Schedule of Events

We strongly encourage all anglers, their guests, and crew members to attend the awards ceremony out of respect for the winning anglers and teams, as well as all competitors.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Captains Meeting & Kick-Off Party

7 PM – 10 PM

Thursday, February 13, 2025
First Day of Fishing

Departure – 8 AM
Start Fishing – 10 AM

Friday, February 14, 2025
Second Day of Fishing

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Third & Final Day of Fishing

Boats Return to El Gouna – 12 PM
Weighing Event – 2 – 3 PM
Celebration Lunch – 3 – 5 PM
Awards Ceremony – 5 PM

 

 

Tournament Rules

While all effort will be made to keep this information current, all rules published shall be considered unofficial. Official rules will be distributed and announced at the registration check-in and captain’s meeting. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament. 

PERMITS & LICENSES

All participants must have valid boating and recreational angling requirements.

FISHING DAYS & HOURS

Fishing days for the 2025 El Gouna IGFA Red Sea Championship are Thursday, February 13, 2025, to Saturday, February 15, 2025.

Fishing for all teams will begin at approximately 10 AM on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in a “shotgun start” from a predetermined location outside of Abidos Marina. All boats must be within Abu Tig Marina by 12 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025. There are no “lines in” or “lines out” throughout the duration of the fishing times, and anglers are free to fish at any point.

There are no lay days or weather days, unless determined by the tournament. Fish at your own risk.

BOUNDARIES & DEPARTURE

Please see the map below for the tournament boundaries for the El Gouna IGFA Red Sea Championship.

(Map available soon)

ANGLING & EQUIPMENT

All IGFA International Angling Rules apply.  

• The maximum sized line allowed is 60-kg (130 lb), anglers may fish with any size line they choose under this max size. 

• • The tournament committee reserves the right to request line samples for any catches submitted during the tournament. 
• The use of backing is permissible per IGFA rules.
• Top shots must be a minimum of 5 meters (16.5 feet) in length.
• In all line classes up to and including 10 kilograms (20 pounds), the leader shall be limited to 4.57 meters (15 feet).
• The leader on all classes of tackle over 10 kilograms (20 pounds) shall be limited to 9.14 meters (30 feet).
• In all line classes up to and including 10 kilograms (20 pounds), the double line shall be limited to 4.57 meters (15 feet). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 6.1 meters (20 feet).
• The double line on all classes of tackle over 10 kilograms (20 pounds) shall be limited to 9.14 meters (30 feet). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 12.19 meters (40 feet).
• Any type of live, dead or artificial bait can be used. 
• Four anglers per team are permitted.
• “J” hooks may be used on artificial lures only.
• Natural baits (live or dead) must be deployed with non-offset circle hooks.
• Live chumming is prohibited (meaning throwing live fish school for attracting gamefish)
• Harpoons are prohibited.
• The use of diving boards is NOT permitted, only diving planers and downriggers are allowed.

TOURNAMENT CATCH LIMITS, SPECIES & SCORING

Catch Limits 

Teams are permitted to score a maximum of four fish per eligible species in this tournament

Weight Category
The following species listed below are eligible for weighing only. Each species has a predetermined number of base points that are awarded regardless of size. The weight of each fish will be added to the base points per species. For example: A Dogtooth tuna weighing 10 kg will be a total of 40 points. For scoring purposes, the weight of the fish, including decimals, will be added to the base points. For example, a fish weighing 18.2 kilograms will count as 18.2 points prior to adding the base points. The minimum weight of any fish submitted for weighing is 3kg. 

Eligible Weight Species

• Yellowfin Tuna (40 base points + weight of fish in kg)
• Dogtooth tuna (30 base points + weight of fish in kg)

Please note: Only the four heaviest fish of an eligible species will count for points, the team is required to release any additional fish they catch with no release points.

Release Category
The following species listed below are eligible for catch and release only and must be released alive to qualify. Each species has a predetermined number of base points. The length of the fish in centimeters is divided by ten and then added to the base points to determine the total points for the catch. For example: A giant trevally measuring 70 centimeters would have a score of 37 points (30 base points + (Length/10)). 

Please note: Only four fish per eligible species will count for points in the release category. The team is required to release any additional fish they catch with no points awarded.

All eligible species for the release category (except for sailfish, swordfish and dolphinfish– see below for additional information) must be measured and documented on the Official Measuring Device. Each team will be provided with an Official Measuring Device prior to the tournament. 

Eligible Release Species

• Giant trevally (30 base points + (length in cm/10)

• Bluefin Trevally (20 base points + length in cm/10)
• Amberjack (30 base points + length in cm/10)
• Dolphinfish (20 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)
• Sailfish (50 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)
• Swordfish (60 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)

 REPORTING OF CATCHES

All catches and supporting documentation must be reported via the dedicated WhatsApp group that will be open to all tournament participants. Details of this WhatsApp group will be finalized during the Captain’s Meeting.

CATCH & RELEASE RULES

All sailfish, swordfish and dolphinfish must be released to qualify. A fish is considered released when: 

1. a) the swivel between the main line or double line and leader hits the rod tip, 
2. b) the mate grabs the leader or, 
3. c) the wind-on leader comes through the rod tip. 

Please release the fish in good condition by either removing the hook or cutting the leader as close to the hook as possible. “Popping” the leader is not a good method of healthy release, and we ask that you refrain from doing so.

8. CATEGORIES & AWARDS

BIGGEST FISH CATEGORY (weight only)

First Place – Angler that recorded the heaviest fish of the eligible species caught in the tournament.

Second Place – Angler that recorded the second heaviest fish of the eligible species caught in the tournament.

Third Place – Angler that recorded the third heaviest fish of the eligible species caught in the tournament.

TOP ANGLER CATEGORY (total points based on releases and weighed fish)

First Place Angler – Angler with the most total points.

Second Place Angler – Angler with the second most total points

Third Place Angler – Angler with the third most total points

TOP TEAM CATEGORY (total points based on released and weighed fish)

First Place Team – Team with the most total points.

Second Place Angler – Team with the second most total points

Third Place Angler – Team with the third most total points

9. DISPUTES & PROTESTS

The Tournament Committee has the right to investigate and act upon any incident occurring during the tournament and shall have the right to disqualify any capture following examination. All protests and disputes will be settled by the Tournament Committee. Decisions of the Tournament Committee regarding protests and disputes are final and not appealable. The tournament committee consists of the following individuals:

Mohamed Kaddah (IGFA Trustee, President of Egyptian Angling Federation)

Massimo Brogna (IGFA Trustee)

Omar Khalifa (IGFA Representative)

Zack Bellapigna (IGFA Angler Recognition Manager)

Jason Schratwieser (IGFA President)

 

 

 

 

 

 Tournament Registration

The cost of registration for the 2025 IGFA Red Sea Championship is $4,000 USD per team. You are permitted to have up to four anglers per team. Your team registration fee includes:

• Three-day boat charter for the duration of the tournament. The charter includes all food and beverages, bait, ice, and fuel.  
• Three nights of accommodations (February 13, 14, 17) in El Gouna at one of the sponsor hotels (breakfast included). 
• Tournament team “SWAG” bags. 
• Roundtrip transportation between Hurghada International Airport and hotel. 
• Entry into all tournament events, including free food and beverage. 

The tournament has secured a limited number of vessels that will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

For any questions on registration, please contact IGFA at 954-927-2628 or email [email protected].

 

Thank You to Our Tournament Sponsors!

We greatly appreciate the support of all our tournament sponsors! Whether they support the tournament, the corresponding online auction, or both, we couldn’t do it without their help.

For more information on tournament sponsorship packages, please click here. You can also reach us directly by contacting IGFA Development Coordinator at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.