Tournament Rules

Line Tests

Anglers can use 30, 50 and 80lb line test categories.

Monofilament, multifilament and lead core multifilament lines can be used, but wire lines are prohibited.

Fishing Methods

We encourage anglers to use circle hooks; J hooks are also allowed. Double or treble hooks are prohibited.

Kites and live bait can be used when towed in a forward motion.

Drift fishing, and fishing at anchor is strictly prohibited.

Only registered anglers can catch fish during the tournament. Only the angler that hooks the fish can fight the fish, and no other person is allowed to handle the rod, reel or line during the fight.

To receive release points, thefollowing conditions must all be met:

•The fish must be caught in accordance with all the tournament rules.

•The initial hook up must be reported to Billfish Control at the time it happened.

•A digital image or video footage of the fish must be submitted to the SIBT Committee at the end of that fishing day. The camera and memory card/USB cable should be brought to the weigh station as soon as the boat docks, and the image/video should clearly show the following:

1.The leader attached to the fish

2.The fish at boat side

3.Sufficient detail of the fish to allow identification as one of the species for which points are allocated.

•After taking the release photographs / videos, the release should be immediately reported to Billfish Control, who will advise on the sequence photo to take. You will also need to declare the angler’s name and the type of billfish released.

•Please note that points are not allocated until the photos / videos have been verified at the end of the day.

Note: Tagging is not required for a release.

As a billfish tournament, release points will be awarded for the following species only:

Blue Marlin – 600 points

White Marlin – 300 points

Sailfish – 300 points

Spearfish – 300 points

Please note that points can only be awarded based on identifying the species from the photograph or video supplied.

If the SIBT Committee is unable to positively identify the species, but make the decision to accept the release, 300 points will be awarded

All boated Billfish MUST be brought to the scale. Any Billfish known to be boated and not brought to the scale will be assumed to be underweight, and the following penalties applied:

Blue Marlin under 600lb – Minus 300 points (penalty)

White Marlin & Sailfish under 70lb Minus 200 points (Penalty)

Spearfish (any weight) – Minus 200 points

Each participating boat must have a digital camera with a removable memory card on board for capturing photos or videos of releases. Your camera should have a minimum resolution of 3.2 megapixels, with higher definitions preferable to produce clearer images. All cameras and video cameras must have removable memory cards or USB cables to transfer files to the SIBT laptop. Memory cards should be cleared of images at the start of the tournament.

At the end of each fishing day that a release is claimed, cameras, memory cards and USB cables should be brought to the weigh station.

Each boat is allowed a back-up camera, in case the primary camera fails. The daily start picture must also be taken on the back-up camera.

Do not delete any photos or videos taken during fishing hours.

SIBT is not responsible for photos lost.

Note: Some models of Olympus cameras use a modified XD memory card which only fits Olympus cameras and card readers. This can be identified by the small plastic triangle protruding from the card. If you are using one of these cameras, you must bring a USB cable to transfer photos.

Boated Billfish will score the following points only if they equal or exceed the minimum weight:

Blue Marlin – 3 points per lb for 669lb and over

White Marlin and Sailfish – 4 points per lb for 82lb and over.

Spearfish will not score points if boated (However, if landed accidentally, it must be brought to the scale.)

The points allocation above have a line class correction factor as follows:

30lb: x1.2 | 50lb : x1 | 80lb : x0.8

Boats are required to report to Billfish Control as follows (unreported fish will not be accepted at the scale):

• At the beginning of each fishing day. You will then be instructed on the daily start picture.

• All strikes and hook ups are to be reported as soon as they occur.

• Released Billfish are to be reported after taking release photos / videos. The release species and angler’s name should be reported.

• You will then be instructed on what sequence photo to take. If there is a multiple hook up, a sequence photo of the angler must be taken after each release.

• Landed Billfish – immediately report to Billfish Control with the angler’s name, species of Billfish and the line test. Note that line test is only required for landed Billfish.

• Other landed fish. Immediately inform Billfish Control of the angler’s name and the species of fish landed.

• Once a fish is hooked and reported to Billfish Control during official fishing times, it can be fought after lines up, without any time limit, as long as all cameras and fish are presented to the weigh station by 4pm on the final day.

• All types of boats may enter the tournament, provided that they comply with the Coastguard Regulations for Safety Equipment on Vessels. All registered anglers chartering boats do so at their own risk.

• It is expressly understood that all those participating in the Tournament do so entirely at their own risk.

By registering as an angler, or taking part otherwise, you agree that the Tournament Committee, Judges, Sponsors, Donors and all persons connected directly and or indirectly with the operation of the tournament, be held blameless and free of any liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sports fisherman, their companions, boat, captain, crew, family, vessels and equipment which occur during or in conjunction with the Tournament.

The aim is for a successful tournament to be enjoyed by all and held in a spirit of good fellowship and sportsmanship. All fishing conduct, behaviour and protests are to be within the spirit of the tournament. Unacceptable, conduct, whether ashore or at sea, unfounded protests or other such behaviour will be strongly considered as grounds for exclusion from future tournaments.