Big Time Tournaments

RULES

1. This is a “live bait” Bridge Tarpon Fishing only Tournament.

2. MANDATORY CAPTAIN’S MEETING on April 14^th, May 12^th, and June 2^nd 2010 @ TBA.

3. Licensed guides may fish as anglers. The boat may be guided by either a licensed guide or an unlicensed individual. Prior to the start of the tide, an individual(s) must be designated as the “Angler(s)” and the angler’s guide must be designated as the “Guide or Captain”.

4. Only the Angler may touch the rod, reel or line while line is outside the boat. Exception: when the Angler is landing and releasing the fish, the Guide may then touch the leader only and the leader can be no longer than 8 feet. This counts as a released fish.

5. All fish must be greater than 3 feet (36 inches).

6. The boat must provide an observer that will be subject to questions and a possible polygraph test. An angler can act as an observer.

7. Fishing range is East and West ends of: Bahia Honda Bridge old or new, 7-Mile Bridge old or new and Long Key Bridge old or new. This is “traditional style” tarpon fishing methods from under the bridge, facing away from the bridge or fishing into the bridge. This is fishing for the tarpon that hang around the bridge. (Not off the edge of banks or flats away from the bridges.)

8. Once a tarpon is hooked you may “throw the ball” and chase your fish until conclusion.

9. Lines in for AM tides are 6:00am and lines out at 10:00am. 
   Lines in for PM tides are 4:00pm and lines out at 8:00pm.

10. If a fish is hooked prior to lines out it may be fought until conclusion.

11. You may replace your angler(s) for a $30 fee, per angler change. Anglers may fish from different boats. Both of these must be documented and paid before the start time of each tide.

12. Score cards must be signed by angler and observer (see below) and returned to a Tournament Official at Boatman’s Resort and Marina within 2 hours after lines out of each tide. When you turn your score card you will be issued a new one for the next tide.

13. You are responsible for the care and accuracy of your score card. If you lose your score card; you will be issued a new one, but the fish caught on the old score card will be NOT be scored.

14. There will be no fishing after tournament hours. However you may catch bait.

15. IGFA rules apply to all tackle and leaders except where otherwise stated within these rules.

16. If a rod is broken while playing a fish, the fish may still be landed and counted.

17. Maximum leader strength is 80 pound test as per manufacturer’s rating. Spinning reels can be spooled with 30 pound test max, stated line and braid is permitted.

18. Live bait only with circle hooks is permitted, NO chumming is allowed.

19. All protests must be submitted in writing with a $400 cash deposit to the tournament committee; by the time all score cards must be turned in on the day of fishing that the proposed infraction occurred. If protest is validated then the cash deposit will be returned. All participants are subject to a polygraph test, with or without a protest. Any refusal or failure of a test will result in a DQ.

20. Ties shall be broken by the time of the last fish caught first.

21. This is a team “boat” event for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place overall but will also pay out for Top Male and Top Female anglers with most tarpon caught and released.

22. The tournament directors reserve the right to refuse tournament entry to any perspective entrant with or without cause at his or her or their sole discretion.

**Prize money based on a minimum of 10 boats being entered**