2011 Gulf Coast Outboard Classic Tournament Rules

1.  Only boats with outboard power are eligible for this tournament.

2.  Boats may depart after Mandatory Captains Meeting Friday, June 24, 2011. Boats may leave from Pensacola Pass, Perdido Pass, or Mobile Bay. All boats must be registered and signed out prior to departure. Lines In is immediately after Captain’s Meeting. Boats must be under the Perdido Pass Bridge by 7:30 PM Central Standard Time Saturday, June 25th, 2011. Monitor channel 72 departing and returning to tournament headquarters.

3.  Weigh station will be the certified scales at Mobile Big Game Clubhouse. The weigh dock will open on Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at 4:30 PM CST and remain open until all eligible boats are weighed in. Monitor channel 72 for docking instructions. Video confirmation may be walked to the weigh dock for verification.

4.  NO BLUE MARLIN, WHITE MARLIN, SPEARFISH OR SAILFISH WILL BE ACCEPTED – CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY.

5.  All anglers weighing fish must have a current Alabama Saltwater Fishing License. To purchase a license please call 1-888-848-6887.

6.  Eligible fish for tournament awards are released (billfish only), Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo.

7.  Eligible fish for State Record Certification and Tournament are: Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo. To be eligible for State Record, boat must leave from and return to an Alabama port with no stops in between. Angler must possess valid Alabama Saltwater License – to purchase call 1-888-848-6887.

8.  IGFA RULES WILL APPLY. NMFS REGULATIONS ON NON OFFSET CIRCLE HOOKS FOR TOURNAMENT WILL APPLY. A 130# test line is the maximum test line that may be used. The angler must hook, fight, and bring the fish to gaff, unaided by any other person. No one other than the angler may touch the rod. The Tournament Committee may inspect all equipment. All anglers and crew and crew members are expected to be familiar with IGFA rules. Non-compliance with IGFA rules is grounds for disqualification. HMS Permits are required for all Tuna entries. No Tuna will be accepted without presentation of the HMS Permit. To apply for a permit, please call 1-888-872-8862.

9.  Line Bonus Points are awarded for the use of smaller line as defined by IGFA rules. Total points are computed by multiplying the Base Billfish Points times the line bonus multiplier. Base Billfish Points are: Blue Marlin, 500 points; White Marlin, Spearfish or Sailfish are 200 points. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the actual time of reporting.

10. A Color video must be presented to confirm all Catch & Release submissions and must clearly show the species of the fish, the angler actually fighting the fish, the tackle being used, the release of the fish and the tournament designator (which will be presented at registration). ALL of these conditions must be met to receive Billfish points and any Line Bonus Points.

11.  Frozen fish will not be accepted.

12.  In case of a tie on weight, first fish to weigh dock wins. Fish must be brought to the weigh dock aboard the boat that landed the fish.

13.  There may not be any pooling of catch, or transfer of catch, from one boat to another. Substitution of boats prior to the start of the Tournament must have clearance from the GCOC.

14. All boats are responsible for their fish, the proper reporting documentation, and confirmation in the Release category, and the submission of State Record applications.

15. The Captain will notify a Committee Boat as soon as possible after a released fish. If a Committee Boat cannot be reached due to poor communication, the released fish should be verified by another Tournament boat in order to have the fish counted or call Orange Beach Marina at (251) 981-4207.

16. In the event of inclement weather, as solely determined by the tournament committee, on Saturday, June 25th, 2011, then Sunday, June 26th, 2011 will be used to complete the Tournament. One day of fishing constitutes a Tournament. If it is necessary to reschedule the Tournament, then a new date will be set.

17. If there are only two billfish released, then the release award will be split 60/40.

18. If there are no billfish released, then the entire release award will be added to the Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo categories equally and the established percentages will be paid for each place.

19. The Gulf Coast Outboard Classic (“GCOC”) is conducted on the honor system and each entry will be responsible for his team and his crew’s performance. Should anyone have a complaint, of any nature, it must be submitted in writing with the Tournament Committee, 30 minutes prior to the close of the Tournament. WINNERS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO A POLYGRAPH TEST.

20. The Tournament Committee requires the release of any billfish.

21. Disputes to be resolved by the GCOC Committee. All decisions rendered by the GCOC Committee are final.

22. All boats must be in compliance with fishing rules and regulations as stipulated by the National Marine Fisheries Services and the State of Alabama.

23. Video must include: 1) tournament indicator, 2) angler, 3) species of fish, 4) line class, 5) the leader, 6) rod tip, splice or swivel through the rod tip, 7) the fish swimming away from the boat after release, and 8) video of gps clearly showing date and time.

24. All Anglers, Captains, Crew and guests fish at their own discretion and at their own risk. All participants and guests agree to indemnify and hold harmless the GCOC, the GCOC Committee, Orange Beach Marina, Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, Sponsors and their agents and employees from any liability, loss, personal injury or property damage, including Attorneys fees they may suffer arising from their participation in this Tournament.