REVISED FOR 2000

SECTION 1. The Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club fishing boundaries are as follows: A radius of 150 nautical miles from the Destin sea buoy. This boundary represents a designated area Club members may fish to qualify for the annual Club tournament awards.

SECTION 2. The International Game Fish Association rules apply unless otherwise specified. Federal, State and local laws governing the taking of all fish eligible for Club awards will be adhered to. The Board of Directors has authority to rule on any ambiguous IGFA, Federal, State, or local laws applicable to the taking of any fish eligible for the Club awards.

SECTION 3. All fish entered in the annual club tournament must be weighed in the boat or on a dock with the exception of the billfish, and tarpon which may be measured and released. Weight of billfish and tarpon will be estimated using methods defined in Article II-Awards.

SECTION 4. IGFA rules state that rod and reel must not be touched by others, however in the interest of safety when Cobia fishing using a tower, the rod may be passed down to the main deck by another angler to be retrieved by the angler hooking the fish for the fight. The intermediate angler must not use the reel or fight the fish in any manner. The first person to hook up the fish is the only one eligible to qualify for the Cobia award.

SECTION 5. The fishing season will commence 1 November and terminate 31 October.

SECTION 6. Anglers eligible for the annual Club Tournament will fill in all pertinent data requested on the official weigh-in form which must be turned in to the Weigh Master within (thirty) 30 days following the catch or tag and release event.

SECTION 7. At the termination of the season, anglers will turn in all weigh-in forms not later than the first General Membership meeting in November.

SECTION 8. The Weigh Master will certify and retain all weigh-in forms.

SECTION 9. Club members and their immediate family are the only individuals permitted to participate in the annual Club Tournament. The immediate family consists of the spouse and dependent children under the age of eighteen (18) years of age.

SECTION 10. The leader board maintained in the Club House will reflect only the names of paid up Club members for all listed species of fish.

SECTION 11. Fish caught and fish tagged and released by non Club members will count toward the BEST BOAT CAPTAIN" and BEST SMALL BOAT CAPTAIN" award.

SECTION 12. Members fishing from a charter or private boat with a hired (salaried) captain or crew are eligible in Club competition. This rule applies only to pelagic fish identified as blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin fish, king mackerel, black fin tuna and yellow fin tuna.

SECTION 13. Weigh / T & R slips must be submitted in accordance with ARTICLE I Section 6, page 1. Scales do not have to be officially certified. Anglers are encouraged to participate in the scale calibration night held before the spring cobia trip to ensure individual scales are nominally accurate with the official club scale.

SECTION 14. No fish that is sold is eligible for the ANNUAL TOURAMENT. Frozen fish may not be entered in Club competition.

SECTION 15. Fish entered in competition must be caught on a rod and reel. Grouper, snapper, and amberjack may be caught on a rod and reel and an electric reel.

SECTION 16. The angler catching the heaviest fish in each of the species listed on the Club leader board will be declared the winner of the species. Weight may be actual scale weight for fish returned to the dock or estimated weight based on measurements as defined in Article II-Awards. An angler may not be eligible for two places with a single species.

SECTION 17. An angler may only win two awards for the species categories. The awards may be any combination of first or second place species subject to the restrictions in Section 16.

SECTION 18. Registration of a member's two categories must be submitted to the Weigh Master in writing no later than the November General Membership meeting.

SECTION 19. In the event of a weight tie, the time and date of the catch will be the deciding factor to determine the winner.

SECTION 20. Manufacturer's line test will be accepted.

SECTION 21. A quorum of the Board of Directors will act as the rules and grievance committee.

SECTION 22. Changes to these rules will be in accordance with the Club By Laws ARTICLE IX, AMENDMENTS, SECTION 1 or 2, PAGE 6.

SECTION 1. Trophies will be awarded to the following categories:

Blue marlin, black fin tuna, white marlin, sailfish, dolphin fish, wahoo, king mackerel, red snapper, grouper, yellow fin tuna, cobia, amberjack, red fish, jack crevalle, sea trout, and tarpon. No more than 16 species will be listed on the board. A special award for swordfish shall be given at the discretion of the board of directors.

SECTION 2. First and second place trophies will be awarded for all of the species listed in ARTICLE II - AWARDS, Section 1, page 3. Individuals may only win one (1) award per species listed and a total of two species awards.

SECTION 3. All billfish whether killed or tagged and released will be judged by actual weight or estimated weight based on lower bill to fork length using tables for individual species. Anglers who release billfish are required to record the lower bill to fork length to the best of their ability. The Billfish Foundation tags will be the only tags used for tag and release of billfish.

SECTION 4. Minimum sizes and weights for the following fish shall apply:

01. blue marlin 99 inches.
02. white marlin 66 inches
03. sailfish 58 inches
04. wahoo 25 lbs.
05. dolphin fish 15 lbs
06. yellow fin tuna 35 lbs.
07. cobia 30 lbs.
08. tarpon 36 inches.
09. king mackerel 15 lbs.
10. black fin tuna 15 lbs.
11. Jack Crevalle 20 lbs.
12. amberjack 20 lbs
13. red fish. 10 lbs.
14. sea trout 3 lbs.
15. grouper 20 lbs.
16. red snapper 10 lbs.

NOTE: All billfish will be measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail

NOTE: Tarpon shall be measured overall length and girth at the widest point. The following formula shall be used to determine the weight:

L = Length in inches, W = Weight in pounds, G= Girth in inches.

NOTE: Red fish, jack crevalle and tarpon weighed and released may be counted toward the annual Club Tournament.

SECTION 1. A light tackle trophy will be presented to the winner as determined by the angler accumulating the most points. Points will be awarded by multiplying the weight of the fish by the line factor. All fish must be caught on 30 lb. test line or less.

SECTION 2. Fish eligible for the light tackle trophy are presented in ARTICLE II - AWARDS, Section 1, page 3. Minimum fish weights for the light tackle award are governed by ARTICLE II - AWARDS, Section 4, page 3.

SECTION 3. Line factor for light tackle award:

30 lb. test or less = 3        12 lb. test or less = 6
20 lb. test or less = 4        08 lb. test or less = 7
16 lb. test or less = 5        06 lb. test or less = 8

SECTION 4. Game fish tagged and released are eligible for the light tackle trophy. The following point system is assigned to game fish tagged and released:

blue marlin = 500 points
white marlin = 300 points
sailfish = 200 points
yellowfin tuna = 100 points
black fin tuna = 50 points

SECTION 1. The intent of the"Tag and Release" trophy is to award first second and third place trophies to the anglers attaining the highest number of points. Points will be awarded by the multi-value of the fish:

blue marlin = 500 points
white marlin = 300 points
sailfish = 200 points
yellow fin tuna = 100 points
black fin tuna = 50 points

SECTION 2. Line factor for tag and release trophy:

80 lb. test or heavier = 1
50 lb. test or less = 2
30 lb. test or less = 3
20 lb. test or less = 4
16 lb. test or less = 5
12 lb. test or less = 6
08 lb. test or less = 7
06 lb. test or less = 8

EXAMPLE: To compute the points acquired on a sailfish caught with 30 lb. test line, multiply 200 x 3 = 600 points.

SECTION 3. The Billfish Foundation Tag cards will be the only tag cards used for tagging of billfish. Our club participates in the Annual Billfish Conservation Challenge through the Billfish Foundation. Anglers who tag and release a billfish may check the appropriate box on the tag card to receive a beautiful certificate. If the fish is ever recovered the angler and captain will receive a nice T-shirt and another certificate from the Billfish Foundation.

SECTION 4. Please take the time to tag the fish in the proper position. The Billfish Foundation now recommends that the tag be placed at least midway down the dorsal fin, in the muscle and above the lateral line. If a fish is recaptured with a tag in the eye, head or another inappropriate placement then our club is penalized minus 50 tags in the Conservation Challenge. After filling out the card correctly, make sure to obtain a sticker from the Club to mark it "Credit Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club". Place this sticker on the tag card between the holes where the tag was removed from the card.

SECTION 1. An annual Club trophy will be presented to the Small-Fry angler catching the largest fish during the Club year. A Small-Fry angler catch is also eligible for all other club trophies. NOTE: A Small-Fry angler as outlined by the IGFA is 10 years of age or less on the date of the catch.

SECTION 1. An annual Club trophy will be presented to the junior angler catching the largest fish during the Club year. A junior angler catch is also eligible for all other club trophies. NOTE: A junior angler must be age 11 and cannot be 16 years of age prior to the date of the catch.

SECTION 1. The intent of the "BEST SMALL BOAT CAPTAIN" award is to recognize the best small boat captain of the year.

SECTION 2. A small boat is defined as a craft with a manufacture LOA of 27 feet or less.

SECTION 3. There are no restrictions on the number of fish entered during the fishing year. The point system used will be the same as that used in ARTICLE X - SPORT ANGLER, SECTIONS 3, 4 and 5, PAGE 8.

SECTION 4. Fish caught by a small boat captain will qualify for the "BEST SMALL BOAT CAPTAIN AWARD" award and the "BEST SPORT FISHERMAN" award.

SECTION 5. Points cannot be accumulated as a salaried captain while chartering.

SECTION 6. The winner of this award will be determined by the total aggregate score.

SECTION 7. The winner of the "BEST SMALL BOAT CAPTAIN" award is not eligible for the "BEST BOAT CAPTAIN" award.

ARTICLE VIII - BEST BOAT CAPTAIN

SECTION 1. The intent of the "BEST BOAT CAPTAIN" award is to recognize the best boat captain of the year.

SECTION 2. There are no restrictions on the number of fish entered during the fishing year. The point system used will be the same as that used in ARTICLE X - SPORT ANGLER, SECTIONS 3, 4 and 5, PAGE 8.

SECTION 3. Fish caught by a boat captain will qualify for the "BEST BOAT CAPTAIN AWARD" award and the "BEST SPORT FISHERMAN" award.

SECTION 4. Points cannot be accumulated as a salaried captain while chartering.

SECTION 5. The winner of this award will be determined by the total aggregate score.

SECTION 1. The intent of the "BEST SPORT FISHERMAN" award is to recognize the best sport fisherman of the year.

SECTION 2. There are no restrictions on the number of fish entered during the fishing year. The point system used to determine the winner will be the same as that in ARTICLE X - SPORT ANGLER, SECTION 3, 4 and 5, PAGE 8.

SECTION 3. Fish caught by a boat captain will qualify for the "BEST SPORT FISHERMAN" and the "BEST BOAT CAPTAIN" award.

SECTION 4. Points cannot be accumulated as a salaried captain while chartering.

SECTION 5. The winner for this award will be determined by the total aggregate score.

SECTION 1. The intent of the "SPORT ANGLER" trophy is to recognize the angler who pursues off shore game fishing in a SPORTSMAN LIKE manner while complying with the rules and by laws of the Fort Walton Beach Sailfish Club under no time restrictions.

SECTION 2. The title "SPORT ANGLER" will be bestowed upon the individual accumulating 1,500 points, tagging and releasing or catching one or more billfish. A "Sport Angler" patch will be awarded to the angler and his/her name will be engraved on the Club's "Sport Angler" plaque in recognition of the accomplishment.

SECTION 3. Point system for the SPORT ANGLER award:

blue marlin ==== 500 points
sailfish ======= 200 points
yellow fin tuna == 100 points
white marlin ==== 300 points
wahoo ======= 50 points
dolphin fish ==== 50 points
black fin tuna === 50 points

SECTION 4. The line factor to be applied to the "Sport Angler" trophy will be as stated in ARTICLE IV, SECTION 2 - TAG and RELEASE, page 5.

SECTION 5. Tagged and released billfish, including the yellow fin tuna will receive a factor of 1.5.

EXAMPLE: To compute a tagged an released sailfish caught on 30 lb. test, multiply 200 x 3 x 1.5 = 900 points.

SECTION 1. The intent of the "MASTER ANGLER" award is to recognize the angler who, through the use of skill, professionalism and integrity, masters the art of off shore game fishing by accomplishing the following under no time restrictions:

SECTION 2. A member must catch or tag and release any three of the four billfish: blue marlin, swordfish, white marlin, sailfish, and catch and weigh any two of the following:

yellowfin tuna (70 lbs. minimum) wahoo (50 lbs. minimum) dolphin fish (35 lbs. minimum)

In addition, a member must achieve two of the following:

a. GRAND SLAM: Blue marlin, White marlin, and Sailfish within a 24 hour period.

b. Blue marlin (minimum 400 lbs.), White marlin (minimum 65 lbs.), Swordfish (minimum 100 lbs.) or Sailfish (minimum 55 lbs.).

c. Unusual catch that weighs in excess of 50 lbs. and is caught with a line ratio of over 3 to 1. Eligibility in this category shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

d. Tagged and Released: Two (2) blue marlin, or two (2) white marlin, or two (2) sailfish.

e. Accumulated 10,000 points in the Club Sport Angler category.

f. Caught any fish above with a line ratio of 7 to 1.

g. Recognized with any salt water pelagic International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record caught in the local fishing area.

h. Tournament Champion or Tag and Release Champion of any billfish tournament in the local area.

SECTION 3. Any person who qualifies will be designated as a MASTER ANGLER. A Master Angler patch will be awarded and accompanied by the angler's name being placed on the Club's Master Angler plaque in tribute to this accomplishment.