General Info

Tournament Rules

Tournament Dates - March 4th, 5th and 6th 2010

The Tournament Rules for the 2011 Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament are also available for Download.

Capt. Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament

Tournament Rules - IGFA Rules Prevail

Each boat Captain will be given a copy of the IGFA Tournament Rules in his registration bag. All Captains, crew members and anglers are required to fish according to these rules.

Protests may include and be settled by a polygraph examination.

1. This is a two-day tournament. Lines in at 8 a.m. on Saturday; 7 a.m. on Sunday. Lines out at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday; 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Weigh-in at Key Colony Beach Marina for contending weight fish. Scales open from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday; 2:30 to 5 on Sunday.

2. The boundaries are from Alligator Light (W-80.37.49) on the east, westerly to the west end of Looe Key Sanctuary (W-81.24.70).

3. Each boat may fish up to four lines with a maximum of: 20 lb. test monofilament line, 15’ of leader and 5’ of double line. The use of non-offset circle hooks is mandatory. Live, dead or artificial bait may be used. Live bait chumming is prohibited throughout the course of the tournament. Two teasers are allowed not to exceed five live or artificial baits per teaser. Each boat is allowed unlimited anglers, but only four lines may be fished. All hook-ups and releases must be reported immediately to and confirmed by the Committee Boat on VHF radio channel 78 or, if out of range, via cell phone call to 305-289-1310. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of the catch.

4. Crew members are allowed to cast baits; however, the rod and reel may not be handed directly to the angler. It must first be placed in a neutral position (rod holder) in free spool. The fish is disqualified if it is hooked up, even accidentally, by the crew member.

5. From the time a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight and land or boat the fish without the aid of any other person. The act of persons other than the angler in touching any part of the rod, reel or line (including double line), either bodily or with any device, from the time a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure until the fish is landed or released will disqualify the catch. (IGFA Angling Regulation Rule #1)

6. It is considered a release when the leader is touched. The Captain or crew can touch ONLY the leader for a release. They cannot handle the double line. (IGFA Angling Regulation Rule #7)

7. Weight fish are Dolphin, Kingfish, Tuna and Wahoo. These must be weighed in at the Key Colony Beach Marina by 6 p.m. of each fishing day. In the event of a tie weight, the first fish weighed in will be the winner.

8. All catch report forms must be turned in to the Key Colony Beach Marina office by 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

9. All Captains and anglers having winning fish in any division may be subject to a polygraph examination. In the event the examiner is unable to make a decisive determination from the Captain’s statements, the Captain may, at his option, allow his anglers and mate to be subject to examinations. Those refusing to take the examination, by doing so, will be disqualified from winning. By entering this tournament, all participants agree to abide by the results of the polygraph examination(s).

10. All participants of this tournament enter at their own risk. Any and all individual organizations involved with the operation of this tournament shall be exempt from any and all liability, harm or injury to any participant, friend, vessel or equipment. The ability to fish in the prevailing weather conditions is strictly at the discretion of the Captain, crew and anglers.

11. All vessels participating in this tournament MUST possess a Federal HMS Permit. One can be obtained online at http://www.nmfspermits.com/FirstTimeorRenew.asp.

Download Acrobat Reader