Tournament Format, Rules, fees and payouts
FORMAT
The International Governors Cup Tournament (IGCT) is a two (2) day multidivisional competitive sport fishing tournament featuring five distinct divisions.
ENTRY FEES
Tournament Registration Fee: $ 500 for a single team consisting of no more than 6 anglers. All teams must pay the registration fee in order to enter any or all tournament divisions. 80% of your registration fee is donated to our 3 official charities.
Entry divisions and FEES include:
1) Billfish Release Division - $1000
2) Fun Fish Combined Division - $1000
3) Tuna Division - $1000
4) Dorado Division - $1000
5) Wahoo Division - $1000
TACKLE AND BAIT REGULATIONS
The IGCT requires the use of CIRCLE HOOKS ONLY for all natural baits, live or dead. J-Hooks are allowed for use when trolling or casting artificial lures only. The allowed line strength is 30 lbs (14kg).
Teams may purchase and possess a maximum of twenty four live-baits prior to the start of each day’s fishing – additional bait making is allowed on the fishing grounds during the hours of competition. Bait may not be bought nor transferred after the start of fishing.
Leaders may not exceed 30 feet and double line and leader together may not exceed 40 feet. Only NON-OFFSET Circle hooks may be used with live or dead bait. J –hooks may be used with artificial lures.
Mates or other non-team members are not permitted to pitch baits to fish. Because many fish that are caught during the tournament are sighted and pitched to, we suggest that teams practice casting baits in advance of the tournament.
IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE REGULATIONS, THE IGCT WILL ADHERE TO IGFA RULES AND EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS
CATCH VERIFICATION/FISH HANDLING
All releases are to be called in to Tournament Control on radio channel 27. Teams do not need to call in hookups until the last 15 minutes of fishing time. All fish being fought in the last 15 minutes need to be called in. Fun Fish catches do NOT need to be called in. No Billfish may be landed nor brought into the boat for any reason. Each released fish will receive a confirmation number and color of the plastic card to be photographed. Teams should note on their catch cards the confirmation number, card color and angler letter. Only Billfish Releases should be noted on the Catch Cards. All cards must be legibly filled out and signed by the anglers and Captain. Cards not properly filled out will not count towards that days catch.
BILLFISH DIVISION
The IGCT is a billfish release tournament. In order to qualify as a legal tournament billfish release, first take a photograph of the angler fighting the fish, then all billfish must be brought along side the team boat and a clear and visible photograph must be taken verifying that the fish is a billfish, The photograph must clearly allow the tournament committee to identify the species, and then the leader is to be CUT as close as possible to the hook.
A photo of the billfish must clearly show:
1) The angler fighting the fish
2) The species of billfish along side of the boat
3) The appropriate color card
COLOR CARD PHOTO DOES NOT NEED TO BE TAKEN WITH THE FISH IN THE PHOTO
Tournament Control will tell the teams what color card should be photographed when the team calls in the release. When calling in the release state
ONLY THE BOAT NUMBER - ANGLER LETTER AND THE SPECIES OF FISH. Tournament Control will respond with, for example, Boat 17, Angler C (Charlie), Confirmation number 87 RED. The Team will then take a photograph of the RED catch card. The team will note on the release card, Angler C, Confirmation number 87, Red, striped marlin.
RELEASE POINTS
The release division includes black, blue, striped marlin and sailfish, spearfish and swordfish. SAILFISH and SPEARFISH are worth 100 points while BLACK, BLUE, STRIPED Marlin and SWORDFISH are worth 300 points. It is the responsibility of each team to capture photos that clearly shows the species landed and released. If tournament officials are unable to verify the billfish is a BLACK, BLUE, STRIPED MARLIN or SWORDFISH catch, the catch in question will receive 100 points only.
Photos must have a date and time code present on the captured image in order to be considered for catch verification. If no image of a particular billfish catch is on the camera, tournament officials will not award any points for that release. |
GAME FISH DIVISIONS
There is a minimum weight requirement of twenty five (25) pounds for all FUN FISH caught in the IGCT. Any fun fish brought to the scales that is less than the twenty five pound minimum requirement will not be accepted as an official catch. A photo of the gaffed/landed fish must accompany the catch when weighed in and must clearly include the team member making the catch for the catch to be considered to be eligible for prize money. The Combined Funfish Division will be judged on the combined weights of no more than two of each eligible species, Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo, per day. For example each team may weigh two Dolphin, two Tuna and two Wahoo each day with the two day total determining the overall winner.
Awards trophies will also be given for the heaviest Tuna, Wahoo and Dolphin.
ADDED DIVISION PAYOUTS
*All Added Divisions will pay 90% of the entry fee*
Billfish Release Division
The Billfish Release Division will award to the Team with the most points 50% of collected money (less the 10% fee), Second place team will collect 30% of the collected money, and the Third place team will receive 20% of the collected money
EXAMPLE:
25 TEAMS = $25,000 minus 10% = $22,500
First Place = $ 11,250
Second Place = $7425
Third Place = $4500
Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams as well asTop Angler based upon their total Billfish Release Points.
Fun Fish Weight Division
Fun Fish will pay-out 60% for First Place (after 10% deduction), and 40% for Second Place. This will be applicable for Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo.
EXAMPLE:
25 TEAMS = $25,000 minus 10% = $22,500
First Place = $13,500
Second Place = $9,000
Combined Funfish Division
Combined Funfish Division will award to the Team with the most combined points 50% of collected money (less the 10% deduction), Second place team will collect 30% of the collected money, and the Third place team will receive 20% of the collected money
EXAMPLE:
25 TEAMS = $25,000 minus 10% = $22,500
First Place = $ 11,250
Second Place = $7425
Third Place = $4500
*All applicable Mexican Taxes are the responsibility of the winners.
TOURNAMENT FISHING TIMES
Each day fishing will commence with a shotgun start from Marina Cabo San Lucas. Fishing times are as follows:
Lines in – 7:00 AM
Lines out – 3:00 PM
Scales close – 6:00 PM
All teams must turn in their catch-report affidavit, photography and weighed fish no later than 6 p.m. or catches will be disqualified. Exception: if a fish is called in before lines out and is still being fought at the time of lines out or if the boat has mechanical difficulties and returns to the dock late. The official tournament scale will be located in front of Baja Cantina Restaurant in Marina Cabo San Lucas. All weigh-ins of fish and turn-in of release cards must be done at that location only.
CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION
Any team not adhering to the rules of the IGCT is subject to immediate disqualification. In addition, unsportsmanlike conduct – such as interfering with another team in the process of fighting a fish or causing the loss of said fish by motoring across their line(s) causing the loss of gear and/or fish – may be deemed cause for disqualification. Any claims of unsportsmanlike conduct or any other disputes will be mediated by the tournament officials and their decision shall be final. The use of polygraph testing is an available option at the discretion of the tournament officials. Failure to submit to a requested polygraph test is grounds for disqualification and forfeiture of prize money. By entering the IGCT, you, your team members, captain and crew agree to comply with requests for interviews, mediation and or polygraph testing by the tournament officials.
FORMAL CHALLENGES AND PROTESTS
Any team who wishes to challenge the official tournament results may do so at their prerogative. ALL official protests or challenges will be assessed a non-refundable $1,000 filing fee (in cash only) due at the time of the challenge or protest.
MANDATORY CAPTAINS MEETING
(All teams’ members are encouraged to attend) In order to ensure that all Team Captains are keptapprised of any rules or format changes and to also provide an opportunity to answer any tournamentrelated questions, there will be a MANDATORY Captains meeting the afternoon prior to the first day’s fishing. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you agree to abide by any changes whatsoever that may be announced at that time.
Tipping
Tipping of captains and mates is expected and is the responsibility of the team. Suggested tip for boat per day is $100 to $150 and should be handed directly to the boat captain.
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