Location   |   Reporting   |   Participants Responsibility   |   Additional Information

Tournament Rules:

1. Only 2 legal swordfish may be harvested per boat.
2. Boats may not depart their respective harbors until 10:30 am on the Saturday of the event.
3. Boats may fish Saturday afternoon, BUT NOT for swordfish. No swordfishing may take place until Saturday evening at 5:30 pm.
4. There is no limit on anglers.
5. Maximum of 6 rods allowed for swordfish.
6. All fish brought to the weigh-in must be at least 53 inches from lower jaw to fork in tail. Measurement is a straight measurement and not a measurement taking into account the curvature of the swordfish. Although the Federal requirement is only 48 inches, 53 inches will insure a greater swordfish release rate.
7. In order for a swordfish to count for a legal release, the swivel attaching the leader to the main line must touch the rod tip. If you are using wind-on leaders, the splice must touch the rod tip.
8. Video confirmation must be taken of swordfish with clear view of Tournament Designator. This video must clearly show:
   1. THE ANGLER
   2. LINE CLASS
   3. THE TOURNAMENT DESIGNATOR
   4. SWORDFISH AND RELEASE OF SWORDFISH, NO EXCEPTIONS.
9. All caught and released swordfish will count 100 points. Line bonus points are awarded for the use of smaller lines. Therefore, the total points are computed by multiplying the 100 swordfish points X the line bonus multiplier. The line bonus multipliers are as follows:
   

   TEST LINE	x BASE
   20 lb.	2.0
   30 lb.	1.75
   50 lb.	1.50
   80 lb.	1.25
   LARGER	NO BONUS

   NOTE: 40 lb. counts as 50 lb., 60 lb. counts as 80 lb., 100 lb. counts unlimited.
10. In the case of extreme weather (i.e., Tropical Storm, Tropical Depression, or Hurricane, etc.), the Weather Committee may postpone the Tournament. This decision will be made by the day before the event. Call Orange Beach Marina for more information. All boats fish at their own risk.
11. Anglers must have Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Please visit www.nmfspermits.com for Permit Information.
12. Any weighed swordfish not meeting the length requirements will be penalized 300 points and may be permanently barred from the competition in this tournament.
13. Swordfish may not be brought into the boat to be measured.
14. Any legal weighed-in swordfish will count one point per pound.
15. All federal requirements & rules for tuna apply. Award will be determined solely by weight.
16. Weigh in will be held at the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club weigh dock at Orange Beach Marina on the final morning of the tournament from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
    No early weigh-ins.
17. All boats must clear Perdido Pass Bridge by 12:00 pm or will be disqualified.
18. Flagrant rules violations, as deemed by the committee, will result in disqualification from the tournament. There will be no refunds as a result of disqualification.

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Reporting:

1. All boated or released swordfish must be called in to a Committee Boat. This can be done by VHF channel 69 or 72.
2. All swordfish releases must should be called in as quickly as possible. Ties will be broken by time release. You will be given a confirmation number.
3. All boated swordfish must be called in as quickly as possible.
4. All release videos must be turned in to the Tournament Committee at weigh dock.
5. The boat in which the swordfish was caught must bring in the boated fish and video verification of a released swordfish.
6. The Tournament Committee will settle any protest or discrepancies. Their decision will be final.
7. The winners may be subject to a polygraph test.
8. Any protests must be in writing to the Committee on the final day of fishing, no later than 12:30 pm.
9. The Committee Boat will keep official time. This will be used to break any ties.

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Participants Responsibility:

1. All Anglers, Captains, Crew and guests fish at their own discretion and at their own risk. All participants and guests agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Tournament Committee, Orange Beach Marina, Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, Sponsors and their agents and employees from any liability, loss, personal injury or damage, including Attorneys fees they may suffer arising from their participation in this tournament.
2. It is the responsibility of each boat participating in the tournament to provide their own VIDEO CAMERA. This must be used for the Release video.

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Additional Information:

1. You may NOT change anglers at anytime while fighting the same fish. When a fish is caught, the Angler's name must be called in to the Committee Boat.
2. There will be NO differentiation between professional and amateur.
3. Any ties will be broken on the basis of time.
4. Releases will count as 100 points.
5. Weighed fish will count as one point per pound.
6. If the Tournament must be cancelled and not rescheduled, each Registered Boat will receive a full refund excluding $150, which was used for tournament expenses.

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Location:

The Tournament will be based out of Orange Beach Marina.
The MBGFC facility will be used for the weigh-in.

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