2016 Blue Water Open Tournament Rules
1. Your Boat Name Is Your Tournament #
- All State & Federal Fishing Rules & Regulations Apply. This is a rod & reel event. Wire line and electric reels are not allowed.
- 4 Tournament Fish Categories: (1) Dolphin, (2) Wahoo, (3) Kingfish (4) Grouper (Warsaw excluded). All categories subject to state and federal restrictions.
- No Formal Check-Out. Captains may start from any Inlet but must proceed without making land to the check-in boat near ICW Marker 65 in Sebastian.
- NO LINES IN BEFORE 6:00AM.
- FISHING: After entering the ocean & until your fish are weighed you may not make land or transfer fish with another boat. In case of a tie in fish weight, the lowest plate number (#) is given the place.
- FISH SIZE: All fish to be weighed in must have a minimum weight of 10 pounds. Please support conservation and release fish under 10 pounds.
- Check-In 2:00PM – 5:00PM: (No late check-ins accepted.) After fishing, boats must proceed directly by water without any land stops to the check-in boat, located near ICW Marker 65 in Sebastian. You are NOT checked-in until you receive a numbered plate from the check-in boat. DO NOT PROCEED INTO ENTRY CHANNEL FOR WEIGH-IN UNTIL DIRECTED!
- Boat Breakdowns: A boat may be towed to the weigh-in. The 5:00PM final check-in still applies.
- All fish will be subject to a freshness test by means of an Organoleptic Exam and a Torry Meter. Captains are responsible for keeping their catch properly iced & fresh. Fish failing the exam will be disqualified. Mutilated fish may also be disqualified.
- WEATHER: If a late cancellation becomes necessary, it will be announced on CH 72 immediately following the NOAA Saturday 4:30 AM update & on website bluewateropen.com. Saturday, June 11th is the weather date. No refunds if Tournament is canceled.
- Protests: Must be in writing; include a $200.00 cash deposit and notice given within 10 minutes of the last fish weighed. The deposit will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
- Lady Angler & Junior Angler: Catch must be the sole effort of the Lady or Junior Angler until a mate can handle the leader. Junior Angler is 12 years of age & younger. Fish entered under Lady or Junior Angler must be declared before being weighed, but may compete for other cash prizes.
- Communication: Tournament Channel is VHF CH72
- All decisions of BWO committee regarding tournament matters are final.
- All Calcutta’s are prohibited.
DO NOT PROCEED TO CHECK-IN UNTIL YOUR NUMBER IS CALLED!
NO RAFTING PERMITTED!
>>> ONE-WAY BOAT TRAFFIC THROUGH MARINA CHANNEL!
PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC FLOW!
NO DOCKAGE WITHIN THE MARINA BASIN IS ALLOWED! <<<
*Blue Water Open Tournament Rules subject to change