Unofficial Rules
The Rooster Rodeo is a Fishing Tournament scheduled to take place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica on February 1st, 2025. The Rooster Rodeo is the property of and organized by, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S A, and 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 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 the registration forms at the tournament site.
The Tournament
The Rooster Rodeo is a one-day team event with top-team honors going to the team that accumulates the most Roosterfish release points during the tournament. The tournament will award cash and prizes to the team with the most video documented release points. (Minimum length 18 inches)
| General Entry (mandatory) | $500.00 |
| Release Points Jackpot (optional) | $250.00 |
| Largest Roosterfish Jackpot (optional) | $250.00 |
| Most Rooster Releases over 36” (optional) | $250.00 |
| Most Rooster Releases Over 18’ 50/50 Charity Jackpot (optional) | $250.00 |
| Total (All In) | $1,500.00 |
Entry Fee
The Team registration fee is $500.00 with the Team consisting of 1 to 5 anglers. This basic registration fee covers the participation of the registered anglers. The angler fee does not cover the daily boat charter expense. Charter boats are available for hire through the tournament office.
A final registration will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. January 31st, 2025, at MARINA PEZ VELA. All anglers and boat captains must attend the scheduled angler virtual captains meeting at 6:30 p.m. 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.
Scoring
| Rooster Release (min 18”) | 50 points each |
| Bonus Points: (over 24”) | 50 points added |
| Bonus Points: (over 36”) | 50 points added |
A rooster release is worth 50 points
If the rooster clearly measures over the 24” line on the official tournament ruler, an additional 50 points will be added, thus scoring the team a total of 100 points for that rooster release.
If the rooster clearly measures over the 36″ line on the official tournament ruler, the +24″ 50 points will be added and the +36″ 50 point bonus will be added, thus scoring the team a total of 150 points for that rooster release.
In addition, the tournament will recognize a series of additional categories and winners, including:
Junior Anglers (16 years-old or under) Award*: Top Girl and Boy Junior Anglers with the highest Roosterfish Release points will receive a recognition award.
Lady Angler Award*: Top Lady Angler with the highest Roosterfish Release points will receive a recognition award.
Most documented Rooster releases over 18 inches: will receive a recognition award
Tagging Award
A recognition award will be provided to the team that correctly tags the largest Rooster Fish during the tournament for Gray Fish tag Research.
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 five registered anglers per boat in this tournament; however, if an angler drops out prior to the fishing day, a substitute angler can be signed on with the team if he/she registers before the start of the 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. All participants must exercise good and courteous sportsmanship whether at the dock, under way or fishing.
Schedule of Events
Event location and weigh in: MARINA PEZ VELA QUEPOS
January 31st, 2025
- 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Final registration
- 6:30 – Virtual/live Captain’s meeting (information will be provide at registration)
February 1st, 2025
- 5:30 a.m. (Fishing day): registration desk open for check out
- 6:00 a.m. Boats may leave the Marina (make sure you check out with Tournament desk)
- 6:00 a.m. lines in.
- 3:00 p.m. lines out
- Video Check in from 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- ALL TEAMS must be checked in by 6:00 pm.
- 6:30 p.m. Awards
Unofficial Rules (IGFA Modified)
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 Captains meeting. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament.
IGFA rules and tackle apply in this tournament unless otherwise stated. It is the responsibility of each registered angler and crew member to know, understand and abide by IGFA and tournament rules during this competition. Any angler, captain or mate who breaks any IGFA or tournament rule will be deemed ineligible for any prize, award, honor, or recognition and may be immediately expelled and disqualified from this and future tournaments without a refund of any jackpot or registration fees.
- HOOK N HAND rule applies. Any team member may hook a fish and pass to another angler. The Captain & Mates may hook a fish but must pass the rod to a registered angler for boating!
- 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.
Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S A will appoint the Tournament Rules Committee. The rules committee is appointed to apply rules, assign or take away points, and indicate the winners of the tournament without recourse. All anglers commit to accept and abide by the results indicated to the administration of the Roosterfish Rodeo by the Tournament Rules Committee. The tournament committee reserves the privilege of changing the rules, start, and finishing times for any reason it deems necessary. All decisions of the Rules Committee are final and non-appealable.
Line
All fishing line will be allowed except for wire line. Wire leader is not allowed in the tournament.
Leader
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) tot
Rods
Unlimited in use or numbers max 50 pound
Teasers
Unlimited in use or numbers.
Baits
Dead bait, live bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament.
Hooks
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 6:00 a.m. “lines in” and end at 3:00 p.m. “lines out” on February 1st, 2025. The tournament director’s time will act as the official time for the start and end of fishing time each day.
Release & Video check In
Teams must provide valid video of the angler fighting the fish AND the measurement and release of each Roosterfish (Photos ARE NOT acceptable). Measurements must be made with the official Rooster Rodeo Ruler provided the morning of the tournament at checkout. Video must also have the correct time and date. Make sure your cameras are formatted correctly prior to lines in.
- In the event of a tie, the team that releases earliest wins.
- All winners may be asked to take and pass a polygraph examination.
Radio/Communications
No Tournament radio, contact Marina Pez Vela, Channel 69 for any emergency situations.
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 on February 1st must be in the hands of the tournament’s designated rules official by 6 p.m. 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 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 Rooster Rodeo Tournament, and Corporation Marina Pez Vela Quepos, 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 fee.
Publicity Release
Hereinafter, Roosterfish Rodeo 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, 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 Roosterfish Rodeo, as well as the Company Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A. and its representatives, as well as the Rules and Judging Committee, 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 Roosterfish Rodeo, Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A. and its representatives, administrators and organizers, and Marina Pez Vela Quepos, S.A., from any damages, costs, expenses or liabilities regarding the tournament activities on which I participate knowing of all of the risks.
