The Sailfish Slam is a Fishing Tournament scheduled to take place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica on March 8th, 2025. The Sailfish Slam is the property of and organized by, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S A, A corporation organized under the laws of Costa Rica; Corporate identification number, 3-101-298191. Marine Pez Vela participates in the tournament as the hosting facility and has sole responsibility for tournament operations. While all efforts are made to keep this information current, all rules published on this website shall be considered unofficial. Official rules will be distributed and announced at the registration check-in and virtual captains meeting. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament. All participants should also agree to the rules by signing at registration forms at the tournament site.
*A FunTournament*
With 10 Entries Tournament will become an IGFA Qualifying EVENT
“HOOK N PASS” IGFA Modified
The Tournament
The Tournament is a 1 (one) day Sailfish team event with top-team honors going to the team in each division that tallies the most Sailfish release points during the tournament. The tournament will award Cash, and prizes to the “teams” that scores the most accumulated points for sailfish releases. First place and second place payouts in the three divisions.
In addition, the tournament will recognize a series of additional categories and winners, including:
Junior Angler (16 years-old or under) Award*: Top Junior Angler with the most Sailfish Release points will receive a recognition award.
Lady Angler Award*: Top Lady Angler with the most Sailfish Release points will receive a recognition award.
*An angler may only compete in one of the two categories listed above and must declare their category upon registration.
There are no boat size limitations in the Sonar and Non-Sonar Divisions.
Scoring
Sailfish **200 points
Registration
A final registration will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p. m., MARCH 7th, 2025, at MARINA PEZ VELA. A virtual Captains/Anglers meeting will be held at 7:00 pm. We advise anglers and boat captains to attend. WhatsApp your questions to 2774-9006 and they will be discussed during the broadcast. Anglers that are pre-registered and anglers needing to register must send at least one representative to obtain tournament credentials (by appointment only). Anglers, captains, and mates are obligated to accept and be bound by all the rules and instruction changes announced during this meeting.
Angler, Crew and Boat Requirements
Without exception, each boat must have on board one designated boat captain and at least one designated mate. Captain and crew changes are allowed but must be communicated to the tournament committee prior to the day’s fishing. There is a limit of six registered anglers per boat in this tournament; however, if an angler drops out, a substitute angler can be signed on with the team if he/she registers before the start of that day’s fishing. Registered guests are allowed on the boats as non-participants but are not allowed to partake in the fishing in any way. Boats may receive aid from other boats in the form of towing in the event of mechanical failure.
Event location
MARINA PEZ VELA, QUEPOS, COSTA RICA
Schedule
March 7th, 2025
3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Final registration, (all on line if possible) If assistance is required contact WhatsApp 2774-9006 for an appointment time.
7:00 p.m. Captain’s meeting. (Questions: WhatsApp 2774-9006)
March 8th, 2025
5:30 a.m. (Fishing day): registration desk open for check out
6:00 a.m. (Fishing day): Boat are permitted to leave the marina. (Must be checked out with Tournament Team.)
7:30 a.m. lines in
3:30 p.m. lines out
3:00 – 6:00 Video check in
All boats must be checked in by 6:00 pm unless there is a documented hookup prior to lines out.
7:00 PM Awards
Entry Fee
The Team registration fee is for a Team consisting of 1 to 6 anglers. This basic registration fee covers the participation of the registered anglers. The angler fee does not cover any daily boat charter expense. Charter boats are available for hire through the tournament office.
| General Entry Sonar Boats (mandatory) | $2500.00 |
| Sailfish Released Jackpot (Optional) | $2500.00 |
| Marlin Released Jackpot (Optional) | $2500.00 |
| Total (All In) | $7500.00 |
| General Entry Non-Sonar Boats (mandatory) | $1000.00 |
| Sailfish Released Jackpot (Optional) | $1000.00 |
| Marlin Released Jackpot (Optional) | $1000.00 |
| Total (All In) | $3000.00 |
| General Entry Boats 36ft and Under Non-Sonar (mandatory) | $300.00 |
| Sailfish Released Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Marlin Released Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Total (All In) | $500.00 |
In the event of a tie, the team that reaches the highest score first wins.
Additional Optional Jackpot for All Divisions
| First Qualified Sailfish Release CHARITY JACKPOT (Optional) 50% to the Team 50% to the designated Charity |
$500.00 |
The 1st qualified sailfish release will be based on and among the teams competing in that particular jackpot. In other words, releases by teams in the tournament, but not in the jackpot category will not affect the sequential releases of the particular jackpot teams.
*A qualified sailfish release is defined as a verified video release with all the components. Fish hooked up, team number, correct IGFA release and fish swimming away.
IGFA MODIFIED
IGFA release and equipment rules apply in this tournament. It is the responsibility of each registered angler and crew member to know, understand and abide by IGFA and tournament release rules during this competition.
Release Rules (IGFA)
All teams must provide their own digital video recording device to video sailfish releases. The video must show the correct time and date. To score an official release, the video must show the angler, the control-card (card provided at checkout), clear identification of the sailfish, leader on the rod tip or mate grabbing the leader, and finally the line being broken off and the fish swimming away.
After the release video is taken, the official time and angler’s name must be written on the catch-report. The boat captain must then sign the catch-report. At the end of the day’s fishing, the video camera, catch-report affidavit and all video footage taken must be brought to the tournament center for verification of official release points. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the day’s catch. Do not delete any video taken during tournament hours.
Failure to abide by any aspect of the Release Rules may result in disqualification of the catch, angler, or team, at the tournament rules and judging committee’s sole discretion.
Line (IGFA)
Maximum line strength allowed is 50-pound-test. Tournament and/or non-tournament lines are eligible. If the line test is 50 pounds or less, the line will be allowed in the tournament.
Wind-on leaders are permitted but may not exceed 30 feet as per IGFA rules. For a complete list of IGFA rules, go to www.igfa.org
Tackle (IGFA)
The length of the leader is the overall length, including any swivel, lure or hook arrangement. In all line classes exceeding 20 pounds (10 kg), the leader shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and the leader shall not exceed 40 feet (12.19 meters) total.
The tournament committee holds the right to examine any hook sets, line and/or leaders at any time during the event. Refusal to allow the tournament rules and judging committee to examine any hook sets, line and/or leaders will result in immediate disqualification from the event without a refund of any or registration fees and/or Cash Jackpot moneys.
Rods
Unlimited in use or numbers max 50 pound
Teasers
Unlimited in use or numbers. Dredges and Spreader Bars are permitted.
Baits
Dead bait, live bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament
Hooks
Costa Rica law mandates the use of non offset circle hooks on any bait intended for “billfish” (sailfish & marlin)
All tournament participants must use non-offset circle hooks for all species whenever natural baits or natural-bait/artificial-lure combinations are used. IGFA & Costa Rica Law apply.
The tournament committee holds the right to examine any hook sets, line and/or leaders at any time during the event. Refusal to allow the tournament rules and judging committee to examine any hook sets, line and/or leaders will result in immediate disqualification from the event without a refund of any or registration fees and/or Jackpot moneys.
Fishing Hours
Fishing will commence at 7:30 a.m. “lines in” and end at 3:30 p.m. “lines out” on March 8th, 2025. The tournament director’s time will act as the official time for the start, release times and end of fishing time each day. The tournament committee reserves the privilege of changing starting and finishing times for any reason it deems necessary. An official radio start (lines In) will take place on March 8th. The official tournament channel will be 21 back up 27. After release, the angler, and boat are to be radioed into Tournament Control. No hook up time is required until last 15 minutes of each fishing day. Fishing boundary will be 50 miles.
Fighting Times
Any fish hooked up before the lines out (last 15 minutes), team must radio hook up to Tournament Control, and may continue to fight the fish until release, but time must be registered by video and checked in at the dock before 6 p.m.
Release-Video Check-In
The release-video check-in station will be in Marina Pez Vela and will open at 3:00 pm and close at 6:00 pm, all teams must be checked in by 6:00 pm
Catch-Report
All catches must be recorded on the catch-report sheets provided. The official time and angler’s name must be written on the catch-report affidavit for each fish. A team angler and the boat captain must sign the catch-report prior to submittal. The catch-report sheets must be turned in at the video check in at the end of each day.
All winners may be asked to take and pass a polygraph examination.
Radio/Communications
All Sailfish releases, and lost fish, must be immediately reported (channel 21) to tournament control as it happens, along with the anglers’ name and fish species. The tournament director’s time will act as the official time for the start, catch-and-release and end of fishing the day without exception. The official tournament channel will be 21. A Costa Rica cell phone number on which teams can also communicate will be given at the captains meeting. During the last 15 minutes of fishing each day, all hookups must be reported. (8315-5051) Tournament Director. After lines out, communicate on channel 69 with Marina Pez Vela concerning any emergency, boat break down or under way issues. Backup channel will be 27
Weather
There is no weather committee. The tournament is conducted on a fish-at-your-own-risk basis. If any portion of the tournament is fished and a team or teams land or release fish that match the tournament’s eligible species and minimum weight limits, then prizes will be awarded.
Protests
Participants may lodge protests any catch which they believe was not made in accordance with these rules. All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by $500. The tournament rules and committee judges may call a protest hearing at their discretion; a protest hearing is not guaranteed. All protests will be settled on the day of the incident. All protests on March 8th must be in the hands of the tournament’s designated rules official by 6 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident unless there is a protest regarding a boat that comes to the scales late. The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, must be present at any official protest hearing. The tournament rules and judging committee may refuse to consider any protest evidence not submitted at the protest hearing in the presence of the protested team. If the protesting or protested team fails to show up for the protest hearing, that team forfeits its right to submit evidence. Should the protest be accepted and awarded on behalf of the protesting party the $500 fee will be returned to the protestors. Should, for any reason, the protest not be ruled in the favor of the protesting party the $500 will be donated to a Quepos charity. Decisions of the tournament rules and judging committee with regard to protests are final, non-appealable, and non-justiciable. All anglers, teams, and/or participants commit to accept the decisions of the Tournament Rules and judgment committee, the Tournament Sailfish Slam, and Corporation Marina Pez Vela, S A, without legal or judicial liability and accept the rules and results of the Rules and Judging Committee.
Sportsmanlike Conduct
All participants are expected to always maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike or threatening conduct towards tournament organizers or other participants, or any other behavior which the tournament organizers deem inappropriate, in their sole discretion, will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team with no refund of entry fees.
Publicity Release
Hereinafter, Sailfish Slam and Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A. and their respective licensees, affiliates or assigns are granted the unrestricted, irrevocable and perpetual worldwide right to record, reproduce, copy, edit, publish, exhibit, exploit, and/or license others to use any and all media generated by; the Anglers video and/or picture cameras, videos and pictures taken by the tournament administration during all of the activities of the tournament, as well as any other electronic media or graphic material produce during the tournament by the tournament administration, including fishing stories of things that happened to boats, interviews, publicity and marketing. There is no obligation to the licensed party to use part or any of the material. The rights granted shall not revert to the anglers for the lack of use of the licensed party. Full Release of Liability is granted in favor of Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A. and/or its representatives.
Personal Risk Release
I hereby acknowledge that the Tournament activities are dangerous and hazardous, and may carry the risk for serious injuries, damages to the property and/or could even carry the death of the participants and the complete loss of property. I hereby release, irrevocably, in all of the extent and for perpetuity, the Organizers of the Sailfish Slam, as well as the Company Marina Pez Vela, S.A. and its representatives, as well as the Rules and Judging Committee, as well as and any other organizer, for any event of injury or death or loss of property, resulting from the developing of all of the activities of the Tournament. I hereby acknowledge and I am clear, that I participate, in my own will, because I want to participate, and that I understand all of the risks involved in fishing and in going into the ocean on board of a boat, and thus I understand the risks involved in the activities of the tournament, are not the responsibility of the organizers of the tournament, and therefore, I agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless, the rules and judging committee, the Sailfish Slam, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A. and its representatives, administrators and organizers, from any damages, costs, expenses or liabilities regarding the tournament activities on which I participate knowing of all of the risks.
The Sailfish Slam is a Fishing Tournament scheduled to take place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica on March 9th, 2024. The Sailfish Slam is the property of and organized by, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S A, A corporation organized under the laws of Costa Rica; Corporate identification number, 3-101-298191. Marine Pez Vela participates in the tournament as the hosting facility and has sole responsibility for tournament operations. While all efforts are made to keep this information current, all rules published on this website shall be considered unofficial. Official rules will be distributed and announced at the registration check-in and virtual captains meeting. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament. All participants should also agree to the rules by signing at registration forms at the tournament site.
