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updated June 22, 2008
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS |
ENTERTAINMENT |
RULES |
FORMS |
CASH AWARDS |
TOURNAMENT STAFF
Rules, including published rules, are subject to change without notice. Final instructions are given at the Captain’s Meeting on July 10, 2008 at 5:30pm on the Pool Deck behind 30° Blue.
1. SPIRIT OF THE TOURNAMENT
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The Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament is committed to fair competition, good sportsmanship and the conservation of our natural resources.
These Rules have been adopted by the Tournament Committee to create a level playing field upon which Participants may compete fairly for the honors and awards bestowed by the Tournament. Participants are invited to compete in the Tournament in reliance of their reputation for integrity.
It is the intent of the Tournament Committee that Tournament activities demonstrate respect for the resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to disqualify any Participant demonstrating a disregard of those resources from this and all other fishing tournaments sponsored, in whole or in part, by Bay Point Marina.
2. COMPLETED TOURNAMENT
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The Tournament consists of two days fishing—July 11 and July 12. At least six (6) hours of either day of offshore fishing by at least one-third of the Registered Boats constitutes a completed tournament. In the event of inclement weather, the Tournament will be completed on which ever day (July 11 or 12) that the Tournament Committee declares acceptable for competition. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to reschedule the Tournament.
3. TOURNAMENT CHECK-IN
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A team member representing the Invited Participant must check-in at Tournament Headquarters prior to 5:00pm on July 10. No boat shall be qualified to take part in the Tournament until a team member of the Invited Participant completes the check-in process and provides the Tournament with all information required by the Tournament Committee.
4. CAPTAIN’S MEETING / READING OF THE RULES
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The Captain’s Meeting will be held at 5:30pm on July 10 at a location designated by the Tournament Committee. Attendance at this meeting by the Captain or team member of each boat is mandatory. If the Captain or a team member does not attend, the team automatically accepts and agrees to be bound by instructions given at the meeting.
5. DEPARTURE AND FISHING
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• Boats must depart from Panama City (St. Andrews Pass). Boats may depart any time after the firing of the Bay Point cannon at sunset on Thursday July. Any Boat departing the St. Andrews Pass prior to the cannon firing will be disqualified. Boats assigned to a neighboring location by Tournament Headquarters must check in with Tournament Headquarters prior to departure (850-235-6911).
• Billfish caught and released must be reported to Tournament Headquarters on single side band radio frequency 4125 kHz or by telephone at 850-235-6911 or 850-628-1740. In the event communication with Tournament Headquarters is not immediately possible, notification should be made to another Boat and efforts made to communicate with Tournament Headquarters should be continued.
• All fish must be caught in the spirit of IGFA rules.
• Once a boat has departed St. Andrews Pass they may start fishing ,and continue fishing, with no time restrictions.
• Tournament Headquarters will broadcast Friday’s Tournament Standings at 7:00am on Saturday, July 12 on SSB 4125 kHz.
6. CATCH AND RELEASE RULES
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• Only billfish caught and released according to these Rules are eligible for Cash Awards and Optional Cash Awards as described herein.
• A billfish is considered officially caught and released when either the swivel hits the tip of the rod or the mate grabs the leader.
• Video verification is required for billfish to be eligible for competition. The video must show the billfish next to the boat, clearly identify the species of the billfish, and record the official release.
• Verification Tapes become the property of the Tournament.
• Catch and Release winners are determined by points. In the event of a tie in points, the team who released the highest number of verifiable blue marlin is deemed the winner. If there is still a tie, the team that released the highest number of verifiable blue marlin first, as verified by the GPS time recorded on the same segment as the release appears, is deemed the winner.
• Catch and Release Verification Videos must be turned in at the weigh-in dock or fuel dock as directed by tournament officials between the hours of 6:00pm and the closing of scales on either July 11 or July 12.
• Catch and Release Points are awarded as follows:
›› Blue Marlin — 600 points
›› White Marlin — 250 points
›› Sailfish — 250 points
›› Unidentified Billfish — 100 points
7. WEIGH-IN AND QUALIFICATION OF GAMEFISH
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• All gamefish must be weighed on the scales at Bay Point Marina.
• Gamefish to be weighed must be brought to the weigh-in dock on the boat upon which they were caught.
• The Tournament Scales are open Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
• Boats having fish to weigh in must be inside Bay Point waters, specifically, inside Channel Marker #1 of the Bay Point entrance channel, by the designated closing hour for the scales.
• Only undamaged fish which are fresh and in edible condition are eligible to be weighed. The Tournament reserves the right to reject any fish due to poor condition or mutilation.
• All fish brought to the scales become the property of the Tournament.
• Fish must be tagged with the Boat and Angler’s name before unloading at the weigh-in dock. Fish will not be weighed if they do not have a properly completed weigh-in tag.
• All fish must be accompanied by a completed weigh-in report.
• The Angler must accompany the fish to weigh-in scale.
• Gamefish (Tuna, Wahoo and Dolphin) are measured in pounds recorded to the tenth of a pound. In the event of a tie in weight pounds, the first fish weighed wins.
8. ELIGIBLE GAMEFISH SPECIES
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The following gamefish species are eligible for weight competition when caught from waters of the Northeast Gulf of Mexico by Anglers in accordance with these Rules. Fish not meeting these requirements will be disqualified.
›› Dolphin — 20 lb. minimum weight
›› Tuna (any species) — 20 lb. minimum weight
›› Wahoo — 20 lb. minimum weight
9. LICENSES AND PERMITS
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Registered boats and anglers must comply with all Federal and Florida state laws regarding fishing licenses, size limits, bag limits and any other regulations that may apply. For information regarding Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses refer to www.floridaconservation.org (specifically http://myfwc.com/fishingareas.html) or call 888-347-4356. For information regarding Federal HMS Permits refer to www.nmfspermits.com or call 888-872-8862 for automated renewal.
10. SPORTSMANSHIP AND LIABILITY
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Poor sportsmanship as determined by the Tournament Committee will be grounds for disqualification from this and all future tournaments sponsored, in whole or in part, by Bay Point Marina. Invited Participants, on behalf of their invitees, associates, employees, agents and guests accept the following conditions:
• Participants enter at their own risk.
• Bay Point Marina, the Tournament Committee members and all persons directly and indirectly connected with the operation of Tournament are exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm or injury suffered by a Participant, entrant, sports fisherman, boat captains, crew members, vessels or equipment which may occur during the Tournament.
• Tournament sponsors and charities are exempt from any liability arising from the acts of Bay Point Marina. No partnership exists between Bay Point Marina and the tournament sponsors or charities.
11. POLYGRAPH TESTING
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Registered participants agree to submit to a polygraph examination if requested by the Tournament Committee. Failure of any angler to comply will result in disqualification of the entire team. Disqualification will result in complete forfeiture of any and all entry fees, prize monies and other prizes, and the team will be refused entry to future tournaments. The decisions of the Tournament Committee are final.
12. DISQUALIFICATION
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Disqualification will result in forfeiture of Entry Fee, Optional Entry Fee, Cash Awards, Optional Cash Awards, Trophies, Prizes and Invitation to future tournaments.
13. PROTESTS
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Protests must be presented in writing to the Tournament Committee by 11:00pm July 12 and accompanied by a non-refundable check for $500. Resolution of all protests will be declared at the Awards Celebration on July 13.
14. GAMBLING
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Gambling is grounds for immediate disqualification.
15. TOURNAMENT AWARDS
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The winner of the Catch and Release category is the Tournament Champion. In addition to trophies, cash prizes are awarded as follows:
›› Catch and Release: First—$100,000, Second—$75,000, Third—$50,000
›› Dolphin: First—$40,000, Second—$20,000, Third—$10,000, Fourth—$5,000
›› Tuna: First—$40,000, Second—$20,000, Third—$10,000, Fourth—$5,000
›› Wahoo: First—$40,000, Second—$20,000, Third—$10,000, Fourth—$5,000
›› Friday Heaviest Fish Award (cash award only, no trophy): First—$10,000, Second—$5,000
The distribution of Cash Awards is based on the registration of 75 Boats. The Tournament reserves the right to reduce total Cash Awards distributed in proportion to the number of boats registered.
In the event no fish are caught in a given Category, the Cash Award assigned to that Category are added to the Cash Awards of fish caught in all other Categories in a proportional manner as determined by the Tournament Committee.
Payment of Cash Awards is by check. Checks are written after the Tournament Awards Celebration on Sunday, July 13. One check is written for both tournament awards and optional categories to each Participant. The Tournament accepts no responsibility for the division of any cash awards, whether tournament awards or optional awards, between team members.
16. OPTIONAL ENTRIES
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Participants may pay an Optional Entry Fee in one or more of the following Categories:
›› Catch and Release: $5000, $2000, $1000, $750, and $500 Categories
›› Dolphin: $5000, $2000, $1000, $750, $500 and $250 Categories
›› Tuna: $5000, $2000, $1000, $750, $500, and $250 Categories
›› Wahoo: $5000, $2000, $1000, $750, $500, and $250 Categories
›› Captain and Mate (Crew): $500 and $250 Categories
• Only Participants may pay an Optional Entry Fee.
• Optional Entry Fees will be accepted and registered in the name of an Invited Participant.
• Payment of an Optional Entry Fee is not required to compete for Tournament Cash Awards.
• Payment of an Optional Entry Fee qualifies Participants to compete for Optional Awards.
• Optional Entry Fees are subject to 6.0% Florida and local sales tax (Note: The tax rate was changed from 6.5% to 6.0% effective May 1, 2008).
• Ninety-five percent of all Optional Entry Fees collected are distributed in the form of Optional Cash Awards.
• Five percent  of Optional Entry Fees collected are contributed to the funds used to support not-for-profit Tournament Charities and to underwrite the cost of Tournament activities.
• Participants who wish to pay an Optional Entry Fee prior to July 1, may pay by personal or company check made payable to Bay Point Billfish Tournament, or by major credit card. Credit card payments are subject to a handling fee of 3.5 percent.
• Participants who wish to pay an Optional Entry Fee after July 1 must do so at Tournament Headquarters, or such other location as may be determined by the Tournament Committee, during the Optional Entry Fee registration hours on Wednesday, July 9 or Thursday, July 10 between 10:00am and 5:00pm.
• Optional Entry Fees collected after July 9 must be paid in United States Currency, by Cashier’s Check made payable to the Bay Point Billfish Tournament or by Credit Card—Personal Checks will not be accepted.
• Optional Cash Awards for Catch and Release are determined by points according to Tournament Rules.
• Optional Cash Awards for Tuna, Wahoo and Dolphin are determined by weight according to Tournament Rules.
• One hundred percent of the Optional Cash Award collected in the Captain and Mates Category will be paid to the Captain and Crew assisting the Participant weighing in the largest eligible fish by weight.
• In the event that no fish is weighed by an Optional Participant in a Category eligible for an Optional Cash Award, Ninety-five percent of all Optional Entry Fees collected for that Category are returned to the Participant(s) who paid Optional Entry Fees for that Category.
• The winners of Optional Cash Awards are announced at the Tournament Awards Celebration on Sunday, July 13.
• Rulings made by the Tournament Committee are final in all disputes regarding Optional Rules.
17. OTHER AWARDS
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The Tournament is not responsible for awards, invitations or prizes offered or presented by third parties.
18. SPECIAL VIDEO SECTION
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Recommended Equipment
Mini DVD, Mini DV, Hi-8, and digital.
Verification/Identification Marker
Each boat will be assigned a marker and band upon signing in at Captains meeting. These markers must appear in all submissions. Also referred to as the Designator.
Release Verification Recordings
All recordings submitted for the purpose of verifying a Catch and Release entry must include the following:
1. A recorded segment of the angler fighting the fish. A clear view of the Identification Marker and band must be included within the context of this segment.
2. A recorded segment of the Billfish in the water. This segment must include sufficient footage to clearly and easily identify its species and approximate size. A clear view of the Identification Marker and band must be included within the context of this segment.
3. A recorded segment that includes footage of the rod and reel being used, the billfish in the water and either the swivel touching the rod tip or the wire man holding the leader. A clear view of the Identification Marker and band must be included within the context of this segment.
4. A recorded segment that includes footage of billfish being released. A clear view of the Identification marker and close up confirmation of the GPS time readout must be included within the context of this segment.
Verification Cards and Release Affidavits
Completed Verification Cards and signed Release Affidavits must accompany each camera/video recording to the scoring judges.
Multiple Fish on a Single Recording
The taping of multiple catch and release entries may be submitted on a single recording provided the Verification Card is properly completed.
Submission of Recordings
Verification recordings must be submitted not later than the closing of the scales at 2200 hours on Saturday, July 12th. Recordings should be submitted as soon as practical upon return to the marina.
Please adhere to the following guidelines and rules in submitting recordings for verification:
1. Designate one angler to bring the camera containing the recordings and all necessary connection cables required to permit playback directly from the camera to the judging large screen TV monitor. Recorded submissions will not be scored from the camera LED screen or viewfinder.
2. All recorded images and sounds become the property of the tournament and may be used by the tournament for display purposes on the Jumbo Tron during weigh in and in future marketing campaigns. Images will be copied from digital hard drive cameras. Tapes, CD’s and DVD’s, etc. will be kept by the tournament for 30 days.
3. Completed Verification Cards and Release Affidavits must accompany your submission.
4. Camera batteries should be fully charged and recordings rewound to beginning of sequence to be viewed by the judges.
General Instructions and Suggestions
1. Make sure prior to the tournament your camera meets tournament requirements and you have the necessary connection cables to allow it to display recordings on a regular TV.
2. Have backup, charged batteries on hand. A backup identical camera is suggested.
3. Set the date and time correctly and make sure it displays on the image.
4. Be sure you have an adequate supply of new, UNUSED video tape, DVD’s CD’s, etc.
5. Check to ensure your GPS onboard your boat will display the time.
6. Test your cameras prior to the tournament.
7. Designate someone to record release video familiar with the operation of the video camera and the Tournament rules.
8. Don’t store the camera(s) in an air-conditioned environment.
9. Don’t submit extraneous footage or recordings from other tournaments.
10. Attend the tournament video training course immediately following the captains meeting.
Top Four Reasons for Disqualified Video Recordings
1. Make sure the person in charge of the video has clear access to the side of the boat where the fish is. Judges need positive identification of external characteristic such as dorsal, pectoral or pelvic fin.
2. Camera foggy. Keep the camera acclimated to the exterior ambient temperature.
3. Camera/Operator malfunction. Check and double check your equipment. Don’t let a dead battery ruin a winning video. Practice prior to the event and be familiar with your cameras operation. Don’t wait until the morning of the tournament to try to figure it out!
4. Missing component of video. Don’t lose the Identification Marker and band or fail to include it as specified in the rules. The Marker is a decal; it may be secured to the transom, a cooler or the salon window. Don’t forget to include the time of release on the footage as displayed on the boats GPS. Prior to hookup, know what is required for verification.
Produce Carefully!
1. Don’t wait until there is a hookup to determine who is going to operate the camera.
2. Know where the Identification Marker and bands are prior to recording video.
3. Talk through the recording. Include date and time, boat name, who is the angler, footage of them and the rod and reel, the marker, the billfish and release segment along with the time verification.
4. Don’t over produce or use special effects. Keep “zooms” to a minimum and pan slowly.
5. If you have the capability, while returning to tournament weigh in, produce a duplicate DVD of your release video recordings and bring to the judges along with the camera containing the original images and connection cables. This will speed up your judging and the broadcast process on the tournament JumboTron.
Please Don’t Submit Unnecessary Footage
We need your submission to verify your catch and release and make you eligible to win. We’d like to be able to quickly and properly review the material necessary to verify your eligibility. Unnecessary footage will slow down the process, distract the judges from what they are really looking for and might cause them to miss something truly important to the verification process. Give us what we need in a concise fashion. We'll view it, approve it and then be able to share it with the weigh-in spectators and out television audience.
Remember. All releases must be reported to tournament headquarters on SSB 4125 KHZ or via sat phone
850-235-6911 or 850-628-1740. |
