OCMC/CMMTC Challenge Cup – September 7^th, 2023 – September 9^th, 2023 – Entry Fee $500

·         The Schedule for this tournament is as follows, no lines may be in the water prior to the start of fishing:

1.     Tournament is a Captains Choice fish 2 of 3 days September 8, 9, or 10^th.  There is no weather Committee.  If one boat fishes one day the tournament is official.  There will be no makeup date.

2.     Boats must leave from and return to Ocean City, Maryland Inlet on all fishing days.

3.     Only exception to this rule is the first fishing day for a Cape May Boat; that boat may leave Cape May Inlet and proceed directly to the fishing grounds but must fish out of Ocean City Inlet for the remainder of the tournament days.

a.     You may leave the dock any hour you wish, but all fishing must be within 100 miles from Ocean City, Maryland Sea Buoy. 

4.     All three fishing days.  Lines in 8:30 am Lines out 3:30 pm.

5.     Lay day must be declared at 410-213-1613 by lines in, 8:30am, the day you are not fishing. You may also declare your lay day at the OCMC registration/captains meeting.

6.     Omni Sonar or similar device may not be deployed in any manner until lines in each day.

7.     All IGFA Rules: Apply to tackle of angler’s choice. No live bait. The use of non-offset circle hooks is mandatory in natural and bait/lure combinations during this tournament. No green sticks. Intentional use of live bait or live bait teasers is not allowed.

8.     THIS IS STRICTLY A RELEASE TOURNAMENT. There are no weigh-ins for this tournament. A Fish Will Be Considered Released when swivel touches the rod tip or the mate touches leader.

9.     You must call in all released billfish, including the boat name, species and time of release on the tournament channel 72.

10.   Boats entered in the Challenge Cup may “Fun Fish” on their lay day.   Boats “Fun Fishing” are prohibited from scouting, assisting, or communicating any fishing related information with boats fishing in the Challenge Cup directly or indirectly. 

11.   After a CMMTC boat has completed their two fishing days they may choose to leave Ocean City or fish a third day as a fun day. 

12.   We encourage all boats and anglers to participate in the Spaghetti Dinner (Thursday, September 8, 6:30-9:00 p.m.) and Award Dinner (Saturday, September 10, 6:30-9:00 p.m.) at OCMC.  Friday night there is no dinner, crews are free to explore Ocean City and enjoy themselves. OCMC will allow CMMTC members and crews to patronize the OCMC Club.

13.   All Boats are expected to be good Ambassadors of their clubs and ensure that your crew and guests represent the clubs appropriately.  Be courteous and respectful to the Sunset Marina staff, OCMC/CMMTC members and the public in general.

14.   Catch Reports must be turned in on the fish day at the OCMC Office between 6 pm and 8 pm in person. Catch reports will include time of each catch and boat number. No Catch Report will be accepted by the scoring committee after 8:00 p.m. on that day.

15.   Scoring: The scores of the top six boats of each team will be compiled to provide the overall club score. Release only, No boated billfish. 75 points—White Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish; 150 points—Blue Marlin, Swordfish

16.   CMMTC fishing boats are asked to check in at arrival, pay for electric and purchase fuel at Sunset or whatever marina dockage is provided. 

17.   Each Club may field an unlimited number of boats for its respective team. Each boat must be a member of the club it represents or be subject to disqualification. Captains and mates are eligible for prizes and may be anglers.

18.   All Cape May Boats must be owned by a Member in Good standing of the CMMTC and have fished a minimum of 2 CMMTC tournaments in 2022.

19.   All OCMC boats must be a member in good standing of the OCMC.

20.   For additional rules See Challenge Cup under Ocean City Marlin Club website Tournament section www.ocmarlinclub.com 

21.   All CMMTC boats must have a representative attend the Captains Meeting at 8 pm on Friday September 2, 2022 at the CMMTC.

22.   All OCMC boats must have a representative attend the Captains Meeting at the OCMC, Thursday, September 7 at 7:30pm.

23.   In the event of a Boat Disability, contestants may transfer to an alternate boat and assume original tournament number. Boat changes must take place prior to 8:30 AM each day.

24.   All CMMTC Tournament Entry Fees and Calcutta entry must be paid in cash at the September 2^nd Captains Meeting.  

25.   CMMTC questions email tournaments@capemaymarlintunaclub.com or contact Cape May Challenge Cup Chairmen Mike Linus 610.212.7401 or Jim McCarthy at 484.256.5430.

26.   OCMC questions contact Renee at info@ocmarlinclub.com or call 410-213-1613. You may also contact Bob Althauser directly at 410-382-1696.