Tournament Rules

Tournament participants should realize that the intent of these rules is to afford anglers and crews the opportunity to compete on an equal basis.

International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) rules apply in this tournament. However, IGFA does not attempt to write guidelines that will insure "angler equality" during tournament fishing. Therefore, additional rules become necessary in order to see that fairness prevails. This is a "modified release" format; meaning that a potential IGFA World Record will be credited with tournament points.

Angler Minimums/Maximums - Registration

1. One rod per angler is allowed. The exception to this rule is when an angler has rotated into the “pitch baiting” position where a back up rod is permissible. There shall be a minimum of two (2) anglers and a maximum of four (4) anglers. At no time shall there be less than two angler baits in the water. The exception would be if the anglers have chosen the "pitch baiting” method of fishing. Rules regarding "pitch baiting” are listed under Teaser Rules.

2. If the minimum of two (2) anglers is reduced due to the incapacitation or illness of an angler, a "Ghost Rod" with a baited hook must be fished for the missing angler. If a fish is raised to the bait of the missing angler, it must hooked and fought to full term by a member of the crew. Any attempt by this crewmember to intentionally miss the strike, break the line or lead the fish to the bait of another angler will be considered an illegal act.

3. A "Ghost Rod" may not be used for more than one day of the entire competition. A replacement angler must be found before the start of the next day of fishing and the angler must be registered with the Tournament Committee. Replacement anglers earn their own points; they do not inherit the points of the ill or incapacitated angler. Points earned by a replacement angler shall apply toward boat and crew standings.

4. Anglers may not join the competition after the start of the tournament, unless they were pre-registered and prepaid. The exception is a replacement angler for the ill or incapacitated angler as described in the rules pertaining to a "Ghost Rod".

Angler Equality - Angler Rotation - Angler Protest

1. Anglers shall rotate clockwise on an hourly basis, starting from predetermined rod positions each day. Any unequal amounts of rotation time must be adjusted within the first hour(s) of the day (see hourly rotation schedule). Anglers must provide the observer with their plan of rotation and every minute of the tournament day must be accounted for. Anglers are responsible for maintaining the hourly rotation. Fish caught out of rotation will not count in the tournament.Hourly Rotation

2. Anglers may not attempt to steal strikes from fellow anglers. Crews may not favor one angler over another - except for methods allowed for under teaser operations. See Teaser Rules.

3. Anglers and crews must be willing to protest the illegal actions of fellow anglers and crews. This applies to onboard actions and any known to be happening aboard other vessels entered into the tournament.

4. Formal protest must be submitted in writing and issues resolved on the same day. All parties must be present at any hearing that is scheduled to settle a protest. Rule changes may not be made unless they are approved by a majority of the Board Of Captains (BOC) in attendance.

Daily Hours - Time limits - Reporting Method - Scoring

1. Baits with hooks and teasers may not be placed in the water before 8:30 a.m. on all four (4) days of the tournament. Fishing ends at 5:30 p.m. on the first three (3) days and at 4:30 p.m. on the last day. Observers may not be kept out beyond the end of the tournament day - unless a fish is being fought that was hooked during tournament hours.

2. Should there be a failure in radio communications, the observer's watch is the official timepiece. Anglers and crews are advised to set their watches to the observer's watch and to double check to see that the observer's watch corresponds with the start time given by the Radio Controller. Daily catch forms reflect the observer's recorded time for the "boating" or "releasing" of fish. It is the responsibility of the anglers and crews to check the official boat or release time before the observer submits it to the Judges.

3. A maximum fighting time of three (3) hours is allowed. If additional time is needed to fight a large blue marlin, it shall be granted – provided that all anglers on board the vessel agree to the extension. If the time is extended, the total fight time is six (6) hours on the first three days, but not on the fourth day beyond the 7:30 p.m. cut off time. If a boated fish weighs under the amount of weight needed to become a new IGFA World Record, the angler, crew and boat shall forfeit all credit for that particular catch. If a fish qualifies as a potential record, a copy of the IGFA application bearing the appropriate signatures must be submitted to the judges on the same day the fish is landed. If a potential IGFA World Record is hooked in the waters of the British Virgin Islands, it must be credited to the British Virgin Islands.

4. A hook up is declared when the rod is continually bent for twenty (20) seconds. As soon as twenty (20) seconds have passed, anglers must immediately and rapidly remove their baits from the water and the captain must call in the hookup. If twenty (20) seconds have passed and another fish is hooked during the rapid retrieval of the baits, that fish may be legally fought. If the angler delays the retrieval process in order to tease up a fish, any subsequent catch will be disqualified. The twenty (20) second rule does not repeat itself beyond the first hooked fish. Captains must make an immediate radio report when the fish is boated released or lost.

5. Ties are broken by the time method. The angler who reaches the high score first shall win.

6. Points are scored as follows: A released Blue Marlin receives four hundred (400) points. A boated Blue Marlin that becomes a potential IGFA World Record also receives four hundred (400) points.

7. The official reporting channel is VHF channel 19. The back up channel is 18. Silence is greatly appreciated on the tournament channel.

Tackle Rules

1. Anglers and crews share equally in the responsibility to see that IGFA tackle rules are followed.

2. The supplied 50# test line shall be the only line to be fished. Backing is allowed as long as it is unattached to the main tournament line. Used fishing line may not be discarded into the water.

3. Leaders may not exceed thirty (30) feet in length. A swivel must be used to attach the leader to the line. Leaders shall be measured from the outer edge of the leader eye to the outer edge of the curve on the last hook.

4. Double lines of any length are not permitted.

Official "Release" Rules

Mates may not touch the leader until three events have occurred. These events must occur in the following order:

1. The angler must declare his/her intent to release the fish. The declared intent to release may not be reversed at a later time.

2. The swivel must touch the rod tip one time after the above intent is given.

3. The mate shall await the observer's "TIPPED" call before grabbing the leader. The mate may grab the leader at any time after the observer has declared that the swivel has been officially tipped. The observer reserves the right to demand that the fish be wired to the surface for a close up inspection (small fish species identification, shark bite resulting from long fight, etc.) before declaring it an official release.

4. The official time of catch is recorded when the observer has called for the release of the fish. An attempt must be made to remove the hook(s) or to cut the leader close to the mouth of the fish.

5. Two (2) minutes are allowed for tagging and lure retrieval. Fish that are carelessly or needlessly handled (prop damaged, bill broken off, tagged in vital organs, etc.) during the tag attempt will not count for tag points. Tag points apply to the crew-tagging award; they do not affect the overall standings of the angler or boat.

Official "Boating" Rules

Mates may not touch the leader until three events have occurred. These events must occur in the following order:

1. The angler must declare his/her intent to boat the fish. The intent to boat a fish may not be reversed at a later time.

2. The swivel must touch the rod tip one time after the above intent is given.

3. The mate shall await the observer’s "TIPPED" call before grabbing the leader to wire the fish.

4. The mate may grab the leader any time after the observer has declared the fish eligible for boating.

5. Official time of catch is declared when the observer feels that the fish is secured alongside the vessel.

Teaser Rules - General

There are two very distinct styles of baiting fish. One is considered to be the more "Traditional" or “old style” method, which is trolling teasers along with lures and natural baits. The second style, known as "Pitch Baiting” is where the bait is held inside the boat until the fish is raised to the teasers. The following rules speak to both methods of baiting - the intent being to allow fishermen the opportunity to make choices, yet to compete on an equal basis.

Teaser Rules "Traditional Trolling" Method

Traditional Trolling Graphic

Traditional trolling with the combination of baited hooks and a teaser spread is allowed if all anglers on board agree that all teasers will be assigned to a predetermined rod position. This position is known as the “Designated Rod Position”. The location of the Designated Rod Position shall be declared before the start of the tournament day. If this method is elected, it shall be continued throughout the entire day of fishing.

1. There is no limit to the number of teasers that may be assigned to the Designated Rod Position. All anglers shall receive equal exposure to the same number of teasers as they rotate into the position.

2. When a fish is raised to the teaser spread, every effort must be made to lure that fish to the bait of the angler in the Designated Rod Position. This means the crew must operate all teasers to the benefit of the angler who rotated into the Designated Rod Position. If the crew attempts to guide a teased up fish to the bait of another angler, the observer shall disqualify any secondary hookup that may result from the crew's actions.

3. Anglers in the Designated Teaser Position may wind their bait up to any teaser. Fellow anglers must hold their bait in position when fish are raised to teasers. They may not wind or make any move to attract a fish that is behind a teaser. As long as the fish remains in the teaser spread, it belongs to the angler in the Designated Rod Position. If the fish leaves the teasers and strikes the bait of a fellow angler, it no longer belongs to the angler in the Designated Rod Position.

4. All baited hooks (artificial or natural) must be fished beyond the last teaser.

5. In the event that multiple fish are raised to the teasers, mates must attempt to tease all these fish to the angler in the Designated Rod Position. Succeeding anglers (those up by rotation) may not wind their baits into the teaser spread or receive teaser help from the mates until the angler in the Designated Rod Position is hooked up. Immediately after the angler is hooked up (fish must be taking line off the reel) succeeding anglers (by rotation) have twenty (20) seconds to become hooked up.

Should the angler in the Designated Rod Position pull the hook, he/she must immediately wind the bait back up to the teaser spread and the succeeding angler must return to his/her original position. If the bait of the angler in the Designated Rod Position is damaged, the crew may quickly change it out (unsnapping leader, bringing in damaged bait), but the angler must be the one to place the new bait back into the water.

Teaser Rules "Pitch Baiting” Method

"Pitch Baiting" Graphic

"Pitch Baiting” is allowed if all anglers on board agree to the method before the start of the day. If this method is elected, it shall be continued throughout the entire day of fishing and no other method of fishing may be attempted during that particular day.

1. A back up pitch rod with attached bait is allowed. Before this back up rod may be picked up by the angler or be handed to the “Pitch” angler, the first bait pitched must be cleared of the water (either by the angler or the mate). Backup baits do not have to be the same type.

2. Teasers are unlimited in number and the combinations are unrestricted as long as they are all designated to the "Pitch" angler.

3. The "Pitch" bait must be held in the boat until a fish is raised to the teasers. It may not be placed overboard when a fish is behind the bait of another angler. Mates may guide the fish to the "Pitch" angler (physically move the teasers) but the angler must place the bait into the water. If the bait is pulled off or fouled, the mate may change the bait (unsnap the swivel and snap on new leader), but the mate may not wind in the fouled bait.

4. Fellow anglers who are not in the "Pitch" position must fish their baits behind the teaser spread and hold their position when a fish is raised to the teaser spread or to the bait of another angler. They may pick up their rod when a fish is raised to the teasers, but they may not take any turns, jig the bait or let any line out. If the fish switches off the teasers to another bait in the background, it belongs to another angler.

5. In the event that multiple fish are raised to the teasers, mates must attempt to tease all fish to the angler in the “Pitch Bait” position. Succeeding anglers (those up by rotation) may not wind their baits into the teaser spread or receive teaser help from the mates until the angler in the “Pitch Bait” position is hooked up. Immediately after the angler in the “Pitch Bait” position is hooked up (pitched fish must be taking line off the reel) succeeding anglers (by rotation) have twenty (20) seconds to become hooked up.

Should the angler in the “Pitch Bait” position pull the hook, he/she must immediately wind the bait back up to the teaser spread (change if fouled) and the succeeding angler must return to his/her original position.

Miscellaneous Rules

1. When multiple fish are raised at the same time, the angler who hooks up first shall control the boat. The first hooked angler may give up his/her control, but the observer must witness the verbal transaction between the competitors. Control may be passed back and forth, as long as the observer is notified of the controlling angler’s intent.

2. Tournament boats may not leave the dock without an observer. If the observer becomes incapacitated during the fishing day, that fact must be immediately reported to Radio Control.

3. Live baiting is not permitted.

4. There must be a captain and two mates on every vessel. Anglers may not perform crew duties, specifically operating the boat, wiring, gaffing or tagging. The exception is that an angler may guide the chair of a fellow angler. Anglers may make their own bait and change their own bait, but they may not touch the rod or make the baits of a competing angler.

5. Crews may not attempt to fend the angler's line off the covering board by using a bodily method. A wet towel may be placed on the covering board.

6. Crews may not intentionally hand feed or attempt to help an angler to hook the fish.

7. Anglers may not strike a fish while the rod is resting in a rocking rod holder.

8. Tag poles may not be in excess of eight (8) feet in length. Longer tag poles must be taped off at eight (8’) feet.

9. Boats must be a minimum of 36 feet in length. Any exception would the decision of the Tournament Director.

10. To compete in this tournament, anglers and crews must agree to hold harmless the following: The Tournament Committee, judges, observers, sponsors, participating marinas, and the V.I. Council Boy Scouts.

Bad Weather

1. Before the start of the tournament: In the event that the tournament is canceled before the start of the tournament (due to a natural disaster or any other act of God), a refund of fifty (50%) percent of the entry fees and one hundred (100%) percent of the Calcutta and Boat Pool fees shall be returned. If any portion of the tournament is fished and three (3) or more blue marlin are caught, all cash prizes, including the Calcutta's cash prizes will be awarded.

2. Before the start of a tournament day: In the event of bad weather on the morning of a tournament day, the Tournament Committed will consult with five (5) captains entered in the event. A decision to fish or to cancel the day of competition will be made by 7:30 a.m. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to override the call of the captains on the Weather Committee. The tournament "day off" may be fished in the event of the cancellation of a scheduled fishing day.

During the tournament day: If a tournament fishing day is in progress and the weather becomes a threat, the day's fishing may be canceled by the consensus of any five (5) captains polled over the airwaves by the Radio Control operator.

The Jim Smith "Race From the Edge"

1. The race will begin at 4:40 p.m. on the last day of fishing. Radio Control will announce the start of the race. The race will start by an announcement made by the radio controller on VHF channel 19.

2. Racing vessels shall be positioned beyond the edge of the "North Drop" at the start of the race. The depth under the keel must be a minimum of three hundred (300) feet or fifty (50) fathoms of water. Observer verification of the proper depth is required (boat must be traveling at a speed slow enough to read the depth). Captains must inform the observer of the intent to join the race before the announcement of the start of the race.

3. Captains in the race may agree to pace each other to the Thatch Cay Cut, but the race officially begins on the North Drop.

4. The finish line is a line drawn between Pretty Klip Point (Sapphire Beach) and Shark Island. An onshore flare will be fired to indicate that a winner is declared. Captains are warned to watch for small boat traffic in the area of the finish line. Captains not entered into the race are asked not to pass between Shark Island and Pretty Klip Point until after a winner is declared.

Good Luck to all Participants!


Rules last changed 07/26/03. Rules last clarified 05/05/05

Harbour Island Open - Bermuda Open - USVI Open
Tournament Rules

Tournament participants should realize that the intent of these rules is to afford anglers and crews the opportunity to compete on an equal basis.

International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) rules apply in this tournament. However, IGFA does not attempt to write guidelines that will insure "angler equality" during tournament fishing. Therefore, additional rules become necessary in order to see that fairness prevails. This is a "modified release" format; meaning that a potential IGFA World Record may be boated and it will be credited with tournament points.

Angler Minimums/Maximums - Registration

1. One rod per angler is allowed. The exception to this rule is when an angler has rotated into the “pitch baiting” position where a back up rod is permissible. There shall be a minimum of two (2) anglers and a maximum of four (4) anglers. At no time shall there be less than two angler baits in the water. The exception would be if the anglers have chosen the "pitch baiting” method of fishing. Rules regarding "pitch baiting” are listed under Teaser Rules.

2. If the minimum of two (2) anglers is reduced due to the incapacitation or illness of an angler, a "Ghost Rod" with a baited hook must be fished for the missing angler. If a fish is raised to the bait of the missing angler, it must hooked and fought to full term by a member of the crew. Any attempt by this crewmember to intentionally miss the strike, break the line or lead the fish to the bait of another angler will be considered an illegal act.

3. A "Ghost Rod" may not be used for more than one day of the entire competition. A replacement angler must be found before the start of the next day of fishing and the angler must be registered with the Tournament Committee. Replacement anglers earn their own points; they do not inherit the points of the ill or incapacitated angler. Points earned by a replacement angler shall apply toward boat and crew standings.

4. Anglers may not join the competition after the start of the tournament, unless they were pre-registered and prepaid. The exception is a replacement angler for the ill or incapacitated angler as described in the rules pertaining to a "Ghost Rod".

Angler Equality - Angler Rotation - Angler Protest

1. Anglers shall rotate clockwise on an hourly basis, starting from predetermined rod positions each day. Any unequal amounts of rotation time must be adjusted within the first hour(s) of the day (see hourly rotation schedule). Anglers must provide the observer with their plan of rotation and every minute of the tournament day must be accounted for. Anglers are responsible for maintaining the hourly rotation. Fish caught out of rotation will not count in the tournament. Hourly Rotation

2. Anglers may not attempt to steal strikes from fellow anglers. Crews may not favor one angler over another - except for methods allowed for under teaser operations. See Teaser Rules.

3. Anglers and crews must be willing to protest the illegal actions of fellow anglers and crews. This applies to onboard actions and any known to be happening aboard other vessels entered into the tournament.

4. Formal protest must be submitted in writing and issues resolved on the same day. All parties must be present at any hearing that is scheduled to settle a protest.

Daily hours - Time limits - Reporting Method - Scoring

1. Baits with hooks and teasers may not be placed in the water before 8:30 a.m. on all three (3) days of the tournament. Fishing ends at 5:30 p.m. on the first two (2) days and at 4:30 p.m. on the last day. Observers may not be kept out beyond the end of the tournament day unless a fish is being fought that was hooked during tournament hours.

2. Should there be a failure in radio communications, the observer's watch is the official timepiece. Anglers and crews are advised to set their watches to the observer's watch and to double check to see that the observer's watch corresponds with the start time given by the Radio Controller. Daily catch forms reflect the observer's recorded time for the "boating" or "releasing" of fish. It is the responsibility of the anglers and crews to check the official boat or release time before the observer submits it to the Judges.

3. A maximum fighting time of three (3) hours is allowed. If additional time is needed to fight a potential world record, it shall be granted, provided that all anglers on board the vessel agree to the extension. If the time is extended, the total fight time is six (6) hours on the first two (2) days, but not on the third (3) day beyond the 7:30 p.m. cut off time. If a boated fish weighs under the amount of weight needed to become a new IGFA World Record, the angler, crew and boat shall forfeit all credit for that particular catch. If a fish qualifies as a potential record (any line test), a copy of the IGFA application bearing the appropriate signatures must be submitted to the judges on the same day the fish is landed. Note: If a potential IGFA World Record is hooked in the waters of the British Virgin Islands, it must be credited to the British Virgin Islands.

4. A hook up is declared when the rod is continually bent for twenty (20) seconds. As soon as twenty (20) seconds have passed, anglers must immediately and rapidly remove their baits from the water and the captain must call in the hookup. If twenty (20) seconds have passed and another fish is hooked during the rapid and intentional retrieval of the baits, that fish may be legally fought. If the angler delays the rapid retrieval process in order to tease up a fish, any subsequent catch will be disqualified. The twenty (20) second rule does not repeat itself beyond the first hooked fish. Captains must make an immediate radio report when the fish is boated released or lost.

5. Ties are broken by the time method. The angler who reaches the high score first shall win.

A unit of measurement (UOM) is established in order to reward angler “points” based on fish species and the varying degrees of angling difficulty. Anglers must choose a line test that is based on their knowledge of the area fished - and the average size of the species they target.