Rules subject to change.

1. Fish must be caught in accordance with all state and federal laws to qualify to earn points or awards. A fish may be struck and the rod passed, immediately, to an angler who has not reached their sixteenth (16th) birthday by April 1st of the current tournament year. After the rod is passed, only the angler is allowed to touch the rod or line. Once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate or is wound to the rod tip, then the angler may have assistance to catch and release or boat the fish. Series points will accrue towards Series awards for these fish. Vessels may provide assistance to other vessels for boating fish.

2. All fish must be taken on rod and reel. 130 lb. class mono is allowed. Double line and leader combined must not exceed 40 feet.

3. White marlin and sailfish are release only. The minimum size for blue marlin is 110 inches measured in a curved line along the body from the fork of the tail to the tip of the lower jaw. Federal regulation dictates that a boated billfish cannot be returned to the water.

4. A penalty of 600 points will be assessed against a boat for each blue marlin brought to the dock not meeting the 110-inch size requirement.

5. Boats will earn one point per pound and fraction of a pound for their single heaviest marlin weighed in the tournament.

6. Mutilated fish will be disqualified.

7. Only blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish are eligible for release points. To be eligible for release points a digital photograph (must use own camera) of the fish must be presented with the designated daily colored ribbon in plain view. Anglers will be subject to Polygraph Testing. Scoring for billfish released in good condition will be as follows:

Blue Marlin 600 points, White Marlin 300 points, Sailfish 200 points.

8. In the event of a tie the boat obtaining the winning total first shall be declared the winner.

9. To qualify for release points, a billfish must be fought to the boat according to program guidelines. At which point the mate touches the (IGFA legal) leader or it is wound onto the rod tip the fish is considered caught and eligible for points. The hook should be removed or the line cut as close to the fish's mouth as possible.

10. Boats may offer assistance to other boats during the tournament; however, crewmembers will not be allowed to board another boat for the purpose of assisting in boating a fish.

11. White marlin and sailfish may not be brought into the boat. Blue Marlin may not be brought into the boat unless it is to be brought to the dock for weighing. Blue marlin are to be measured in the water to insure legal tournament size of 110 inches.

12. Any billfish gaffed, harpooned or otherwise injured in an attempt to boat the fish will not qualify for release points, if ultimately returned to the water.

13. For a vessel to qualify any billfish for points, every person aboard the vessel 18 years or older must sign an affidavit swearing that all the rules and regulations were observed in reference to the described fish. Failure of any person to sign, for any reason, disqualifies that fish. Anglers will be subject to Polygraph Testing.

14. All affidavits must be presented to the weighmaster by 7:30 pm on the day the fish was caught. In the event of mechanical failure a boat may request another tournament vessel deliver the affidavit on their behalf. No call-ins or faxes will be accepted.

15. All boats must register with the tournament committee and entry fee must be paid to be eligible for awards.

16. At least one person from each boat, but no more than two, should be represented at the Captains meeting and be responsible for knowing the rules and any changes that may be made during the meeting.

17. 2008 Fish Days- Thursday, July 10, Friday, July 11, Saturday, July 12. * Fish times will be set at captains meeting.

18. Boats may fish any two out of the three days listed above. No lines or teasers in the water prior to or after official fishing times. Fish days must be reported to marina dock office.

19. All billfish must be called into a tournament committee boat when a blue marlin, white marlin or sailfish is hooked, lost, boated or released. Committee boats will operate on channel 72.

20. Scales will close daily for all sportfish at 7:30 pm. In the event a blue marlin is hooked during fishing hours and due to an extended fight is not back to the scales prior to 7:30 pm the scales will remain open and the fish will be weighed. If the fish is released instead of boated, the affidavit must be delivered to the weighmaster immediately upon returning to the marina.

21. All fish being weighed must be delivered to the weighmaster by the boat that landed the fish.

22. Any dispute must be submitted to the tournament committee in writing by 9:00 am on the day following the dispute. The committee will make every effort, but will not be required, to rule on the matter by 7:00 pm on the day the dispute is submitted. All appeals will be made to the tournament director.

23. All fish leading the tournament will be held by the tournament until 8:00 pm for display at which time they will be returned to the angler.

24. Weather days will be at the discretion of the tournament committee. A weather call will be made each morning prior to 5:00 a.m. The committee will make every effort to make the call as early as possible each day.

25. All prize money will be distributed within 15 days of the tournament's conclusion provided there are no outstanding appeals or disputes.

26. An angler must be 15 or under to qualify for youth categories.

27. Boats must notify the tournament that they are fishing each day. Check-in will be at the marina dock office by 5:30am.

28. The tournament asks that fish leading an individual category be left with the tournament for display until scales close that day. The tournament will deliver the fish back to the boat shortly after scales close.

29. Tournament boundaries will be the coastal waters of South Carolina.
TOURNAMENT RULES FOLLOW THOSE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S CUP BILLFISHING SERIES