Unofficial Rules 2023
Summer Shootout Tournament
The Summer Shootout is a Fishing Tournament scheduled to take place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica on July 1, 2023. The Summer Shootout 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. 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 Summer Shootout is a 1 (one) day team event with top-team honors going to the team that accumulates the most species points (see below) during the tournament. Prizes pay down to Third Place. The tournament will award cash, and prizes to the team(s) with the most species points.
| Team Entry Fee (Mandatory) | $300.00 |
| Most Species Points Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Heaviest Dorado Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Heaviest Grouper Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Heaviest Weighed Fish Jackpot (Optional) *Eligible Species | $100.00 |
| Heaviest Bonito Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Most Snapper Species Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Most Grouper Species Jackpot (Optional) | $100.00 |
| Total (All In) | $1,000.00 |
* Eligible Species: Dorado, Tuna, Grouper, & Wahoo
Entry Fee
The Team registration fee is $300.00 with the Team consisting of 1 to 5 anglers. This basic registration fee covers the participation of the 5 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., June 30th, 2023, 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 meeting. 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.
Species List – 1 pt. each
- Amber Jack / Ojarán
- Barracuda / Barracuda
- Jack / Jurel
- Sea Bass / Corvina
- Mahi Mahi / Dorado
- Grouper / Cabrilla
- Mackerel/ Macarela
- Marlin / Marlin (*tie breaker species)
- Needlefish / Pez Aguja
- Rainbow Runner / Pez Arcoíris
- Rooster / Pez Gallo
- Sailfish / Pez Vela
- Bonito / Bonito
- Snapper / Pargo
- Snook / Róbalo
- Tripletail / Tres Colas
- Wahoo / Wahoo (*tie breaker species)
- Pompano / Pompano
- Bluefin Trevally / Aleta Azul Trevally
- Yellowfin Tuna / Atún Aleta Amarilla
- Mackerel Tuna / Atun Macarela
- Tile Fish / Cornejo
- Pacific Bearded Brotula / Congrio
- Big Eye Jack / Big Eye Jack
- Tarpon / Sábalo
MAXIMUM SPECIES POINTS AVAILABLE: 25
Most Snapper Species and Most Grouper Species Jackpot
Teams participating in this optional jackpot will attempt to fish and photograph the most species of Snapper and/or Grouper during the tournament. And the winning jackpot team will be the team with the most Snapper or Grouper species. Important to note that for the tournament prize, any Snapper or any Grouper is 1 pt. Teams will not receive multiple tournament points for different species of Snapper and/or Grouper, but for the Most Snapper Species Jackpot scoring and the Most Grouper Species Jackpot scoring each varied species of Snapper and/or Grouper will count for 1pt.
Tie Breakers
In case of a tie in total species points, the tied team with a Marlin and/or a Wahoo species points will win the tournament and jackpot (if they opted into the jackpot). If both teams have matching tie breaker species points (Marlin and/or Wahoo combined) or neither team has a Marlin or Wahoo species point, the tournament and jackpot money will be divided evenly among the tied teams.
In case of a tie in the Heaviest Dorado, Heaviest Grouper, Heaviest Weighed Fish and Heaviest Bonito jackpot, the team that weighs earlier will win the jackpot.
*if no eligible fish are weighed for a particular Jackpot category, that jackpot money will roll to the Most Species Points Jackpot.
In case of a tie in the Most Snapper Species Jackpot and/or Most Grouper Species Jackpot, the teams will split the Jackpot winnings evenly.
*if no eligible Snapper or Grouper are caught and photographed, than that particular jackpot money will roll to the Most Species Points Jackpot.
Angler, Crew and Boat Requirements
Without exception, each boat must have on board one designated boat captain and at least one designated mate/Angler. 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, 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
June 30th, 2023
- 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Final registration. If assistance is required contact WhatsApp 2774-9006 for an appointment time.
- 7:00 – Captain’s/Rules meeting (Questions: WhatsApp 2774-9006)
July 1st, 2023 (All Boat Entries must depart from Marina Pez Vela)
- 4:45 a.m. (Fishing day): registration desk open for checking out.
- 5:00 a.m. Boats may leave Marina Pez Vela (Please check out before leaving)
- 5:00 a.m. lines in.
- 4:00 p.m. lines out
- Weigh station open from 2:00 – 6:00 pm
- ALL TEAMSmust be checked in by 6:00 pm.
- 7:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
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/or announced at the registration check-in and Captain’s meeting. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament.
IGFA modified 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 HANDrule 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 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 Summer Shootout 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.
Photographs/Video
Point Scoring
All teams must provide their own camera to photo or video a fish species. The photo or video must show the species and unique scorecard together and have the correct date and time stamp. (the team’s unique scorecard must be picked up by the team the morning of the tournament during checkout) To score an official species point, the fish must be at the leader, identifiable, showing the unique scorecard and have a verifiable photo or video with time and date stamp.
Scoring is a maximum of 1 point per species. Multiple catches of the same species do not score a team additional points, however they may be weighed if an eligible species for the optional heaviest weighed fish jackpot.
Each registered angler and boat captain must then sign their team’s scoresheet. At the end of the day’s fishing (and by no later than 6:00 pm) the signed scoresheet, photos and videos must be brought to check-in for verification of official species points.
Line
All fishing line will be allowed, including wire line.
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. 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) “J’ hooks may be used on bait less lures, and baits not intended for billfish, but we recommend non offset circle hooks that have proven to work better than J hooks even when bait fishing for tunas, dorados, snappers, and groupers. IGFA Rules (Modified) & 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 5:00 a.m. “lines in” and end at 4:00 p.m. “lines out” on July 1st, 2023. The tournament director’s time will act as the official time for the start and end of fishing time each day.
Weigh-In Jackpot Entries Only
Teams must choose the 4 heaviest fish to be weighed and brought to the weigh station.
The weigh station will be in Marina Pez Vela, open from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 pm July 1st. A team member is to present the weighing team’s (4) heaviest fish. The single heaviest fish will count towards jackpot and/or awards. The four eligible weighable species are Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Grouper, and Wahoo.
Minimum weight 10 pounds and officially weighed in at dock weigh station to 0.10 decimal point.
- In the event of a tie, the team that weighs earliest wins.
- All winners may be asked to take and pass a polygraph examination.
*This does not include Bonitos, each team participating in the Bonito Jackpot may weigh two Bonitos with no minimum weight. The Bonito Jackpot is independent of the team’s 4 heaviest fish.
Radio/Communications
Any radio communications required please contact Marina Pez Vela on channel 69. Tournament team will be available if assistance is required. There will be no radio for hook ups or releases.
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 June 18 must be in the hands of the tournament’s designated rules official by 7:00 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 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 Summer Shootout, 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 maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor at all times 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, The Summer Shootout and Marina Pez Vela, 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 Summer Shootout, as well as the Company Marina Pez Vela, 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 Summer Shootout, 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.
