PRESIDENTIAL WOMEN’S VIRTUAL FISHING CHALLENGE

OFFICIAL RULES

1. FISHING DAYS: Teams may fish any 6 days during the following time frame: February 1, 2023 – March 31, 2021.
2. RULES: All I.G.F.A. rules apply EXCEPT where they are inconsistent with these Tournament Rules that follow, in which case these Tournament Rules shall apply.
3 TACKLE: Standard trolling tackle and line up to 30 pound test will be used. Trolling only will be allowed. NO LIVE BAIT IS PERMITTED. CIRCLE HOOKS ONLY WILL BE ALLOWED – NO EXCEPTIONS.
4. LEADER LENGTH: The length of your leaders must comply with IGFA rules.
5. NUMBER OF LINES: Boats can troll up to 6 lines.
6. SPORTSMANSHIP: There will be no deviations to any of the rules. Good sportsmanship is expected.
7 FISHING HOURS: Fishing hours are universal according to the time zone you are fishing. No teaser or lines in the water before 8:00 A.M. Lines out of the water AT 4:00 PM.
8. BAIT: Dead bait will be used by all anglers. At which time the dead bait is all used, all anglers may switch to artificial lures. Lures are not allowed unless the boat is out of dead bait. Artificial skirts are allowed.
9. TEASERS: Artificial or dead bait teasers are permitted. No hooks are allowed in the teasers.
10. HOOKING FISH: Anglers are allowed to have assistance hooking the fish but once hooked the angler must fight the fish to completion/ the rod can only be passed one (1) time at the hook up. *This is an exception to IGFA Rules.
11. MULTIPLE HOOK UPS: If an angler hooks more than one fish at the same time the rod or rods not being handled by the registered angler must remain in the rod holders. The angler can manipulate the drags and wind up slack in the line but not remove the rods from the holders or turn the reel handles except to wind up slack. Once their original fish is released then an angler may pick up the additional rod and fight the fish. The mate(s) or other personnel may not touch the rods, reels or line at any time, only tournament registered anglers. (This is an exception to IGFA Rules.)
12. LEGAL RELEASE: All fish must be released alive in order to score. An official release occurs when the swivel, leader knot or trace comes in contact with the rod tip or the mate or fishing partner grabs the leader, which ever happens first constitutes a release.
13. ADJUSTMENT TO GEAR: During the fight and until the swivel or trace touches the rod tip, no one may touch the anglers fishing equipment. The angler may, however, receive adjustment to belt or harness.
14. SCORING: Scoring for the purpose of this tournament will be 100 points per sailfish and 500 points per marlin. Scoring will be done using CaptApp. Video is required showing the angler, species and live release.
IF YOU ARE FISHING A TOURNAMENT WITH OBSERVERS OR ANGLER DRAW YOU MUST VIDEO YOUR SCORE SHEET SIGNED BY THE OBSERVER OR IN THE CASE OF A DRAW YOUR BOAT CAPTAIN. THE PHOTOGRAPH IS THEN UPLOADED TO CAPTAPP.
Funfish will be scored 1 point per inch. Fish must be shown on video with a measuring tape from tip of nose to fork of tail.
Ties will be decided on time of release chosen by the video judge at the very moment of release either by a leader touching the tip or by someone on the team angler mate or Observer/friend touching the leader.
15. DISQUALIFICATION: Any single fish hooked by two anglers is disqualified. Any mutilated fish is disqualified.