15o International Fishing Tournament Marlin & Tuna Bahía de Banderas 2023

1. This tournament is open to all TEAMS that are properly registered and are committed to following all rules of the tournament, to comply with the provisions of the Judge, the Honour and Justice Committee, and the rules set by the Ley General de Acuacultura y Sustentables and Secretary of Communications and Transport.

Limits of catches by Sport Fishing Regulations in México: 10 catches per day per fisherman with the following quota limits per species:

a) Not more than five fish of any one species.

b) Regarding Marlins, Sailfish, Swordfish and Shark, the maximum limit for each sport fisherman will be of one specimen per day; any catch of these species is to be considered equivalent to five specimens of any other.

Sport fishing and navigating licenses are mandatory, is responsibility of the participants to pay and process these with the proper authorities.

2. Each party will consist of a maximum of four fishermen, although teams are allowed to register with a smaller number of participants. There is no restriction on the number of guests. Each team will designate a captain to represent the team.

3. Species that qualify are: MARLIN, TUNA and MAHI-MAHI. SAILFISH qualifies only on catch and release mode.

4. In an effort to protect species, only MARLIN OF OVER 100 KGS, TUNA FOR OVER 30 KGS AND MAHI-MAHI FOR OVER 10 KGS qualify.

5. We invite to the participants to release the specimens that, in the opinion of the participants, are below the minimum sizes, there is no penalty if a competitor brings a specimen weighing less than the weight limit.

6. CHAMPIONS will be declared by species, teams catching the heaviest Marlin, Tuna or Mahi-Mahi. In case of a tie, the taken action will be based on specimen size first, its length and then its outline. (In this case the action shall be as set by the IGFA rules. If the tie persists, the fish that was registered first will win).

In the case of SAILFISH, the teams will be able to participate in the CATCH AND RELEASE modality and the team with the highest number of catches that come close to the boat and released will be declared Champion, a video indicating the date and time of the capture and release showing the flag of the day is required. In this modality, the teams must bring their own video camera or cell phone to demonstrate with their videos the catches and releases that were made during the fishing day. We recommend the use the bait TIP “CIRCLE HOOK” or Japanese-style to make easy the release of sailfish.

7. In this competition there is no limit on the strength of the fishing line. Resistance Rods and reels are discretion of the fisherman, prohibits the use of electronic throttles. Whenever the Organizing Committee deemed necessary can ask a sample of equipment and fishing line for review to any participant. There is no restriction on the number of rods and reels that you can use in the team or vessel registered.

8. It is mandatory, to show live-video recorded evidence on the catching of a fish, as in real time and under the following guidelines:

a) Within competition standards, the catching of fish must be proven by showing a recorded video, either a video camera or a cell phone can be used on such.
b) The filming lenght will include: the catching of the fish, the on-boarding of the piece, the arrival, and the tournament flag, supplied for each fishing boat.
c) The video recordings must be released onto the Tournaments Judges Board, at the moment of the logging and presentation of the competitor's catch.
d) The Boards of Judges shall thoroughly review each video and its contents. The Board of Judges will state their most careful opinion regarding acceptance or rejection for the provided video recordings. They shall retain the right to invalidate the logging and/or the weighing ticket, and even to disregard the fishing team’s claim, when solid grounds of unfairness be found.

9. Each vessel has to remove all the fishing equipment that is not allowed for use, such as double hooks, harpoons and fishing gear that are generally not allowed.

10. Only a maximum of two (2) simple hooks for a draw along the lines of the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) are allowed. The use of double hooks is forbidden (see picture).

11. Fish should be caught with bait or lures and will be brought close to the boat without more help than the reel and rod. IT IS FORBIDDEN TO USE Moppers. Only 4.50 meters of double line are allowed and the same tie (leader). The sum of the two shall not exceed 9.00mts.

12. GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION:

a) To contravene in any way the provisions of these rules.
b) People outside the team to fit the reel, or any part of the team maneuver while fishing. It is forbidden to grasp the double line. Only allow one crew member to take the tie to bring close the fish alongside the boat. There are no restrictions on the number of people to help get the animal on the boat.
c) To permit persons not registered on the computer to fish on the boat.
d) Submit any specimen not captured by the fishing team under the competition rules during the fishing tournament day.
e) Any fish struck by the propeller (which penetrate or tear the flesh), shark bite, spear, missile, or firearm or any object cutting stitches.
f) BREAKAGE OF BEAKS WILL NOT BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION, whatever its cause.
g) The Organizing Committee will open the specimens that occupy the top three of each day. If a foreign object found in the animal is introduced on purpose to increase their weight, they will be disqualified along with all the team catches on that day.
h) The participants or vessels who not allow inspection of the ship by the Organizing Committee.
i) Carry on board any fishing object other than the allowed. Just as harpoons, fishnets, formwork and general fishing gear other than those permitted.
j) If a participant behaves unsportsmanlike or dishonestly in the course of the tournament.
k) Utter physical and/or verbal aggression to Tournament Judge and assistants may result in disqualification of participants in the tournament. If this happens the case will be submitted to the Honor and Justice Committee who will disqualify participants who engage in such misconduct.

13. In case of failure of any vessel or because of slowness cannot reach in time to the marina to get the specimens weighted up; they can be transferred to another vessel participating in the Tournament, it is required that at least one of the team member should come on the assistant boat and present the catch to the judge. In case that the assistant boat does not arrive on time to the weighing, this may not be used as an excuse and fishing for both teams will not be registered.

14. Contestants must be present at Paradise Village Marina, the date and time of the inauguration of the tournament to be held at 7:00 a.m. central time of Mexico City, and have to wait out the order of the judge. If any vessel part before shooting out or order out of the dock, fishermen and registered participants will be disqualified from that vessel during that fishing day.

15. Vessels must report daily departure time the same on return according to the schedule allowed in the program, no vessel is allowed leaving or returning to another point than the official places of departure, the lack of compliance of this rule will disqualify those who engage in it.

16. The Organizing Committee has the authority to extend, shorten or suspend the tournament for weather situations or any other cause of force majeure.

17. Acting as judge Sr. Edgar Javier Quintero Blancarte and its rulings are final when presented with a situation not specifically regulated the approach of the Judge and the Honor and Justice Organizing Committee are final.

18. The weighing of the specimens will begin at 14:00 hrs, (México central time) ending at 18:00 hrs (México Central Time) with the program schedule. It is an obligation of the contestant team, to record their catches.

19. The heaviest fish of each day will be subject to careful scrutiny by biologists and the Judge of the Tournament, so the tickets will be valid after weighing review.

20. All specimens submitted to weigh will become the property of the Fishing Club, whenever a fisherman wants to mount a specimen the skin will be provided. Every specimen with a minor weigh of the required presented to the Judge will be destined to associations of social benefit.

21. Any protest of a duly registered participant related to this competition must be submitted by the team captain in writing and signed to the Judge having as a limit 18:30 hrs. (México Central Time), the same day that the reason is recorded.

22. For safety of participants there will be maritime surveillance by the Secretary of the Navy, Port Captain, the inspection and fisheries monitory is by personnel of Comisión Nacional de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables. The Organizing Committee under no circumstances can be held responsible for any mishap or accident that might occur to the contestants or boats during the tournament.

23. Contestants, fishing, boats, captains and crews who are disqualified in the tournament, may be banned from future tournaments organized by the Club de Pesca de Bahía de Banderas A.C., and can be bulletined to other fishing clubs and organizers of other tournaments.

24. Simple registration and participation in this fishing tournament, binds the participants to read, understand and comply with the rules of this tournament.

25. The Organizing Committee in its discretion reserves the right to admit any person, vessel or crew who wants to join and participate in the tournament.