Rules – FOFT

Tournament Rules

The Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament is a three-day fishing event and a World Championship Qualifying Event. Top Team honors goes to the team that tallies the most points during the tournament. The award provides prizes for first, second and third place finishers. The tournament will also award a prize to the team that catches the largest Tuna, largest Dorado and largest Kingfish (all by weight) and any other awards it deems necessary during the event.

In an effort to engage the youth in fishing sportsmanship, the tournament will also award the top 3 Junior Anglers (below 12 years old) and the top 3 Junior Pro Anglers (12-17 years old).

In an effort to add an element of social responsibility, all fish will immediately, after weigh-in and pictures, be sold and proceeds will be donated to charity.

Boats

Any boat may be used to fish in the event as long as it carries the necessary safety gear on board. Boats will be checked prior to the start of the event to ensure that international safety standards are met. Boats that do not meet international safety standards will be required to purchase all necessary gear to partake in the event or risk disqualification.

Boats

Boats will not be permitted to tie up anywhere but in the Marina during re-fueling and berthing. Any boat found to be tying up to buoys, markers, any other boat other than for safety and rescue precautions (which will need to be cleared with the tournament referee prior to this time) or anchoring at any time during the allotted hours of the event, other than in the Marina, will be deemed to be cheating and disqualified immediately from the event and forfeit the points gained up until that time and the entrance fee paid.

Catch Limits

This tournament aims at simultaneously creating awareness about conserving Fujairah’s waters and fish stocks, while raising funds for charity through the sale of the caught fish during the tournament. The event will be fished under catch limits per species for the purpose of scoring. However, additional fish caught from the same species during any given day will be allowed for the purpose of sale for charity.

However all teams are expected to release juvenile fish that are far below the minimum weight (tolerance < 30%). Teams that bring in juvenile fish will be penalized by the Tournament Director by having points deducted from their daily score (50 points penalty for that day).

Teams however will be rewarded for targeting and catching 4 or more species of the eligible species (subject to minimum weight).

The catch limits are as follows:

Billfish: No limits (catch and release as per rules below).

All other species: 4 per boat per day.

All fish will be sold for charity.

Scoring Catch limits

Billfish Division

One Thousand (1000) points for every Marlin officially released.

Five Hundred (500) points for every Sailfish officially released.

Tuna Division

Tuna over 8KG will have Forty (40) points in addition to Five (5) points per kilo over the minimum weight.

Other species

Rainbow Runner over 4 kg 20 points + 5 points per kilo over minimum weight.

Dorado over 5 kg 20 points + 5 points per kilo over minimum weight.

Queen fish over 5 kg 20 points + 5 points per kilo over minimum weight.

Barracuda over 5 kg 20 points + 5 points per kilo over minimum weight.

Kingfish/Wahoo over 8 kg 40 points + 5 points per kilo over minimum weight.

250 Bonus points will be given if teams bring to dock 4 or more species of fish per day.(All 4 species must meet minimum weight)

A Billfish may only be landed in the event that it is declared to be mortally wounded or dead on arrival at the boat, and that every reasonable effort was made to revive the fish. The skipper of the vessel will be required to make a declaration as to the reason for the boated fish. Failure to declare a boated fish will result in immediate team disqualification for the remainder of the tournament and forfeiture of all points previously earned.

Release Rules – Billfish Only. All teams must provide their own digital still camera for catch verification. The camera must show the correct time and date stamp on each photo or video. To score an official release, an identifiable photo must be taken of the fish. The organizers of the event will inform competitors at the event venue of additional controls that must be implemented to validate any released Billfish.

Video Confirmation and Rights

At the end of the day’s fishing, the camera, catch report affidavit and all photos/video taken must be brought to the weigh station for verification of official release points. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of that day’s catch.

The Organizers have the right to use any of the video and photos taken during the event for advertising and any other purposes required.

Catch Reports Affidavit

All catches must be recorded on the catch report affidavit sheets provided. The official time, species and angler must be written on the catch report affidavit. Each registered angler and boat captain must then sign the catch report affidavit. The catch report affidavit sheets must be turned in at the weigh station EACH DAY whether you catch a fish or not. In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins.

Baits

Live bait, dead bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament. Live bait may not be caught outside official event hours of 6am-4pm on Day 1. The catching of live bait by competitors during the daily event hours is allowed but will only be permitted on a rod and reel set up. The use of feathers to catch live bait is permitted but the use of nets at any time is not permitted. Teams found using nets to acquire live bait or any other form of fish will be disqualified immediately. Live bait will be available for purchase each morning at the Marina (to be confirmed). Costs will be given to the teams prior to the start of the event.

Line

130lbs test maximum; tournament or non-tournament lines are eligible. If the stated line test is 130lbs or less, it is allowed in the tournament.

Hand Lining

Hand lining in this event is not permitted at any point.

Fly Fishing Division

IGFA Fly Fishing Rules apply- https://www.igfa.org/fish/international-angling-rules.aspx

Daily Fishing Hours

Boats are required to line up for a Bimini start in the bay directly in front of the Yacht club at 6am on day 1, starting time will begin only after the foghorn. On day 2 and 3, start time is at 6am, there will be no foghorn so you may start at 6am. Fishing ends at 4:00pm on all days. All boats must be at the Marina between 5.00pm to 5.30pm. Final arrival time to weigh station area is 5.30pm. A member of each team must produce their time card to control prior to 5.30pm. Failure to do so will result in point penalties being applied. The Tournament Committee reserves the privilege of changing starting and finishing times for any reason they deem necessary.

Late hook up’s

If any team has a late hook up and the team captain / skipper feels that they would like to fight the fish, then the team is required to phone / radio in the late hook up immediately. The on-board observer will then need to confirm the late hook up to verify its validity. A team with a late hook up will have until 5:30pm to land the fish and must be back in the marina by latest 6:30pm. If at any time during the fight the fish is deemed to be lost or there is a line break, the boat must return to the marina immediately. During late hook ups, all other rods will be removed from the water and stored on board the boat.

Captain & Anglers’ Briefing

All anglers and boat captains must attend the scheduled angler/captain’s meeting on the night prior to the tournamnet. If they do not attend, they accept and agree to be bound by all instructions and/or rule changes made during that meeting.

IGFA rules

IGFA rules apply to the Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament unless otherwise stated. It is the responsibility of each team and crew member to know, understand and abide by IGFA and tournament rules during the competition.

Disqualification

Any angler, captain or mate who deliberately breaks these rules (as laid out above) will be immediately expelled and disqualified from the competition as well as any future competitions and shall not be eligible to a refund of any registration fees. For the complete list of IGFA rules, go to www.igfa.org

Weather

The Event Director and the Event Referee will have final decision on any weather decisions to be made. Each morning the Event Director and Event Referee will make a decision on whether or not any boat is allowed to leave the marina (or mooring) to commence fishing. In the event of a fishing day being called off due to bad weather or for any other reason deemed necessary by the Event Director and the Event Referee, alternative arrangements for the day will be decided upon by the Event Director and the Event Referee. Failure to comply with any decision made by the Event Director and/or the Event Referee will result in disqualification of the offending team from the event and all points being lost immediately.

Registration

Registration for the Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament is open to anyone wishing to partake in the competition and who pay the required entry fee. Registration will be open until the Captain and Anglers’ Briefing.

Entry Fee

The entry fee is AED 2,000/- per team, which includes from two (min) up to six (max) registered anglers per team. This is the tournament entry fee for those entering with their own boats, others can refer to charter boats section.

Protests

All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by an AED 500/- fee. All protests will be settled the day of the incident. All protests on the 1st and 2nd day of the tournament must be received by the tournament’s designated rules official no later than 6:00pm the day of the alleged incident.

The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, MUST be present in any official protest hearing. If the accused or protesting teams fail to show up for the protest hearing, they forfeit their right to be heard and will abide by the decision made by the official tournament judges.

If the protest is upheld, the AED500/- fee will be refunded to the team making the protest.

Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament 2019

All decisions made by the Official Tournament Director, Referee or Judges are final. The organizers of the Fujairah Offshore Fishing Tournament 2019, reserve the right to amend the rules at any time. Any amendments will be communicated to the teams verbally or through official bulletins.

INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION SALT WATER ANGLING RULES

International Angling Rules

The following angling rules have been formulated by the International Game Fish Association to promote ethical and sporting angling practices, to establish uniform regulations for the compilation of world game fish records, and to provide basic angling guidelines for use in fishing tournaments and any other group angling activities.

The word “angling” is defined as catching or attempting to catch fish with a rod, reel, line, and hook as outlined in the international angling rules. There are some aspects of angling that cannot be controlled through rule making, however. Angling regulations cannot insure an outstanding performance from each fish, and world records cannot indicate the amount of difficulty in catching the fish. Captures in which the fish has not fought or has not had a chance to fight do not reflect credit on the fisherman, and only the angler can properly evaluate the degree of achievement in establishing the record.

Only fish caught in accordance with IGFA international angling rules, and within the intent of these rules, will be considered for world records.

RULES FOR SALTWATER FISHING

Equipment Regulations

A. LINE

Monofilament, multifilament, and lead core multifilament lines may be used. Wire lines are prohibited.

B. LINE BACKING

Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions as to size or material.

If the fishing line is attached to the backing, the catch shall be classified under the heavier of the two lines. The backing may not exceed the 130 lbs. (60 kg) line class and must be of a type of line approved for use in these angling rules.

C. DOUBLE LINE

The use of a double line is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications:

A double line must consist of the actual line used to catch the fish.

Double lines are measured from the start of the knot, braid, roll or splice making the double to the farthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure or hook to the double line.

In all line classes up to and including 20 lbs. (10kg), the double line shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters).

The double line on all classes of tackle over 20 lbs. (10kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 40 feet (12.19 meters).

D. LEADER

The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications:

The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure, hook arrangement or other device. The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. In all line classes up to and including 20 lbs. (10 kg), the leader shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters). The leader on all classes of tackle over 20 lb (11) kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall be limited to 40 feet (12.19 meters).

E. ROD

Rods must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Considerable latitude is allowed in the choice of a rod, but rods giving the angler an unfair advantage will be disqualified. This rule is intended to eliminate the use of unconventional rods. The rod tip must be a minimum of 40 inches (101.6 cm) in length. The rod butt cannot exceed 27 inches (68.58 cm) in length. These measurements must be made from a point directly beneath the center of the reel. A curved butt is measured in a straight line. When the rod butt is placed in a gimbal, the measurement from the center of the reel seat to the pivot point of the gimbal can be no more than 27 inches. (The above measurements do not apply to surfcasting rods.)

F. REEL

Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs.

Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels, and any device which gives the angler an unfair advantage.

Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.

Reels designed to be cranked with both hands at the same time are prohibited.

G. HOOKS FOR BAIT FISHING

For live or dead bait fishing no more than two single hooks may be used. Both must be firmly imbedded in or securely attached to the bait. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than a hook’s length (the length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook.

The use of a dangling or swinging hook is prohibited. Double or treble hooksare prohibited.

A two-hook rig for bottom fishing is acceptable if it consists of two single hooks on separate leaders or drops. Both hooks must be imbedded in the respective baits and separated sufficiently so that a fish caught on one hook cannot be foul-hooked by the other.

A photograph or sketch of the hook arrangement must accompany all record applications made for fish caught on two-hook tackle.

H. HOOKS AND LURES

When using an artificial lure with a skirt or trailing material, no more than two single hooks may be attached to the line, leader, or trace. The hooks need not be attached separately. The eyes of the hooks must be no less than an overall hook’s length (the overall length of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 12 inches (30.48 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other hook. The trailing hook may not extend more than a hook’s length beyond the skirt of the lure. A photograph or sketch showing the hook arrangement must accompany a record application.

Gang hooks are permitted when attached to plugs and other artificial lures that are specifically designed for this use. Gang hooks must be free swinging and shall be limited to a maximum of three hooks (single, double, or treble, or a combination of any three). Baits may not be used with gang hooks. A photograph or sketch of the plug or lure must be submitted with record applications.

I. OTHER EQUIPMENT

Fighting chairs may not have any mechanically propelled devices which aid the angler in fighting a fish. Gimbals must be free swinging, which includes gimbals that swing in a vertical plane only. Any gimbal that allows the angler to reduce strain or to rest while fighting the fish is prohibited.

Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in overall length. In using a flying or detachable gaff the rope may not exceed 30 feet (9.14 meters). The gaff rope must be measured from the point where it is secured to the detachable head to the other end. Only the effective length will be considered. If a fixed head gaff is used, the same limitations shall apply and the gaff rope shall be measured from the same location on the gaff hook. Only a single hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon or lance attachments are prohibited. Tail ropes are limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). (When fishing from a bridge, pier, or other high platform or structure, this length limitation does not apply.)

Entangling devices, with or without a hook, are prohibited, and may not be used for any purpose including baiting, hooking, fighting, or landing the fish.

Outriggers, downriggers, spreader bars and kites are permitted to be used provided that the actual fishing line is attached to the snap or other release device, either directly or with some other material. The leader or double line may not be connected to the release mechanism either directly or with the use of a connecting device. Spreader bars are also acceptable when used strictly as a teaser.

Daisy chains, birds, floats and similar devices may only be used if they do not unfairly hamper or inhibit the normal swimming or fighting ability of the fish, thereby giving the angler or crew an unfair advantage in fighting, landing or boating the fish. A safety line may be attached to the rod provided that it does not in any way assist the angler in fighting the fish.

Angling Regulations

From the time that a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight, and land or boat the fish without the aid of any other person, except as provided in these regulations.

If a rod holder is used and a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, the angler must remove the rod from the holder as quickly as possible. The intent of this rule is that the angler shall strike and hook the fish with the rod in hand.

In the event of a multiple strike on separate lines being fished by a single angler, only the first fish fought by the angler will be considered for a world record.

If a double line is used, the intent of the regulations is that the fish will be fought on the single line most of the time that it takes to land the fish.

A harness may be attached to the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the angler.

Use of a rod belt or waist gimbal is permitted. When angling from a boat, once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader. One or more gaffers may be used in addition to persons holding the leader. The gaff handle must be in hand when the fish is gaffed. The angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is weighed.

The following acts will disqualify a catch:

Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.

The act of persons other than the angler in touching any part of the rod reel or line (including the double line) either bodily or with any device, from the time a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, until the fish is either landed or released, or in giving any aid other than that allowed in the rules and regulations. If an obstacle to the passage of the line through the rod guides has to be removed from the line, then the obstacle (whether chum, float line, rubber band, or other material) shall be held and cut free. Under no circumstances should the line be held or touched by anyone other than the angler during this process.

Resting the rod in a rod holder, on the gunwale of the boat, or any other object while playing the fish.

Hand lining or using a hand line or rope attached in any manner to the angler’s line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.

Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish (including sharks and halibuts) at any stage of the catch.

Chumming with or using as bait the flesh, blood, skin, or any part of mammals other than hair or pork rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting.

Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.

Changing the rod or reel while the fish is being played.

Splicing, removing, or adding to the line while the fish is being played.

Intentionally foul-hooking a fish.

Catching a fish in a manner that the double line never leaves the rod tip.

Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to possess.

Attaching the angler’s line or leader top of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.

If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the angling rules.

The following situations will disqualify a catch:

When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played) in a manner that reduces the length of the tip below minimum dimensions or severely impairs its angling characteristics.

Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not considered to be disquali1 injuries.) Any mutilation on the fish must be shown in a photograph and fully explained in a separate report accompanying the record application

When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than one line.

Common violations of IGFA rules

Mates touching the angler’s reel while assisting in connecting it to harness.

Anyone other than the angler touching rod, reel or line while angler is booking and fighting fish.

Angler striking the fish while rod is in the arm of the fighting chair or in a striking rod holder.

Mate touching the angler’s line with hand or any other object to keep the line from rubbing on gunwale, swim platform, or outrigger lines.

Mate touching double line instead of leader.

One angler fighting two fish at same time.

Mate adjusting drag while angler is fighting a fish.

Mate touching the line to remove any obstacle to the passage of the line through the rod guides.