Marlin Release Tournament - Cabo San Lucas - World Billfish Championship - All Release Circle Hook - Benefiting Marlin Conservation - Cabo Villas Resort, Videos, Photos, Mexico, WCBRT, Fishing Event

MAY 17th - 21st , 2008
Tournament Dates: May 17th - 21st, 2008
Captains Meeting and Registration: May 17th
Fishing Days: May 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Observer Tournament: May 21st, 7:00am - 3:00pm
Awards: May 21st, 7:00pm

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BILLFISH RELEASE TOURNAMENT RULES
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION KITS AND REGISTRATION FORMS

DOWNLOAD THE 2008 TOURNAMENT INFORMATION & SPONSORSHIP KIT

Team Registration Fee:
The team entry fee of $4,000 is for up to 6 anglers (per team) covers three days of competitive fishing, attendance to a gala welcome reception, an awards dinner banquet

Fishing in Cabo San Lucas is done by Live bait, bait and switch, trolling lures or dead bait. Often, billfish are seen tailing on the surface at which time a live bait may be cast to them, or dropped back in front of the fish.

Tournament Rules & Information:
A team shall consist of a minimum of two (2) anglers, and a maximum of six (6) anglers representing their Team. All six (6) anglers may fish each day. The team must deliver a list of anglers to the Tournament Officials prior to the start of fishing, indicating who will be the registered anglers for that team. Mexican regulations require that everyone on the boat have a valid Mexican fishing license. Non-anglers may ride along on the boat for the day providing there is enough room on board to accommodate them. Guests or spectators shall not be permitted to catch any fish.

Registration:
At least one member, preferably the captain from each team, must register at the tournament registration desk at the hotel prior to the tournament. Registration will be from 11:00am until 4:00pm on May 17th, 2008. Any team failing to register at that time must inform tournament headquarters ahead of time to pre-register prior to the registration date.

Tournament Check-in and Final Registration:
May 17th, 2008
Registration - No Worry's Resaturant 2pm - 4pm
Observers Briefing 4pm - 5pm
Captains Meeting 5pm - 6pm
Cocktails/snacks will be served 5pm - 6pm

Fishing Days:
May 18th
Coffee & Sweets/muffins served 5.30am - 6.00am outside No Worry's
Teams Pick up observers 6.00am
7:00 a.m. Bimini Start, 5:00 p.m. Lines Out.
Cocktails/food Tecate Beer girls 6.30pm -7.30pm No Worry's

May 19th
Coffee & Sweets/muffins served 5.30am - 6.00am outside No Worry's
Teams Pick up observers 6.00am
7:00 a.m. Bimini Start, 5:00 p.m. Lines Out.
Cocktails/food Tecate Beer girls 6.30pm -7.30pm No Worry's

May 20th
Coffee & Sweets/muffins served 5.30am - 6.00am outside No Worry's
Teams Pick up observers 6.00am
7:00 a.m. Bimini Start, 5:00 p.m. Lines Out.
Cocktails/food Tecate Beer girls 6.30pm -7.30pm No Worry's

May 21st
Observer Tournament:
Coffee & Sweets/muffins served 5.30am - 6.00am outside No Worry's
Teams Pick up observers 6.00am
Observers Tournament Fishing Times - 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Awards Banquet:
Awards Dinner Banquet 7.30pm - 8.30pm No Worry's
Sit down dinner

Note: Seating for the Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st is assigned / reserved seating. Teams will be seated at assigned team tables. Please advise tournament officials if your team will have any invited dinner guests ($60.00 per plate for non-team member guests). Dinner reservations for guests are required.

Scoring:
All Billfish, regardless of the weight, must be released in accordance with IGFA and WCBRT rules. Verified catch & releases shall be awarded the following :
Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish

Photo Verification:
To be counted as a released fish, the leader must be , touched by the mate or member of the team and a photo taken. Failure to have the leader, hand on the leader and / or if the billfish not clearly shown, it will not count as a legitimate catch & release and no points will be awarded. Teams are required to use video camera's or digital camera's. Disposable Cameras with date and time will be provided by the tournament.

Fishing Days & Times:
All boats fishing in the tournament must show their team Number to the official tournament boat prior departing from the starting point in front of Cabo San Lucas Harbor. The start and stop signal will be announced on the radio. Fishing before the start signal is announced is prohibited and will be strictly enforced. In order to qualify as a legitimate catch & release, all billfish must be reported as a hook-up before the stop fishing signal is given each day.

In the event that a billfish has been hooked and reported to tournament radio control, the angler may keep fighting the fish until fish is either released or lost. If tournament radio control has not been notified of the hook up prior to the stop fishing announcement, the hooked billfish will not qualify and points will not be awarded.

The fishing days are:
May 18th - 7:00 a.m. start fishing - 5:00 p.m. Stop fishing/ Lines out
May 19th - 7:00 a.m. start fishing - 5:00 p.m. Stop fishing/ Lines out
May 20th - 7:00 a.m. start fishing - 5:00 p.m. Stop fishing/ Lines out
May 21st - 7.00am - 3.00pm Observer Tournament
May 21st - Awards dinner and banquet 7.00pm

General Issues:
IGFA rules will apply to all catches. Teams are responsible for verifying that IGFA and WCBRT rules are followed. Teams should check tackle, leader, hook arrangements, and line prior to the start of fishing. Only fish caught on rod and reel will qualify.

Fishing Line:
To increase the survivability of a healthy and quick released billfish, NO LINE RATED UNDER 30 LBS. IS PERMITTED. IGFA rated line is not required.

Hook types:
To increase the survivability of a healthy and quick released billfish, LIVE BAIT AND DEAD BAIT MUST BE RIGGED WITH A SINGLE SIZE 8'0-EAGLE CLAW L2004EL (ONE) CIRCLE HOOK ONLY.
NO CONVENTIONAL OR "J" TYPE HOOKS ARE ALLOWED WITH LIVE OR DEAD BAIT. ARTIFICIAL LURES MUST BE RIGGED WITH A SINGLE (ONE) CONVENTIONAL "J" TYPE OR CIRCLE HOOK - ONLY. NO DOUBLE HOOK RIGS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. ANY LIVE OR DEAD BAIT USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ARTIFICIAL LURE MUST BE RIGGED WITH A SINGLE CIRCLE HOOK ONLY. NO CONVENTIONAL "J" TYPE OR DOUBLE CIRCLE HOOK CONFIGURATION RIGS ARE ALLOWED WHEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY LIVE OR DEAD BAIT, ARTIFICIAL LURE OR ARTIFICIAL LURE AND BAIT COMBINATION.

Releasing Billfish:
To increase the survivability of a healthy released billfish, any conventional hook used in conjunction with an artificial lure must be removed from the billfish prior to the billfish's release. A circle hook may be removed or left in the billfish at the fishing teams discretion. In the event the circle hook is to be left intact in the billfish, the leader is recommended to be cut not more than two feet (2) from the circle hook attached to the billfish.

Live Bait:
The teams prior to the start of fishing may purchase 40 pcs of live bait. Fishing for bait prior to the start of fishing is permitted until 30 minutes before start fishing then all boats must be behind the start fishing line for the shotgun start. Live bait may not be passed between boats after start of fishing each day.

IMPORTANT NOTE!! ONLY 40 PIECES OF LIVE BAIT IS PERMITTED PER TEAM, PER DAY.

Teams will be permitted to make live bait after all their live bait has been used up each day. Teams can only have 40 pcs of live bait at any one time in their tanks. There is no limit to the amount of dead bait or lures used. The observers will inspect and verify live bait quantities each day and live bait used.

The Grid:
There is a 40 mile fishing grid from Cabo San Lucas harbor entrance Red marker tower. This verification will be from the boats GPS. GPS tracks are to be kept for inspection and not erased. If erased and an inspection cannot verify the grid distance the team will be disqualified immediatley.

Catch & Release Form:
Each angler must complete a Catch & Release Form, which is supplied in the tournament bags at registration. The form must be completed and turned in at the end of the fishing day. NO FORM, NO POINTS! The angler and teams must furnish, upon request, the lure, leader, rod, reel, terminal tackle with which the fish was caught.

The Rules Committee has the right to investigate and act upon any incident occurring during the tournament. They shall have the right to disqualify any fish not caught and/or released in compliance with the release rules. Including, but not limited to:
• Not having a hand on the leader (and the fish) in the picture.
• Not removing a conventional type hook used in conjunction with an artificial lure.
• Teams having more than 40 pcs of live bait at any one time.
• Use of noncompliant hook types and / or rigs.

The Rules Committee reserves the right to examination and measure any/all tackle and equipment used on any participating boat.

Protests:
Any protest, concerning the validity of any catch or any suspected violation, must be filed in writing, signed by the team captain and hand delivered to the Rules Committee not later than 8:00pm of the day of the catch/infraction. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.

Polygraph:
There will be no mandatory polygraph however, all Participants, including minors and their legal guardians, agree to submit to a polygraph test, if there is a protest filed or when requested by a member of the Tournament Staff, for purposes of determining eligibility of Participants or fish presented for entry into the Tournament. Failure to submit to, or pass a polygraph test will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team and all money/entry fees/prizes forfeited. Participants agree that if any team member fails the polygraph test, they, the team and its team members accept and will all be liable for the cost of each failed polygraph test ($500.00 each participant). Any protest must be presented in writing to the chairman of the Rules Committee. The protest will be ruled on by the committee as soon as possible. All protest letters must be accompanied with $1,000.00 USD cash, which will be returned to the protesting team only if the protest ruling is in favor of the protest.

Tournament Radio Control:
Will operate on a VHF Channel/repeater to be announced. No CB's will be used. All hookups must be called in and acknowledged by Tournament Radio Control. If a tournament boat is out of range, the hookup must still be relayed via radio to be eligible for points. No exceptions.

Waiver and Liability:
All registered anglers and guests participating in the tournament enter voluntarily and at their own risk. In consideration of the rules of the WCBRT, each registered angler and guest hold harmless and indemnify the Tournament, its officers, managers, directors, agents, sponsors, donors, the city and county where the event is held, and any other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the tournament, from and against any and all liabilities.

IGFA and WCBRT tournament rules will apply, unless specifically modified by the WCBRT Rules Committee. Teams & Captains will be responsible for all payments, monies and entries. Captains and each team's members are responsible for following all rules and tournament regulations.

Tackle:
IGFA rules will apply.

Causes for Disqualification:
• Fishing before or after designated fishing times
• Teams caught communicating with spotter planes or commercial boats
• Fishing without a valid Mexican fishing license
• Not flying the Tournament issued Flag
• Not checking in 'visually' with the official tournament boat prior to the start fishing time each morning and each afternoon as required.
• Not having each team member sign and hand in the tournament waiver at tournament registration. This includes any/all angler changes (no exceptions).
• Not handing in your tournament issued camera and release/capture forms at the end of each day.
• Threatening, rude, disorderly or vulgar behavior toward tournament officials, other teams, guests or bystanders.
• Dangerous or reckless operation of boat and/ or personal behavior.

Any team/individual found to be in violation of any of the above stated rules and regulations will be immediately disqualified from the tournament and forfeit any and all entry fees and/or optional jackpot entries without exception.

Observers:
The Tournament, at their sole discretion, will assign certified observers to any boat on any given day. Beginning on the first eligible day of fishing, boats will be assigned an observer on a random drawing basis. On subsequent days, those boats awarded with the highest number of release points shall be assigned an observer first and then on the basis of a random drawing for the remaining boats. All boats assigned an observer must have the observer sign and submit the daily score sheet, no exceptions.

The certified observers decision as to an official release and species identification is final. Each team is fully responsible to utilize the use of the tournament supplied camera and a digital camera to photograph each billfish release to assist in species identification in the event a dispute arises between the certified observer and the team. In the event of a dispute in this regard, the observer shall be given custody of the digital camera at lines out, and submit the camera and the appropriate officials immediately upon return to the docks.

Each Boat Is Responsible For The Comfort and Safety Of Each Observer Assigned During His/Her Time Aboard.

Camera/Photo Policy:
Each registered team will be provided with an official tournament camera/s to be used to photograph and document catches & releases. Teams can use video camera's to document and record their releases and this is recommended as a back up. Before departing each morning, cameras must be picked up (starting at 3:00am) from the camera pick-up location (TBD). Instructions will be included and the photo verification procedures (see above) must be followed and will be strictly enforced.

Local Regulations & Licenses:
Participants must comply with all applicable local, state, federal and international fish and game laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, size limits and possession of valid license(s)/permit(s) for all waters fished.

Prizes:
Participants / or their representative must be present to win and claim any prize/s. Failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of any such prize/s. In the event of a prize/s forfeiture, the prize/s shall become the property of the WCBRT to distribute to the designated Charities.

Team Entry Fee Prize Money Pool:
All teams that have paid and/or registered properly for the WCBRT will be eligible to compete for the daily and overall team entry fee cash prizes. This amount will be determined by the number of paid teams that register for the event. A minimum of 80% (eighty percent) of the paid, registered teams fees will be used to make up the team entry fee prize money pool.. ** See Page 9 for details** There will be a print out and disclosure of all paid teams and collected monies to make-up the cash prize pool.

Optional Daily Jackpots:
Daily Jackpot fees are optional and consist of four different levels of participation.
Level I - $ 500 x 3 days = $1,500
Level II - $1,000 x 3 days = $3,000
Level III - $1,500 x 3 days = $4,500
Level IV - $2,000 x 3 days = $6,000

A minimum of 80% (Eighty percent) of all money paid into the Optional Daily Jackpots will be paid back to anglers in cash prizes. A minimum of 5% (five percent) will be donated to the designated charities. These optional daily Jackpot totals cover all three day's fishing. For example: $1,500 enters the team in all three dailies at Level I. The daily Jackpot awards go to the team that accumulates the most points by catching and releasing the most billfish of any species each day. The Daily Jackpot prize will consist of 1/3 of the Jackpot from each level. If no fish are caught & released, the Daily Jackpot rolls over to the next day's competition. If on the final day of fishing no fish are caught and released, then the final day's Jackpot money goes to the previous day's winner(s). Only teams registered in the optional daily Jackpots are eligible for those Daily Jackpot cash prizes.

New Release Catagory:
Fish number 8 released each day bonus:     USD $ 500.00
Fish number 16 released each day bonus:     USD $ 500.00
Fish number 24 released each day bonus:    USD $ 500.00
Fish number 33 released each day bonus:    USD $ 500.00
Fish number 48 released each day bonus   USD $ 500.00

In order to be eligible for the " Released Daily Bonus" teams must be entered in the general tournament AND in ALL levels of the optional daily Jackpots. If no fish are caught & released, the " Released Daily Bonus" rolls over to the next day's competition. If on the final day of fishing no fish are caught and released, then the final day's Released Daily Bonus money goes to the previous day's winner(s).

Total cost for team registration and all levels of the optional daily jackpots is: $19,000.00 US

Charity Entry Division:
The WCBRT is introducing a Charity Entry Division for an entry of USD $ 1000.00 Total entry fee for the whole team. No Jackpots permitted. This entry fee will go directly to The Billfish Foundation and the Los Ninos del Capitain Childrens Charity the WCBRT supports.

There will be a 1-5th place seperate trophy award for this Charity Division. A team could still win the overall tournament or place in the main tournament but will not qaulify for any tournament cash and jackpots.

Prize Collection:
Any team receiving a cash award/s must fill out a "prize disbursement form" prior to receiving any funds or prizes. Each registered team representative must sign this form. Participants agree to be bound by the terms of the WCBRT Tournament Rules ("Rules"). Prize-winning participants are responsible for any and all applicable taxes and/or licensing fees. If a participant under 18 years of age wins a prize, their legal guardian over 18 years of age will receive the prize on their behalf.

Other Rules and Regulations:
No vessel entered in the tournament may be involved in the handing off or receiving of anything from another vessel whether that vessel is entered in the tournament or not, or any entity of any sort including bait receivers. The rules Committee may choose to grant special permission IN ADVANCE to waive this rule if someone's personal safety or health is at risk.

NOTE: THIS IS A DRAFT COPY which may contain changes; teams are responsible to ensure they have the latest and updated rules before start fishing, no exceptions.) These, along with any additions, subtractions or changes covered at the official anglers’ and captains’ meeting collectively represent the tournament’s rules in their entirety

For more information about the World Championship Billfish Release Tournament:
E-mail: info@wcbrt.com
or contact :
World Championship Billfish Release Headquarters:
Tel: 1 888-637-6513
Tel: 1 949-340-9739

24843 Del Prado # 323
Dana Point
CA 92629 USA