General Rules

General Rules

1) Tournament rules are outlined herein as a guideline. Entrants should obtain and read a copy of the "Official Tournament Rules" which will be distributed at the Captains' Meeting on , July 16, 2008. When an item is not specifically addressed in the "Official Tournament Rules," IGFA rules apply.

2) Prior to June 15, 2008, the boat entry fee is $1500 and provides for two anglers and two social privileges. Late entry fee is $1,800. Additional social privileges are available at a cost of $150.

3) There is no maximum number of anglers per boat, but additional anglers pay $200 a piece to fish which includes their social privileges. Substitutions may be made, but must be called in to the committee boat before lines in the water of each day's fishing.

4) In the case of a tie, winners will be determined by the rules committee based on time.

5) Boats participating in the Marlin Division which intend to tag billfish should provide their own tag sticks and tags.

Marlin Division
A boat entry fee of $1500 allows two anglers to compete for $40,000 in cash to be awarded to the boats with the most points for blue marlin, white marlin, and spearfish ($25,000 1st prize, $10,000 2nd prize, $5,000 3rd prize.

1) All blue marlin, white marlin, or spearfish caught and released must conform to IGFA rules and must be fought on specified line class. To qualify as a catch and release, the leader must touch the rod tip or be touched by the captain or mate.

2) Several photos of the fish should be taken during the fight and at the time of the release.

3) Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Spearfish score 400 points for a release on any line class up to a maximum of 130# test.

4) One fun fish (sailfish, dolphin, tuna, or wahoo) per boat, per day can be scored. Released sailfish will score 50 points (no points for killed sailfish). Dolphin, tuna and wahoo will be scored at 1 point per pound with a minimum weight of 15lbs.

5) The cash prizes will be awarded to the top three boats scoring the most points.

6) In addition to the cash prizes for the top three boats in the Marlin Division, there will be a guaranteed prize of $100,000 for the heaviest marlin weighed in at over 784lbs. To be eligible, the angler must be registered at the start of the tournament. An alternate does not qualify. Also, the fish must be brought by boat to the official tournament weigh station.

7) Zero (0) points will be awarded for killed blue & white marlin, and spearfish weighing less than 600lbs.

8) In the case of a tie, the prize will be awarded by time.

Fun Fish Division
Boats entered in the Marlin Division of the Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament may pay an additional $300 entry fee to compete for total of $10,000 in cash to be awarded in the Fun Fish Division. Cash awards will be presented for the 6 largest dolphin, 3 largest tuna (yellowfin, blackfin, and skipjack), and 3 largest wahoo.

1) Minimum weight for dolphin, tuna and wahoo is 15lbs.

2) Maximum line test is 130#.

3) All fish qualifying for cash or prizes must be reported to the Committee Boat. Boats wishing to weigh in dolphin, tuna, or Wahoo should notify the committee boat after lines out of the water is announced” should be changed to “Boats wishing to weigh-in dolphin, tuna or Wahoo should notify the Committee Boat of their catch. Fish may then be transported by vehicle or boat to the official tournament weigh station. All dolphin, tuna and wahoo must be weighed at the Conch Republic Seafood Company in the Historic Seaport within two and one-half (2 1/2) hour after the Committee Boat calls for ‘Lines out of the water.’

4) First prize for dolphin is $5,000. First prize for tuna and wahoo is $750 a piece.

5) In addition to the prizes for the top 6 dolphin in the Fun Fish Division, there will be a guaranteed prize of $100,000 for the heaviest dolphin weighed in at over 64lbs. To be eligible, the angler must be registered at the start of the tournament. An alternate does not qualify. Also, the fish must be brought by boat to the official tournament weigh station.

6) In the case of a tie, the prize will be awarded by time.

Questions should be addressed to:

Scott Greene, Tournament Director
P.O. Box 5590 Key West, FL 33045
Phone: (305) 292-2710
Scott.Greene@Keywestmarlin.com