The tournament is open for the population willing to register properly , committed to follow the Rules and Regulations established for the  tournament and respect  the judge’s  decision.

The registration fee of the Tournament  for  category “A” is $ 7,500.00 pesos from 1 to 4 anglers per  Vessel  and  each additional angler in the same Vessel  has  to be registered  in the  Tournament  by covering  a $2,000.00 pesos  fee. The registration fee for Category “B”  in the Tournament (Catch & Release) is  $2,000.00 pesos per Vessel.  The registration fees will increase 20%  in October  1st of 2008.

The fishing area for  the tournament will be inside and outside La Paz bay.  See the Official Tournament  Map for details.

The Tournament is composed by Categories   “A” & “B”.  In Category “A”  the sole species qualifying  are BLACK MARLIN and BLUE MARLIN, with a minimum weight of 200 pounds for both species.  In Category “B” (CATCH AND RELEASE)  the species qualifying  are STRIPED MARLIN, BLACK MARLIN AND BLUE MARLIN (The last two species will qualify in Category “B” if the estimated weight of the Catch is below the minimum weight established for the  Tournament of 200 pounds).  The Tournament organizers will provide  to each Vessel registered in Category “B” with a  Photographic Camera

All Vessels have the obligation to check departure and arrival in each fishing day at the tournament control area (Weighting area). All Vessels must have the necessary equipment onboard , according to the local authorities , such as, marine radio VHF working properly, valid fishing permit for anglers and the Vessel.

The Tournament will start with the flare signal and/or with a marine radio announce at 7:00 hours at the entrance of Marina Costa Baja, and lines out will be at 17:00 hours. All Vessels with species onboard have to be present at the weight station in Marina Costa Baja before 19:00 hours, any Vessel who arrives after that time will be disqualified. The official time of the tournament will be the time used by the official tournament Judge. In case of a hook up reported before 17:00hours and still fighting after that time the Vessel wont have time limit to be ate the weight station. Any Vessel with lines in the water after 17:00 hours will be disqualified for both days of the tournament. All Vessels fighting with a specie reported before 17:00 hours have to obligation to allow the judge or a person designated by him to check or inspect the Vessel and the species at any time.

The rod, reel and line used is to the discretion of the angler with no regulations on rods or reels but line may be used either Dacron or nylon up to 80 pound test. It is prohibited to use electric reels.

Anglers may not receive help by anyone else to approach their fish to the boat, other than the rod and reel, leaders or double line may be up to 4.5 meters, with a maximum of two hooks for lures and single hook for bait.

Each angler must verify the weight and measures of their catch presented on the weight station, verifying the correct registration on his Tournament Control Card and signing in agreement. The species qualifying for the Tournament will be prized by weight, and only in case of a tie the length will be the following measure taken to define a winner, if the tie persists the thickness of the specie will be taken, if there is still a tie then the angler who presented his catch first to the weight station will be the winner.

Anglers may present only one Marlin per day to be weighed. The tournament organizers or judge will have a biologist verifying and validating the species presented for weigh by each angler. The minimum weight for Black and Blue Marlin is 200 pounds. If the catch does not meet the minimum weight it will not count and will be confiscated. In Category “B” there is no minimum weight.

Any situation not specified in the Rules  and Regulations , the Tournament Judge criteria will be enough and unappeasable, as well, the Tournament Organizers have the right to cancel or change the tournament date due to weather conditions or any other unforeseen factors. If there isn’t a winning catch the Tournament Organizers will handle the amount of the prizes and will dispose of that amount for community services and humanitarian help through Club Rotario La Paz Balandra.

Any disqualifications during the Tournament  are not an argument to reimburse registration or JACKPOT fees previously paid.

By registering for the tournament anglers must read and comply with the “Rules and Regulations” and conduct themselves accordingly. No refunds after paying the registration fee. 

Only because of mechanical issues or engine problems with the Vessel (not because of lack of Fuel) the anglers and their species could be on board in any other Tournament Vessel to present to the Weight Station their species, as long they arrive before the time limit for weighing established in these Rules and Regulations and with the previous authorization of the Tournament Judge.

All participants have the obligation to report every Marlin Hock Up to the judge on the radio (65VHF channel), as well, if the specie is On board or Released. The judge on the radio will tell the angler the Official time of the Hock Up, as well the official time of the specie On board or Released. Every Marlin reported as On board, has to be presented at the Weight Station, no matter the Marlin weight. In case the angler is fighting with a catch and its unable to communicate with the judge on the Radio it is possible to be helped by another tournament Vessel to retransmit the information needed by the judge on the radio. When reporting a Hock up the anglers name, the name of the Vessel and the location according to the Official Tournament Map have to be told to the Judge on the Radio. The catch wont qualify for the Tournament for any angler who doesn’t follow this rule as it is stated

Reasons for disqualification:

In  case of a dispute with the weighing  at the weight station, complaints must be put in writing  , no later than 60 minutes after closing of that weight station and accompanied by a $2,000.00 M.N. ( two thousand pesos) fee in cash, which will be refunded if dispute is in your favor or kept by the tournament organizers if  otherwise.

Official Tournament Channel will be 65 VHF, for emergencies will be 64 VHF.

Taxes or expenses generated by the prizes obtained by the anglers have to be paid by the winners to  the respective authorities, before the prizes are given.

Any disqualifications will be for both fishing days of the Tournament and no refunds of any registration or JACKPOT fees  will  be made.