2nd Annual Jupiter BillFish Classic   

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Captain’s Meeting: January 26th, 2023  at the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa, 5  Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477  (Registration/Calcutta / Entry 6 to 9 PM)

2. Awards Dinner: January 29th, 2023 Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa,5 N Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477. Dinner and open bar will be from 7 to 9pm.

3. Fishing Days: January 27th, 28th & 29th, 2022.  Teams must fish a total of 2 days to qualify, lines in to lines out.

4. Boats can not leave any of the inlets before 6:30am

5. Fishing Hours: Lines in at 8:00 AM. Lines out 3:30 PM

6. Boundaries: From 27.30.00 latitude (Ft. Pierce Inlet area) to 26.30.00 latitude (Boynton Inlet Area) and no further offshore than 079.40 longitude.

7. BOATS MUST LEAVE and RETURN  FROM JUPITER, STUART, PALM BEACH & Ft Pierce!

8. All teams are required to notify the Radio Committee that they intend to fish each morning and which type of bait they intend to use prior to setting lines.

9. Boats must fish 2 full days for the tournament to be official.

FISHING REGULATIONS

1. I.G.F.A. Rules apply except as follows.

2. Only non-offset circle hooks and maximum manufacturer stated 20-lb. test line may be used.

3. The length of the leader may not exceed 15 feet.  The combined length of the double line and the leader may not exceed 20 feet.  

4. Live or dead baits may be used, but only one type of bait is permitted in the water at any one time. Teams are required to declare which type of bait they will use on each fishing day. Boats can change their bait choice during the day but there will be a 10 minute delay once the switch occurs.

5. Chumming of any kind, including with live bait, is prohibited.

6. No more than six rods are permitted in the water at any time. This includes rods being used to catch bait.

7. Live Bait: No more than two kites may be used. Artificial or dead bait dredges or surface teasers are permitted. 

8. Trolling: No more than two dredges may be used. No more than two artificial or dead bait surface teasers may be used (artificial or natural chains)

9. Live bait teasers are prohibited.

10. Passing the rod after hookup (hook and hand) is permitted to a registered angler only once per fish. The pass must occur immediately after hookup!

CATCH VALIDATION

1. The Jupiter Billfish Classic will be utilizing video catch verification on all participating boats. Each team will be prompted to show a phone or GPS with date and time as well as showing the card of the day, which will be in your tournament registration folder from the captains meeting. The card of the day is required to be shown with each release.

2. The Jupiter Billfish Classic committee will utilize video catch/ release verification for all participating boats. Every boat must supply their release footage at the end of each fishing day upon check-in. Date & Time stamps must match the dates that you fish.  Release videos are required in order for your fish to count. SD cards must be dropped off by 6pm to one of the three inlets, The Jib Club, Fish Heads, Sailfish Marina. SD CARDS ARE REQUIRED! 

3. Video must clearly capture the species of fish during the fight and the release of each fish. Anglers fighting the fish must also be identified on video. Failure to qualify species and release of fish will result in disqualification of fish.

4. Any question or concern regarding fish verification will be determined by the Tournament Committee alone. Polygraph will be administered to the winning team in the event there is a discrepancy with a protest.

5. To qualify for points each release must be called in by VHF to the Tournament Committee with the boat name, number, type of bait and angler’s name.If the committee boat can not be reached via vhf releases may be called in by cell phone (561-665-1613). The release time, fish number and angler’s full name must be entered for each release on the boat’s catch log and signed by the captain. 

6. Within 15 minutes of lines out, all hook ups must be called.

7. A release is official when the leader is touched by the mate, the leader is wound inside the rod tip or the cork on a live bait rod touches the rod tip.

8. Your entry into the Jupiter Billfish Classic implies expressed approval that you and all anglers and crew members will submit to a polygraph test if requested by the rules committee. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. A certified polygraph examiner will be on site should such services be required.

9. Meat Fish Validation: Weigh in will be at the JIB club In Jupiter each day from 3:30p-5:30pm – will be available for teams to pull in and weigh. No mutilated fish will be weighed. Species include, Kingfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, Cobia, Tuna. Heaviest overall will qualify to win.

POINT STRUCTURE & SCORING 

1. Release points will be awarded as follows:

2. 100 points for Sailfish on live bait.

3. 150 points for Sailfish on dead bait.

4. 300 points for a White Marlin on either bait.

5. 500 points for a Blue Marlin on either bait.

6. In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by which boat/angler reaches the  number of points that resulted in the tie first by time.

7. Protests must be submitted to the Rules Committee in writing accompanied by a nonrefundable $750 filing fee no later than 5:00 PM on the fishing day in question. In all cases the decision of the Tournament Committee is final.

8. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

9. Boats and anglers must comply with all state and federal fishing regulations and licensing requirements. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. All boats must carry appropriate liability insurance.

10. All boats must be a minimum of 25 feet LOA. The final determination of a boat’s eligibility will be at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. 

11. Refunds: No refunds for entry fees will be given for any reason including, but not limited to acts of nature, war, national security, Covid-19, vessel malfunctions or travel restrictions. Calcutta fees will be returned (minus the % for service fee) if a team is unable to compete.