The entry fee for the IGFA Permit Invitational is $1,500 per team. Your boat’s registration fee covers all food and beverages at the events taking place during the tournament, in addition to the tournament bags.
Teams are responsible for chartering or providing their own boats for the tournament.

The IGFA Permit Invitational is an “invitation only” tournament. For any questions on registration, or to learn more about participating, please contact IGFA at 954-927-2628 or [email protected].

 

Schedule of Events

All teams are required to check out in person at the end of each fishing day, whether they are reporting releases or not. All teams must check-in and complete scoring no later than 6:00 p.m. on each fishing day. All teams are highly encouraged to attend the awards dinner out of respect for the tournament participants. All events associated with the tournament will take place out of Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Guides Meeting & Kick-Off Party
Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina

Registration & Cocktails/Hors d’oeuvres
5 PM

Tournament Meeting
6 PM

Wednesday, October 2, 2024
First Day of Fishing & Dock Party
Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina

Breakfast & Check-in
7:00 – 8:00 AM

Lines In
8:00 AM

Lines Out
4:30 PM

Scoring & Cocktails
5 PM – 7 PM

Scoring Closed
6 PM

Thursday, October 3, 2024
Second Day of Fishing & Dock Party
Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina

Breakfast & Check-in
7:00 – 8:00 AM

Lines In
8:00 AM

Lines Out
4:30 PM

Scoring & Cocktails
5 PM – 7 PM

Scoring Closed
6 PM

Friday, October 4, 2024
Final Day of Fishing & Awards Ceremony
Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina

Breakfast & Check-in
7:00 – 8:00 AM

Lines In
8:00 AM

Lines Out
4:30 PM

Scoring Closed
6 PM

Awards Dinner
Immediately following the close of scoring

 

Tournament Rules

GENERAL

The IGFA Permit Invitational is a fly fishing tournament only. Only fly fishing tackle permissible by IGFA International Angling Rules is permitted.

The Captain’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina. Both the angler and the guide must be in attendance.

Teams/boats 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.

The IGFA Permit Invitational operates on the honor system, and as such, relies on the integrity of its participants to guard its reputation. Any angler or guide found to have knowingly or willfully violated this or another tournament’s rules may not be issued an invitation.

Etiquette on the water and in fishing areas shall be adhered to during tournament hours. A violation of commonly accepted fishing practices by a team may result in disqualification of that day’s score or disqualification from the tournament.

FISHING DAYS & HOURS

The fishing days for the IGFA Permit Invitational are Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – Friday, October 4, 2024.

The tournament will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until “lines out” at 4:30: p.m. each fishing day.

All teams must return to the designated check-in area before 6:00 p.m. on each fishing day. In the case of mechanical failure, a team may contact the tournament committee and may be given a waiver for that day. All boats, regardless of their daily score, must check-in in person at the tournament headquarters by 6:00 p.m.

TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES & DEPARTURE

Each day the fishing shall begin at a Fishing Headquarters selected by the Tournament, and all teams must check-in prior to lines-in.

All boats must depart from and return to Fishing Headquarters by water. Teams may fish any areas accessible by boat from Fishing Headquarters.

Teams are encouraged to leave the Fishing Headquarters and stage just north of the Boca Chica Bridge at 8:00 a.m. on each morning of fishing.

Fishing may begin as soon as a skiff arrives at a fishing spot.

Fishing may continue until 4:30 p.m. at which time lines must be out of the water. A fish hooked prior to 4:30 p.m. may be fought, caught, and released after 4:30 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m., if the boat is on a flat, the angler must sit down and the guide will pole the boat promptly off the flat.

If a fish is hooked prior to 4:30 p.m. it may be caught after 4:30 p.m. but after it is caught, the Angler must sit down and the Guide must promptly pole the boat off the flat.

All boats must return and check in at Fishing Headquarters by 6:00 p.m.

The start on any day may be delayed by the Tournament in the event of imminent inclement or dangerous weather. In the event of severe weather, the Tournament may reduce the number of fishing days.

No team shall fish before or after fishing hours.

The use of electric/trolling motors is prohibited.

Fishing must take place in poleable depths. For the purposes of this tournament, this depth is defined as eight feet or less. 

Communication by any means for the purpose of receiving fishing related information is not allowed and will constitute a breach of conduct.

The policy of the Tournament is that the first skiff to reach a spot is entitled to fish there. The Tournament strongly recommends strict observation of all recognized courtesies and sporting practices between skiffs. This includes giving way and sufficient room to other boats in an area that typically accommodates more than one skiff under normal fishing conditions. Understanding that the Florida Keys waters are fished by many skiffs each day, it is considered unsportsmanlike and a rules violation to have a spot “saved” by another boat.

ANGLING & EQUIPMENT RULES

All IGFA International Angling Rules for Fly Fishing apply.

• Class tippets must be at least 15 inches in length. There is no maximum length.
• A net may be used, but overall length shall not exceed 8 feet.
• No chumming or tipping of the fly with scent or bait is allowed. 
• For anglers that are wading, the guide must be within a rods length of the angler when the fish is landed or netted.

The class tippet cannot be constructed with any material that is heavier than 8 kg (16 lb) manufacturer’s stated breaking strength. Any brand may be used provided it does not exceed the 8 kg (16) manufacturer stated limit.

The use of aerial equipment, including but not limited to drones, during the tournament days is not allowed. This includes using aircraft to scout outside of tournament hours as well as during fishing hours.

Wading is permitted.

TOURNAMENT SPECIFIC RULES

The Tournament is open to a limit of 25 Anglers by invitation only.

USCG Licensed guides may fish as anglers.

No bait or spinning/casting tackle is allowed onboard during fishing hours.

Each team will be comprised of two individuals: one “Guide” and one “Angler”. Prior to the start of the tournament, each team member must be designated as either “Guide” or “Angler”. This designation cannot be changed during the tournament.

Only the registered Guide and Angler may occupy the skiff during fishing hours unless approved by the Tournament prior to the days fishing.

The Tournament shall set an entry fee which shall include all banquets and other daily and evening activities for the Angler and Guide. Guests may be added to these activities for an additional fee set by the Tournament.

The Angler or his/her Guide must attend the pre-tournament kick-off banquet to confirm registration, receive Tournament information, and pick up measuring packets.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Grand Champion– The Tournament Champion shall be the Angler who accumulates the most points during the three days of fishing.

Second Place Overall – Angler that accumulates the second most points during the three days of fishing.

Third Place Overall – Angler that accumulates the third-most points during the three days of fishing.

Biggest Fish – The angler that records the largest permit during the tournament.

All ties will be broken on time.

MEASURING & SCORING

For purposes of measuring and scoring, the Tournament shall issue to each Team an official IGFA Measuring Device, pens, and catch forms. The Angler or Guide shall provide a digital camera.

To score, all fish must be measured and photographed on the official IGFA Measuring Device and released alive, unless the fish is an IGFA world record. In the case of a world record caught during the tournament, the fish must be photographed on the measurement device, and this measurement will be used to score the fish.

To score a fish, the measuring tape should be laid out on a flat surface on the boat. The fish should be placed on the device and its nose should be push flush against the stopper. A photograph of the entire fish on the measuring device, clearly showing its full length, is required to score the fish. It is the responsibility of each team to photograph both the nose and the tail of the fish together in the picture.

For scoring purposes, the length of the fish shall be measured to the rear center edge of the tail (or fork).

Fish that measure between centimeter increments shall be recorded at the lower of the two increments. 

Each centimeter counts as one point.

There is no minimum length for scoring fish.

All required photographs must be shown to the scorekeeper for the fish to be scored. Failure to provide photographs of a fish on the measuring device will disallow that fish from being scored.

The daily catch form must be returned to the Scorekeeper by Angler or Guide at the end of each fishing day.

All boats must check-in at Scorekeeper’s table by 6:00 pm. No fish will be scored after 6:00 pm.

Any ties shall be broken by the earliest time of the last caught fish.

GOVERNANCE AND DISPUTES

The Tournament shall be conducted and governed by the IGFA and the Tournament Committee. The Tournament Committee will address all rules questions and violations that may occur during the Tournament.

The Tournament may hire professional administrators to assist with operations, bookkeeping, marketing and public relations, logistics, and other duties. In addition, the Tournament shall secure judges to oversee daily sign-in, start and return times, fish scoring, total point calculations, and scorekeeping.

All grievances concerning the rules shall be in writing, signed, and submitted to the Tournament by 6:30 pm on the day of the alleged infraction; oral or anonymous grievances, or those filed after 6:30 pm, will not be considered. The matter in dispute shall be referred to the three-person Tournament Committee who shall adjudicate the issue. If there is a conflict of interest with a member of the Tournament Committees, the Tournament Director will appoint replacements. All decisions by the committee shall be final and irreversible as of 6:45 pm on the last day of fishing.

Any infraction of the rules will result in the Angler losing all points for that day of fishing.

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE
The tournament committee for the IGFA Permit Invitational includes the following individuals:
Scott Christian, Capt. Doug Kilpatrick, Jason Schratwieser (IGFA President)

Online Auction

The IGFA hosts an online auction to coincide with the annual IGFA Permit Invitational. Anglers from around the world can bid on world-class fly fishing trips, tackle, artwork, and more! All proceeds from the IGFA Permit Invitational and the online auction go to support the IGFA’s conservation programs. 

OPENS: Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 6:00 pM EDT 

CLOSES: Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 8:00 PM EDT

Get ready to place your bids on world-class fishing trips, tackle, artwork, apparel, and more during the IGFA’s Online Auction! 

All funds raised will support the IGFA’s mission of promoting ethical angling practices, youth education, and the conservation of game fish.

For questions regarding the 2024 IGFA Tournament Series Online Auction, please contact IGFA Development Manager, Kim Strong, at [email protected] 

 Thank you for your support and happy bidding!

 

Thank You to Our Tournament Sponsors!

The IGFA greatly appreciates the support of our tournament sponsors (shown below) who help make the IGFA Permit Invitational possible. Not only do they help us put on a world-class event, but their sponsorship also helps support the IGFA’s conservation initiatives. Whether it’s a cash sponsorship or product for the auction, everything makes a difference!

For more information on tournament sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please contact IGFA Corporate Relations Manager Denise Hartman at [email protected]g.