2024 Tournament Rules & Regulations
While this is a fun fishing tournament, we do need rules and regulations to ensure it’s also fair. It’s the responsibility of all anglers and participants to read and understand these rules and regulations that govern the Ladies Annual Fish Off. On submission of your tournament registration you are acknowledging that you have read the rules and fully understand your responsibilities and obligations. If you have any questions, send an email to [email protected].
IGFA International Angling Rules & World Record Requirements (PDF)
RULE 1: The tournament is open to female anglers only. Men may join the fun as captain and crew.
RULE 2: Registered anglers are responsible for providing their own fishing vessel and must have a valid Florida fishing license, unless the event is being held on the weekend when the state license is exempt. (The first Saturday and Sunday in June is always license free day for Saltwater anglers).
RULE 3: Check Out: Saturday June 1, 2024 from Hillsboro Inlet, Port Everglades or Boca Inlet. There is not a land-based checkout for the tournament. Boats may not leave the inlet prior to 6:00AM. IN order to check out, each team must take a date stamped cell phone photograph or video that includes the following information: (1) Time of 6:00AM or later; (2) Date of June 1, 2024; (3) Boat Number; and (4) If leaving from Boca Inlet, the A1A Bridge; if leaving from Hillsboro Inlet, the finger piers immediately east of the bridge; and if leaving from Port Everglades, the 17th street bridge. The photograph or video must be made available to the tournament committee upon request. Failure or refusal to do so will result in disqualification. No liens in until the official start at 7:00am. No fishing for live bait is allowed between the time of check out and tournament start time of 7:00am.
RULE 4: Check In: There is not a land-based check in for the tournament. Prior to 4:00pm on tournament day, each team must take a date-stamped cell phone photograph or video that includes the following information: (1) Time of 4:00pm or earlier; (2) Date of June 1, 2024; (3) Boat Number; and (4) the finger piers immediately east of the Hillsboro Inlet bridge. There is no check in at Boca Inlet or Port Everglades. There is NO lines out time, but you must be back in HIllsboro Inlet by 4:00PM. The video or photograph must be made available to the tournament committee upon request. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
RULE 5: Fishing area is Florida waters only. Boats fishing in the Bahamas will be automatically disqualified.
RULE 6: All IGFA rules apply to the Ladies Annual Fish-Off. No wire lines are permitted. The use of treble hooks (unless part of a commercially-manufactured lure) and electric reels (except kite rods and downriggers) are prohibited. Stinger hooks must be firmly imbedded or firmly attached to the bait. Exception: Gaff may be up to 12 feet in length; this is contrary to IGFA rules but acceptable for the Ladies Annual Fish-Off.
RULE 7: Live bait, dead bait and lures are permitted. Live chumming is prohibited.
RULE 8: Anglers must abide by IGFA rules by hooking and reeling in their own fish. Mutilated fish are not eligible. Any fish that has been tampered with to increase the weight shall be disqualified and removed from the tournament. The weigh master’s decision is final.
RULE 9: The following species are eligible: Cobia, Dolphin, Kingfish, Wahoo and Black Fin Tuna. Bonito are also eligible if the boat entered into the Bonito optional entry category, or if the Bonito is caught by a Pee-Wee Angler. Bonito are not eligible for Angler or Boat points.
RULE 10: Scoring – One point will be awarded per pound, per fish with a 10 lb. minimum per fish. Fish not meeting minimum weight will not count. All boats must adhere to Florida recreational bag limits as they pertain to all eligible species. To view current recreational bag limits, visit www.myfwc.com.
a) A maximum of four fish per species, subject to state recreational bag limits, per boat may be weighed.
b) A maximum of ten fish per boat can be weighed.
c) If entered into the Bonito optional entry category, only one fish per boat can be weighed. Bonito do not count toward angler and boat points except for the pee-wee division.
RULE 11: All boated catches may be reported at time of catch to the tournament committee via text, as provided at the captain’s meeting, and report boat number, angler name and species. It is strongly recommended that anglers text each catch to: (954) 271-2662, in order to determine which fish would be the tie-breaker, based on time, in case of a tie in weight. In the event of a tie where neither fish was called in, the anglers shall split the award.
RULE 12: It is expressly understood and agreed to by all participants that the permitting of fishing by the tournament committee does not ensure the safety of registered anglers or any other occupants of their vessels. Captains, anglers, and all other members of registered boats must determine in their own judgment whether to fish under the given conditions based on factors including but not limited to the seaworthiness of the vessel, the weather conditions, and their own seamanship.
RULE 13: Awards and/or trophies will be given as follows: Top Five Boats, Top Three Anglers, Top Master Angler, Heaviest Eligible Fish of the Tournament, Top Two of each of the Five Eligible Species, Top Three Junior Anglers, and Top Three Peewee Anglers. In the event that there is no winner for any category, the award for that category will be distributed to the tournament charities.
RULE 14: Registration fees will not be refunded for any reason.
RULE 15: Weather: If a small craft advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for the tournament day, the tournament will be postponed until the following day. If the small craft advisory is issued for the following day, the tournament committee, in its sole discretion, may cancel the tournament due to weather and no refunds will be made. All process will then be distributed to the tournament charities.
RULE 16: Registered junior anglers age 11-16 are eligible for all awards. IGFA rules apply for all junior anglers. If a junior angler places in the Top Three Anglers of the tournament, she will not be eligible to place in the Top Three Junior Anglers.
RULE 17: Peewee division is 10 years and under. Peewee anglers may be assisted with reeling in their fish. Fish caught will ONLY be eligible for Top Three Peewee Anglers. Only three fish may be weighed in per Peewee. Fish must weigh a minimum of 5 lbs and meet all state, federal and local regulations. Peewee anglers fish do not count towards the top five boat category.
RULE 18: In case of a tie, the earliest fish reported will be the winner. If neither fish was reported, the prize money will be split evenly.
RULE 19. By fishing in the tournament, all captains and anglers are deemed to be familiar with all rules and agree to be bound by them.
RULE 20. As a condition of the entry in the Tournament, the angler specifically understands, agrees and consents to a polygraph examination if requested by decision of the tournament committee. Refusal of any angler to submit to a polygraph examination shall result in her immediate disqualification. In the sole opinion of the polygraph examiner, any untruthful response in the examination shall result in her immediate disqualification. Any participant so disqualified, shall not be entitled to any prize, award or entry fee refund.
RULE 21: The Ladies Fish-Off Committee reserves the right to refuse tournament applicants or entries with or without cause in its sole discretion.
RULE 22: Any protest must be submitted in writing with a non-refundable fee of $100 per incident and delivered to the Ladies Fish Off Committee by 7:00 pm on the day of fishing. Discretion of the LFO Committee will be final.
RULE 23: It is expressively understood that all participants enter at their own risk. Directors, officers, committee members, sponsors, officials and all other persons directly or indirectly involved with the operations of the Ladies Annual Fish-Off shall be exempt from loss, damage, liability, negligence or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sports angler, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels and equipment, which may occur during the Tournament.