2007 Billfish Derby Format and Rules

The Format :

This is a boat tournament using dead-bait, trolling methods. We will fish on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in January to accommodate the business people. There are no lay days. Cash and trophies will be awarded to the top 3 boats. No individual recognition will be made except for top captain and mate.

The Entry Fee is $2500.00 and there are optional Calcutta's that total another $7,500.00 which are all managed by the tournament. The tournament will retain $1500.00 of the entry fee for expenses and then the remainder will go 50/30/20.
The entry fees are due in full by December 14, 2007. If payment is made after deadline the new entry fee will be $2,750.00. If a refund is required it will be with a $1,000.00 deduction.

The optional Calcutta's

1. $3,000 for the dailies.  $1,000 per boat, per day, paid to one place per day.
2. $4,500 for the 50/30/20.

This is a billfish release tournament. There are no meat or fish categories.

Nightly events are to be determined by the Tournament Committee, please visit the 2008 Schedule page for the most up to date information at this time.  You will be provided with food, drink, and entertainment nightly during the tournament weekend!

The Rules :

General :

1. This is an invitational tournament. The tournament has the right to accept or reject any application.
2. Vessels must be 30' in length to compete.
3. Vessels must carry a comprehensive insurance policy covering all persons on board.
4. Owner, captain, and observers are required to sign the "Tournament Held Harmless Agreement".
5. Lines in at 8am. Lines out at 3:30pm.
6. Captains are to report in to the "Committee" by 730am for roll call.
7. Any billfish release, regardless of species, is scored as 100 pts.
8. Captains are to report each release to the "Committee". You will be given a time for the observer to record. Both Captain and observer must sign the daily score card and hand it to our "Committee" at City Marina by 6pm.
9. Professionals are permitted to fish.
10. Each boat must furnish their own observer and are responsible for their attendance, punctuality, and character on board another boat. Should you need help finding observers please feel free to contact ...
    Jim Kamen - Observer's List Manager or e-mail him at jim@nopockets.com or call him at 561-748-5889
11. IGFA rules (click here for IGFA website - 2004 rules) apply with 2 exceptions. Leaders are not to exceed 15 ft (including wind on) in length regardless of line test. An angler may rest a rod to play another fish. A hooked fish may not be handed off to another angler.
12. A release is consider valid when the leader has touched the rod tip or the mate has control of the leader in his hand and the observer has witnessed the release.
13. No live bait. No live bait teasers. No chumming. No pitching or casting of baits.

Tackle:

1. Conventional gear only. No spinning tackle.
2. 15 ft. leaders are the maximum.
3. Non-offset circle hooks are REQUIRED.
4. No limit on lines out in spread.
5. No limit on lb. test on spool.

Boundaries:

North-43700 (off Melbourne in 150ft)
South-43000 (Jupiter inlet in 150ft)
East-no boundaries
Automatic team DQ if a fish is called in and recorded out of bounds.

Pink Ladies Billfish Release Tournament:

• All rules above apply with the following exceptions:
  1. This is a one-day tournament on Thursday January (tbd), 2008.
  2. Lines in at 9AM and lines out at 3PM.
  3. Handing off of hooked billfish is permitted.
  4. Observers are not required.
  5. Entry fee is $1,000 per boat and your team is welcome to all events throughout the weekend.

Breakdown or Substitutions:

In the event of a breakdown, the tournament will reserve the right to consider a change in vessels. Two teams may not merge into one with points added together. Teams must be registered on the official entry form by the registration deadline of Thursday, January 4th, 2007 at 8pm. Late shows are ok as long as the teams are registered and paid by the above referenced date and time.

Weather - Your discretion.

Tournament HQ
Fort Pierce Billfish Derby
1409 Deleware Ave
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Ph 772-216-4190
Fx 772-464-6907

Fort Pierce City Marina
1 Avenue A
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
Ph 800-619-1780
Ph 772-464-5885

Deadline: December 14, 2007 for $2500.00 entry

$2750 after December 14, 2007

Payable to: Fort Pierce Billfish Derby

Pink Ladies Billfish Tournament
The cost is $1,000.00 per boat
Benefits to the Treasure Coast Pink Tie Organization
"Women Fighting"