2017 Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Tournament Rules

1. Rules Acceptance

It is the sole responsibility of the participating anglers, captains, crews and guests (“Participants”) to know and abide by the Tournament Rules as published and as amended during the Captain’s Meeting. Participants agree to accept all Tournament Rules and accept that decisions made by the Rules Committee are final.

2. Nature of Tournament

The Bisbee’s Tournaments are fishing competitions. Participants enter at their own risk, and understand the possibility exists that there may be no winners if no qualifying fish are caught.

3. Tournament Start

The official start of each fishing day is a “Shotgun Start” where boats line up and wait for the firing of the start flare. Boats must be behind the start line 15 minutes prior to the Shotgun Start. Any boat not clearly behind the start line at this time is disqualified from the day’s fishing. Boats disqualified for this violation a second time are disqualified from the entire event, and the team forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money. The start line is defined at the Captain’s Meeting.

4. Bait Fishing Prior to Tournament Start

Teams may attempt to catch or purchase bait until 15 minutes prior to the official start time. At this time, all fishing lines and teasers must be removed from the water and nothing may be transferred between boats.

5. Fishing Days and Times

• East Cape Offshore - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 7:00am–4:00pm
• Los Cabos Offshore - Friday, Saturday 8:00am–5:00pm
• Black & Blue - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00am–5:00pm

A fish hooked prior to end of fishing may be fought until boated, released or lost provided the team arrives at the weigh station prior to its closing for the day if they have a fish to weigh or release to report. The Rules Committee reserves the privilege of changing starting and ending fishing times to coincide with weather, tides, and improved probability of better fishing conditions.

6. Extending Fishing Time

Fishing time will not be extended during the tournament unless all teams are included and no qualifying fish have been caught.

7. Weather and “Complete Tournament”

The Rules Committee may cancel any tournament fishing day if, in their best judgment, unsafe conditions exist at sea. Resumption of fishing is announced by 6:00am the following morning on the tournament’s VHF radio channel. A resumption of fishing announcement by the Rules Committee does not ensure the safety of any participant. Whether or not to fish must be based solely on the team’s own judgment taking into consideration the prevailing conditions, the seaworthiness of their vessel, and the crew’s seamanship skills. All attempts will be made to fish as many days as possible, but as little as one day of fishing or any part thereof constitutes a complete tournament.

Black & Blue and East Cape Offshore: If a scheduled day of fishing must be canceled, Saturday automatically becomes a fishing day.
Los Cabos Offshore: Due to the scheduling between the Los Cabos Offshore and the Black & Blue, if a scheduled day of fishing must be canceled the other day will become the only fishing day.

8. Cancellation of Entire Tournament

In the event a tournament must be canceled prior to any portion of the scheduled fishing days, the portion of Entry Fees and Optional Jackpot monies that were allocated for cash awards are refunded by check within four weeks to the Team Contact—one check per team. Teams may choose to roll their refund to the following year’s event.

9. No Qualifying Fish Caught

In the event no qualifying fish are caught during the tournament the portion of the optional Daily Jackpot monies that were allocated for cash awards are refunded by check within four weeks to the Team Contact—one check per team. There is no refund of Base Entry Fees. Teams may choose to roll their refund to any of the following year’s events.

10. Hand-Offs Between Vessels

Between the tournament’s fishing hours, no vessel entered in the tournament may be involved in the handing off or receiving of anything from another vessel whether that vessel is entered in the tournament or not, or any other entity of any sort including bait receivers. The Rules Committee may choose to grant special permission in advance to waive this rule if someone’s personal safety or health is at risk.

11. Boundaries and Grid Maps

East Cape Offshore
50 mile radius from host resort.

Black & Blue and Los Cabos
40 mile radius from Cabo San Lucas.

Teams are required to fish within the boundaries laid out by the Tournament’s Grid Map, and to call in the grid location of every hook-up.

12. Communications and Tournament Standings

The VHF radio channels, backup channels and telephone numbers used to contact Radio Control and Tournament Officials are provided during the Captain’s Meeting and in the Team’s information envelope handed out during Registration. Tournament standings are broadcast every morning over the radio, and fish weights are announced as fish are weighed.

13. Eligible Species & Points

14. Penalty Points & Disqualification

Black or blue marlin weighing less than 300 lbs. are not eligible for cash awards. Black or blue marlin weighing less than 300 lbs. are awarded zero points and additionally penalized 25 points plus two points for every pound under 300.

EXAMPLE: A 290 lb. blue marlin would be awarded 0 points and be penalized 25 points plus 20 points (2pts. x 10lbs.), making the total points for the fish -45. The negative points are deducted from the team’s overall weight points. East Cape and Los Cabos: Tuna weighing less than 40 lbs. and Dorado weighing less than 30 lbs. are disqualified.

15. Official Billfish Release

A billfish is considered officially released when the leader connection is wound to the tip of the rod, or the mate or other crew member touches the leader. If you are releasing the billfish, do not remove it from the water.

16. Reporting Catch to Radio Control and Official Time

When a fish is hooked, captains must report to Radio Control the Boat Name, Angler Name, Grid Area and Species. The boat captain must again report to Radio Control when the billfish is lost, released or boated. In addition, billfish still being fought at lines out must be reported to Radio Control. Times are recorded to the whole minute. The time recorded by Radio Control is the official time. Any team member intentionally reporting wrongful information to Radio Control for the purpose of altering tournament standings or results is disqualified from the event, and forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money.

17. Recording Billfish on Scorecards

Scorecards are compared to radio logs for verification. Scorecards must be filled in legibly and completely, and signed by the Captain indicating they agree to the information as recorded. Instructions are also printed on the scorecard. All billfish released or boated must be recorded on the Billfish Scorecard (you do not need to record gamefish on the scorecard). You must use a separate scorecard for each day (see Rule #19). Any team intentionally recording wrongful information on the scorecards for the purpose of altering tournament standings or results is disqualified from the event, and forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money.

18. Billfish Release Photo Verification

Teams must verify their catch by taking DIGITAL PHOTOS of billfish as they are released. The photos must show the billfish next to the boat, and identify the billfish species. If the species cannot be positively identified no points are awarded. Teams are expected to provide their own digital cameras and make sure the date and time on the camera is correct.

1. Radio Control will announce the Verification Object at the beginning of each fishing day. A picture of the object must be taken before any billfish photos are taken for the day. If the verification object is missing from the camera any billfish released on that day are disqualified.
2. A “separator” photo must be taken in between each billfish. All you need to do is a finger count. For example, after releasing your first fish hold up 1 finger. After releasing your second fish hold up 2 fingers.
3. Cameras must be handed in at the Weigh Station where the digital media is removed from the camera and downloaded onto the tournament’s laptop computer, then returned. You have two choices as to when to turn in your photos: 1. You may turn in your photos day by day at the Weigh Station or 2. You may wait until the last day and only turn in your photos if you feel you are in the running (unofficial release standings are announced each morning).
4. Release photos are reviewed at Tournament Headquarters. Judging does not take place at the weigh station.
5. Any release photos posted on the website are for entertainment purposes only, and not all release photos are posted.

19. When & Where to Turn in Scorecards

Scorecards must be turned in at the Weigh Station before it closes for the day on the same day the fish was caught. A new scorecard is given to you for the next day. If you did not catch a billfish you do not have to turn in a scorecard.

20. Weigh-In Procedures

Upon the weigh station opening each fishing day at 3:00 pm, fish will be weighed in the order of boat arrival to the weigh station unloading dock. Should more than one boat be at the weigh station prior to opening, the fish will be weighed in the order of their official catch time per the radio control log from the earliest catch to most recent. All fish must be weighed at the tournament’s official weigh station. Weigh station officials will continue to weigh fish for all boats that arrive prior to the following deadlines:

East Cape Offshore: Must be in front of the weigh station by 7:00pm all three days.
Los Cabos Offshore: Must be inside of the harbor jetties by 9:00pm.
Black & Blue: Must be inside of the harbor jetties by 9:00pm all three days*.
* As verified by a tournament observer at the jetties.

1. ANY marlin brought onboard a boat must be weighed. A fish is considered “onboard” when more than 50% of the fish is inside the boat.
2. Weighed fish become the property of the tournament.
3. A team intentionally mutilating a fish for the purpose of altering tournament standings or results is disqualified from the event and forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money.
4. Fish must be brought to the scales on the boat on which they were caught.
5. Fish to be weighed must be presented to the weigh station on the same day they are caught.
6. The angler must remain with the fish throughout the weigh-in.
7. Before leaving the scales, the angler must verify weight information, sign the Weigh-In form and provide a telephone number where they can be reached.
8. The rod, reel, line, leader, lure and hook(s) must accompany each fish to be weighed and presented to the Weighmaster.
9. Any fish brought to the weigh station may have its mouth sealed closed. However, once the Weighmaster has raised the fish on the scales the angler is asked to remove whatever is sealing the mouth closed and clip any external leader material to the outer edge of the fish’s mouth. Except for artificial lures, nothing will be pulled from inside the fish. Whatever may fall from the fish due to gravity remains out when determining the fish’s weight.

21. Breaking Ties

Ties between the weights of two or more fish are broken by the time the fish was weighed. Ties between release points are broken by the time of release as recorded on the radio logs. Times are recorded to the whole minute.

22. Polygraph Examination

One person from each team that is receiving a cash award must complete a polygraph examination. This person must have been directly involved with either the release or the capture of the fish (angler, captain or wireman). The final selection of the person to receive the examination is made by Tournament Officials. Examinees must be sober at the time of the examination. Failure to comply, or failing the examination, results in disqualification of the entire team and the team forfeits any and all entry money, prizes or prize money.

23. Release of All Claims

This section must be carefully read by each Participant.
In consideration for being accepted by the Tournament Organizers/Rules Committee for participation in Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Tournament or Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Charity Tournament (“the Tournament”), the Participants hereby release, forever discharge, and agree to hold harmless the Tournament, Tournament Promotions, Inc., DAGTech Solutions, Inc., and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, partners, members, and/or attorneys (collectively the “Releasees”) for any and all losses, claims, or demands of any kind or character whatsoever arising from the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees or from any other cause connected with or occurring during the Tournament. The Participants expressly acknowledge that he/she has received, reviewed, and agrees to abide by the Tournament Rules and this Release. Furthermore, the Participants expressly acknowledge that activities relating to deep sea fishing are extremely dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. Having so acknowledged, the Participants hereby assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury or death due to the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees or any other cause connected with or occurring during the Tournament.

24. Disputes/Protests

All disputes, protests, claims, differences or controversies relating to any aspect of the Tournament, including, without limitation, Tournament Rules, must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Organizers/ Rules Committee no later than twelve (12) hours following the official closing of the Tournament Weigh Station on the day the supposed infraction occurred or are deemed waived. All such disputes shall be decided by the Tournament Organizers/ Rules Committee and shall be final and binding upon all parties.

25. Binding Arbitration

In the event the Tournament Organizers/ Rules Committee cannot render or refuses to render a final and binding decision with respect to any dispute, claim, difference, or controversy under review, the matter shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision rendered in arbitration shall be in writing and shall be final and binding upon all parties. The parties shall have no further recourse, except as provided for by the commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Once the decision is rendered, it will produce the effect of “res judicata” and the parties shall fully comply with the decision without delay. The Participants specifically waive any right to a trial by judge or jury.

26. Participation

The Participants specifically agree and consent to the use of any photograph, motion picture, or audio recording in which they appear or are heard, by the Tournament, Tournament Promotions, Inc. or Tournament Control, Inc. for any purpose whatsoever including, but not limited to, resale, advertising, and promotional material without compensation or restriction of any kind.