2008 Puerto Vallarta Tournament Rules

General:
 
Make sure you pay attention to each of the 4 tournament target species below. This is because in some events they count as double. Keep only what the boat can use. Excessive kills will be frowned on

 Locations:

Off shore tournaments:
There are three harbors in Puerto Vallarta. Danny’s boats launch at his dock in the new harbor. All others launch from their harbor. Be in the resort lobby by 5:30 AM. All entrants will go to the dock by taxi. The average taxi cost is $6 to $20 for every three anglers.  The weigh in location will be at Danny Osuna’s dock. This is on the way home for the boats not berthed there.

Near shore tournaments:
Launch will be in Puerto Nuevo at the public courtesy dock by the Paradise village resort. Weigh in location is to be announced. Be in the resort lobby by 5:30 AM. All entrants will go to the dock by taxi. The average cost is $6 for every three anglers.

Times:

Day One: Boats depart the dock at approximately 6:30 AM October 12, 2008 and return back to the dock/weigh station around 2:30 PM.

Day Two: Boats depart the dock at approximately 6:00 AM October 13, 2008 and return back to the dock/weigh station around 6:00 PM.

Day Three: Boats depart the dock at approximately 6:00 AM October 15, 2008 and return back to the dock/weigh station around 6:00 PM.

Day Four: Boats depart the dock at approximately 6:30 AM October 16, 2008 and return back to the dock/weigh station around 2:30 PM.

There are no specific Lines in time. Please review weigh in times below.

Entry:

The entry fee is by the boat. Each boat fishes as a team.

Day one and day four are near shore events. The boat entry fee is $200 per boat per day.

Day two and day three are off shore tournaments. The entry fee is $400 per boat per day.

All entrants must book their stay at the Hotel Riu Vallarta through Tunabite.

All entrants must book their boats though Tunabite.

Any spokes Models or Photographer’s are staff. They will be randomly placed on boats. They do not pay an entry fee or a boat charter fee.

Entrant Prizes:

Second Place:
There are four separate events. Each event has a separate prize kitty. 60% of the entry fees collected for each event will be paid to the winner of said event.

First Place:
The angler who wins the most events, or if no one wins more than one event, the angler who catches the largest overall fish will receive a trophy and an additional cash prize equal to 20% of the total cash collected for all four tournaments.

Note: In the Roster fish tournament and in the Wahoo tournament, these species have their weight doubled. This will also apply in consideration for first place in the overall weigh in.

Day One: This is our near shore Roster Fish tournament. Any Roster fish caught will have its weight doubled at the scale. The only other qualifying species are: Sail Fish, Snapper, Pargo, Dorado, Wahoo, Amberjack, Grouper, Crevalle Jack, trigger fish and Sierra Mackerel.

Day Two and Three: These are our offshore tournaments. The largest fish over all wins.
In other words, try to catch a big Yellowfin.

Day Four: This is our Wahoo tournament. Any Wahoo caught this day will have its weight doubled at the scale. The only other qualifying species are: Sail Fish, Snapper, Pargo, Dorado, Wahoo, Amberjack, Grouper, Crevalle Jack, trigger fish and Sierra Mackerel.

Weigh-In:

1.      All fish are weighed in the round. This means not cleaned, gutted or gilled.

2.       The size and species records will be at the discretion of the weigh master.

3.      The weigh master will have the final say on any fish.

4.       Only (1) qualifying game fish is eligible to be weighed in per boat per day.

5.      For the near shore events: The weigh station closes at 4:30 PM. Any boat arriving after this time will not place in this tournament.

6.      For off shore events: Lines out is 4:00 PM. The weigh station closes at 6:00 PM if you are not fishing on one of Danny’s boats and you are hooked up before 4:00 PM, call us on the VHF and we will wait for you. Note: If you are not hooked up by this time, head for the dock with what you have on board. Also 7:30 PM is the latest that we will wait. If any fish is not at the scale by this time, it will be disqualified.

7.      Any alteration of catch (adding foreign objects) or presenting a fish not caught by a registered entrant will disqualify the entire Anglers entry without refund.

Tie Breaker:

In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed will determine the winning angler. The other fish will be moved down one position.

 Angling Regulations:

  1. The Angler/entrant team must operate the rod from the time the fish strikes. This includes: Removing the rod from the rod holder, setting the hook and fighting the fish up to the time of landing. Only when the leader is within reach of the deck hand may the Angler/entrant team be assisted by the deck hand. If the fish should take another run then the Angler/entrant team is on his own again.
  2. All boats operate as a team. All entrants on the boat are part of the team. Helping each other and passing off of the rod when tired is acceptable.
  3. The initial setup and instructions how to tie rigs, catch the bait, attaching the bait to the hooks, setting up the spread and moving lines without a fish by the deck hand is acceptable. Verbal instructions, bringing food and drink, attaching a fighting belt to the angler (not touching the rod or line), adjusting the fighting chair (not touching the rod or line), Replacing a bait for an angler after a fish is released or when a bait becomes of poor quality is also acceptable actions by crew members.
  4. A harness may be attached to the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the angler.
  5. Use of a rod belt or waist gimbal is permitted.
  6. Marlin: All Marlin are catch and release. They do not count towards any prize. Please release all Marlin un-harmed. If dead, please feed the village.
  7. Sailfish: Your boat is only allowed to kill or keep one Sail Fish per day. This Sail Fish can be weighed in as your biggest fish for the day.
  8. All other fish: Most other fish will qualify for weigh in. Please see individual tournaments above. Wasting of fish will disqualify the entrant.
  9. Sharks: All sharks, skates and rays are excluded form weigh in. Do not keep any of these species.
  10. Mammals: Even though it is legal to catch and kill a porpoise in Mexico, we do not promote this. If you kill a mammal, you will be disqualified without refund.

Equipment:

 

1.      Fighting chairs may not have any mechanically propelled devices that aid the angler in fighting a fish.

2.      Gimbals must be free swinging, which includes gimbals that swing in a vertical plane only. Any gimbal that allows the angler to reduce strain or to rest while fighting the fish is prohibited.

3.      Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 10 feet in length. A flying or detachable gaff rope may not exceed 30 feet.

4.      Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. Reels designed to be cranked with both hands are prohibited.

5.      When fishing live bait at El-Banko or at Corbetena rock: No more than two single circle hooks are to be used. Exceptions to this rule are as follows: When bottom fishing or using a sinker of at least 3 ounces, J hooks, double hooks and triple hooks are approved. When fishing at other locations, J hooks, double hooks and triple hooks are approved.

6.      For Lure fishing the trailing hook may not extend more than a hook's length beyond the skirt of the lure.

7.      A safety line may be attached to the rod provided that it does not in any way assist the angler in fighting the fish.

 

The following will disqualify a catch:

 

  1. Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.
  2. The act of persons other than the angler/boat entrant team in holding any part of the rod, reel, or line with hands or any device, from the time a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, until the leader is in reach of the deck hand.
  3. Shooting, any fish at any stage of the catch.
  4. If you kill more than one marlin per day, your boat will be disqualified for the day.
  5. If you have more than one sailfish on the boat, you will be disqualified for the day.
  6. # 4 & # 5 explained: When fishing bait, you need to use circle hooks. Also choose wisely. If the bite is red hot, you may wish to release the small sailfish. If you already have kept one, do not keep another bigger one.


Entrant Protocol:

Any entrant observed operating in a reckless or un-sportsmanlike manner may be penalized 10 pounds per fish from the day's catch. A repeat offense will result in disqualification from the tournament without refund.

Cash prizes:

Prize money checks will only be made payable to the person or entity as designated on the official Tournament registration form or their designated agent in writing. Social Security number or Taxpayer I.D. number of the recipient will be required for prizes exceeding $399.00 and a 1099 will be sent. Unless disputed, checks and prizes will be mailed 20 days after the last day of the tournament. Once prizes are mailed it is final and no dispute will be considered.

Protests/Disputes:

 By virtue of signing the Tournament entry form all participants agree to the final decision of the Tournament Officers. It is understood that the spirit intended for the tournament is to be enjoyable and in good fellowship for all participants.
Protests must be submitted in writing to Tunabite staff before 6:00PM on November 17, 2008. Please include a fee of $300.00 paid in cash (refundable if protest is upheld). If you file a dispute it is your responsibility to provide supporting documents. All disputes will be reviewed and voted on by the Tunabite staff at the event. If your dispute is upheld you will be refunded the $300.00 dispute fee.

Mechanical breakdowns and foul weather:

1.      In the event that a tournament boat becomes disabled before 6PM on the day preceding the tournament day, we will try to find a replacement or refund your boat/entrant fee.

2.      In the event the boat fails before 10:00 AM during fishing and you have no fish to weigh, we will seek a refund of the boat fee from the boat owner and issue you a refund of your entrant fee.

3.      In the event that the boat fails after 10:00 AM we will consider that you had ample time to place in the tournament. Your charter refund or partial refund will be between you and the boat captain.

4.      In the event the boat captain calls off the event before 8:00 AM on the day of the event due to foul weather: For the canceled day, we will refund your tournament entry fees + boat charter fees that we are in control of. We will also seek refund of any boat charter fees in control of the boat captains from the boat captains.

5.      No refunds will be issued for all inclusive lodging, or air travel.

Federal Regulations:

All Federal Mexican regulations will apply to this tournament.

 Waiver/ Disclaimer:

It is expressly understood that all participants in this tournament enter at their own risk, and that Tunabite.com it's Officers, Weigh Masters, Directors, Tournament Rules, Observers, Committees, Sponsors, and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of said tournament, shall be exempt from any liability whatsoever for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, vessel, equipment, companions, guests, boat captains, mates, crew members, which may occur during or in conjunction with this Tournament. Additionally it is understood that all participants consent and agree that they are solely responsible for all their actions.

Photo release:

By signing the Official Tournament entry form you agree that Tunabite will retain full and complete rights to publish or sell any photographs and or video footage in which you may appear in entirety or in part during this event without paying you any royalties or fees.