The Marina Pez Vela Open is a Fishing Tournament scheduled to take place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica on Saturday April 13, 2024. The Marina Pez Vela Open 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.
IGFA TOURNAMENT
IGFA Equipment and Angling Rules Apply
Anglers must hook and fight fish to release!
The Tournament is a one day billfish team event with top-team honors going to the team that tallies the most billfish verified release points during the tournament. If 10 team entries or more, prizes will pay down to third place. The tournament will award trophies, cash, and prizes to the team(s) that score the most accumulated points.
There are no boat size limitations
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.
First Time Angler Award*: First Time Angler with the most Sailfish Release points will receive a recognition award.
Scoring Billfish
Blue, Black, or Stripe Marlin *****500 points
Sailfish **200 points
Mates or any other non-registered anglers are not permitted to pitch baits or drop back baits to fish. Captains and Mate are allowed to use teaser reels, hookless baits. And hookless lures for bait and switch method of fishing
Fish Weighed
TUNA and DORADO
Game Fish: Points will be awarded on the basis set below for any game fish that exceeds the minimum weight limit in the following categories:
Yellowfin or Big Eye Tuna and Dorado ****Minimum weight 20 lbs
Weigh-in limit is two fish (2) of each species. Fish weighed to the tenth of a pound up to 200 pounds. A point per pound will be awarded up to 99lbs and 1.5 points for fish 100 – 200 pounds.
Registration
A final registration will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p. m., April 12, 2024, at MARINA PEZ VELA. A Captains/Anglers meeting will be held at 6:30 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. Anglers, captains, and mates are obligated to accept and be bound by all the rules and instruction changes announced during this meeting.
IGFA Billfish Tournament Entry Fee
The Team registration fee is $1,000.00 with the 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.
JACKPOTS IGFA TOURNAMENT RULES APPLY
| Team Entry Fee | $1,000.00 |
| Heaviest Tuna Weighed Jackpot (optional) | $200.00 |
| Heaviest Dorado Weighed Jackpot (optional) | $200.00 |
| Sailfish Release Points Jackpot (optional) | $500.00 |
| Marlin Release Points Jackpot (optional) | $500.00 |
| Total (All In) | $2,400.00 |
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. Teams and boats are not allowed to transfer fish from one boat to another.
Event location and weigh in:
MARINA PEZ VELA, QUEPOS
Schedule
- April 12th, 2024
3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Final registration, If assistance is required contact WhatsApp 2774-9006 for an appointment time.
6:30 p.m. – Captain’s meeting. (Questions: WhatsApp 2774-9006)
- April 13th, 2024
5:00 a.m. (Fishing day): registration desk open for check out (daily check-out and check-in required).
5:30 a.m. (Fishing day): Boat are permitted to leave the marina at start time of 5:30 a.m. or later. (Must be checked out with Tournament Team.)
7:30 a.m. lines in
3:30 p.m. lines out
Weigh station open from 3:00 – 6:00 pm
All boats must be checked in by 6:00 pm unless there is a documented hookup prior to lines out.
7:30 p.m. Awards
Release Rules
All teams must provide their own digital video camera (preferred) to video releases. The video must show the correct time and date. To score an official release, the fish must be at the leader, and an identifiable video must be taken of the fish showing the control-number (provided daily), with time and date.
After the release video is taken, the official time, species, and angler name must be written on the catch-report. Each registered angler and 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 video check in station for verification of official release points. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of that 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
Maximum line strength allowed is 50-pound-test. Tournament and/or non-tournament lines are eligible. If the line test is 30 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
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
Live bait, Dead 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.
Fishing Hours
Fishing will commence at 7:30 a.m. “lines in” and end at 3:30 p.m. “lines out” on April 13, 2024. The tournament director’s time will act as the official time for the start, release times and end of fishing time. 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 April 23. The official tournament channel will be 21A back up 27. After release, the angler, boat, and species 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 9 p.m. on day 1 and 6 pm on day two.
Weigh-In/Release-Photo Check-In
The weigh station and release-photo check-in station will at Marina Pez Vela. Opens at 3:00 pm WhatsApp 2774-9006)
Catch-Report
All catches must be recorded on the catch-report sheets provided. The official time, species, and angler’s name must be written on the catch-report affidavit for each fish. Each registered angler, mate and boat captain must sign the catch-report prior to submittal. The catch-report sheets must be turned in at the weigh station at the end of the day.
In the event of a tie, the team that reached the highest score first wins.
All winners may be asked to take and pass a polygraph examination.
Radio/Communications
All billfish 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 each 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.
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 against 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 must be in On April 13th, the day of fishing, all protests must be in the hands of the tournament committee prior to 6 PM. 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 regarding 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 Marina Pez Vela Open, 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, Marina Pez Vela Open 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 the extent and for perpetuity, the Organizers of the Marina Pez Vela Open, 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 Marina Pez Vela Open, 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.
