Unofficial Rules
While all efforts are made to keep this information current, all rules published on this website shall be considered unofficial. Official rules will be distributed and announced at the registration check-in. All participants agree to the terms of these rules by participating in the tournament.
The Tournament
The Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic is a FREE visiting angler/participant entry tournament for all participants fishing on a Los Cabos charter boat November 17, 18, 19 or 20, 2020. The tournament is offering a Los Cabos Tourism Board guaranteed $40,000 in cash purse plus trophies and prizes. Charter boats can have multiple registered anglers on board. Professional paid Los Cabos based charter captains and mates cannot be registered anglers.
THE TERM PROFESSIONAL SHALL BE DEFINED AS ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO DERIVED THEIR INCOME FROM ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN THE ACT OF FISHING IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS WITHIN THE WATERS OF THE HOST COUNTRY, SUCH AS A FULL OR PART TIME CAPTAIN, MATE OR TELEVISION PERSONALITY WHOSE PROGRAM IS CENTERED ON THE ACT OF FISHING IN THE HOST COUNTRY.
THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED PROFESSIONAL UNDER THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS; YACHT BROKERS, LICENSED CAPTAINS WHO DO NOT DERIVE THEIR PRINCIPAL INCOME FROM FISHING IN THE HOST COUNTRY AND WHO DO NOT ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN FISHING ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THEIR PRIMARY OCCUPATION, EVENT COORDINATORS AND/OR TOURNAMENT PROMOTERS, TELEVISION PERSONALITIES WHO PERIODICALLY ENGAGE IN FISHING IN THE HOST COUNTRY BUT DO NOT CENTER THEIR IMAGE, REPUTATION, NAME OR TELEVISION PROGRAM ON FISHING IN THE HOST COUNTRY, CHARTER OPERATORS AND OWNERS WHO PERIODICALLY ENGAGE IN FISHING IN THE HOST COUNTRY BUT DO NOT ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN FISHING ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THEIR PRIMARY OCCUPATION. ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ENTRY FORMS FOR EACH ANGLER IN WHICH THEY WILL DECLARE THEIR OCCUPATION. ANY QUESTIONS ARISING AS TO ANY APPLICANT ANGLER BEING A PROFESSIONAL ANGLER AS DEFINED UNDER THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL BE RESOLVED BY THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER. THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DENY THE ENTRY OF ANY APPLICANT INTO THE TOURNAMENT. ALL DECISIONS BY THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER IN REGARD TO THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER ANY PROPOSED ANGLER SHALL BE DECLARED A PROFESSIONAL AND THEREFORE INELIGIBLE TO FISH IN ANY TOURNAMENT SHALL BE FINAL, BINDING AND NON-APPEALABLE.
****Participation ****
Anglers must register and receive confirmation of registration on the official tournament Web site www.LosCabosTournaments.com, or at one of the final registration check-in locations in Los Cabos. Registration for Cabo San Lucas will take place at Fisherman's Landing at the Marina Fundadores dock, and in San Jose Del Cabo at Puerto Los Cabos Marina Ship Store.
Registration times in Cabo San Lucas are 5 to 7 p.m. and in San Jose Del Cabo is 3 to 5 p.m. Anglers can register by November 16 to be eligible to participate November 17 to 20. Anglers can register by November 17 to be eligible to participate November 18 to 20. Anglers can register by November 18 to be eligible to participate November 19 to 20. And finally, anglers can register by November 19 to be eligible to participate November 20. Anglers can fish one or all days of the competition. The tournament committee reserves the right to deny tournament entry of any individual, organization or corporation.
Angling Rules
Fish must be caught on rod and reel during tournament hours from a Los Cabos Charter Boat November 17 to 20. Anglers may receive assistance in hooking, fighting and landing the fish. The definition of a “Los Cabos Charter Boat” is at the sole discretion of the tournament management.
Tackle
Fish must be caught on rod and reel equipment. Electric reels and wireline is prohibited. Wire and steel cable leader is allowed in the tournament.
Bait/Lures
Live bait, dead bait, lures and any combination is allowed in the tournament.
Eligible Species
Blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, spearfish, tuna, wahoo and dorado. Blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish are release only.
Daily Fishing Hours
Fishing will commence at 6:30 a.m. each day. Fish to be weighed must be back at the designated weigh-in locations by 4:30 p.m. to weigh the fish.
Radio Start
The official tournament channel for boats fishing out of San Jose and Cabo San Lucas is 28. All anglers must wait for the official radio start at 6:30 a.m. ANY angler that is tournament fishing prior to the 6:30 a.m. radio start announcement will be disqualified from the day's fishing.
Weigh-in
The weigh scales will open at 1:00 p.m. in San Jose and 2:30 p.m. in Cabo San Lucas. All fish to be weighed must go to designated weigh-in locations, including Puerto Los Cabos Palapas in San Jose and Marina Fundadores Weigh-Gantry in Cabo San Lucas by 4:30 p.m. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Tournament anglers are responsible for the safe transport of their fish to be weighed from the boat to the weigh-in gantry. Assistance by marina staff members will be provided upon request. Billfish release pictures and video must be emailed to [email protected] and received by November 30 by 1 p.m. (Los Cabos time) to be eligible for release certificates and prize drawings.
Communications
The tournament will be broadcasting and monitoring VHF channel 28 for boats fishing out of Puerto Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas. An international cell number 407-405-0102 and local cell number 624-155-4341 will also be available for communications.
Billfish Releases
Anglers who email a photo or video of their released billfish, caught during tournament hours and under tournament rules, to [email protected] by 1 pm on November 30 will receive an emailed release certificate and be eligible to win prizes through random drawings.
Weather
There is no weather committee. The tournament is conducted on a fish-at-your-own-risk basis. If any portion of the tournament is fished and participants catch or release fish that match the tournament's eligible species and minimum weight limits, then prizes will be awarded.
Sportsmanlike Conduct
All participants are expected to maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor at all times throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike or threatening conduct toward 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 participant and any catches made by that participant.
Protests
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 $500. The tournament judges may call a protest hearing at their discretion; a protest hearing is not guaranteed. All protests will be settled on the day of the incident. All protests from November 17 to 20 must be in the hands of the tournament’s designated rules official by 5 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident. The protesting party, as well as the accused participant, 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 participant. If the protesting or participant fails to show up for the protest hearing, that participant forfeits its right to submit evidence. Decisions of the tournament organizers with regard to protests are final, non-appealable and nonjusticiable.
Awards
The Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic is an angler event with a Los Cabos Tourism Board guaranteed $40,000 in cash purse plus prizes. Awards will be for the angler(s) catching the three largest Tuna, Wahoo and Dorado each day of fishing. A total of $10,000 will be awarded each day. Anglers can fish one or all days of the tournament. Los Cabos based professional captains and mates making a living from fishing in Los Cabos cannot be registered anglers (see Tournament Rules for definition of Professional). The tournament will also email King Sailfish Mount release certificates to all anglers who email a photograph or video of their billfish release during tournament hours and be eligible for special prize drawings. Lady and Junior angler (age 17 and younger) awards will be presented for the tournament.
Tuna/Wahoo/Dorado
Daily Awards for Tuna, Wahoo and Dorado November 17 to 20, 2020. Winning anglers will receive a King Sailfish Mounts Trophy Plaque.
- The angler(s) catching the largest tuna, wahoo and dorado will win $1,800 each day.
- The angler(s) catching the second largest tuna, wahoo and dorado will win $900 each day.
- The angler(s) catching the third largest tuna, wahoo and dorado will win $635 each day.
Note: In the event of a tie, the anglers will split the winnings of their placement and the next lower level. For example, if there is a tie for the largest tuna of the day the anglers will split the prize money of the largest and second largest tuna prize with the next tuna angler assuming the third place position. In the event only one or two fish is caught in a species category, the anglers will split the next positions prize. For example, if only two qualifying wahoo are caught the anglers catching the largest and second largest wahoo for that day will split the third largest prize. In the event no fish are caught in a species category, the cash awards will be split evenly among the other species winners. For example, if no wahoo are caught the wahoo prize will be split evenly between the tuna and dorado winners of that day.
Billfish Release
Anglers emailing a photograph or video to [email protected] by 1 p.m. November 30 (Los Cabos time) of their released billfish caught during tournament hours will receive a King Sailfish Mount Release Certificate by email and be eligible for special prize drawings for additional awards.
Lady and Junior Angler Awards
The lady angler and junior angler (17 and younger) catching the largest fish each day, tuna, wahoo or dorado, under tournament rules will receive a King Sailfish Mounts Trophy Plaque and prize package. Total of eight awards – four Lady and four Junior. Monetary prizes to minor anglers will be presented to parents or guardians of the winning minor.
Prize Disbursement
The $40,000 purse is guaranteed by the Los Cabos Tourism Board. Bonnier Corporation, affiliated sponsors and contractors are not responsible for providing any cash winnings. Any angler receiving cash awards must fill out a prize-disbursement form prior to receiving any funds or prizes. The registered adult "Angler" listed on the Entry Form is in control of any winnings and must sign the prize-disbursement form. We are required by Mexican law to withhold city, state and federal taxes from tournament winnings. The amount of taxes can change from year to year, but is currently 15 percent total. The Tournament is not responsible for any duty on mailed trophies and prizes.
Schedule
All anglers must register and receive confirmation of registration on the official tournament website www.LosCabosTournaments.com or at one of the two final registration check-in locations in Los Cabos by Nov. 16 in order to be eligible to participate Nov. 17 to 20. Anglers can register by November 17 to be eligible to participate November 18- to 20. Anglers can also register by November 18 to be eligible to participate November 19 and 20. And finally, anglers can register by November 19 to be eligible to participate November 20. Preferred registration times in Cabo San Lucas are 5 to 7 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. in San Jose Del Cabo. Anglers can fish one or all days of the competition. The tournament committee reserves the right to deny tournament entry of any individual, organization or corporation.
November 16-19: Registration Online www.LosCabosTournaments.com
On-site Los Cabos registration will be at two locations including:
- Cabos San Lucas: Fisherman’s Landing, Marina Fundadores from 5 to 7 p.m. Tournament t-shirts and hats will be on sale. Contact Dan Jacobs, [email protected], international cell number 407-405-0102, Mexico Cell 624-155-4341.
- San Jose Del Cabo: Puerto Los Cabos Palapas from 3 to 5 p.m. Tournament t-shirts and hats will be on sale. Contact Priscilla Scollin, [email protected], international cell number 407-405-0121, Mexico Cell 624-178-4866.
- November 17: Fishing begins at 6:30 a.m. Anglers must be checked in to weigh fish by 4:30 p.m. Cabo San Lucas weigh-in at the Marina Fundadores Weigh-Gantry. San Jose weigh-in location at the Puerto Los Cabos Palapas. Angler registration continues for fishing November 18 to 20 at all locations.
- November 18: Fishing begins at 6:30 a.m. Anglers must be checked in to weigh fish by 4:30 pm. Cabo San Lucas weigh-in at the Marina Fundadores Weigh-Gantry. San Jose weigh-in location at the Puerto Los Cabos Palapas. Angler registration continues for fishing November 19 to 20 at all locations.
- November 19: Fishing begins at 6:30 a.m. Anglers must be checked in to weigh fish by 4:30 pm. Cabo San Lucas weigh-in at the Marina Fundadores Weigh-Gantry. San Jose weigh-in location at the Puerto Los Cabos Palapas. Angler registration continues for fishing November 22 at all locations.
- November 20: Fishing begins at 6:30 a.m. Anglers must be checked in to weigh fish by 4:30 pm. Cabo San Lucas weigh-in at the Marina Fundadores Weigh-Gantry. San Jose weigh-in location at the Puerto Los Cabos Palapas.
November 17-30: All angler billfish release photos or video must be emailed to [email protected] by 1 p.m. on Nov. 30 (Los Cabos time) to receive an emailed release certificate and be eligible to win prizes through random drawings.