Tournament Rules & Information

A team shall consist of a minimum of two (2) anglers, and a suggested maximum of six (6) anglers representing their qualifying tournament. Only four (4) anglers may be registered anglers for any one fishing day. In the event there is a fifth or sixth angler, anglers may be rotated in. In the event anglers need to be rotated in, the team must deliver a list of anglers to the Tournament Director prior to the start of fishing, indicating who will be anglers for that given day. Mexican regulations require that everyone on the boat have a fishing license. Non-anglers may ride along on the boat for the day providing there is enough room on board to accommodate them. Guests or spectators shall not be permitted to catch any fish. Regulations limit the number of guests and anglers on board to a maximum of 6.

All teams must participate in the boat draw. Teams will fish on a different charter boat each day. In the event a boat is disabled a replacement boat will be rotated in for the day.

Registration:

At least one member, preferably the captain from each team, must register at the tournament registration desk at the hotel prior to the tournament; registration location will be at the Hotel Finisterra from 10:00am until 3:00pm on Sunday, May 15, 2005. Any team failing to register at that time must inform tournament headquarters ahead of time to pre-register prior to the registration date.

Briefing & Boat Draw:

The tournament briefing and boat draw will be held from 5:00pm - 6:30 pm at the Hotel Finisterra patio. Immediately following is the Rolex/IGFA Reception and dinner plus entertainment. At least one member of the fishing team must be present at the briefing and at the boat draw.

Scoring:

Billfish

Any blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, spearfish, or swordfish regardless of weight, released in accordance with the IGFA Tournament rules shall be awarded the following points:

To be counted as a released fish, the leader must be wound to the rod tip or the leader touched by the mate or member of the team. The hook or hooks must be disengaged from the fish or the leader cut as close to the hook as possible. The leader and double line sample must be retained for the judges and fish release form completed and delivered to the judges on the dock.

If a fish is dead or nearly dead during the fight, and there is no chance for survival, the fish can be boated and the team receives the points for the fish as a released fish. Any dead fish is the property of the tournament and will be donated to a local charity. If an angler catches a potential world record billfish, that fish may be boated and weighed at the official IGFA weigh station. If it is heavy enough to be a world record in the line class on which caught the same points will be awarded as if the fish was released. If, however, the fish is not heavy enough to be a world record, no points will be awarded and the fish will be disqualified.

WEIGHED FISH:

Points per pound will be awarded on the basis set below for any fish which exceeds the minimum size limit in the following categories: Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Wahoo or Dorado. Minimum size limit is 25 pounds for each of these species. Catch limit per species is two (2) per day, per team for tuna of either species, Wahoo and Dorado. Teams will be awarded 1 point per pound for qualifying weight fish.

Bonus Points:

100 Bonus points will be awarded for the team releasing the most billfish. In the event of a tie, the team releasing the most fish first will receive the extra bonus points.

Fishing Days & Times:

All boats fishing in the tournament must depart from the starting point in front of Cabo San Lucas Harbor. The start and stop signal will be announced on the radio. Do not start fishing until you are told to do so on the radio. All fish must be hooked by the time of the stop fishing signal each day. If in the event a fish is still hooked up at the call of stop fishing, the angler may keep fighting the fish until fish is released, boated, or lost. Tournament radio control must be notified that the team is hooked up prior to stop fishing signal being called or fish will be disqualified. The fishing days are Monday, May 16, Tuesday, May 17, Wednesday, May 18, and Thursday, May 19, 2005.

The fishing hours are:
            7:00 a.m. Start fishing
            3:00 p.m. Stop fishing

All teams must return to weight station not later than 6:00pm or catch will be disqualified. Exception: If fish is still hooked up at time of lines out.

General Issues:

IGFA rules will apply to all catches.

Fishing Line: All catches must be made on Momoi Hi-Catch IGFA 30-lb class line, which is the official line of the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship.

Teams are responsible for verifying that IGFA rules are followed. Teams should check tackle, leaders, hook arrangements, and line prior to the start of fishing. Boats are required to have at least 4 - 30 lb rods and reels on board with official tournament line. If anglers bring their own rods and reels, be sure to have the official Momoi line.

Only fish caught on rod and reel will qualify. Live bait may not be passed between boats after start of fishing each day. Live bait and dead bait must be rigged with circle hooks only. Circle hooks may not be offset. Lures can be rigged with conventional hooks. The teams prior to the start of fishing may purchase live bait. Limit of 10 pieces of live bait per day may be purchased subject to availability. No fishing for bait prior to the start of fishing. No lines in the water prior to the start of fishing.

Each angler must complete a Fish Catch form, which is supplied in the tournament bags at registration. The form must be completed and turned in at the end of the fishing day. No form, no points! The angler must furnish, upon request, the lure, leader, rod, reel, terminal tackle with which the fish was caught.

The Rules Committee has the right to investigate and act upon any incident occurring during the tournament. They shall have the right to disqualify any capture following examination and measurement of tackle and equipment used on the boat. Any protest, concerning the validity of any catch, must be filed in writing, signed by the team captain and hand delivered to the Rules Committee not later than 8:00pm of the day of the catch. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.

Radio Control will operate on a VHF Channel to be announced. No CB's will be used. All hookups must be called in and acknowledged by radio control. If a tournament boat is out of range, the hookup must be relayed via radio. No exceptions.

All registered anglers and guests participating in the tournament enter voluntarily and at their own risk. In consideration for the Rolex/IGFA's acceptance of his or her entry, each registered angler and guest hold harmless and indemnify the Rolex/IGFA Tournament, its officers, managers, directors, agents, sponsors, donors, the city and county where the event is held, and any other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the tournament, from and against any and all liabilities.

Tipping:

Tipping of captains and mates is expected and is the responsibility of the team. Suggested tip for boat per day is $50 to $100 and should be handed directly to the Boat Captain.

The entire staff at IGFA is excited about next year's championship and look forward to seeing you in Cabo. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, contact Lynda Wilson, International Programs Coordinator at IGFA, phone: 954-924-4233, 800-442-4665, fax: 954-924-4220, email: Lwilson@igfa.org or Sue Vermillion, Tournament Director at 808-329-7371, fax: 808-329-7360, email: hdc@aloha.net

Please support the sponsors of the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship.

Calendar of ROLEX/IGFA 2005 Offshore Championship Qualifying Tournaments

Team List for the ROLEX/IGFA 2005 Offshore Championship

Schedule of Events for the ROLEX/IGFA 2005 Offshore Championship

Updates for the ROLEX/IGFA 2005 Offshore Championship

Sponsors of the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship