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Viking Yachts Key West Challenge

Viking Yachts Key West Challenge

April 6 - April 10, 2022

Tournament Rules

  1. Official Rules

  2. Mandatory Captain’s Meeting April , 2022 at Dante’s Tiki Bar at 6pm.
  3. Fishing days, April 7 and April 9 2022. Lay day is April 8. No weather day.
  4. Fishing hours are 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. You may clear the sea buoy anytime after 6:30 AM. Geographical boundary limits: Eastern boundary W 81.20 (Big Pine Key); Western boundary W 82.20 (35 miles SSW Key West)
  5. IGFA rules apply with the following exception: rod hand-offs permitted.
  6. Non-offset circle hooks must be used for billfish. All billfish must be released unharmed.
  7. There is no weather committee. Fishing is up to the decision of the captains who assume all liability for their decision.
  8. Live and dead bait may be used. No live bait chumming. No live bait teasers.
  9. No more than two kites are permitted to be used with live bait; two artificial teasers may be used with live bait; no more than two dredges, and two teasers for trolling.
  10. Only six rods are permitted in the water at any one time. This includes pitch bait rods.
  11. Electric reels are permitted for swordfish and bottom fish categories
  12. Anglers may only score points (team and angler) on the boat he/she is registered.
  13. There are no restrictions on line tests.
  14. All catch reports must be submitted by 5:30pm each day with boat name clearly printed.

  15. Fishing Regulations

  16. All anglers must comply with state and federal boating and fishing regulations with appropriate licenses and necessary documentation. All fish weighed must meet state and local minimums: Dolphin 20”, Kingfish 24”, Swordfish 47" and Cobia 33”. To learn more about Florida fishing regulations go to myfwc.com/license. All boats fishing in the tournament are required to carry liability insurance.
  17. A release will be official when the mate touches the leader, or the leader reaches the inside of the rod tip. Honor system in effect.
  18. All billfish releases must be called in over the VHF radio channel 78 (80 backup) with boat and angler’s name. Once verbally acknowledged by the radio committee the time of release will be noted. In case of a tie, earliest release prevails.
  19. Any boat that hooks up between 3:20 and 3:29 pm MUST alert the radio committee and then confirm its release or break off time.
  20. In case of radio malfunction, please call in releases to 609-703-1371

  21. Awards

  22. Team Awards
  23. Grand Champion Award – Most Points Boat, Winner Take All
    Overall Releases & Meat
  24. First, Second, Third Places in all Categories
  25. Sailfish, Billfish, Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo
  26. Angler Awards
  27. Grand Champion Award – Most Points Angler, Winner Take All
    Overall Releases & Meat
  28. First, Second, Third Places in all Categories
  29. Sailfish, Billfish, Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo
  30. First Place Swordfish
  31. First Place Bottom Fish
  32. Top Female Angler
  33. Overall Releases & Meat
  34. Top Junior Angler
  35. 15 and under
  36. Overall Releases & Meat
  37. Point Scores
  38. Sailfish live bait 100; Sailfish dead bait 200; White Marlin 200; Blue Marlin 300
  39. Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo, Swordfish, Bottom fish 1 point per pound
  40. Anglers can qualify one fish of each species per day
  41. Weigh in location is at Conch Harbor.
  42. Scales open at 3 pm and close at 5:30 pm

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