The Big Game Division has been organized to permit larger boats, their Crews and Anglers to compete for Cash Awards that will be presented for the heaviest Blue Marlin, Swordfish, Wahoo, and Tuna fish caught and surrendered to the Tournament. Participants also receive invitations to a private kick-off party, awards ceremony, tournament gifts and are invited to enjoy all Tournament festival activities.

UPDATE: Big Game and Offshore Division boats may depart from Home Port. High fuel prices result in cost saving rule changes.

Click for Printable Rules (PDF format)

Entry Fee:
$2,560 (includes sales tax)

Fishing Days: October 3 and 4, 2008

I. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
The following terms and definitions are incorporated in and made a part of the rules of the 2008 Grand Lagoon National:

Additional Angler Fee
A fee paid to Foundation to register an Angler that is in addition to the payment of an Entry Fee.

Additional Crew Fee
A fee paid to Foundation to register a Crew member that is in addition to the payment of an Entry Fee.

Angler
A person registered to compete as an Angler.

Billfishes
Blue Marlin and Swordfish.

Boat
A fishing vessel registered for use in Tournament.

Captain
Captain of a Boat.

Cash Awards
Monetary awards for which Anglers are eligible to compete.

Category
Each species of fish eligible for competition is a Category.

Class
A subdivision of a Category, by way of example ... first place, second place and third place.

Crew
Any person employed or otherwise compensated to provide a service on a Boat during Fishing Hours.

Dates and Times
Tournament dates are October 2-5, 2008. Time shown is Central Daylight Savings Time.

Disqualification
Removal of a Boat or Participant from competition in Tournament as a result of a violation of Rules and consequential forfeiture of Cash and Optional Awards and all Fees paid to Foundation or Tournament.

Division
A defined field of competition, by way of example: Big Game, Charter Boat. Tournament shall consist of eight Divisions. Each Division shall be organized and operated as a separate and independent Tournament.

Eligible Fish
Fish eligible for Cash Awards and Optional Awards.

Entry Fee
The fee paid to Foundation to register a Boat.

Fees
Entry Fee, Additional Angler Fee and Additional Crew Fee

Fishing Days
October 4 and 5, 2008.

Fishing Hours
From departure from the Grand Lagoon on October 4 to the closing of the scale on October 5.

Foundation
Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation.

Host Marina
A marina that has contracted with Foundation to provide the location for Tournament and to implement the policies and programs of Foundation.

Optional Awards
Cash awards paid to Registered Participant.

Optional Fee
The fee paid in the name of a Registered Participant that permits Anglers on a Boat to compete for Optional Awards.

Optional Participant
An Angler eligible to compete for Optional Awards as a consequence of the payment of an Optional Fee.

Participant
Registered Participants, Crew or Anglers.

Registered Participant
An individual registering a Boat for participation in Tournament, who by the act of paying an Entry Fee, accepts responsibility for the actions of Participants who take part in Tournament as a result.

Rules
The rules governing the Tournament.

Rules Committee
A creation of Foundation that is the sole authority of interpretation and enforcement of Rules.

Tag
An identification tag attached to a fish surrendered to the Tournament that contains the name of the Boat from which a fish was caught, the name of the Angler who caught the fish and the species of fish.

Tournament
2008 Grand Lagoon National

Tournament Committee
A creation of Foundation charged with organizing and managing Tournament.

Weigh-in Report
A report prepared by the Captain of a Boat that includes an itemization of all fish to be surrendered to Tournament.

II. SPIRIT OF THE TOURNAMENT
Rules have been adopted to create a level playing field upon which Participants may compete fairly for the honors and awards bestowed by Tournament. Participants are permitted to compete in Tournament in reliance of their reputation for integrity. It is the intent of Foundation that Tournament activities demonstrate respect for the resources of the Gulf of Mexico.

Grand Lagoon National is committed to fair competition, good sportsmanship and the conservation of our natural resources.

III. SPORTSMANSHIP AND LIABILITY
Poor sportsmanship is grounds for Disqualification from this and all future tournaments sponsored, in whole or in part, by Foundation. Registered Participants, on behalf of their invitees, associates, employees, agents and guests, accept the following conditions:

1. Participants enter at their own risk.

2. Foundation, Tournament Committee members, Rules Committee members and all persons directly and indirectly connected with the operation of Tournament shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, harm or injury suffered by a Participant, vessel or equipment which may occur during Tournament

3. All cash awards will be paid by check issued by Foundation and mailed to the winner Angler announced at the awards ceremony. Checks shall be mailed during the week of October 6 and shall be in the amount specified by the Rules; adjusted, if required, to comply with IRS regulations.

IV. COMPLETED TOURNAMENT
One day of fishing by one-half of Boats constitutes a completed Tournament. In the event of inclement weather, Tournament will be completed on the first day Tournament Committee declares acceptable for competition. Foundation reserves the right to reschedule Tournament in event of recognized emergency.

V. ENTRY AND ANGLER FEES
1. One Division Only - No Boat registered to compete in the Big Game Division may compete in any other Division. Angler may not compete in more than one Division on any Fishing Day.

2. Entry Approval - All entries are subject to approval of the Tournament Committee.

3. Checks for Entry and Angler Fees - Should be made to the credit of Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc.

4. Payment of Fees - Registered Participants may register and pay Fees in any of the following manners:

a) By completing on-line registration and mailing a personal or company check for Entry Fee to: Grand Lagoon National Foundation, Inc., 1120 West Beach Drive, Panama City, FL 32401.
b) After September 17 and before the closing of registration on October 2, at Tournament Headquarters between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily, expect Saturday and Sunday) by personal or company check or by approved credit card.
c) Credit card charges shall be subject to a factoring charge of 3.5%.
d) All Fees subject to 6% sales tax.

VI. Eligible Fish and Fees
The following fish are eligible for Cash Awards and Optional Awards:

Payment of the following fees is required for participation in the Big Game Division:

VII. TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION AND FISHING DAYS

1. Complete Registration - No Boat shall be qualified to compete in Tournament until and unless the Registered Participant, or the designee of the Registered Participant, completes the check-in process and provides Tournament with all information and payments required by Tournament.

2. Check-in - Regardless of when payment of Fees and Registration has occurred, Registered Participant, or the designee of the Registered Participant, must check-in at Division Headquarters, or such location as determined by Tournament Committee on October 2nd between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

3. Fishing Days - October 4 and 5, 2008

VIII. CAPTAINS MEETING
A Captains Meeting will be held at 5:30 pm on October 2 at Boatyard Restaurant. Attendance at this meeting by the Captain or Registered Participant is mandatory.

IX. SCALES OPEN
Tournament scales will be open at the Lighthouse Marina for the purpose of weighing competitive fish on October 3 and 4 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m

X. CASH AWARDS

1. Cash Awards shall equal 80% of paid Entry Fees.

2. Open Category - In the event no fish are caught in a given Category, the Cash Award assigned to that Category shall be added to the Cash Awards of fish caught in all other Categories in an equal manner.

3. Open Class - In the event no fish are weighed in for a given Class, the Cash Award assigned to that Class shall be added equally to Cash Awards of the other fish in the same Category.

4. Tie by Weight - In the event that fish of identical weight are weighed in the same Category, the first fish weighed shall be determined to be the larger fish.

5. Payout - Based on the total Cash Awards available, payout shall be divided equally to each Eligible Fish and apportioned according to the following percentages:

XI. GENERAL RULES

1. Change in Rules - Rules may be changed, altered or modified by Rules Committee at any time prior to the conclusion of the Captains' Meeting.

2. Boarding - Tournament reserves the right to board and inspect Boats.

3. Crew – Except in those instances when an uncompensated Captain is the Registered Participant, Crew may not be Anglers.

4. Fish as Property - All fish surrendered to the Tournament for the purpose of being weighed shall become the property of the Foundation.

5. Government Rules. Captains shall be responsible for the enforcement of government rules and regulations which may apply to the conduct of Participants during Tournament.

6. Polygraphs - At the sole discretion of the Rules Committee, winning Anglers shall be subject to submitting to and successfully passing a polygraph test and signing an affidavit attesting to the circumstances under which their prize fish was caught.

7. Protests - All protests must be presented to the Rules Committee in writing, accompanied by a check made to the credit of Foundation in the amount of $250, within one hour of the close of scales. Resolution of all protests will be declared at the Awards ceremony.

8. Publication - By act of registration, Participants consent and authorize Foundation and Tournament Sponsors to use and reproduce names, voices and photographs taken or recorded in conjunction with Tournament activities for promotional and information purposes.

9. Radio and telephone - Official Division telephone numbers and radio channels will be announced at the Captains' Meeting.

10. Safety - Boats must meet all US Coast Guard and Florida safety standards and regulations. Captains must be familiar with all applicable government boating regulations.

XII. DEPARTURE AND FISHING RULES

1. Cast nets - Cast nets can be used only for catching bait.

2. Departure - Boats may depart from the St. Andrew's pass or any approved home port at anytime after 7:30 p.m. on October 2, 2008.

3. Deck Lights - Boats are to transit Grand Lagoon with their deck lights on until they have reached buoy #9 in the pass to the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Equipment - All fish must be caught with rod and reel, hook and line. Electric reels, deck reels, winches, traps, bicycle rigs, cables, harpoons, long lines, entangling devices and nets, except as otherwise provided in Rules, are not permitted.

5. Friday Standings - Tournament Headquarters will broadcast Tournament standings at 7 a.m. October 4.

6. Hours of Fishing - Shall not be restricted, except by Departure and weigh-in Rules.

7. Polygraphs - At the sole discretion of the Rules Committee, winning Anglers shall be subject to submitting to and successfully passing a polygraph test and signing an affidavit attesting to the circumstances under which their fish was caught.

8. Protests - All protests must be presented in writing to the Rules Committee and accompanied by a check made to the credit of Foundation in the amount of $250 within one hour of the close of scales. Resolution of all protests will be declared at the Awards ceremony.

9. Publication - All Participants consent and authorize Foundation and Tournament Sponsors to use and reproduce names, voices and photographs taken or recorded in conjunction with Tournament activities for promotional and information purposes.

10. Lines - Only six lines per Boat shall be in the water during Fishing Hours.

11. Raft Up or exchanges - Following the initiation of Tournament, Boats shall not be permitted to congregate, raft-up, or in any way be in such proximity to another Boat as to permit the exchange of equipment, supplies, fish or other materials.

12. Return and Landfall - Boats with fish to weigh must report by radio or telephone to the weigh-in dock, or a designated Tournament Official, prior to making landfall.

13. Radio and telephone - Official Division telephone numbers and radio channels will be announced at the Anglers Meeting.

14. Safety - Boats must meet all US Coast Guard and Florida safety standards and regulations. Registered Anglers must be familiar with all applicable government boating regulations.

15. Same boat - All fish to be weighed must be brought to the weigh-in dock on the Boat upon which the fish was caught.

16. Scale closing - Boats having fish to weigh in must be inside Grand Lagoon waters; specifically, at a location parallel to the entrance to the Bay Point channel by the designated closing hour for the scales.

XIII. WEIGH-IN AND CATCH AND RELEASE RULES

1. Angler at weigh-in - Anglers must accompany their fish to weigh-in scale.

2. Captains Verification - Captains shall verify that each fish entered on Weigh-in Report was caught according to Rules by the Angler whose name appears on the Weigh-in Report.

3. Condition of fish - Only whole fish which are fresh and in edible condition shall be qualified to be weighed. Tournament reserves the right to reject any fish due to poor condition or mutilation. The decision of the weigh master shall be final.

4. Size and Weight - The following species of fish are eligible for weight competition when caught from waters of the Northeast Gulf of Mexico by Anglers: Blue Marlin 100 inch minimum length (as measured from the tip of lower jaw to the fork of tail), Swordfish 48 inch minimum (as measured from the tip of lower jaw to the fork of tail), Tuna (any species), Wahoo - 20 lb. minimum weight.

5. Tags - No fish will be weighed which is not accompanied by a properly completed Tag.

6. Weigh-in procedures - Boats shall follow the instructions of Tournament officials when approaching the weigh-in dock and take a designated place in any waiting line that may form. Boats shall vacate the weigh-in dock at the instruction of Tournament officials.

7. Weigh-in Reports - Captains shall be responsible for the completion of a Weigh-in Report.

XIV. OPTIONAL FEE AND OPTIONAL AWARDS

1. Registered Participant - Optional Fees will be accepted only in the name of a Registered Participant.

2. Payments - Optional Award payments shall be by check made to the Registered Participant. Foundation accepts no responsibility for the division of Optional Awards between Anglers, Crew or any other party.

3. Tax - Optional Entry Fees are subject to 6% Florida and local sales tax.

4. Distribution - Ninety-five percent (95%) of all Optional Fees paid will be distributed in the form of Optional Awards.

5. Optional Fees must be paid in United States Currency, Cashier’s Check or by approved Credit Card. Optional Fees may be paid on October 2 at Tournament Headquarters between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

6. Award Division - Each Optional Award category shall be divided into first, second and third place according to the following proportions: First Place 60%, Second Place 25% and Third Place 15%.

7. Crew Awards - 100% of the Optional Award paid in the Crew category will be paid to the Captain of the Boat upon which the Optional Participant weighing in the largest eligible fish by weight was entered.

8. No Fish - In the event that no fish is weighed in by an Optional Participant in a Category eligible for an Optional Award, 95% of all Optional Fees paid for that Category shall be returned to the Registered Participants who paid Optional Fees for that Category.

9. Rulings - Rulings made by the Tournament Committee shall be final in all disputes regarding Optional Rules.

10. Categories of Optional Awards - Participants may pay an Optional Entry Fee and compete for Optional Awards in one or more of the following Categories:

11. Winner (Grand Champion) – Registered Participant shall be eligible to compete for the Grand Champion Optional Cash Award – winner take all – according to Rules published by Tournament and made available during Registration Hours at Tournament Headquarters.

XV. OTHER AWARDS

Tournament is not responsible for awards, invitations or prizes offered or presented by third parties.

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