Entry is $1,500 per team through August 1. Beginning August 2nd, there will be a $250 late fee per team. Payment of the entry fee constitutes a representation by each entrant that he/she has read and fully understands the tournament rules that that they will abide by such rules and the decisions of the Tournament Director and/or Committee. The Boston Bluefin Classic is a sport fishing tournament where participants agree to fish in a fair and ethical manner. While the tournament does not strictly enforce the use of IGFA rules, it certainly expects that only minor technical differences will be employed by anglers. Once the tournament starts, there are no refunds or rollovers for entry fees.
Registration will conclude by August 31 by 9pm. Rules are subject to change. Any changes to the rules and final instructions will be provided on the final day of registration, which will be held at the Gloucester House Restaurant from 5-9pm. All participants are encouraged to register online via Catchstat System and the Captains’ Meeting is not mandatory. If there are any questions about rules, please contact the Tournament Director, Robbie Carter 337.849.8642 RFCarter4@gmail.com
Tournament weigh-in points are located in multiple New England states, therefore anglers are responsible for knowing and obtaining state permits and licenses required by each state where they fish and where they land their catch for tournament weigh-in.
Each team will be eligible to fish a maximum of 3 days: September 3, 5 & 6, 2023. Teams are allowed to depart from any port. Lines in at 12:01am on a fishing day and must return to one of the offical weigh stations to be weighed on an allowable fishing day. Fish cannot be transferred to and from any vessel. A video of the fish being weighed with the scale master calling out the weight MUST be recorded. If there is a protest, you MUST have footage to validate your weight submission. Fish MUST be weighed whole. Fish weights will be recorded to the nearest whole pound. Weigh Stations are:
The tournament committee reserves the right to reject any fish entry because of poor condition or one that does not meet the eligible requirements set by this tournament. The condition of the fish will be left to the scrutiny of the tournament director and committee. THEIR DECISION IS FINAL.
All fish must be caught with traditional rod and reel. Electric reels are not allowed. Greenstick and bandit reels are not allowed. Harpoons are allowed when landing the fish.
Tournament awards for Bluefin Tuna are based on 60 registered tournament boats, and will be presented to the teams with the heaviest fish.
| Bluefin Tuna | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 |
First Fish Over 800lbs $2,000
This is a separate entry and is not required to compete for Tournament Awards. Participants may pay an Optional Entry fee in one or more of the following:
| Bluefin Tuna | D1 | D2 | D3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biggest Fish | $3,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
| 2 Fish Aggregate | $3,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
| 3 Fish Aggregate | $3,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
***Payout amounts will be the total amount of the monies received, less 10% deducted for administration fees with the remaining 90% to be awarded. Biggest Fish 2 Fish Aggregate and 3 Fish Aggregate will pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. with a 50%, 30%, 20% split. In the event of limited participation in any category listed above, the payouts will be modified as follows: One team entered will be refunded in full, 2-5 teams will be winner-take-all, 6-9 teams will be 60/40 split and 10 or more teams will be the standard 50/30/20 split. Participants who wish to pay an Optional Entry Fee may submit a credit car, cashier’s or business check made payable to the Boston Bluefin Classic. In the event that no qualifying fish are weighed by an Optional Entry participant in a given Division eligible for an Optional Award, 90% of the Optional Entry Fees collected for that division are returned to the participant(s) who paid Optional Entry Fees for that division.
Prior to fishing, each tournament boat must designate a representative payee to receive payment of all optional entry awards. Payment for cash awards is by check. A single check will be written to the boat’s representative payee for the combined total of tournament cash awards and optional cash awards. Checks will be writted after the Awards Ceremony. Boston Bluefin Classic accepts no responsibility for the division of any cash awards between team members.
Video submitted for consideration for scoring must include the following technical elements:
Verification video recordings must be submitted no later than the closing of the scales on the final day of fishing. Recordings should e submitted immediately upon return to the marina.
All recorded images and sounds become the property of the tournament and may be used by the tournament for display purposes during weigh in and future marketing campaigns. Images will be copied from digital hard drive cameras onto tapes, CD’s and/or DVD’s etc.
Video Tips and Recommendations
For fish weighed in any category, placement is determined by the order of weigh-in at the scales. The recorded time of weigh-in determines placement.
Any protest relating to the tournament must be submitted in writing along with a $500 deposit by the team captain to the tournament committee no later than 15 minutes after the last fish is weighed on the final day of the tournament. All entrants agree to abide by tournament rules and regulations. All disputes are decied by the Tournament Director and Committee. Their decision is final. Poor sportsmanship will be grounds for disqualification from the Boston Bluefin Classic. Any violation of these rules resulting in disqualification will result in forfeiture of entry fee and prize money.
It is understood that all participants in the Boston Bluefin Classic enter at their own risk, and that the officers, committee members, sponsors, director, tournament venue and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of said tournament, shall be exempt from any liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by an participant, entrant, anglers, his/her companions, boat captains, mates, crew members, vessels and equipment which may occure during or in conjunction with the tournament. By tournament enry, the captain consents that the Boston Bluefin Classic may use without payment or restriction, any photographs in which he/she or any of their crew may appear for any purpose whatsoever; including, but not limited to resale, advertising, commercial or promotional material. The captain and his crew furhter release the Boston Bluefin Classic, officers and directors, and all persons from injury, loss or damage which may result. All state record winners must submit to an pass in a conclusive manner, a polygraph examination administered by a licensed polygraphist provided by tournament officials. All entrants agree to submit to a polygraph examination at the request of the tournament committee if there is a conflict involving said officials. All entrants agree to submit to a polygraph examination at the request of the tournament committee if there is a conflict involving said entrant. Failure to submit to such an examination will result in disqualification of the entrant at the sole discretion of the tournament committee.