TOURNAMENT RULES

1. All boats must depart from Nantucket unless the committee is notified prior to the start of the tournament. This is not an IGFA tournament; it is a group of boats and friends wishing to have a good time in Nantucket with some friendly competition. Please make note that there are two sides to the scoresheet. Both sides must be filled out in order for your points to count.

2. Friday: Lines cannot be in the water any earlier than 5:00 AM and the lines must be out of the water by 5:00 PM. All boats returning to Nantucket must turn in their score sheets by 7:00 PM to the score table at the John Jay Wharf Cottage with required time stamped videos. Nite Bite goes from 5PM to 4:59AM

3. All boats staying out overnight Friday must have their scores called in by 7:00 PM via satellite phone or relayed by another boat. Please call in with the numbers provided on the bottom of your score sheets. Your score sheets will be time stamped. Required videos for boats staying out Friday night will be reviewed Saturday night. Please itemize each species totals on your call in.

4. Saturday: Lines cannot be in the water any earlier than 5:00 AM and lines must be out of the water by 3:00 PM. All boats must turn in their score sheets by 6:00 PM at John Jay Wharf Cottage with required time stamped videos. If the boat does not turn in both sides of their score sheet by this time, all points are disqualified for that day. Score Sheets and Videos must be hand delivered to the Score Committee at the John Jay Wharf Cottage by 6:00pm. Tournament does not allow for final scores to be called in. Scores are not final until they’ve been reviewed by the Score Keeper.

5. Any fish hooked prior to the lines out deadline may be played until boated or released, provided that said fish is reported hooked to another participating vessel before the lines out deadline. Both sides of the score sheets must be reported Day 1 by 7:00 PM and Day 2 by 6:00 PM. Score sheet must include times of each fish caught. In case of a tie at the end of the two (2) days of fishing, the boat that catches the most points first will be determined the winner.

6. All fish are the boats’ property and each boat is responsible for disposing of their own fish. All fish must be dressed on the vessel it was caught. This rule is imposed to ensure the Big Game Battle maintains a positive status with the Boat Basin. A $200 fine will be imposed on a boat for discarding fish carcasses in the Nantucket Boat Basin and is strictly enforced by their staff.

7. For release purposes, a fish will be considered caught when the mate touches the leader or the leader touches the tip of the rod. Must have video to verify.

8. In the case of a tie between boats, the boat catching most points first will be determine the winner.

9. The Tournament will monitor Channel 72. All boats should stay in communication with other boats during fishing hours for safety and fishing updates.

10. Maximum of seven (7) lines in the water at any time.

11. Leaders are to be no longer than 30 feet in total. This 30 foot shall include any double line, wind-on, or any other type of leader. Spreader bars will be allowed in the BGB, but must only contain one hook. Double hooks and J hooks are allowed.

12. There is NO weather committee. The decision to fish is left solely to participants who do so at their OWN RISK. No boat changes are allowed unless approved by the committee.

13. Each boat captain must fill out both sides, sign, and submit a daily catch report.

14. Every vessel must have a digital video of all Billfish or any other species released, including but not limited to Giant Bluefin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, and Yellowfin Tuna. These time stamped videos will be reviewed at the Basin along with the submitted daily catch report.

15. Videos must be clear to distinguish Billfish species for the committee to review. If a Blue Marlin video is not clear, it will count as a White Marlin for points.

16. Both sides of the score sheets must be turned into John Jay Wharf Cottage where scores will be posted.

17. The use of electric reels and greenstick are prohibited.

18. This is an invitational (friends of friends) tournament. The committee retains the right to invite participant’s back the following year. Please be responsible and courteous at all times; otherwise, you will not be invited to participate in the future.

19. All vessels must follow all Federal and Local regulations, including necessary permits.

20. No liabilities will be assumed by any other vessel or party participating in the tournament. Please proceed at your own risk and carry your own insurance.

21. The Big Game Battle Invitational Tournament promotes the conservation of all species of fish and the release of billfish. Use your best judgement and follow the NMFS rules and regulations.

22. Spreaders and harpoons are allowed.

23. In the case of a tie between boats, the boat catching most points first will be determine the winner.

24. Division 1 boats are 40 feet and larger, Division 2 boats are 39 feet and smaller.

25. There are NO fishing boundaries.

26. There will be different color score sheets for Day 1, Nite Bite and Day 2 in your score book, colors coincide with your catch flags for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish and Giant Bluefin Tuna. Catch Flags need to be visible in the video of the fish release to get credited points for that catch.

POINT SYSTEM

BLUEFIN (greater than 73”)
200 Points
Limit 3 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit
Video Mandatory with Catch Flag

BLUEFIN (less than 73”)
100 Points
Limit 3 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

YELLOWFIN TUNA
100 Points
Limit 6 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

BIG EYE TUNA
250 Points
Limit 3 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

ALBACORE TUNA
100 Points
Limit 6 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

BLUE MARLIN
600 Points
No Limit on fish per day for points
Video Mandatory with Catch Flag

WHITE MARLIN
150 Points
Limit 4 fish per day for points
Video Mandatory with Catch Flag

SAILFISH
200 Points
Limit 3 fish per day for points
Video Mandatory with Catch Flag

SWORDFISH
600 Points
Limit 1 fish per day for points, 1 fish per night
Video Mandatory with Catch Flag

MAKO SHARK
150 Points
Limit 1 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

MAHI
10 Points
Limit 10 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

WAHOO
200 Points
Limit 3 fish per day for points - Refer to NMFS for bag limit

Overall winning score will be the combined total of the two days fishing, Nite Bite is NOT included in the overall point of the tournament. Under no circumstance may a vessel exceed the daily bag limit and minimum size of a species as set forth by Federal regulations. Eac vessel is solely responsible for acquiring the necessary permits and adhering to all regulations. All times of fish caught must be recorded on daily catch sheet.