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Viking Yachts Key West Challenge

Viking Yachts Key West Challenge

April 12 - April 15, 2023

Tournament Rules

  1. Official Rules

  2. Mandatory Captain’s Meeting April 12, 2023 at Dante’s Tiki Bar at 6pm.
  3. Fishing days, April 13 and April 15 2023. Lay day is April 14. 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. No bow fishing permitted on Viking Yachts. Bow fishing allowed on Valhalla Boatworks.

  16. Fishing Regulations

  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. All releases myst be relayed via radio. In case of radio malfunction, please call in releases to 609-703-1371
  22. Awards
  23. Team Awards
  24. Grand Champion Award – Most Points Boat, Winner Take All
    Overall Releases & Meat
  25. First, Second, Third Places in all Categories
  26. Sailfish, Billfish, Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo
  27. Angler Awards
  28. Grand Champion Award – Most Points Angler, Winner Take All
    Overall Releases & Meat
  29. First, Second, Third Places in all Categories
  30. Sailfish, Billfish, Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo
  31. First Place Swordfish
  32. First Place Bottom Fish
  33. Top Female Angler
  34. Overall Releases & Meat
  35. Top Junior Angler
  36. 15 and under
  37. Overall Releases & Meat
  38. Point Scores
  39. Sailfish live bait 100; Sailfish dead bait 200; White Marlin 200; Blue Marlin 300
  40. Tuna, Dolphin, Cobia, Kingfish, Wahoo, Swordfish, Bottom fish 1 point per pound
  41. Anglers can qualify one fish of each species per day
  42. Weigh in location is at Conch Harbor.
  43. Scales open at 3 pm and close at 5:30 pm - located at Conch Harbor Marina

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