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.

 

Thursday
February 4, 2027

Captains Meeting & Kick-Off Party
7 PM – 10 PM

Friday
February 5, 2027

First Day of Fishing

Departure – 8 AM

Start Fishing – 10 AM

Saturday,
February 6, 2027

Second Day of Fishing

Sunday,
February 7, 2027

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. 

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 to 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.
• Leader length is limited to 9.14 meters (30 feet) including floats/corks and is measured to the bend of the last hook.
• Double line length is 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.
• A maximum of six lines (with hooks) are permitted at any one time. An unlimited amount of hookless baits or teasers are allowed.
• Live chumming is prohibited (i.e., throwing live baitfish into the water to attract gamefish).
• Harpoons are prohibited.
• The use of diving boards are NOT permitted, only diving planers and downriggers are allowed.

TOURNAMENT CATCH LIMITS, SPECIES & SCORING

Catch Limits

Teams are permitted to weigh a maximum of four fish per species in this tournament.  

Weight Category
The following species are eligible for weighing only. Each species has a predetermined “base” number of 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 score a total of 40 points. The minimum weight of any fish submitted for weighing is 3kg.

For scoring purposes, each kilogram counts as a point. Scores will be rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, a fish weighing 18.2 kilograms will count as 18 points, while a fish weighing 18.6 kilograms will count as 19 points.

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 that if the team catches five Dogtooth Tuna, only the heaviest 4 will count and the team is obliged to release any extra Dogtooth they catch with no release points. This means that teams are only allowed to land a maximum of 4 fish of each eligible weight-category species.

Release Category
The following species qualify for the Release Category and must be released alive to score. Unless otherwise specified, fish must be measured using the Official Measuring Device before being released. Species marked “no measurement required” receive a fixed score regardless of size. Each species has a predetermined base score. Additional points are awarded based on the fish’s total length at a rate of one point per 10 centimeters. For example, a Giant Trevally measuring 70 centimeters would score 37 points (30 base points + 7 length points).

Teams are permitted to measure a maximum of four fish per species in this tournament.  

All eligible species for the release category (except for sailfish – 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

• Skipjack Tuna (5 base points, no measurement required)
• Bonito (5 base points, no measurement required)
• Great Barracuda (5 base points, no measurement required)
• Narrow-barred Mackerel (10 base points, no measurement required)
• Dolphinfish (20 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)
• Yellow-spotted Trevally ( 10 base points + length in cm/10)
• Bluefin Trevally (20 base points + length in cm/10)
• Bohar Snapper (20 base points + length in cm/10)
• Giant Trevally (30 base points + length in cm/10)
• Amberjack (30 base points + length in cm/10)
• Sailfish (50 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)
• Swordfish (80 base points, regardless of size, no measurement required)

Teams are allowed to record their four longest fish per species per tournament.

 REPORTING OF CATCHES

Tournament officials will create a WhatsApp group including all team captains for catch reporting.

CATCH & RELEASE RULES

All sailfish must be released to qualify. A sailfish 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.

 

LUCKY STRIKE CATEGORY (Release) for surprise catches which are:

• Black & Blue Marlin : 500 Points
• Striped Marlin: 300 Points
• Wahoo: 100 Points
• Cobia: 100 Points
  The catch limit for both the Weight and Release Categories is four fish per species per tournament.

Prizes:

1st place overall points

2nd place overall points

3rd place overall points

 

1st place overall points in International category

2nd place overall points in International category

3rd place overall points in International category

 

1st Place Top Angler

2nd Place Top Angler

3rd Place Top Angler

 

1st Place Top Angler International category

2nd Place Top Angler  International category

3rd Place Top Angler  International category

 

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to interpret these rules and make decisions regarding any situation not specifically covered herein. All decisions of the Tournament Committee are final.

 Tournament Registration

The cost of registration for the El Gouna IGFA Championship 2027 is €4,000 Euro per team. You are permitted to have up to four anglers per team. Your team registration fee includes:

• Boat charter for three fishing days (5, 6, 7 February). The charter includes all food, beverages, bait, ice and fuel.

• Three nights of hotel accommodation (2 double rooms) from February 4 (Check-in), 5, 6 and February 7 (Check-out), including breakfast.

• Tournament team “SWAG” bags.

• Roundtrip transportation between Hurghada International Airport and hotel.

• Entry into all tournament events.

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

You will receive an email within 72 hrs after submitting your registration to make your payment

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; 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.