December 10–12, 2026  |  Marina Pez Vela  |  Quepos, Costa Rica

Two-day IGFA Marlin Team Tournament. Teams compete for the highest documented Marlin release points in their division. Top three teams in each division are awarded.

The Tournament Will Also Recognize:

Top Angler Award*: Top Angler with most documented marlin release points will receive an award.

Lady Angler Award*: Top Lady Angler with most documented marlin release points will receive an award.

1. ENTRY FEES & JACKPOTS

GENERAL ENTRY FEE $500 +13%

The 1st qualified marlin release will be based on and among the teams competing in that jackpot.  In other words, releases by teams in the tournament, but not in the jackpot category will not affect the sequential releases of the jackpot teams.

Team Registration

• Each team may register 1 to 6 anglers.
• The tournament registration fee does not include the daily boat charter.
• Optional jackpots are available as outlined in the official entry information.

Entry Fees and Benefits

• All teams must pay General Entry and Mandatory Base Bet for their division.
• The tournament base entry fee includes:
  • Total Nine (9) VIP event passes:

Registration for six (6) anglers

Registration for three (3) crew members

• • Access to all official tournament functions, gifts, and awards.

Charity Jackpot

• The Charity Jackpot payout is distributed as follows:
  • 50% to the winning team.
  • 50% to the designated tournament charity.
• In the event of a tie, the winner will be the team that reached the highest score first.

There are no boat size limitations in the Sonar and Non-Sonar Divisions.

2. SCORING & RELEASE VERIFICATION

Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin: 500 release points.

Sailfish: Release Jackpot.

All applicable IGFA rules apply.

Every release must be documented on video and clearly show:

• The fish species during the hookup.
• The angler fighting the fish.
• The leader/release sequence and applicable release procedure.
• The official release card for that fishing day.
• The fish fully released and swimming away.

Teams provide and operate their own video equipment. Do not delete any video recorded during official fishing hours. The catch report must record the official time, species, and angler, and be signed by the registered angler and Captain. Video and catch reports must be submitted by the applicable deadline. No catch report means no fish scored for that day.

3. TEAM, CREW & VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

• 1 designated Captain and at least 1 designated Mate per boat.
• Maximum 6 registered anglers per boat.
• Captain and crew changes must be communicated before fishing.
• Substitute anglers must be registered before the boat leaves the Marina.
• Guests may be on board but may not participate in fishing activities.
• Boats may tow another boat in case of mechanical failure.
• Teams must depart from and return to Marina Pez Vela on the officially registered vessel, except in documented and authorized emergencies.
• All vessels must comply with applicable maritime, legal, operational, insurance, and Marina Pez Vela entry requirements.

4. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

At least one team representative must attend the Captain’s / Rules Meeting. All boats must be checked in by 6:00 p.m., unless there is a documented hookup before Lines Out.

5. TACKLE, BAIT & HOOKS

Line & Leader

• Maximum line strength: 50-pound test.
• Maximum leader length: 30 feet.
• Double line + leader combined maximum: 40 feet.
• Wind-on leaders are permitted.

Rods, Teasers & Bait

• Rods: unlimited in number; maximum 50-pound class.
• Teasers: unlimited; dredges and spreader bars permitted.
• Dead bait, live bait, lures, and combinations are permitted.

Hooks & Inspection

Costa Rican law requires non-offset circle hooks for billfish bait, including Marlin and Sailfish, whenever natural bait or natural-bait/artificial-lure combinations are used.

The Tournament Committee may inspect hooks, hook sets, lines, leaders, and other tackle at any time. Refusal to permit inspection may result in immediate disqualification without refund.

6. FISHING HOURS, BOUNDARY & COMMUNICATIONS

Lines In: 7:30 a.m. | Lines Out: 3:30 p.m. The Tournament Director’s official time controls the start, release times, and end of fishing. The fishing boundary 50 nautical-mile radius from the South tip of the Jetty at Marina Pez Vela buoy (9°25’27.40″N 84°10’20.90″W).

A fish hooked before Lines Out may continue to be fought until release, provided the hookup is properly reported and required documentation is submitted by the deadline.

Radio

• Official tournament channel: 21.
• Report all Marlin releases and lost fish immediately, including angler name and species.
• During the final 15 minutes, all hookups must be reported to Tournament Control.
• After Lines Out: Channel 69 for emergencies, breakdowns, and navigation issues; Channel 19 as backup.

7. WEATHER, PROTESTS & CONDUCT

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 eligible fish are caught or released, prizes are awarded according to the applicable rules.

Protests

A protest must be submitted in writing by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident and include a $500 fee. If upheld, the fee is returned. If not upheld, it is donated to a Quepos charity. Required parties must attend the protest hearing. Decisions of the Tournament Rules and Judging Committee are final, non-appealable, and binding for tournament purposes.

Sportsmanlike Conduct

Threatening, abusive, unsportsmanlike, or otherwise inappropriate conduct may result in immediate disqualification of the entire team without refund.

8. MEDIA & PERSONAL RISK

By participating, anglers grant the tournament organizers and their affiliates the worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual right to record, reproduce, edit, publish, exhibit, and use tournament-related photos, videos, interviews, stories, and other media for promotional, marketing, editorial, and related purposes.

Tournament activities involve inherent risks, including serious injury, property damage or loss, accidents, and death. By participating, each angler acknowledges these risks and voluntarily accepts responsibility for participation, releasing and holding harmless the organizers, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A., the Rules and Judging Committee, and their representatives to the extent established in the official rules and applicable agreements.

9. PARTICIPANT CHECKLIST