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.

Individual tickets to the awards ceremony are available for purchase at a fee of $75.  

Tuesday, Septembers 26, 2023
Virtual Captain’s & Rules Meeting

6 PM- 7 PM

Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Tournament Bag Pick Up

Dana Landing – San Diego, CA

Balboa Angling Club – Newport Beach, CA

(Tournament bag pick up available only during regular business hours.)

Thursday, September 28, 2023
Tournament Bag Pick Up

Dana Landing – San Diego, CA

Balboa Angling Club – Newport Beach, CA

(Tournament bag pick up available only during regular business hours.)

Friday, September 29, 2023
First Day of Fishing

Lines In
6 AM

Lines Out
5 PM

Saturday, September 30, 2023
Second & Final Day of Fishing

Lines In
6 AM

Lines Out
5 PM

*Weighing of Fish
All fish must be weighed by 8 PM (PDT)
* Please refer to the tournament rules (rule #11 – Weigh Stations) for additional information about weighing fish. 

Sunday, October 1, 2023
Awards Ceremony

1 PM – 5 PM

Dana Point Yacht Club

 

 Tournament Rules

A virtual Captain’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. A team representative must be in attendance and all participants are encouraged to join. The time of the meeting and a link to the Zoom call will be provided to all registered teams and participants. 

1. GENERAL REGULATIONS

Boats and anglers must comply with IGFA International Angling Rules and all state and federal fishing regulations/licensing requirements. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. All boats must carry appropriate liability insurance.

2. FISHING DAYS & HOURS

Fishing days for the 2023 IGFA SoCal Open are Friday, September 29, 2023, and Saturday, September 30, 2023.  

The tournament will begin with the call of “lines in” at 6:00 a.m. and continue until the call of “lines out” at 5:00 p.m. for the two fishing days of the tournament.

There are no lay days or weather days unless determined by the tournament officials. Participants fish at their own risk.

There is no time limit on landing or releasing a fish that is hooked up before lines out. Any fish that is still hooked up at lines out must report to the tournament committee. 

3.BOUNDARIES & DEPARTURE

The fishing boundary for the IGFA SoCal Open is a 115 nautical mile radius from Newport Beach (Newport Bell Buoy). 

Boats are not required to check out with the tournament committee upon departure from their respective ports. 

Tournament boats may depart from any port. Once entering tournament boundaries during fishing hours, boats must remain within the boundaries until “lines out” unless the departure is approved by the tournament committee. 

 

 

 

 

4. ANGLING & EQUIPMENT

All IGFA International Angling Rules apply.  Please see important highlights of IGFA Angling Rules below: 

• This is not a line class tournament.
• The maximum line class allowed is 60 kg (130 lb)
  • Tackle will not be inspected at weigh-in; however, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to request leader and/or line samples for each weighed fish. 
• The use of backing is permissible per IGFA rules. There is no limit to the strength or material of your backing. 
• Mainline (top shots) must be a minimum of 5 meters (16 feet, 4 inches) in length.
• When using mainline (top shot) heavier than 10 kg (20 lb), leaders are limited to 30 feet and are measured to the bend of the last hook. The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 40 feet. 
• When using mainline (top shot) heavier than 10 kg (20 lb), double lines are limited to 30 feet and must be constructed of the mainline/top shot. The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 40 feet. 
• When using mainline (top shot) 10 kg (20 lb) or lighter, leaders are limited to 15 feet and are measured to the bend of the last hook. The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet. 
• When using mainline (top shot) 10 kg (20 lb) or lighter, double lines are limited to 15 feet and must be constructed of the mainline/top shot. The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet. 
• Fighting a fish from the rod holder is prohibited. Once the fish is hooked, the angler must remove the rod from the rod holder as quickly as possible. 
• Resting the rod on the gunwale, covering board, or any part of the boat is prohibited. 
• Harpoons are prohibited. 
• Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.
• Power- driven reels are acceptable under the following situation and configuration.
     a) Reels that have power accessories (e.g., electric drill attachments, motors or other power accessories specifically designed for a reel) that can be physically removed from the reel may be used strictly for the purpose of retrieving a deployed bait or lure at depth all the way to the boat.
     b) Power accessories may only be used to retrieve a bait or lure completely to the boat and are not permitted for adjusting the position of a bait or lure in the water column. Once a power accessory is attached to the reel, the bait or lure may no longer be legally used to catch a fish and the bait or lure must be retrieved all the way to the boat for manual redeployment before it may be legally used to hook or catch a fish. Power accessories may not be attached to the reel during the deployment of a bait or lure.
     c) Power accessories must be physically removed from the reel before the act of hooking or fighting a fish. Any fish that strikes a bait or lure being fished with a reel with power accessories still attached- whether or not under electric operation- will not be eligible for consideration.
    d) Electric reels that do not have removable electronic components that allow them to be completely manually driven are prohibited. 

IGFA Compliant Yummy Flyer and California Flyer Rigging

5. TOURNAMENT SPECIFIC RULES

• Any type of live, dead or artificial bait can be used. 
• A maximum of four anglers per team/boat, per day, are permitted.
• A participating team must consist of at least two anglers to be eligible for the tournament categories. 
• A maximum of six lines (with hooks) are permitted at any one time. An unlimited number of hookless baits or teasers are allowed.

6. ELIGIBLE SPECIES 

7. SCORING OF WEIGHED & RELEASED FISH

Released Fish (marlin, spearfish and swordfish only)

•  Marlin (blue, striped, spearfish)
  • Any marlin (blue marlin, striped marlin, spearfish) released during the tournament will count for 100 points. 
  • Each angler will only be awarded points for one marlin release per day.
  • Teams will only be awarded points for one marlin release per day. 
• Swordfish
  • Any swordfish released during the tournament will count for 150 points.
  • Any surface-caught swordfish that is released will count for 300 points. 

Appropriate documentation must be provided to confirm a release (see below). 

Weighed Fish (swordfish, tuna (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye), dolphinfish, yellowtail)

For all weighed fish, both anglers and teams are only able to submit one fish, per species, per day. Each angler can submit one catch, per species, per day, to count towards the individual angler awards. Each team can submit one catch, per species, per day, to count toward the overall team awards.

For scoring purposes, weights will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Additional points (as outlined below) will be applied from the whole number. For example, a fish weighing 200.5 pounds will be counted as 200 points (prior to any additional points added, as outlined below). 

• Swordfish
  • The minimum size for weighing a swordfish is 100 pounds. Fish weighing under 100 pounds will not qualify for the tournament, but the angler/team will not be docked points.
  • A weighed swordfish caught via deep-drop will receive two points per pound. For example, a 200-pound swordfish caught via deep drop would receive 400 points. 
  • A weighed swordfish caught on the surface will receive five points per pound. For example, a 200-pound swordfish caught on the surface would receive 1,000 points. 
• Tuna, Dolphinfish, Yellowtail
  • There are no minimum weights for dolphinfish, tuna, and yellow tail.
  • Each pound counts as a point. For example, a 200-pound fish will count as 200 points. 

8. CATCH DOCUMENTATION

The following steps must be taken by the angler/team to document each catch/release:

1. 1. REPORTING: Teams must report all hook-ups and captures to Tournament Control via VHF channel 65 or via cell phone at 310-948-1011. The alternate VHF channel is 71. Information required is the team name, angler name, time of hook-up, time of capture or release, and grid number. Hook-ups and captures/releases can also be reported to one of the following committee boats: Royal Slam, Half Moon, Joker. 
      1. All hook-ups and captures will be updated live via CatchStat. 
   2. TACKLE: Tackle will not be inspected during weigh-in; however, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to request leader and/or line samples for each weighed fish.
   3. PHOTOGRAPHS: All weighed fish must be photographed at the time of weigh-in.  Whenever possible, include a photograph with the fish on the scale.
   4. DAILY CATCH CARD: Anglers are required to submit a completed and signed “tournament catch card” for each fish that is weighed or released. The tournament will provide the catch cards. 

9. RELEASE RULES & DOCUMENTATION

A marlin or swordfish is considered released when: a) the swivel between the mainline or double line and leader hits the rod tip, b) the mate grabs the leader or, c) the wind-on leader comes through the rod tip. 

Anglers/teams reporting a release must provide video footage confirming the species, and showing that one of the actions listed above occurred. 

Please release the fish in good condition by either removing the hooks or cutting the leader as close to the hooks as possible. 

10. CATEGORIES & AWARDS

TOP ANGLER CATEGORY (based on total points, including weighed and released fish)

First Place Angler

Second Place Angler

Third Place Angler

TOP JUNIOR ANGLER CATEGORY (based on total points, including weighed and released fish, for anglers ages 16 and under)

Top Junior Angler

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

First Place Team

Second Place Team

Third Place Team

In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by which team reached the number of points first.

BIGGEST FISH & TOP RELEASE CATEGORIES 

Top Marlin Releases 

Biggest Swordfish

Biggest Tuna

Biggest Dolphinfish (Dorado)

Biggest Yellowtail

In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by whichever fish was landed first. 

11. WEIGH STATIONS

Fish can be weighed on any land based; certified scale that has been certified by California Division of Measurement Standards within the last 12 months. The tournament also has designated three separate weigh stations (see below) throughout the range of the tournament boundaries. If using one of these three weigh stations, teams must make prior arrangements if they plan on arriving after the weigh station’s normal business hours.  Catches made on Friday, September 29, 2023, need not be weighed that same day; however, all catches must be weighed by 8:00 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Teams must use official tournament weight slips when weighing their catch.  All weight slips, catch cards and photographs or video recordings must be submitted to the Tournament Director by 6 AM (PDT) on Sunday, October 1, 2023.  This documentation may be submitted by text or email to: Jack Vitek (786-863-3321 or [email protected]).

SAN DIEGO – The Marlin Club
619-222-8677

NEWPORT BEACH – Balboa Angling Club
949-673-6316

CATALINA – Avalon Green Pier
Avalon Harbor Department – VHF Channel 12
310-510-0535
James Gowans, IGFA Representative (weigh station coordinator)

12. PROTESTS

All protests must be submitted in writing (either by text or email) to the Tournament Director Jack Vitek (786-863-3321 or [email protected]) by 9 p.m. (PTD) on the date of the infraction. All decisions by the Tournament Director are final.

Video Evidence:

General Instructions & Suggestions

• Be sure to possess the appropriate cables, adapters, cards, readers, etc. to allow the tournament officials to download your evidence if needed.
• Designate a qualified team member familiar with your camera operation to bring the evidence (and Daily Report Form) to the tournament officials.
• Have two cameras recording during the fight. Back up is never a bad idea.
• Be sure to have batteries fully charged and extra batteries, SD cards, etc. on hand.
• Recordings should be cued up for tournament official review.
• Be familiar with your equipment.
• Test your equipment prior to the Tournament start.
• Designate someone to record the release evidence, be familiar with the equipment and the tournament rules.
• Do not store the equipment in an air-conditioned environment to avoid fogging.
• Underwater video (i.e. use of a GoPro or other underwater device) is the best way to positively identify your billfish species.
• Be sure you have captured all the evidence necessary for qualification prior to submission.

 

Tournament Registration

The early bird entry fee for the IGFA SoCal Open is $300 per angler, when you register before September 1, 2023. The entry fee after September 1, 2023, is $350 per angler. For Junior Anglers ages 16 and under, the entry fee is $100.

Your registration fee covers your tournament angler bag, as well as food and beverages at the awards ceremony on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Anglers/Teams are responsible for chartering or providing their own boats for the tournament.

Please click the icon below to register online. For any questions on registration, please contact IGFA at 954-927-2628 or email [email protected].

Awards Ceremony – Guest Tickets

Guest tickets to the awards ceremony are available for purchase for non-tournament anglers. TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE DOOR.

The price per ticket is $75 per person. Please visit the following link to purchase your tickets online: https://one.bidpal.net/2023igfatournseries/ticketing(details:ticketing-summary).

Online Auction

The IGFA will host an online auction to coincide with the IGFA SoCal Open. Angling enthusiasts from around the world can bid on world-class fishing trips, tackle, artwork, and more! All proceeds from the IGFA SoCal Swordfish Open and the online auction go directly to support the IGFA’s conservation programs. 

The online auction begins on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 6:00 PM EDT, and ends Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 6:00 PM EDT.

For information on how to donate to the online auction, please contact IGFA Development Coordinator Kimberly Strong at [email protected] or 954-924-4315. You can also see our sponsorship levels here. 

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 Kimberly Strong at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.