1. FISHING PROCEEDURES

2. General Rules

A team shall consist of any number of team members with any one team member dsignated as the team captain. Team Captains will be responsible for all correspondance and payments to FDI and  distribution of all prize money to their team. It is also the team captains responsibility to ensure that all team members follow the rules and regulations. Any misrepresentation on the teams signed entry form, signed release affidavit, or violation of any tournament rule will be cause for disqualification and forfeiture of any prize money or merchandise won in the tournament. Decisions by the tournament rules committes, on any question of the tournament rules or interpretation, shall be final. All tournament boats shall be required to have a VHF radio with channel 65 for communiction purposes. Radio silence must be observed, unless there is an emergency or hook up during the last 30 minutes of stop fishing each day. Radio communications between tournament boats will be permitted but not on the tournament channel 65. Helicopters, fixed wing aircraft may be utilized by tournament officials to aid in the enforcement of all tournament rules.  Late registration will be Friday night 3rd October at 6.00pm. All team captains will receive their instructions , tournament camera's at the captains meeting Friday Night at 6.00pm. All teams releasing billfish are required to photograph their fish with hand on the leader and fish in the photo to count. No exceptions. All teams must complete and sign the release forms provided and both the camera and release forms are required to be returned to the tournament officials after stop fishing.

3. Cash Prizes

Winners will be awarded their prizes on the basis of the most released marlin, 1 point per marlin and 5 points per broadbill released. A single team can only claim one of the three cash prizes for the released billfish divison. In the event of any tie the team with the first released billfish time will prevail.  The $550 000.00 cash prizes are based on 100 a 100 team quota and entering all side bets. Should there be more or less teams, all cash prizes will be adjusted accordingly. All jackpots are 100% payback to winners If no billfish are released on the first day then all money will roll over to the following day and added to that days respective daily jackpots. If no fish are caught or released then all teams entered will be placed into a drawing at the awards dinner for the entry fee portion and all jackpot money will be refunded. 1st Place 50%, 2nd Place 30 % and
3rd Place 20%.

4. Special Rule

ThIn the event this tournament overlaps another on the same day and you are registered for another tournament, as long as you have registered for both you will qualify to enter it in the Offshore challenge provided the billfish is released and in accordance with the rules. All released billfish are required to be photographed with the tournament supplied camera and returned to the tournament officials. Failure to comply with this rule will disqualify the team. The use of spotter planes or spotter boats is not permitted.

5. Tackle 

IGFA rules will apply in this tournament unless specifically modified in this document or in writing  by the rules committe.

6. Disqualifications

The following acts or situations will disqualify a team or its catch:
a. Fishing outside the designated grid and outside US waters will disqualify all fish caught that day
b. Fishing before "Start fishing " 6.00am each day or after stop fishing - 6.00pm Sat and 4.00pm
    Sunday
c. Boats which abuse the F.C.C regulations or tournament regulations regarding radio      
    communication. Illegal radio or electronic gear found on any team's boat will be grounds for
    disqualification. IE Any teams caught communicating in any manner with spotter planes or
    commercial boats during tournament fishing hours will be disqualified
d. Only registered team members shall participate. Any fiah caught with non-team member
    assistance will be disqualified
e. Any billfish not captured on the tournament supplied camera with leader in hand and fish in the
    picture will be disqualifiedThe decisions
f. Any other act not in strict compliance with these rules or intent set forth hereinT

7. Entry Fees

Entry fee is $ 2000.00 per team ( no angler limit)  Deposits and entry fees will be refunded 100% for cancellations received prior to September 24th , 2003.

Daily side bets/jackpots must be entered both days:
$ 250.00
$ 500.00
$1000.00

$ 1000.00 Deposit should be mailed to FDI 24843 Del Prado, #323 , Dana Point, Ca 92629

8. The captains meetin is mandatory by any registerd team member to collect your grid map and  
    camera

Offshore species catagory: ( biggest fish wins in each division) a team can take one or all of these divisions: (All fish to be caught in us waters )
Biggest Dorado USD $ 2000.00
Biggest Yellowtail USD $ 1000.00
Biggest Yellowfin USD $ 1000.00
Biggest Bluefin USD $ 2000.00
Biggest Albacore USD $ 1000.00

All teams or team members do all agree to submit to or undergo a full polygraph if required or requested by a tournament official or committe member. Failure to submit to this request will be an automatic disqualification from the tournament and all money/prizes forfieted.
The decisions of the Tournament Staff/committee, in their sole discretion, regarding protests, eligibility of Participants or fish released

For entry, or interpretation of these Rules, shall be final. The Tournament Staff reserves the right to supplement and/or amend these Rules.
$550 000.00 is based on 100 teams entered in all sides.

         Tel : (949) 263-4118
       FAX : (949) 366-8444
       E-mail :  Tag and release

Tournament Application entry and rules