TOURNAMENT RULES

2026 MOBILE BIG GAME FISHING CLUB

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT RULES

1. AUTHORITY, RULE CHANGES, AND ACCEPTANCE

1.1. These Rules govern all tournaments conducted by the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club (“MBGFC”).
1.2. Rules published in print, online, or announced verbally may be amended at any time without prior notice by the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club.
1.3. All rule changes announced at the Captain’s Meeting supersede all written rules.
1.4. By registering, paying entry fees, and/or signing out, each Participant (angler, captain, owner, mate, crew member, or guest) acknowledges, understands, and agrees to comply with:

  • All Tournament Rules
  • All decisions of the Tournament Director and Rules Committee (“Committee”), which are final, binding, and may include subjective judgment
  • MBGFC may keep any fish for display or research.
  • MBGFC may use/edit/publish any submitted videos

1.5. Participants enter and fish in all MBGFC tournaments voluntarily and at their own risk and release MBGFC, OBM, sponsors, and staff from liability

2. REGISTRATION, IDENTITY VERIFICATION & MANDATORY CAPTAIN’S MEETING

2.1. Registration shall be completed online through MBGFC-approved systems (ie MBGFC.org, CatchStat).
2.2. Registered participants accept all rules and rule amendments, including changes made at the Captain’s Meeting
2.3. MBGFC is not responsible for the consequences of team representative(s) failure to review and verify all angler information, including:

  • Full legal names
  • Date of birth
  • Membership status
  • Angler’s Sex
  • Contact information
  • Boat specifications
  • Social security or tax identification numbers (as required for award eligibility)

2.5. Video Verification Departure of check out is mandatory. This video must include video of approved port of exit landmark, departure date, departure time, the captain, and designator. Failure to provide approved video departure verification shall result in full tournament disqualification without refund.

3. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS UPON REGISTRATION

By signing out, the representative certifies that all Participants:

(a) Have reviewed and understand all Rules;
(b) Accept all Captain’s Meeting changes;
(c) Agree to assume all risks associated with participation;
(d) Agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MBGFC, its officers, directors, members, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and Orange Beach Marina (“OBM”) from any liability, loss, injury, or property damage arising out of participation;
(e) Understand that weigh-dock records must be verified and signed before departure;
(f) Understand that all marlin caught (boated or released) require video documentation meeting Rule Section 14 requirements and must be promptly reported.
(g) Understand that rule violations may lead to disqualification

4. REFUNDS & WITHDRAWAL

4.1. In order to withdraw from a tournament and in order to be eligible for refund, boats must send official withdrawal notice to [email protected]

4.2. Refund amount depends on the timing

      1. Withdrawal before start of on-site registration: refund minus credit card fees.
      2. Withdrawal after on-site registration closure but before official tournament start time: refund minus credit card fees and $300 per boat for food/ditty bags.
      3. Withdrawal after official tournament start time: no refund of any kind.

5. TOURNAMENT START, PORTS OF DEPARTURE, AND FISHING TIMES

5.1. Fishing may begin immediately following the Captain’s Meeting unless otherwise stated. 5.2. Authorized departure ports (except Gulf Coast Masters which requires Perdido Pass):

        • Mobile Pass
        • Perdido Pass
        • Pensacola Pass
        • Destin Pass

Departure from ports other than Perdido Pass may be delayed at MBGFC’s discretion.

5.3. Boats are to remain in the water from the time of departure after the captain’s meeting until returning to the weigh dock. Boats may be lifted on a boat lift, hauled out, or placed on a trailer but must return to the water at the same location from which it left before proceeding to fish.

5.4. On the final tournament day, vessels must be inside Perdido Pass Rocks by the stated deadline and must immediately check in via VHF 68 or 251-207-1515.

6. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

6.1. All vessels must possess a valid NOAA Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit.
6.2. All anglers must hold a valid Alabama fishing license.
6.3. Participants must comply with all federal and state laws relating to size limits, bag limits, seasons, safety, and licensing.
6.4. Violation of any law may result in disqualification.
6.5. IGFA rules apply in principle except that the rod may be handed off once within the first 60 seconds of the fight. Non-IGFA-compliant catches will be ineligible for IGFA or other external records.

7. Discounts may include

      • Early registration
      • Member discount
      • “Limited boat” discount (Masters and Labor Day)

8. FISH HANDLING & DISQUALIFYING OFFENSES

8.1. Absolutely no unnecessary harm to billfish is permitted.
8.2. Billfish intended for release may not be removed from the water.
8.3. A billfish pulled partially or fully onto the boat is considered boated and may not be released for points.
8.4. Culling or discarding any previously boated marlin is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification and may result in future ban from MBGFC tournaments
8.5. No vessel may possess more than one (1) blue marlin at any time.
8.6. Boating a blue marlin that is shorter than MBGFC requirements disqualifies the boat and team from weighed blue marlin awards and weighed blue marlin optional awards.
8.7. White Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish, and undersized Blue Marlin may not be retained.
8.8. Mutilated fish are not eligible for the tournament
8.9. The MBGFC has until the end of the calendar year to adjust payouts or ask for returned funds in order to allow for fiscal accounting related to disqualifications

9. WEATHER DELAY OR CANCELLATION

9.1. MBGFC may postpone or cancel any portion of the event due to unsafe conditions, including Small Craft Advisories.
9.2. One full day of fishing by at least one-third of registered vessels constitutes a completed tournament.
9.3. If canceled, refunds will be issued less a prorated share of tournament expenses.
9.4. Each Participant is solely responsible for determining seaworthiness and whether to fish.
Fish at your own risk.

10. WEIGH DOCK RULES

10.1. Official weigh dock and video review location: MBGFC Clubhouse
10.2. Boat must check in before scales close and get a weigh in number
10.3 All fish must be: Fresh, Unmutilated, and Not frozen.
10.4. The committee may reject any fish; its decisions are final.
10.5 Fish must arrive by the boat that caught the fish, unless tournament permission is granted to come in a different boat or by vehicle
10.6. A representative must remain with the fish during video review/weighing, verify documentation, and sign catch/release and weigh sheets to finalize the catch before leaving the dock. Failure to sign may result in disqualification.
10.7. Vessels must follow dockmaster instructions, maintain no wake, and monitor VHF 68
10.8. Participants must possess: HMS permit, Licenses, Required video recordings (released and boated billfish, Completed release and catch cards
10.9. Release and catch cards must be signed prior to departure; failure may result in disqualification.
10.10. All weighed fish are returned to the boat. Disposal is the responsibility of the boat.

11. QUALIFYING FISH

11.1 Catch & Release Species

      • Blue Marlin: 500 points (clear species identification required)
      • White Marlin: 200 points
      • Sailfish: 200 points
      • Spearfish: 200 points

11.2 Weighable Species & Minimums

      • Blue Marlin: 110″ LJFL
      • Tuna: ≥ 20 lbs
      • Wahoo: ≥ 15 lbs
      • Dolphin: ≥ 15 lbs

Committee decisions regarding eligibility and condition are final and binding.

12. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

12.1. All boated or released billfish must be reported within one hour of catch via one of the following:

      • Billy Pardue – 205-296-8211
      • Brantley Devalk – 251-270-9208
      • MBGFC backup number 251-207-1515
      • Tournament Chair, VP of Tournaments, or Social Media Liaison
      • [email protected]
      • VHF 68 if necessary

12.2. With the required information:

      • Boat name
      • Angler name
      • Species
      • Time of release/boating
      • Length (for boated blue marlin)

13. CATCH & RELEASE VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

13.1. A single continuous video must include:
(a) Angler fighting the fish (rod and reel visible)
(b) Tournament designator
(c) The Catch: Points for catch and release are awarded when, in the process of the catch and release all technical elements are shown on video. Tagging is not required for points and billfish removed from the water or boated will be disqualified. Video submitted for consideration for points must include the following technical elements in a continuous video:

      • Angler fighting fish, including video of rod and reel
      • Tournament Designator
      • The Catch (swivel at rod tip or team member touching the leader)
      • Video of Billfish for species identification. (Judges use dorsal, anal and pectoral fins for fish identification)
      • The Release (the Billfish being released on video of the rod and angler with the fish no longer connected to the line)

A clear video of the GPS date & time; to be used for official release time. Hold camera steady for several seconds to allow clear focus of GPS Date & Time (This is critical.) GPS must be displayed in CDT.

(d) Species identification footage
(e) The Release : The billfish is considered released when, after being caught, the rod and angler are shown with the fish no longer connected to the line or the billfish is shown in the water no longer connected to the line in a healthy state per the video review official, with their ruling final.
(f) GPS date/time displayed clearly in CDT

13.2. Video must be submitted to MBGFC committee before scales close on the final day.
13.3. Teams are responsible for the clarity, quality, and full functionality of their recording.
13.4. All submitted media becomes property of MBGFC.

14. SCORECARD REQUIREMENTS

14.1. All billfish releases must be logged in chronological order.
14.2. All fish for weighing must be logged on the catch card.
14.3. Scorecards must be signed by a team representative; unsigned cards may not be scored

15. AWARDS & PAYMENTS

15.1. Tournament base awards and optional awards depend on final verified standings and may fluctuate based on participation.
15.2. Each vessel must designate a single payee with valid tax identification.
15.3. Cash awards will be issued approximately two (2) weeks post-tournament, pending audits and resolution of any disputes.
15.4. MBGFC is not responsible for internal division of winnings.
15.5. IRS Form 1099 will be issued to all applicable recipients
15.6 Typical tournament awards

      1. Heaviest Blue Marlin
      2. C&R total points
      3. Heaviest Tuna
      4. Heaviest Wahoo
      5. Heaviest Mahi

15.7. Additional awards based on MBGFC Point System

It is the responsibility of the team to make sure that anglers eligible for junior, lady, or member status are listed as such in catch stat at registration

  • Top Boat
  • Top Small/Limited Boat
  • Top Junior
  • Top Lady
  • Top Club Member

15.8. In the event that no qualifying fish are weighed in a given category above, the above tournament base cash awards may be assigned to the cash awards of the qualifying fish in the other Categories in a proportional manner as determined by the Tournament Committee. If no qualifying blue marlin is weighed, the tournament base cash awards for blue marlin will roll down and be divided evenly between four categories: Catch & Release, Tuna, Wahoo and Dolphin
15.9. All announcements and published payouts are tentative and percentages and amounts can be changed post audit and before checks mailed
15.10. Any tournament guaranteed pay out may affect additional payouts

16. MBGFC POINT SYSTEM

  • Blue Marlin (weighed): 1 point/lb
  • Blue Marlin Release: 500 points
  • White/Sail/Spearfish Release: 200 points
  • Tuna: 1 point/lb (top 2 fish combined)
  • Wahoo: 2 points/lb (top 2 fish combined)
  • Dolphin: 3 points/lb (top 2 fish combined)

17. OPTIONAL ENTRIES

17.1. Optional Entry categories are separate from tournament awards and are available through CatchStat.
17.2. 90% of Optional Entry funds are paid out.
17.3. Categories include Catch & Release, Blue Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin, Swordfish, No Sonar, and Crew Jackpot.
17.4. Standard payout split (subject to change):

        10 or more entries: 1st: 50%, 2nd: 30%, 3rd: 20%.

        If 6- 9 entries, 1st: 60%, 2nd: 40%.

        If less than 5 entries, 1st: 100%

17.5. No-Sonar and Crew Jackpot are winner-take-all.
17.6. Ties split equally.

18. TOURNAMENT VARIANCES

18.1. Gulf Coast Masters

GCM Rules, including published rules in print or on the website (www.gulfcoastmasters.com), are subject to change without notice.

Teams may depart from Perdido Pass only at or after 9:00 am on Thursday. All boats are encouraged to attend the flare start. Tournament fish must be caught after the official start time and before mandatory check in time at the conclusion of the tournament (typically at Perdido Pass at 6:00pm on Saturday)

Limited boat category (same criteria as limited tournament) may occur at a discounted rate and altered hours of participation

Daily C&R Optional ($6,000 total entry fee, ⅓ paid per day winner-take-all). Pots roll forward on days with no fish

18.2. Junior Angler Tournament allows fishing from boats, shores, piers, jetties, etc and no sign-out is required. All billfish catch-and-release only. 18.3. Limited Tournament Open to: Outboards of any size and Any vessel 36 ft or under

18.4. Ladies Day Tournament Female anglers only; crew may be any gender. No Flare Start but must sign out or complete virtual checkout.

18.5. Labor Day Tournament

Limited boat category (same criteria as limited tournament) may occur at a discounted rate and altered hours of participation

Daily C&R Optional ($6,000 total entry fee → ⅓ paid per day, winner-take-all). Pots roll forward on days with no fish

19. TIE-BREAKING

19.1. Weighed fish: earliest weigh-in time prevails. 19.2. Catch & Release: earliest verified GPS release time reaching the applicable point total prevails.

20. PROTESTS & ARBITRATION

20.1. Protests must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of scale closure, accompanied by a non-refundable $1,000 fee unless upheld. 20.2. Committee decisions are final. 20.3. If the Committee declines to decide a dispute, the matter shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). 20.4. The arbitration decision shall be final, binding, and enforceable, with no right to trial by judge or jury. 20.5. Arbitrated decisions have full res judicata effect.

21. POLYGRAPH POLICY

21.1. Any Participant may be required to submit to a polygraph examination. 21.2. Failure to submit, or any result deemed untruthful by the examiner, results in immediate disqualification of the angler and vessel, forfeiture of all fees and prizes, and possible refusal of future entry. 21.3. Polygraph results are final and not subject to challenge.

21.4. No award is official until all audits and polygraphs are complete.

22. LIABILITY WAIVER & MEDIA RELEASE

22.1. All Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation.
22.2. MBGFC, its officers, directors, members, sponsors, agents, and OBM are released from all liability for injury, loss, death, or property damage.
22.3. MBGFC may use, reproduce, edit, or distribute any photographs or video of Participants without restriction or compensation.
22.4. The Participants expressly acknowledge that he/she has received, reviewed, and agrees to abide by the Tournament Rules and this Release. Furthermore, the Participants expressly acknowledge that activities relating to deep sea fishing are extremely dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury or death. Having so acknowledged, the Participants hereby assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury or death due to the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees or any other cause connected with or occurring during the Tournament.

23. FINAL AUTHORITY

All decisions of the Tournament Director and Committee are final, binding, and may include subjective evaluation.