PRESIDENTIAL FLAMINGO FISHING RODEO
2026 OFFICIAL RULES

1. GENERAL RULES AND LAWS: IGFA rules will apply to this Tournament except where they are inconsistent with these specific Tournament Rules. It is the responsibility of the captain and anglers to be familiar with these Tournament Rules and IGFA Rules. All registered boats and anglers must comply with all applicable Costa Rican Laws regarding fishing licenses and boundary limits, etc. Any infractions of the applicable rules will disqualify the registered anglers(s) and boat from the entire tournament, and any disqualified angler(s) will not be entitled to any refund. Rules are subject to change prior to the event,
   2. TEAMS AND ANGLERS: Each team will consist of up to six(6) registered anglers. Only registered anglers may fish in this Tournament. Angler substitutes for any reason require approval from the Tournament Committee before the start of the fishing day.
   3. BAIT AND TACKLE: Fishing with live or dead bait is permitted. Anglers must fish with 30 pound test line or less. IGFA Rules for leader length must be followed. Non-offset circle hooks are mandatory. The traditional ‘J’ hook may be used with artificial lures only.
2. BOATS WITH SONAR: Use of sonar is allowed but points will only be counted in the designated division. See below.
3. LINES: Boats may fish no more than six (6) lines.
   6.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.
   7. 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 during the fight, only the tournament registered angler may handle the rod.
   8. OFFICIAL RELEASE: The fish is considered released when the wind on leader or swivel touches the rod tip OR the mate or fishing companion grabs the leader. All billfish releases must be called in to Radio Control. All billfish hook ups must be called in the last 15 minutes of tournament fishing. Do not call in gamefish releases.
   9. RADIO CHANNEL: CHANNEL 72
   10. DAILY CHECK OUT: Tournament Boats may not leave Marina Flamingo or the Anchorage until 6AM and must check out with the Tournament Committee on the Official Radio Channel.
   11. OFFICIAL FISHING TIME: The Official Fishing Time will be lines in the water at 8AM and out at 3:30PM.
   12. WEIGH –IN: Score cards and video verification will be at the Marina Flamingo Grand Lobby from 4pm-6pm Saturday and Sunday.
   13. WEATHER: The Tournament Committee will make the final decision if the fishing should be delayed or called because of weather.
   14. BOATS AND BOUNDARIES: Private and charter boats are allowed in the tournament. 50 miles from the Marina entrance is the boundary limit. The area surrounding the Bat Islands is designated as a Marine Preserve and is off-limits to sport fishing of any sort. Detailed charts showing the demarcation lines will be distributed at the Captain's Meeting. It is prohibited to fish within 1 mile of any FAD. Any team found violating the boundaries or fishing within 1 mile of any FAD will be disqualified from the Tournament.
   15. DENIAL OF ENTRY: The Tournament reserves the right to deny tournament entry to any person, persons or teams at their sole discretion for any reason and at any time.
   16. PROTESTS: The complaint must be presented to the Judges Committee in writing immediately upon disembarking on the day of the protest. Complaints received after 6:30pm on the day of the infraction will not be considered. The Judges Committee will make a decision based upon all facts available.
   SPECIES AND SCORING: *Teams will be given a 'sign' every morning on the radio that has to appear in all photographs and videos.
   The eligible species are Marlin(release only), Sailfish(release only),Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo The following point system will be used:

FUNFISH: MEASUREMENT MUST BE DONE WITH STANDARD TYPE RETRACTABLE METAL TAPE MEASURE OR AN APPROVED FABRIC TAPE.
SCORED ONE (1) POINT PER INCH – TEAMS ARE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT THREE(3) OF EACH SPECIES PER DAY:
Dorado-Minimum length 32"
Tuna-Minimum length 32"
Wahoo - Minimum length 32"
Sailfish – 50 points per release
Marlin – 150 points per release
Teams will be given a ‘sign’ every morning on the radio that has to appear in the photograph.

Non-SONAR OFFSHORE DIVISION: Entry fee $1400.00 per team. Eligible species for prizes: all billfish, dorado, tuna, wahoo

SONAR OFFSHORE DIVISION: Entry fee $1400.00 per team. Eligible species for prizes: all billfish, dorado, tuna, wahoo

PLEASE PHOTOGRAPH FUNFISH WITH ANGLER AT SEA OR AT THE DOCK/ANCHORAGE. 

DISCLAIMER: All registered anglers enter and participate in this Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo voluntarily and at their own risk. In consideration for the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo acceptance of his or her entry, each registered angler, for his or her heirs, executors, and administrators, agrees to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo and the PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC, the officers, managers, directors, agents sponsors, donors and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the tournament, from and against any and all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs, fees or expenses which he or she may have against any above-described party arising out of or in any way connected with his or her participation in this Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo, including any injury or death suffered by any registered angler. Each registered angler understands and agrees that this release specifically includes and waives any claims based on libel, slander, negligence, action or inaction of any above-named party.