TIFT Rules & Regulations 2011  

 

All anglers must adhere to all State and Federal regulations unless otherwise amended in TIFT rules and regulations.

• General Information

Each angler 13 years or older is restricted to weighing in the single heaviest fish per eligible species in their division per day. Angler must select the heaviest fish to be weighed. Trophies are awarded on the basis of total accumulated eligible points for two days of fishing. Angler must accompany his or her fish to the weigh station and initial weigh card to ensure accuracy. All anglers are restricted to weighing in once per day. No one may fish from any tournament boat that is not a TIFT registered angler. All captains or boat operators must be registered in TIFT for the angler’s fish to be eligible for TIFT awards. 

• Captains’ Meeting Thursday at 6:30 pm South Padre Island Convention Centre. Attendance is strongly advised in order to ensure you adhere to and comply with all TIFT rules.
• Texas International Fishing Tournament, Inc. reserves the right to refuse entry into the tournament.
• Ladies and Juniors may only win their respective divisions in the Bay, Offshore/No Billfish and Highest Offshore Points/ They will still be eligible for Grand Champion and Heaviest of Species awards.

• The contest shall begin at 6:30 am (Bay Division) and 7 am (Offshore Division) on August 5, 2011. No contestant shall be eligible for awards unless registered in advance of that date. Angler must be a registered contestant of TIFT in order for the fish to be weighed. All fish will be measured and weighed only once and decisions of the weighmaster are final.

• Receiving Station: All fish brought in must be in edible condition to the receiving station at Southpoint Marina in Port Isabel to be weighed, measured and recorded by the official weighmaster or deputy. All fish are subject to further inspection if deemed necessary by the weighmaster. The station hours are from 2-8 pm on the first day of fishing and 2-7 pm on the final day.

• Offshore Division: Fishing Hours: Contestants may start fishing at 7 am on both days. Offshore boats may not leave the dock before 12:01 am on each day of fishing. They must stop fishing by 5 pm on the first day and 4 pm on the final day. The last 30 minutes of fishing each day, all hook ups must be reported. Dock time for the first day is 8 pm; final day, 7 pm. Scoring:

a) Blue marlin, swordfish, mako shark shall be scored, regardless of line size, as follows: the weight of the fish, multiplied by two (2). Minimum length for blue marlin to qualify for points is 101”.

b) White marlin and sailfish shall be scored as follows: the weight of the fish multiplied by four (4) plus 100. Minimum length to qualify for points is 67” for white marlin and 64” for sailfish.

c) Other offshore fish—blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, bonito, ling, wahoo, barracuda, dolphin, king mackerel and jack crevalle will be scored one (1) point per pound. Amberjack are not eligible for points. Catch is limited to the single heaviest fish per eligible species per day of fishing.

d) Catch and Release Class: Any offshore fisherman may elect to Catch and Release his catch. Points for Catch and Release trophies will be awarded for the following only:

• BLUE MARLIN----800 POINTS
• WHITE MARLIN ----300 POINTS
• SAILFISH----300 POINTS

To qualify for Catch and Release points, video and photos (digital prints or Polaroid) will be allowed. 

Photo image must contain the following:

1) A Polaroid picture or color printed photo from a digital camera clearly showing the fish and the TIFT object of the tournament. 

2)  Clear identification of the species of billfish. In order for a fish to be scored as a blue marlin, the image must clearly show it is a blue marlin. Otherwise it will be scored as a white marlin.

 

Video image must contain the following:

1) The angler fighting the fish showing the TIFT object of the tournament.

2) Clear identification of the species of billfish. In order for a fish to be scored as a blue marlin, the image must clearly show it is a blue marlin. Otherwise it will be scored as a white marlin.

3) Mate with leader in hand and TIFT object of the tournament, wiring and releasing the fish.

4) Wiring and release of fish with the fish swimming away, followed by an immediate and complete pan of the cockpit showing no other lines in the water.

5) The camera MUST NOT stop recording during the wiring, release and complete pan of the cockpit.

6) If the mate has the leader in hand and the hook pulls or the leader breaks, the fish still qualifies if all other rules are satisfied, but if the fish is only identifiable as a billfish, the fish will score the minimum points = 300 points. PLEASE DO NOT STOP YOUR VIDEO.

 

ALL BILLFISH, WHETHER BOATED OR RELEASED, MUST BE REPORTED OR RELAYED TO A COMMITTEE BOAT BY VHF RADIO, SINGLE SIDE BAND, CELL PHONE, OR SATELLITE PHONE BY STOP FISHING TIME EACH DAY AND THE LANDING TIME MUST BE VERIFIED WITH A VERIFICATION NUMBER BY A 

COMMITTEE BOAT OR THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR TO QUALIFY FOR EARNED POINTS. A FISH, VIDEO, OR PHOTO BROUGHT TO THE DOCK WITHOUT A VERIFICATION NUMBER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR POINTS. THE TIME REPORTED AND VERIFIED BY A COMMITTEE BOAT WILL BE THE OFFICIAL TIME. IN THE EVENT OF A TIE, THE FIRST ANGLER TO ACCUMULATE THE HIGHEST RELEASE POINTS BY TIME WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER.

 

A CATCH AND RELEASE CARD MUST BE COMPLETED FOR EACH RELEASED FISH WITH THE DATE, OFFICIAL TIME, VERIFICATION NUMBER, AND SIGNATURES OF THE ANGLER, CAPTAIN AND ALL CREW AND SUBMITTED TO THE WEIGH STATION ON THE SAME DAY OF THE CATCH.

 

ALL BILLFISH AND TARPON TO BE RELEASED MUST REMAIN IN THE WATER. PHOTOS OR VIDEO SHOWING SAID FISH IN OR ON THE BOAT WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR POINTS.

 

ALL ANGLERS MUST FURNISH NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO CONNECT THEIR VIDEO CAMERA TO A LAPTOP WHEN PRESENTING THE VIDEO FOR VERIFICATION AT THE WEIGH DOCK.

 

THE WEIGHMASTER OR RULES OFFICIAL IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY AS TO THE SPECIES OF BILLFISH AND POINTS AWARDED.

 

All participants hereby grant TIFT their full and unlimited consent to use any of the photograph, video and/or audio recording, taken or recorded in relation to TIFT, in which they, or their voice and or likeness may appear. TIFT May use said photographs, video or audio recordings for any purpose it deems, including, but not limited to, advertising and marketing, promotion, resale, or the like without compensation or any restrictions.

 

Catch and Release points will count toward Texas Grand Championship. 

e) The Junior Offshore Class will consist of children through the age of 16. The same scoring rules apply as in the Senior Class. Please note: In order to qualify for Texas Grand Champion, the angler must have weighed in or released a billfish or tarpon or weighed in a mako shark.

 

Tarpon Division, Junior and Senior Class: Fishing hours: Contestants may start fishing 30 minutes before official sunrise (6:54 am). They must stop fishing on the first day by one hour after official sunset (8:15 pm). Dock time is 8 pm first day and 7 pm final day. All tarpon anglers, including juniors, are restricted to one designated fishing line per registered angler in the water at any given time. Scoring: Anglers may weigh in one (1) tarpon per day. Minimum length is 87”. Each fish will be scored on the following: the weight of the fish x four (4) plus 100 points. Tarpon Division Catch and Release must be verified with the same photo or video requirements as listed in the Catch and Release section. Scoring will be 125 points per tarpon, regardless of size. Tarpon released must be reported to a committee boat or to the Tournament Director at (956) 561-1052. Tarpon division anglers are limited to TARPON ONLY and will not be allowed to weigh in or receive points for any other fish.

 

Please Note: The Long Island Village Swing Bridge, as a rule, opens only on the hour. Please plan accordingly.

• Bay Division, Junior and Senior Classes: All bay anglers, including juniors, are restricted to one designated fishing line per registered angler in the water at any given time. Fishing hours: Contestants may start fishing after 6:30 am both days. All bay boats must be on their trailers or tied up at the dock by 8 pm on Thursday, Aug. 4 & Friday, Aug. 5 and may not leave the dock before 5 am each day of fishing. Final dock time both Friday and Saturday is 5 pm for both Seniors and Juniors. Scoring: Daily bags may include the single heaviest fish of each of the following species: redfish, trout and flounder, scored at one (1) point per pound. Any fish that does not meet state limits at weigh station will be disqualified without substitution for that species. No redfish longer than 28” will be weighed.
• Special Notes: The Boat Name or TX numbers will be required for all bay boats. Anglers must specify their correct TX numbers to be registered in the Bay Challenge Pots. TIFT flags must be prominently displayed on all bay boats fishing in the tournament. Grand Champion: Bay anglers must have weighed in at least one redfish, one trout and one flounder during the two days of fishing to qualify for Grand Champion, Second and Third Place.
• Juniors: Ages 12 and under may enter stringers of no more than one (1) each of trout, redfish, flounder, jack crevalle and snook in addition to five (5) fish each of all other species common to the bay (excluding sharks and stingrays) per day. Whole stringers will be weighed and awarded one (1) point per pound. Ages 13-16 will be scored the same as Seniors.

• Special Note: All Junior Bay Division contestants must hook and play their own fish. A fishing pole with a fish already hooked and handed to a junior to reel in is not a legal catch. Please restrict help to saving lives and limbs.

• Fly fishing: Bay fishing rules will prevail. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Anglers will be eligible for Grand Champion Bay prize and heaviest of species awards.

• Heaviest Fish Awards: Any registered angler is eligible for the award for heaviest of species regardless of division fished, but fish will not count for points unless angler is registered in that fish division.

• Tackle: The tournament will be conducted according to the International Game Fish Association rules, except that the angler may receive assistance in moving rod from holder to chair. Bay anglers may use treble hooks on any bait.

• Team Trophy: To be eligible to win the trophy, the contestant must give the boat name or number at registration. Two to six persons on the same boat constitute a team.

• Dock Times, Bay (all divisions): Final dock time for both days of fishing is 5 pm. Anglers must be in sight of weighmaster in front of weigh station no later than 5 pm to qualify. Offshore (all divisions): Dock time for offshore boats is 8 pm the first day and 7 pm the second day. Offshore boats must be past the red marker inside the jetties in the Brownsville Ship Channel by final dock time to qualify. A committee boat will be standing by on VHF Ch 68 to verify. The only exceptions are as follows: 

a) Helping a boat in distress. Report to a committee boat. A reasonable time will be allowed for return.

b) Tarpon catches (first day only). Fish hooked after 8 pm and before 9:15 pm may be reported on the second day. DOCK  TIME ON FINAL DAY IS 5 PM FOR BAY DIVISION AND 7 PM FOR OFFSHORE AND TARPON, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

• All Fish Caught are the Property of the Angler: The tournament will not be responsible for refrigeration or for the catch.

• Transfer of Fish: No transfer of fish from one offshore boat to another is allowed.

• Changing Divisions: If, after registration, the angler wishes to change divisions, he should report to the weighmaster or tournament director before day’s fishing begins. Points will not count in previous divisions fished.

• 2011 Tournament: There will be two days of fishing: Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6. Thursday, Aug. 4, is Playday. All junior contestants and their families are urged to join in the activities at the South Padre Island Convention Centre.

• Bad Weather: One day of fishing will constitute a tournament. Parties will be held as scheduled.

• Night Fishing: Night fishing IS NOT allowed. All boats are to return to their berths Friday night and must weigh in their catch each day. (Exception: If a boat is assisting a disabled vessel which prevents the boat rendering assistance from making the weigh in on the first day only.)

• Protests: ANY PROTESTS MUST BE FILED IN WRITING AND HAND DELIVERED TO A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OR THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR NOT LATER THAN 9 PM SATURDAY, AUG. 6, 2011.

• Please be advised that any boat fishing in Mexican waters is subject to the Lacy Act enforcement by both U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies.

• Polygraph Test: All contestants, including minors, agree to agree to take a polygraph test if required by a TIFT Executive Board member or the TIFT weighmaster. Such test shall be taken at the time and place requested by the TIFT Executive Board. Failure to take or pass a polygraph test will result in disqualification from this tournament and all future TIFT events. (If a contestant is a minor, a parent or legal guardian shall agree for the minor to submit to such polygraph testing.)

COMMITTEE BOATS & WEIGH STATION

 

Channel 68 VHF or Single Side Band 2638

OFFSHORE: Poco Mas---Queen B---Blue Dog---Tula--Bessie Bell--Stayin Alive--The Irish Anne--Mechanical Man--Tournament Director Betty Wells (956) 561-1052

BAY: Scooby Scooter—Chuck Fultz

 

ALL BILLFISH, AND TARPON WHETHER BOATED OR RELEASED, MUST BE REPORTED OR RELAYED TO A COMMITTEE BOAT OR TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR BY VHF RADIO, SINGLE SIDE BAND, CELL PHONE, OR SATELLITE PHONE BY STOP FISHING TIME EACH DAY AND THE LANDING TIME MUST BE VERIFIED WITH A VERIFICATION NUMBER BY A COMMITTEE BOAT OR THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR TO QUALIFY FOR EARNED POINTS. A FISH, VIDEO, OR PHOTO BROUGHT TO THE DOCK WITHOUT A VERIFICATION NUMBER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR POINTS. THE TIME REPORTED AND VERIFIED BY A COMMITTEE BOAT WILL BE THE OFFICIAL TIME.