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OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES
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To be eligible to participate in the tournament, each entrant must have completed an entry form and paid all dues not later than the date & time set on the entry form, and must agree to abide by tournament rules.
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For releases points to be awarded, ALL billfish caught & released must be authenticated by Video ONLY. No photos will be accepted.
Videos should be of the RELEASE and can be presented to the ASF judges either via a digital camera or cell phone, and a member of the crew must have the correct Number Card issued by ASF Radio present & clearly visible in the video.
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The Official tournament Headquarters and Weighing in station will be the place designated on the entry form
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All boats must be at the designated declared point of departure in the Island of Antigua.
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The angler must set the hook and bring the fish to gaff unaided: However, assistance in moving the rod from the gunnel holder to the fighting chair is permitted.
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The entrant of the boat or someone so delegated will be responsible to ensure that these rules are enforced under pain of disqualification from the tournament.
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It shall be the responsibility of the Judges Committee to adjudicate the written rules and to make necessary decisions where the situation has not been anticipated by the written rules. The Decision of the Judges committee is Final.
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All fish caught will be weighed and recorded on arrival at the designated Weighing-in-Station by an appointed Judge of Scales and duly witnessed by the entrant or his delegate.
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Any boat in distress must fly a Red Flag.
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All boats Must Have VHF radio and standby and monitor on channel 06
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The judges have the right to inspect boat and gear at any time.
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Marlin boated must be brought to the scales
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The official sponsors of the Antigua and Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament are listed on the brochure. No other competing sponsors by participating boats will be allowed in the tournament. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in disqualification.
EQUIPMENT
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Hand lines are prohibited.
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No lines in excess of 80 lbs. are permitted.
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Not more than two hooks are permitted, per line.
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Gang hooks are permitted only on plugs and artificial lures.
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Artificial and any other baits are permitted.
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Power driven reels are prohibited.
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Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.
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Reels designed for cranking with both hands are prohibited.
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Harpooning, lancing or shooting to assist in boating of fish is prohibited.
ANGLING REGULATIONS
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Harnesses may be used, and may be replaced or adjusted by another person.
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One or more gaffers are permitted to boat a fish.
DISQUALIFICATION ACT
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Failure to comply with rules and other regulations.
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Acts of person other than the angler in adjusting the reel drag or touching any part of the rod, line or reel during the fighting of fish.
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A rod breaks while fighting a fish.
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Mutilation of fish caused by propeller, attacks of other fish, shooting and Harpooning.
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No fish under 10 lbs will be recognised.
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Jigging & Drift Fishing Prohibited.
SPORTMANLIKE CONDUCT
All participants are expected to maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor at all times throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike or threatening conduct towards tournament organizers or other participants, or any other behavior which the tournament organizers deem inappropriate, in their sole discretion, will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team with no refund of entry fees.
PROTEST
Participants may lodge protests against any catch which they believe was not made in accordance with these rules. All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by EC$100. The tournament judges may call a protest hearing in their discretion; a protest hearing is not guaranteed. All protests will be settled on the day of the incident unless the tournament judges feel more time is necessary. All protests must be in the hands of the tournament's designated rules official by 7 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident unless there is a protest regarding a fish that comes to the scales late. The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, must be present at any official protest hearing. The tournament committee may refuse to consider any protest evidence not submitted at the protest hearing in the presence of the protested team. If the protesting or protested team fails to show up for the protest hearing, that team forfeits its right to submit evidence. Decisions of the tournament organizers with regard to protests are final, non-appealable, and non-justiciable.
RADIO
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A base radio will be in operation, called ASF Radio on Channel 06. All boats must report their departure-location-strikes and types of fish to ASF Radio.
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It is the responsibility of each boat to have adequate Safety Equipment on board.