boating of any billfish in their waters. All boats and anglers must have valid BVI licenses for this event.

Tag Sticks:

Tag Sticks may not exceed 12 feet in length.

Team Requirements:

This is a boat/team tournament. Each team must consist of a minimum of one angler, one mate and one captain, or a maximum of four anglers, two mates and one captain. Crew members may not register simultaneously as crew and angler. Regardless of number of anglers, a team will be allowed any number of rods with hooks and any number of teasers. Teasers may be used in any manner that best facilitates the bite.

Manufactured listed line weight (Maximum 130 lb IGFA)

IGFA Rules apply in their entirety except for the following:

Single hook rigs only, circle hooks for live or dead bait. More than one person is permitted to hold the leader. To qualify as a "Released Billfish", the leader must be brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to or through the rod tip. When this occurs it is the time of release. If requested by the onboard observer, the team must bring the fish close enough for positive identification. The observer must confirm positive identification of all billfish.

Fighting time:

Fighting time is unlimited the first two days of the tournament, Fishing each day is 8:30AM to 5PM. Last day of fishing, lines in at 8:30AM and out at 4:00PM. The last day all fish must be released by 6 PM. Awards program will begin promptly at 8 PM.

Judges:

Judges will be comprised of members of the VIGFC Board of Directors. Protests must be in writing and filed with the judges on the affected day.

VHF Channel 19 will be the official tournament VHF radio channel.

Point Scoring System

        Species             Release Points

        Blue Marlin          500 pts

        White Marlin        300 pts

        Sailfish                200 pts

It is understood that all participants in this tournament enter at their own risk. By registering, the angler holds harmless the VIGFC and all persons connected with the tournament from any libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant entrant, their companions, crew members, vessels and equipment which may occur during or in conjunction with the tournament.