25th Annual Billfish Tournament

>> View the 2008 Schedule of Events <<

25 years is more than a milestone, it’s a commitment. It’s also a standard that you’ve
come to expect. This year, it becomes a promise. A promise that you’ll enjoy more
quality and value from the family of Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournaments.

Industry representatives highly regard our Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament as one
of the most important events all year long. As one of the top three billfish tournaments
in the world, our one-of-a-kind, waterfront pavilion is loaded with national companies
in a setting that caters to private and intimate conversations and opportunity to
connect with heads of big industry.

Our fishing teams are the beneficiaries of the best billfish waters in on the east coast
during August. If you have what it takes to compete, you could be one of the lucky
who take home a piece of the more than a million dollar payout.

For 2008, there will be more fishing, more shopping, and more good times that the
entire family can enjoy.

Boat slips are extremely limited, so register today to reserve yours now.

Click here to download the registration form.

Registration:
August 11

Days of Fishing:
August 12, 13, 14, and 15

BILLFISH TOURNAMENT RULES
All tournament participants must follow all state and federal laws.
25th Annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament
(Member WBS USDC Leg, NC Governor’s Cup Series, ITOC)
Registration: August 11
Fishing: August 12 – 15

1. Registration – All teams should make every effort to pre-register for the tournament. Final registration will be held on Monday, August 12, 2008, from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Pirate’s Cove Marina, under the Events Pavilion. The Captains’ Meeting will be at 7:30 PM. All boats must be registered with the Tournament Committee and all entry fees paid to qualify for prizes and trophies. Boats running late due to weather or breakdown can register up until 8:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12. Any substitute must be registered with the Tournament Director prior to fishing and will be permissible only if original boat becomes disabled.

2. Fishing Days – There will be three out of four fishing days, August 12th-15th. Fishing hours are from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily. No lines or teasers in the water prior to 9:00 AM or after 3:00 PM. Any billfish hooked and reported to the Committee Boat prior to 3:00 PM may be played until caught or released.

3. Lay Day – A registered member of the fishing team or boat’s crew must turn in a form declaring one lay day by 9:00 AM that day at the Pirate’s Cove Marina Booking Desk.

4. Official Clock – TIME STARTS THE FIRST DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT. Official tournament time will be continuous GPS time. In case of tie, time of catch/release will be used to determine the winner. The Rules Committee may consult the Committee Boat Log to reach a decision based on fractions of a minute or sequence of catch.

5. Tackle – All-tackle I.G.F.A. rules apply unless otherwise noted. Federal law mandates that all anglers participating in a tournament which bestows points, prizes, or awards for Atlantic billfish (blue & white marlin, sailfish or spearfish) must deploy only non-offset circle hooks when using natural bait and/or natural/artificial lure combinations. Anglers in these tournaments may use J-hooks only in artificial lures.

6. Boundaries – All fish must be hooked within tournament boundaries which are: North 41350; South 40000; East 26700; fish can then be played outside boundaries until caught or released.

7. Observers – The Tournament, at their sole discretion, may assign an observer to any boat on any fishing day. Each boat is responsible for the comfort and safety of each observer assigned during his/her time aboard.

8. Releases – In order to qualify a billfish as a release the following condition must be met: the leader is touched by a team member, angler or mate. If a gaff breaks the plane of the cockpit covering boards, the team has committed to a capture and the fish will not count as a release.

9. Points System – All billfish, with the exception of Blue Marlin 400 pounds or more or measuring 110 inches or more (measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail), must be released to obtain points. Points assigned for released fish are: 70 for Blue Marlin, 70 for White Marlin, 70 for Sailfish, 70 for Spearfish. Captured Blue Marlin weighing 400 pounds to 599.9 pounds will receive ½ point per pound. Captured Blue Marlin weighing 600 pounds or more will receive 1 point per pound. No points (credits) will be given for a Blue Marlin weighing less than 400 pounds. In the event that a captured Blue Marlin does not meet one of the two minimum size requirements, a 200 point penalty will be applied to the boat’s scores for the day/week. No fish may be transferred unless the original boat breaks down. Scorecard must be transferred with the fish.

10. Scoring – The scoring table will close each day at 8:00 PM. Scorecards must be turned in DAILY by 8:00 PM in order to receive points for that day. Scorecards will be accepted after 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only if boat is fighting a fish or becomes disabled. The scorecard must show date, tags, junior or lady angler, time of catch/release and signature of Anglers, Captain and Observer (if applicable). For scores to count on Friday, August 17th, boat must pass through the Bonner Bridge by 7:00 PM. Scorecards must be turned in by 7:30 PM.

11. Reporting Catch – All billfish caught or released must be reported to a committee boat (to be announced at the Captains’ Meeting) on the VHF radio channel 74 or Side Band Radio channel 4149.0. The Committee Boat will respond with a time of catch/release. If a Committee Boat cannot be raised, then a verifiable report must be given to another tournament boat. Note boat name on scorecard.

12. Weighing Fish – Any fish weighed must be entered on the scorecard by the Tournament Weighmaster. If anyone wants to have a fish reweighed, it must be done while fish is still hanging. All fish that have been mutilated will be disqualified. Mutilation shall be defined as damage which would impair the fighting ability of the fish. The decision of the weighmaster will be final. Weigh station will close for meatfish mid-week at 8:00 PM and 7:30 PM on Friday with no exceptions.

13. Meatfish – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Wahoo, Tuna, Yellowfin and Dolphin winners will be determined by weight. If two or more entries are of the same weight, then the fish with the largest total measurements (length and girth) shall be deemed the winner. If the weight and total measurements are the same, the fish with the earliest weigh-in time will determine the winner.

14. Polygraph Testing – Crewmembers, Captain and Mate of money winning boats and individual trophy winners may be subject to polygraph testing before receiving any money and/or trophies. Polygraph test for winners will be given on Friday. (Designated place and time to be announced at Captains’ Meeting.) BY VIRTUE OF SIGNING ENTRY FORM, PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO FINAL DECISION OF POLYGRAPH TEST. Refusal to submit to the polygraph test will be automatic grounds for disqualification from the Tournament and any winnings.

15. Protests – must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director by 9:00 AM on the day following the catch of the disputed fish and by 7:30 PM on Friday. The Rules Committee at their discretion may use polygraph test to reach a decision. By virtue of signing the entry form all participants agree to the final decision of the Rules Committee.

16. Cancellation Policy – If weather and/or other conditions that exist that require that the tournament be cancelled, refunds will be paid less tournament expenses. The decision to cancel the tournament will be made by the Tournament Director.

17. Prize Money – Checks will be made payable to the entrant or authorized agent of the winning boat as designated on the official entry form. Social Security Number or Taxpayer ID must be listed on the entry form.

18. Category Registration – Boats must enter three or more of the Tournament categories; however, each boat must enter Category One. Registration forms and Category One fees must be postmarked by August 1, 2008 in order to be eligible for the “Daily First Fish Award”.

AWARDS FEES:

** $100.00 of fee is for the dock hands tip

Special Instructions for the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament

• A $2,200 deposit must accompany your entry in order to reserve a
  slip for the tournament. Slips are reserved based on the day we receive
  your entry form—first come, first served

• Teams must enter a minimum of three categories—the base entry
  (C1) plus two more.

• You must be entered in Categories 1-7 to enter Category 8.

• The base entry (C1) fee must be received by August 1st to be eligible for
  the Daily First Billfish Release Award.

• Any person who has been a captain or mate for hire on a sportfishing
  boat within the past twelve months cannot be an angler in the
  Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament.

19. Anglers – There is no limit to the number of eligible anglers per boat. All anglers must be registered with the Tournament Director, prior to each eligible day’s fishing. Any fish caught by a non-registered angler will be disqualified. No person who has been a captain or mate (for hire on a sportfish boat) or paid angler in the last 12 months can qualify as an angler.

20. Trophy Awards – The following trophies will also be presented to anglers with the most points scored under tournament rules: TOP MALE ANGLER AWARD, TOP LADY ANGLER AWARD and TOP JUNIOR ANGLER AWARD (age 15 and under).

21. Tournament Expenses – In an effort to offset tournament expenses, Pirate’s Cove will retain 20% of Categories 1 through 4, and 15% of Categories 5-7. No percentage will be retained from Category 8.

22. In no event shall any participant aggrieved by any ruling of the Rules Committee or any tournament official recover from Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournaments, its officers, directors, sponsors, owners and employees in any forum a sum exceeding his registration fee.

23. Forum Selection/Indemnification – All participants, owners of vessels, and pro hoc owners of vessels, consent and agree that the federal and state courts for Dare Country, North Carolina, shall serve as the sole venue for all litigation and disputes, including, but not limited to, Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournaments (also known as “Tournament”) rulings, property damage, personal injury, and contract disputes arising out of a person or vessel’s participation in the Tournament.

If a participant does not secure the signature of the vessel’s owner and/or pro hoc
owner for this agreement, the participant(s) agrees to indemnify the Pirate’s Cove
Big Game Tournaments against all claims brought by the owner and/or pro hob
owners of the vessel(s).

Any participant whose action causes Pirate’s Cove Big Game Tournaments, its
officers, directors, sponsors, owners and employees, to incur legal expenses, shall
indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse said persons or entities from such costs. The
rules and release shall also be binding on my heirs, executors, administrator or assigns.
BY SIGNING THE ENTRY FORM AND PAYING THE ENTRY FEE, MY TEAM AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE READ THE RULES AND RELEASE AND ARE BOUND BY THE SAME