This is an ultra-light fun tournament and all participants are expected to fish in a sportsmanlike manner and to follow IGFA Regulations as well as the following additions.
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Boat: no completely open boats allowed. Comfort and safety of anglers must be considered. Final determination of boat eligibility will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
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Tournament fishing will begin at 8:30 a.m. All entrants must check out each day by radio with Tournament Control before entering the ocean. Check out begins at 7:00 a.m. Tournament fishing will stop at 3:30 p.m. All entrants have 1 1/2 hours to return to the inlet after fishing stops and to check in by radio with Tournament Control.
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All boats must monitor VHF Channel 72 which is the official communications channel.
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Sailfish and Marlin releases must be reported to Tournament Control. The time the fish is reported is the official time of the release, however, all releases must be properly recorded on the Captain’s log. The Captain’s log is the actual scorekeeping device for this tournament.
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An official release will be credited when the leader touches the rod tip for the first time, or the mate takes control of the leader. THIS IS A SAILFISH AND MARLIN RELEASE TOURNAMENT.
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All sailfish and marlin must be caught on dead bait. No live baiting, artificial lures or chumming permitted. Dredges are not permitted, artificial teasers without hooks are permitted.
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LEADER: The double line or wind-on leader, and the leader, shall not exceed 20 feet. The double line or wind-on leader may not exceed 15 feet in length.
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Tournament fishing area shall be a 60 nautical mile radius from the inlet
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Boats must leave and enter from Puerto Quetzal Inlet. All boats must return to Marina Pez Vela by 5:00 pm. Boats north of the Inlet breakwater by 5:00 pm will be considered on time. Any late returns shall be penalized by deducting all fish caught for that day. Mechanical or electrical problems will not excuse a late return unless Tournament Control is notified in advance.
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No more than four lines per boat. Spinning Reels are not allowed. Any fish hooked before 3:30 pm and reported to the Tournament Control may be fought until caught, except for on the last day. On the last day of fishing, the latest time permitted for an official release is 5:30 pm. Any fish hooked after 3:30 pm on any fishing day is ineligible.
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Sailfish and marlin catches must be reported to the Tournament Control as released. Boat name, angler name and time of release must be reported. Releases may be relayed if Captain cannot reach Tournament Control.
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IGFA rules apply, except as modified
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The angler or crew will furnish all tackle; line will be furnished by the Tournament.
a. LINE AND BACKING: Tournament supplied line is the only line permitted in this tournament. Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions as to size or material. If the fishing line is attached to the backing, the line will be classified under the heavier of the two lines.
b. Double lines are measured from the start of the knot, braid, rill or splice, making the double to the furthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure or hook to the double line. The double line shall be limited to 15 feet.
c. LEADER: The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure, hook arrangement or other device. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. The combined length wind-on leader or double line, and the leader, shall not exceed 20 feet, including the hook.
d. Single hook only.
e. “NON-OFFSET” CIRCLE HOOKS ONLY – J-HOOKS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
f. BAIT: Any natural dead bait may be used. Live bait is prohibited. Lures are prohibited. Netting of bait is prohibited. Tossing of bait is prohibited.
g. TEASERS: Teasers are permitted without hooks. Live teasers are not permitted. Teasers may be deployed from rod or the riggers. NO DREDGES
h. Neither teasers nor baits are allowed in the water until fishing starts at 8:30 a.m.
i. Boats can be dead in water or moving forward for the first hook up. Baits can be left in the water for multiple hook ups; but any fish caught must be hooked, fought and released from the cockpit.
j. Release occurs when the leader touches the rod tip or mate takes control of the leader. Leader must be cut as close to the fish as possible.
k. In the event of a multiple hookup, the angler may make use of the rod holder to hold the rod. -
Winners will be determined by the total number of points earned regardless of the number of days fished (up to three).
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Only releases by registered anglers will count towards totals. Maximum of four (4) registered anglers per boat with none of those registered anglers being professional. A professional is defined as any person who has been paid for their professional services as a captain, mate or crew member while engaging in fishing within the last twelve (12) months.
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Sailfish will be scored at 100 points per release and Marlin will be scored at 500 points per release. In case of a tie, the angler/team scoring the most points first, according to official time, will be declared the winner.
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Competing boats must honor and give fighting boats all the room necessary.
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Any protest must be filed in writing or by the angler on the Captain’s daily log by 6:00 PM on the same day as the protested incident. A $100.00 protest binder must accompany all protests. This binder is refundable if the Rules Committee upholds the protest. All protests will be held confidential, and the Rules Committee’s decision WILL BE FINAL.
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Participants in the Barta Pacific Masters enter at their own risk. Officials and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operations of the tournament shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm, or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sportfisherman, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels and equipment which may occur during the tournament.