REGISTRATION
Eligible Species– Sailfish, Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, and Wahoo
Boundaries:
Offshore of Florida Atlantic Coast, southern boundary- Fowey Light, Northern Boundary- WPB Inlet
Angler Requirements:
At least one angler/team participant must be an OAPB member. Angler substitutions must be completed via text to 954-540-6740 by Friday, February 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM.
Check out:
This is not an inlet specific tournament. There will be no visual checkout however, all Sailfish Releases must be recorded with TimeStamp App. Recordings must be uploaded thru Whats App to 954-540-6740. This is a live feed tournament. Releases will be uploaded immediately to our Live Channel.
Lines in:
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 7:00AM
Lines out:
Saturday, Feb. 011, 2023 at 3:00PM
Communication:
This will be a phone in tournament. Phone numbers for the committee office will be provided at the captain’s meeting. All tournament communications between tournament boats will be on channel 68. (*Subject to changes). A confirmation of release must be accepted. Call or text 954-540-6740 if no confirmation over radio is heard. Please relay Captains if possible.
Cameras and Procedure:
Billfish must be identified via video only, using the Time Stamp Camera app, and emailing or texting to tournament committee at 954-540-6740. Go Pro can be used and provided for download at weigh in. The Fish must be:
- Leadered/released safely
- Video of the angler or another team member stating the time.
- There must be no break from identifying to release of billfish.
- Camera footage must be taken using the Time Stamp Camera app on cell phones OR Go Pro, no later than 4:30 PM, or video card downloaded at weigh in.
- Camera footage becomes property of the tournament. A cell phone may be used as long as video is consistent with all other rules requirements. Contact the committee office to notify if a change is being made.
- No Video = No Fish. Suggest announcing an angler to be in charge of video.
Hooking Fish:
Each eligible fish entered in this tournament must be hooked and caught by a single angler. No person may hook a fish or assist in hooking a fish then pass a rod to another angler. The use of a rod holder to hook a fish is permitted provided that no person other than the angler who ultimately enters the fish touches the rod or reel once the fish is hooked. If the main line or double line is touched by anyone other than the angler the fish is considered disqualified. Mate can “pop the ring out of the clip” and shake weeds off the main line. Pee Wee anglers may receive assistance in hooking and catching fish.
Release:
A “Release” is official once the mate touches the “Leader” material and cuts the leader. “Tipping” (reeling to the tip) is not considered a release. In the event a fish is completely wrapped in the leader, the fish will count as a release if it is within touching range of the handle end of a gaff, tagging stick or extendable brush handle. DO NOT GAFF A BILLFISH!!
Final 15 minutes:
The final 15 minutes of the tournament ALL billfish hookups must be called/Text in. In addition all video in the final 15 mins must start with a time stamp at hookup to insure the fish was hooked before lines out.
Scoring:
All meatfish are Point for Pound. Time will determine the winner in the event of a tie for releases.
General Information:
Maximum Lines – 10 Leaders
Maximum Leader Length– 15 feet, with maximum 20’ overall including double line
Hooks – Circle hooks Only. This is a NMFS HMS regulated tournament.
Anglers – No Limit, but all anglers must be listed on final registration (can change until Friday February 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM)
Bait – Live or Dead accepted. Chumming prohibited.
Weather– Tournament officials may cancel the tournament day if in their best judgment unsafe conditions exist at sea for the average boat entered. No refunds of any sort will be made for any cause in the event of such cancellation. If the day (or any portion thereof) is “weathered out”, the tournament results will be final based on the results of the official fishing time that can be completed. Notice of cancellation and/or resumption of fishing will be provided via Committee Phone. A determination permitting fishing by tournament officials should not be interpreted to mean that the tournament ensures the safety of any registered angler or occupant of any boat. Anglers must make their own judgments whether to fish under the prevailing weather conditions based on the size and seaworthiness of their boat, their seamanship skills, and any other relevant factors.
Protests– Any protests concerning the conduct of an angler or rules violations must be filed in writing with the tournament committee no later than the close of the fishing day on the day of the alleged violation. Along with a non-refundable $500. Protests will be handled by the rules committee. The decisions of the rules committee are final. Refunds No refunds for entry fees will be given for any reason including, but not limited to acts of nature, war, national security, vessel malfunctions or travel restrictions.
Ties– All ties will be broken based on time. The earlier billfish release or earlier fun fish weigh-in will win the tie.
Hold Harmless- All registered anglers and non- registered occupants of their boats enter and participate in this tournament voluntarily at their own risk. In consideration for the tournament’s acceptance of his or her entry, each angler, for his or her heirs, executors, and administrators, agrees to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Offshore Anglers of Pompano Beach, its officers, managers, directors, agents, sponsors, donors, the city and county where the event is held, and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the tournament, from and against any and all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, fees or expenses which he or she may have against any above described party, or which his or her captains, crew members, family members, companions or nonregistered occupants of their boat may have, arising out of or in any way connected with his or her participation in this tournament, including any injury or death suffered by any registered angler, boat captains, crew members, family members, companions or other occupants of any boat, and including any damage to vessels and equipment, which occurs during or in conjunction with the event. Each Angler understands and agrees that this release specifically includes and waives any claims based on libel, slander, negligence, action or inaction of any above-named party.
Signing of the Entry Sheet – By signing the entry form, the Boat Owner/Team Representative agrees to follow the above tournament rules. All Boat Owners/Team Representatives are required to sign the entry form as certification that they have read and agreed to abide by all guidelines and the above liability release.
Committee Phone CALL-IN Numbers: 954-540-6740
Tight Lines!