APPENDIX A

 

INTRA-CLUB ANGLING RULES

 

1.Members Eligible to Compete

 

All members in good standing, both resident and non-resident, are eligible to compete for angling championships, prizes, citations, and points. Any exceptions to this rule are covered in Section 8, under the Annual Awards Division of these rules.

 

2.Annual Competition

 

The Club's Annual Fishing Competition will begin January 1 and extend through December 31. The Annual Competition will not interfere with or be a substitute for any special competitions, the number of which will not be limited. However, special competitions will be governed by angling rules identical to the Annual Competition. All angling activity, including major tournaments and special competitions, will be included for awards consideration in the club's annual competition.

 

3.Angling Rules Applicable to all Fishing Competitions

 

1. The Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club will follow and adhere strictly to the current angling rules of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), to which the Club subscribes, in all angling activity and competitions.

2. There will be four (4) line divisions based upon the accepted breaking strength specified by the IGF A. These ten classes are:

 

U. S. Customary

 

30 pounds

50 pounds

80 pounds

130 pounds

 

4.Scales and Weighing

 

Entries must be weighed on land on any certified scales, as defined in the current IGFA rules. See Section 7 for rules pertaining to witnesses and forms to be used in weighing fish.

 

5.Eligible Fish and Minimum Weights

 

The following species caught in accordance with IGF A and club angling rules will be considered eligible fish in competition for members or guests. No fish weighing less than the listed minimum weight will be eligible for any competition.

 

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There shall be no limit to the number of entries by any angler in each class. Current federal and state possession or bag limit regulations apply.

 

+    Federal Regulations supersede if changed

 

*    Highly Migratory Species permit required

 

** Catch and Release only unless during a tournament recognizing this species

 

*** Catch and Release only

 

6.Fishing Territory

 

In order to be eligible, a fish must be caught in the Gulf of Mexico waters, between 85 and 90 degrees West Longitude (area extends from approximately Cape San Blas, FL to Grande Isle, LA) and north of 23 degrees North latitude

 

7.Catch Cards

 

Catch cards shall be submitted electronically through the club’s website portal within 30 days after a catch has been made. A witness to the catch and to the weighing of the catch must be identified. The location and type of scale used to weigh the catch should also be recorded on the catch card. Weighing of a catch must be witnessed for consideration of a Club record or for consideration in the Annual Competition.

 

No entry shall be considered unless catch card is properly completed, line test entered, and a tag number entered (if applicable). Member’s electronic signature shall serve as a guarantee to these facts. Members are urged, but not required to submit good photos of potential Club Record fish. Paper catch cards may be given to any club officer or the Club Statistical during any general membership meeting if a member cannot submit their catch via the website portal. The catch card must be received by the officer or Statistician within 30-days after the catch was made. The date the catch card was received will be written on the back of the card.

 

8.Annual Awards

 

Annual awards shall be determined by the Board of Directors each season.

 

Awards will be presented to members for eligible fish caught during the Annual Competition as follows:

 

1. First/Second/Third Place Meat Fish – by weight in each of the following species Wahoo, Dolphin, and Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin, Bigeye, or Blackfin).

 

1. Grand Champion – To the member who accumulates the greatest number of points for eligible Billfish boated, released, or tagged during the angler year, based on the following point system:

 

 

                                          Boated                      Tagged

                           

Blue Marlin*                    101 points                 101 Points

White Marlin                    None                          50 Points

Sailfish                              None                         50 Points

Spearfish                          None                         50 Points

 

*Catch and release only unless caught during a tournament.

 

The winner shall have their name inscribed upon the Club’s Grand Champion trophy, which he/she will keep for one (1) year. Additionally, they shall receive a trophy for Top Angler, which he/she shall keep permanently.

 

There will also be a trophy presented for the Top Angler in the categories not filled by the grand champion. For example, should a woman be designated Grand Champion an award for Top Men’s Angler and Top Junior Angler would be awarded.

 

1. Top Boat Award – Awarded to the member whose boat earned the most points during the Annual Competition for eligible Billfish boated, tagged, or released by a member or their guest in accordance with Club rules and based on the following point system:

 

Blue Marlin*                           101 points

White Marlin                            50 points

Sailfish                                     50 points

Spearfish                                  50 points

 

*Catch and Release only unless caught during a tournament. Points are not transferable.

In the case of a member-owned charter boat, only fish caught when the boat is fished by the member-owner and/or their non-chartering guests are to be considered for this award.

 

1. Catch and Release Champion - The Catch and Release Trophy will be awarded to the member who accumulates the greatest total of points for billfish caught and released in accordance with these rules during each annual competition. Trophies or plaques shall be awarded for second and third place Catch and Release as well. Catch and Release points are awarded for eligible billfish properly caught and released. In order to qualify, the leader must be in hand and cut as close to the fish as is practical, or the hook removed without gaffing or otherwise permanently injuring the fish.

The number of catch and release points for each type of fish are:

 

Blue Marlin                  300 points

White Marlin               100 points

Sailfish                        100 points

Spearfish                     100 points

 

The above points are to be multiplied by line bonus points percentages, which are awarded for the use of light tackle, as follows:

 

130 pound class line 100%

80 pound class line 130%

50 pound class line 150%

30 pound class line 200%

 

The above formula will determine the total number of catch and release points awarded. In cases where line class falls between categories the higher line’s bonus points will be used. For example, if a White Marlin is caught on 25 pound class line, the line bonus percentage for 30 pound class line will be used. Thus in this example 200 catch and release points would be awarded; 100 points (White Marlin) X 200% (30 pound class) = 200 points.

 

 

1. Top Catch and Release Boat – Awarded to the member whose boat accumulated the most points for billfish caught and released including line bonus points (same points outlined in section 8.D.)

 

1. Big Blue Award – Special trophy awarded to the member or club boat who lands the largest Blue Marlin, which must be caught in a tournament to qualify.

 

1. Top Boat Awards for Meat Fish

 

1. Top Boat Wahoo Award – This will be awarded for the heaviest Wahoo caught on a club member’s boat by any angler.

2. Top Boat Dolphin Award – This will be awarded for the heaviest Dolphin caught on a club member’s boat by any angler.

3. Top Boat Tuna Award – This will be awarded for the heaviest Tuna caught on a club member’s boat by any angler.

 

1. Special Awards - The Board of Directors may give special awards for the following categories:

 

1. Broadbill Swordfish – Awarded to the angler who catches the largest of this rare billfish.

2. Any other notable achievement or occurrences involving club members or club boats may be recognized in a manner as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

3. Out of Territory Award – Awarded to the club member who accumulates the most points for billfish caught and released or boated in any water outside of the club fishing territory based on the following point system:

 

Atlantic Blue Marlin                           101 points

Pacific Blue Marlin                             101 points

Black Marlin                                       101 points

Striped Marlin                                      75 points

White Marlin                                        50 points

Atlantic Sailfish                                   50 points

Pacific Sailfish                                     50 points

Spearfish                                              50 points

 

Ties – In the event of a tie, the angler or boat that is first to accumulate the total points or catch the largest fish is the winner.

 

Lady members of the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club shall have their own annual competition and their own awards. The will adhere to the same rules and point system and be given the same awards as outlined in the above rules, with the exception of top boat and top catch and release boat where they will compete for the overall club championship.

 

Junior members of the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club shall have a separate annual competition and awards. They will adhere to the same rules and point system and be given the same awards as outlined in the above rules, with the exception of top boat and top catch and release boat where they will compete for the overall club championship.