TOURNAMENT ENTRY
Entry Fee is $1,500 per team. Payment of the entry fee constitutes a representation by each entrant that he/she has read and fully understands the tournament rules that he/she will abide by such rules and the decisions of the Tournament Director and/or Committee. The Swordfish Showdown is a sport fishing tournament where participants agree to fish in a fair and ethical manner. While the tournament does not strictly enforce the use of IGFA rules, it certainly expects that only minor technical differences will be employed by anglers. Once the tournament starts, there are no refunds or rollovers for entry fees.
REGISTRATION
Registration will conclude by 10pm on April 30th. Rules are subject to change. Any changes to the rules and final instructions will be provided on the final day of registration. All participants are encouraged to register online via the Catchstat System. If there are any questions about rules, please contact the Tournament Director, Robbie Carter.
337-849-8642. RFCarter4@gmail.com
PERMITS & LICENSES
An Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit is required and participants must be familiar with and follow HMS regulations. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-angling-permit-open-access .
TOURNAMENT START, FISHING & SCALES HOURS
Each team will be eligible to fish a maximum of 3 days, from May 1-31. You are allowed to declare 3 single days. The Captain must declare their fishing days and team members no later than 9:00 pm the day before by notifying the tournament committee via email or text. You may email rfcarter4@gmail.com or text 337-849-8642 to declare your fishing days and team members. Teams are allowed to depart from any port in the Gulf of Mexico.
You may begin fishing at 12:01 am and must return to one of the weigh stations by 6pm on your designated fishing day to qualify for weigh-in. You are allowed to fish consecutive days, but must return to the weigh-in dock on a declared fishing day. Fish cannot be transferred to and from any vessel.
VIDEO VERIFICATION - Mandatory video requirements for each day of competition.
1. Record a continuous video of all hatches and coolers within 15 minutes of lines in, and then showing the GPS time, date and location.
2. Record a continuous video of every swordfish coming over the side into the boat, and then showing the GPS time, date and location.
3. Record a video arriving to the weigh-in dock, and then showing the GPS time, date and location.
4. Record a video of each fish being weighed and weight of fish being called out.
(Prior to weighing, remove the tape, dart, monofilament and ice chunks)
- after fish is weighed take a clean photo with the team members and fish, then send to event director.
QUALIFYING FISH
Swordfish – 60″ minimum (LJFL)
The fish can be hand-cranked via conventional rod and reel, or fought via electric reel..
The fish must be caught in the Gulf of Mexico and well documented with official tourney identifier.
Harpoons are permitted but not allowed to be used on free swimming fish.
Anglers are allowed to switch during the fight.
Teams are not allowed to transfer fish from one boat to another.
Each vessel can weigh 4 fish per day.
All tournament swordfish catches must be documented as follows: A continuous video clearly showing the fish coming into the boat, the measuring of the fish (LJFL) and a shot of the GPS showing date/time of the catch. To reiterate, we need conclusive video evidence of the catch, the length of the fish in inches and the date/time on the GPS console to verify the catch.
The tournament committee reserves the right to reject any fish entry because of poor condition or one that does not meet the eligible requirements set by this tournament. The condition of the fish will be left to the scrutiny of the tournament director and committee. THEIR DECISION IS FINAL.
WEIGH STATIONS
Alabama
Jemison's Bait & Tackle
Dauphin Island: 251-873-0003
Orange Beach Marina
Orange Beach: 251-981-4207
Florida
Harbor Walk Marina
Destin: 850-650-2400
Louisiana
Cypress Cove Marina
Venice: 504-912-4754
Venice Marina
Venice: 504-231-2322
Coco Marina
Cocodrie: 504-628-1892
Fourchon Marina
Fourchon: 225-329-4414
Hurricane Hole
Grand Isle: 985-503-1706
Mississippi
Mary Walker Marina
Gautier: 228-497-3141
Gorenflo’s Tackle
Biloxi: 228-669-2845
Ocean Springs Marine Mart
Ocean Springs: 228-875-0072
Texas
Surfside Marina
Surfside Beach: 979-230-9400
Fisherman's Wharf
Port Aransas: 361-749-5448
Matagorda Bait & Tackle
Matagorda: 979-863-7620
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
All Tournament Awards are based on 50 registered tournament boats. Payouts are subject to change depending on o the number of entries.
OPTIONAL CASH AWARDS
This is a separate entry. The Optional Entry is not required to compete for Tournament Awards. Participants may pay an Optional Entry fee in one or more of the following:
When competing in the 2 fish aggregate category, a team may qualify with only 1 fish submitted.Biggest Fish and 2 Fish Aggregate will pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with a 50%, 30%, 20% split. In the event of limited participation in any category listed above, the payouts will be modified as follows: One team entered will be refunded in full, 2-5 teams will be winner-take-all, 6-9 will be 60/40 split and 10 or more teams will be the standard 50/30/20 split. Optional Awards for boated Swordfish are determined by weight according to Tournament Rules. If no qualifying fish is weighed by an Optional Entry Participant in each Division eligible for an Optional Award, 90% of the Optional Entry Fees collected for that division are returned to the participant(s) who paid Optional Entry Fees for that division.Teams are allowed to sweep the board and can place more than once. When competing in the 2 Fish Aggregate the scoring system will pair the 2 heaviest fish, then the next 2 heaviest and so on. Teams cannot choose which fish to pair together.
DELAYS: MECHANICAL/WEATHER
You may un-declare a fishing day by 8:00 am via cell phone or email only once during the tournament for mechanical failure or weather. Anytime you un-declare you must take photos of the GPS Time/Date/Location. You may not un-declare for any reason once a fishing line has been deployed. You may substitute a boat once if the substitute boat is not registered in the tournament. All teams and participants should make their decision to fish based solely on their own judgement. Fish at your own risk.
TIE BREAKERS
For fish weighed in, any category of fish brought to the scales, placement is determined by the order of weigh-in at the scales. The recorded time of weigh-in determines placement.
PROTEST
Any protest relating to the tournament must be submitted in writing along with a $500 deposit by the team captain to the tournament committee no later than 15 minutes after the last fish is weighed on the final day of the tournament. All entrants agree to abide by tournament rules and regulations. All disputes are decided by the Tournament Director and Committee. Their decision is final. Poor sportsmanship will be grounds for disqualification from the Swordfish Showdown. Any violation of these rules resulting in disqualification will result in forfeiture of entry fee and prize money.
WAIVER/DISCLAIMER
It is understood that all participants in the Swordfish Showdown enter at their own risk, and that the officers, committee members, sponsors, directors, tournament venue and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of said tournament, shall be exempt from any liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, anglers, his/her companions, boat captain, mates, crew members, vessels and equipment which may occur during or in conjunction with the tournament. By tournament entry, the captain consents that the Swordfish Showdown may use without payment or restriction, any photographs in which he/she or any of their crew may appear for any purpose whatsoever; including, but not limited to, resale, advertising, commercial or promotional material. The captain and his crew further release the Swordfish Showdown, officers and directors, and all persons from injury, loss or damage which may result.
$WORDFISH $HOWDOWN
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