2023 Tournament Rules
Sailfish Sweethearts Ladies Tournament Rules
RULE 1: The tournament is open to female anglers only. Men may join as captain and crew.
RULE 2: Registered anglers are responsible for providing their own fishing vessel and must have a valid Florida fishing license, unless the event is being held on the weekend when the state license is exempt. (The first Saturday in June is always license free day for Saltwater anglers).
RULE 3: Check Out Friday, October 13, 2023 & Saturday, October 14, 2023 from Fort Pierce, Stuart, Jupiter, Palm Beach, or Boynton Inlet: All boats must radio in or text (561)-254-8240 when departing inlet. You cannot leave inlet any earlier than 7:00 am. Once checked out boats may proceed to fishing grounds. You do not need to check in when lines are out. However, there will be no lines in until the official start at 8:00 am. This announcement will be made on channel 71, backup 69.
RULE 4: Lines are out at 3:30pm.The weigh-in scales will be open from 3:30-6pm one located at The Buccaneer Marina in Palm Beach & one at JIB Club in Jupiter.
RULE 5: Fishing area is Florida waters only. Boats fishing in the Bahamas will be automatically disqualified.
RULE 6: All IGFA rules apply. No wire lines are permitted. The use of treble hooks (unless part of a commercially-manufactured lure) and electric reels (except kite rods and downriggers) are prohibited. Stinger hooks must be firmly embedded or firmly attached to the bait.
RULE 7: Live bait, dead bait and lures are permitted. Live chumming is prohibited.
RULE 8: Anglers must abide by IGFA rules by hooking and reeling in their own fish. (Hook and hand is allowed) Hook and hand points will be towards team score not angler score! Mutilated fish are not eligible. Any fish that has been tampered with to increase the weight shall be disqualified and removed from the tournament. The weigh master’s decision is final.
RULE 9: The following species are eligible: Dolphin, Kingfish, Wahoo, Black Fin Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna. Bonita are only eligible if no other Tunas are caught.
RULE 10: There is a 10 lb. minimum per fish. Fish not meeting minimum weight will not count. All boats must adhere to Florida recreational bag limits as they pertain to all eligible species. To view current recreational bag limits, visit www.myfwc.com.
a) A maximum of four fish per species, per boat may be weighed.
b) A maximum of ten fish per boat can be weighed.
Points:
a) Blue Marlin: 500 points
b) Live Bait Sailfish: 100 points
c) Dead Bait Sailfish: 200 points
RULE 11: Video Review — You are to upload all of your releases to the app, if you cannot or having issues you can text them to (561) 254-8240 or email them sailfishsweethearts@gmail.com once they are reviewed you will be given points. You can also drop off SD cards to either weigh station as well. Note: Please have a Time/Date Stamp, Angler and Species Clarification in your Video!!
Reminder: All meat fish points will be added to the app that night.
RULE 11: Tournament officials will monitor VHF radio channel 71. Back up channel is 69. Please use a relay if you cannot contact the committee boat on either channel. A cell phone (561) 254-8240 will be provided at the Captain’s meeting.
RULE 12: Awards and/or trophies will be given as follows: Top Three Boats, Top Lady Angler, Top Jr Lady Angler, Heaviest Mahi, Heaviest Tuna, Heaviest Wahoo, Heaviest Kingfish and Heaviest Cobia. If one species is not weighed it is divided equally into each meat fish calcutta.
RULE 13: Registration fees will not be refunded for any reason.
RULE 14: Weather: If a small craft advisory #1 flag is flying, the tournament will be postponed until the following day.
RULE 15: Registered junior anglers age 11-16 are eligible for all awards. IGFA rules apply for all junior anglers.
RULE 16: In case of a tie, the earliest fish reported will be the winner.
RULE 17: As a condition of the entry in the Tournament, the angler specifically understands, agrees and consents to a polygraph examination if requested by decision of the tournament committee. Refusal of any angler to submit to a polygraph examination shall result in her immediate disqualification. In the sole opinion of the polygraph examiner, any untruthful response in the examination shall result in her immediate disqualification. Any participant so disqualified, shall not be entitled to any prize, award or entry fee refund.
RULE 18: The Sailfish Sweethearts Committee reserves the right to refuse tournament applicants or entries with or without cause in its sole discretion.
RULE 19: Any protest must be submitted in writing with a non-refundable fee of $500 per incident and delivered to the Sailfish Sweethearts Committee by 7:00 pm on the day of fishing. Discretion of the Committee will be final.
RULE 20: It is expressively understood that all participants enter at their own risk. Directors, officers, committee members, sponsors, officials and all other persons directly or indirectly involved with the operations of the Sailfish Sweethearts Ladies Tournament shall be exempt from loss, damage, liability, negligence or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sports angler, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels and equipment, which may occur during the Tournament.
