2026 Tournament Rules

RULES ACCEPTANCE

All rules, including those published in print or on the website, are subject to change without notice. It is the sole responsibility of all participants, including anglers, captains, crews, and guests, to know and follow the Tournament Rules as published and as amended during the Captain’s Meeting. By entering this Tournament and paying entry fees, all participants agree to abide by the Tournament Rules and accept the decisions of the Tournament Committee as final and binding. Tournament start times, fishing times, and eligible ports of departure may be changed by the Tournament Committee without advance notice. Rules presented at the Captain’s Meeting shall take precedence over any previously published written rules. The Tournament Committee may retain any fish for display, testing, or study at its discretion. The Tournament Committee also reserves the right to use, publish, edit, and distribute any submitted videos for any lawful purpose.

REGISTRATION & MANDATORY CAPTAINS MEETING

Entries may be submitted prior to August 5th, 2026, on the website (grandlagoonbillfishclassic.com). The entry fee is $1,600 per team plus applicable sales tax. Payments can be made by cash or credit card (subject to a 3% processing fee). Teams must have a representative attend the mandatory Captains Meeting and sign out upon its conclusion. Failure to sign out will result in disqualification from the tournament without a refund. Any rule changes will be announced and discussed at the Captains Meeting.

By signing out at the Captain’s Meeting, the captain, owner, or registered angler acknowledges that they understand and agree to abide by all tournament rules, including any changes or clarifications made during the meeting. They confirm receipt of the tournament designator and acknowledge that all billfish caught—whether released or boated—must be videoed with GPS date and time, indicator, and all other tournament requirements. All billfish must be promptly reported via VHF Channel 72 to a Committee Boat or by phone at 850-832-9022. Failure to comply may result in disqualification of the fish. Release videos must also meet specific criteria, including demonstrating a healthy release.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

If a team pre-registers and withdraws before on-site registration begins, they will be refunded all fees minus processing fees. If a team registers (pre- or on-site) and withdraws after on-site registration begins but before signing out at the Captain’s Meeting, they will be refunded all optional cash award entries minus processing fees, as well as the base entry fee minus processing fees, and 10% for tournament expenses. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals after signing out at the Captain’s Meeting.

PERMITS, LICENSING & JUDGING

Tournament judging follows only the official tournament rules. Teams must comply with all applicable federal and Florida laws, including fishing licenses, size and bag limits, and other regulations. An Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit is required, and all anglers must hold a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License. For license information, visit myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing or call 888-347-4356. For federal HMS permits, visit hmspermits.noaa.gov.

PORTS OF DEPARTURE

Boats may depart from any pass between Apalachicola, FL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL at or after 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 6, 2026. Teams leaving from any pass other than the St. Andrew Bay must video their departure, showing the time, date, and Latitude/Longitude from their GPS.

FISHING TIMES

Fishing may begin at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 6th, 2026. There is no official “lines out” time; however, boats weighing an eligible fish or submitting a billfish scorecard and color video must be in line at the weigh dock and acknowledged by the weighmaster on VHF Ch. 72 no later than 30 minutes before scales close.

WEIGH IN PROCEDURES

Scales will be open on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 PM (CT) at Lighthouse Marina, 5325 N. Lagoon Dr., Panama City Beach, FL 32408 (30.1493N LAT / 85.74454W LONG). All fish must arrive by water on the boat from which they were caught. Boats weighing fish or submitting billfish scorecards and video must be in line outside the marina and acknowledged by the weighmaster on VHF Ch. 72 at least 30 minutes before scales close. Do not approach the weigh dock until directed by tournament staff. A team member must stay with the fish until weigh-in is complete and must verify the weight or Catch & Release points by signature.

TAIL TAGS

Before fish are offloaded from the boat, a tail tag must be filled out for each fish to be weighed. The team should fill out the tail tag completely, except for time, weight, length, and signature, which will be filled out at the scales.

TACKLE RULES

It is expected that teams will uphold the highest level of integrity and sportsmanship and compete in the spirit of the IGFA Saltwater Equipment and Angling rules. Any member of the team may set the hook and fight the fish or may set the hook and pass the rod to another team member within the first minute, but the rod may only be passed one time; the angler must then fight the fish unassisted. Electric reels may not be used to fight tournament fish.

ELIGIBLE FISH TO BE WEIGHED

White Marlin (Optional Cash Award Category Only): 70” minimum Lower Jaw Fork Length (“LJFL”)

Swordfish (Optional Cash Award Category Only): 47” minimum Lower Jaw Fork Length (“LJFL”)

Dolphin/Wahoo/Tuna: 15 lbs. minimum

Boats may not weigh more than three (3) of each of the following species per day: Dolphin, Wahoo, and Tuna.
Boats may not weigh more than one (1) of each of the following species per day: White Marlin, and Swordfish.
Boating a White Marlin is allowed only if it measures at least 70 inches from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail (LJFL). Deck checking of billfish is prohibited. A boated billfish is defined as one partially or fully brought onto the boat. Boated billfish cannot be released for points. Culling or discarding a previously boated marlin is prohibited and will result in disqualification of the team from the entire tournament and forfeiture of all entry fees.

POINTS SYSTEM

Released Blue Marlin: 500 points for each release.

Released White Marlin/Sailfish/Spearfish/Unidentifiable Billfish: 200 points for each release.

Weighed Tuna: 1 Point Per Pound

Weighed Wahoo: 2 Points Per Pound

Weighed Dolphin: 3 Points Per Pound

Note: Teams may weigh in 3 of each gamefish species but only the heaviest fish of each species weighed will count towards a team’s total points.

CATCH & RELEASE

A billfish is considered caught when the leader connection is wound to the tip of the rod, or a team member touches the leader. The billfish is considered released when, after being caught, the fish is no longer connected to the line; tagging is not required for points. All billfish released must be logged on the release scorecard in the sequence in which they were caught. They will be verified and certified by a video reviewer. The scorecard must include boat name, angler’s name, species, date, and time of the release.

CATCH & RELEASE VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

In addition to submitting a Billfish Scorecard, teams must provide a video recording of each billfish released to qualify for points. The video must meet the following criteria:

Recording must begin at the end of the fight and continue uninterrupted until the GPS date and time are shown to verify a single event. The GPS timestamp is used to break ties.
The Tournament Designator provided at registration must be visible in the video to confirm the fish was caught during the tournament.
The video must clearly show the angler fighting the fish, the rod and reel used, the billfish species, the catch (leader touching the rod tip or a team member touching the leader), and the release (fish no longer connected to the line).

TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Payouts are based on the number of entries and will be awarded to the team for following categories:

Tournament Champion – Awarded to the team with the highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

2nd Place Team – Awarded to the team with the second highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

3rd Place Team – Awarded to the team with the third highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

1st Place Tuna – Awarded to the team that weighs in the heaviest tuna.

1st Place Dolphin – Awarded to the team that weighs in the heaviest dolphin.

1st Place Wahoo – Awarded to the team that weighs in the heaviest wahoo.

Top Small Boat – Awarded to the boat measuring 32 feet or less that earns the highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

Top Junior Angler – A non-cash award presented to the junior angler 17 years of age or younger with the highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

Top Lady Angler – A non-cash award presented to the lady angler with the highest total points under the tournament scoring system.

OPTIONAL CASH AWARDS

Entry Levels: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000

Divisions: White Marlin, Swordfish, Catch & Release, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Tuna.

Optional Cash Awards are voluntary and separate from the base Tournament awards. Optional Cash Awards are not required for Tournament participation; however, Optional Cash Award categories may only be entered by registered tournament teams. Optional Cash Award fees may be paid by cash or credit card, subject to a 3% processing fee, on the day of registration.

After a 10% deduction for Tournament expenses, payouts shall be as follows:

10 or more boats entered in a category: 1st place 50%, 2nd place 30%, 3rd place 20%
5 to 9 boats entered in a category: 1st place 60%, 2nd place 40%
Fewer than 5 boats entered in a category: winner-takes-all

If no eligible fish are weighed in a category, entry fees for that category shall be refunded less the 10% expense deduction. If only one team enters a category, that team shall receive a full refund less any credit card processing fees actually paid.

PAYMENT OF TOURNAMENT AND OPTIONAL CASH AWARDS

During registration, each Tournament boat must designate one representative payee and provide that payee’s tax identification information for receipt of all cash awards. Grand Lagoon Billfish Classic, LLC shall not be responsible for dividing cash awards among team members. Cash award winners may be announced at the awards ceremony; however, all results announced at that time are unaudited and subject to change.

Checks for cash awards shall be issued approximately two weeks after the Tournament concludes, provided there are no outstanding protests, disputes, appeals, or unresolved issues. To receive payment, the designated payee must submit a completed cash award form and a signed IRS Form W-9, including a valid driver’s license number and Social Security Number or Tax ID Number. IRS Form 1099 shall be issued to cash award recipients at year-end as required by law.

WEATHER – TOURNAMENT DELAY OR CANCELLATION

In the event the tournament committee feels that fishing is unsafe, most notably a Small Craft Advisory, the tournament may be canceled or delayed. If delayed, a new start time or date will be announced should weather conditions improve. If canceled, entry fees will be refunded in full less a prorated share of tournament expenses and any credit card fees. One day or part thereof of offshore fishing by one-third of the boats entered constitutes a complete tournament. Entrants shall have no claim against the Grand Lagoon Billfish Classic, LLC for return of paid entry fees. All teams and participants should make their decision to fish based solely on their own judgment. Fish at your own risk.

POLYGRAPHS

Polygraph examinations may be required at the sole discretion of the Tournament Committee. Refusal to submit to a requested polygraph examination, failure to cooperate fully, or any polygraph result that, in the sole judgment of the Tournament Committee, indicates deception or non-compliance with these Rules shall result in immediate disqualification of the angler and vessel, forfeiture of all entry fees and prizes, and may result in denial of future Tournament entry. All decisions of the Tournament Committee regarding polygraph examinations and their consequences shall be final, binding, and not subject to appeal.

TIE BREAKERS

For ties involving weighed fish, placement shall be determined by the official time of weigh-in at the scales. For ties involving Catch and Release points, placement shall be determined by the first angler or team to reach the higher point total as verified by the boat’s GPS time.

PROTEST

All disputes, protests, claims, or controversies related to any aspect of the tournament, including the rules, must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee within 30 minutes after the weigh station closes, or they will be considered waived. A $500 protest fee must accompany all protests; this fee is refundable only if the protest is successful. All decisions of the Tournament Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The tournament committee reserves the right to grant exceptions to any rule if deemed in the best interest of participants, spectators, and anglers. If the Tournament Committee is unable or refuses to make a final decision, the matter will be resolved by binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association’s commercial arbitration rules. The arbitration decision will be in writing, final, and binding on all parties, who waive any rights to trial by judge or jury. The arbitration ruling has the effect of res judicata, and all parties must comply without delay.

WAIVER/DISCLAIMER

By entering or participating in the Tournament, each participant, including but not limited to the captain, crew members, anglers, and guests (collectively, “Participants”), acknowledges and agrees that offshore boating and fishing activities are inherently dangerous and involve significant risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, serious bodily injury, death, collision, vessel sinking, drowning, adverse weather conditions, equipment failure, and the acts or omissions of other participants or third parties.

Participants voluntarily assume all such risks, both known and unknown, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, and accept full responsibility for their participation.

To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Florida, each Participant, on behalf of himself or herself and his or her heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns, hereby releases, waives, discharges, and covenants not to sue Grand Lagoon Billfish Classic, LLC, the Tournament Committee, sponsors, officers, directors, members, employees, volunteers, agents, and affiliates (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses of any kind, whether in law or equity, arising out of or related in any way to participation in the Tournament. This includes, without limitation, claims arising from the negligence (whether active or passive) of any of the Released Parties or any other cause.

Participants further agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to the Participant’s conduct, actions, or participation in the Tournament.

By registering for or participating in the Tournament, each Participant grants Grand Lagoon Billfish Classic, LLC the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, and royalty-free right and permission to capture, use, reproduce, publish, display, and distribute any photographs, video, audio recordings, or likeness of the Participant, their crew, and vessel for promotional, advertising, commercial, or any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereafter developed, without compensation or further consent.