Costa Offshore World Championship Rules & Prizes

B. Fishing Rules

1. Eligible Species: Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish, Dorado, and Tuna

2. Fishing Dates/Times: ​​Tournament fishing days are April 12, 13, and 14.
Lines-in: 7:30 a.m., Lines-out: 3:30 p.m. daily

On the first day of fishing (April 12), boats are not permitted to depart from their marina earlier than 6:00 a.m. 

Start and stop signals will be announced via tournament radio—no fishing lines, dredges or teasers may be deployed before the “lines-in” call. 

Boats confirmed to have left the marina early on Day 1, or to have started fishing prior to the Lines In call on any fishing day, shall forfeit that day’s points.

Scales are open at Marina Pez Vela from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM daily for the weighing of meatfish. All fish to be weighed must be at the scale by 7:00 PM. Where a fish hooked before the 3:30 PM Lines Out is still being fought at Lines Out, the team may request an extension of weigh station hours via VHF. A fish found to be mutilated will not be weighed. Adding any foreign material to a fish, or otherwise altering a fish to increase its weight, is prohibited.

3. Fishing Location/Boundary: Boats may depart from any Pacific Coast marina in Costa Rica, provided they fish within a 50-nautical-mile radius of Marina Pez Vela in Quepos.

All teams must have GPS tracking on for the entire duration of the tournament and must not erase their GPS tracks until 24 hours after the 4:30 PM Lines Out on the final fishing day.

Where an official protest is filed against a team, the Tournament Committee may require that team to produce its GPS tracks for all three days of the tournament. No routine reporting or submission of GPS tracks is required — tracks are requested only in connection with a protest. A team under protest that cannot produce its GPS tracks shall be deemed in violation of the boundary and its catches for the day under protest shall be disqualified.

Where GPS tracks show that a vessel fished outside the boundary, catches made by that vessel on any day on which a boundary offense is confirmed are disqualified. Catches made on days on which the tracks show no boundary offense remain eligible for awards.

4. Late Hook-Ups: All fish must be hooked and reported to tournament radio control before lines-out. Hookups occurring within the final 15 minutes of fishing must be called in immediately. If a fish is still hooked at lines-out, the angler may continue fighting until released, boated, or lost—but radio control must be notified once the fight ends. Fights extending beyond Lines Out shall extend the team’s deadline for catch affidavit and release video submission to Tournament Control by the duration of the fight that extends beyond Lines Out.

5. Video Verification of Releases: All teams are responsible for providing and operating their own video equipment to verify billfish releases. Before departing each day, teams must record video of their boat name and team number using all release cameras. Teams will be informed of the specific catch control card of the day to use prior to each day’s start of fishing. “Catch Control Cards” are in each team packet given to you at the captain’s meeting, and it is your responsibility to make sure they are on the boat prior to the start of fishing.

To score an official release, a single continuous video must include:

1. Clear identification of the species

2. Leader/mainline connection clearly visible inside the rod tip, swivel reeled all the way to the rod tip, OR a team member touching the leader while the fish is still hooked

3. Date and time of catch that matches the radio log, reflected in the video metadata or shown on the boat’s GPS a team member’s phone screen.

4. Display the catch control card of the day designated by the tournament

5. Full release of the fish, showing the line being cut, hook removed, or fish swimming away freely
   

After each release, the official time, species, and angler name must be recorded on the catch affidavit. The affidavit must be signed by each registered angler and the boat captain.

6. Video Submission Methods & Deadline: All release videos and the signed catch affidavit must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. local time each fishing day via Option A or B below, unless the Tournament Director grants a specific exception due to fighting a fish after Lines Out or other extenuating circumstances. Electronic submission is an option, not a right; Tournament Control may require in‑person presentation at any time. All meatfish (dorado and tuna) must be weighed in person at Marina Pez Vela.

Submission Option A — In‑Person Submission at the Marina Pez Vela Weigh Station: Deliver the original release video(s) and the signed catch affidavit to Tournament Control at Marina Pez Vela Weigh Station by 7:00 p.m. local time each day.

Submission Option B — Electronic Submission via CatchStat (Mobile App or Web)

1. Access: Electronic submission is available via the CatchStat mobile app (iOS/Android) or via the web at owc.catchstat.com. To use it, a team member’s email must be on the team roster and correctly linked in CatchStat so that the “My Teams” page is visible after sign‑in. If you cannot access My Teams, you can contact Tournament Control to have your email linked or you must submit release media and the affidavit in person.

2. When & Where to Upload: After Tournament Control adds your billfish release to CatchStat, a corresponding entry will appear in your list of catches. Upload your release video(s) to the matching fish/angler/release time entry.

3. Affidavit: The signed catch affidavit may be:

   • Delivered in person (see Submission Option B), or

   • Uploaded electronically as an attachment to any catch entry on the team, or

   • Texted to Tournament Control.

4. Verification & Responsibility

   • Status in CatchStat – Verified releases will be visually marked as verified within your team’s Fish Log in CatchStat.

   • Daily Review – Tournament Control will review and verify all submitted releases each day. Due to volume, verification may take several hours after the 7:00 p.m. submission deadline.

   • Timeliness vs. Scoring – The submission deadline is satisfied when your release video(s) and signed affidavit are successfully uploaded/attached (or delivered in person) and correctly associated to the catch by 7:00 p.m. local time. Verification may occur later.

   • Issues & Fallback. – If any issues are identified (e.g., poor image quality, incomplete footage, or missing required elements), Tournament Control may require the team to present the original video in person for further review.

   • Team Responsibility – It is each team’s responsibility to ensure uploads are complete and visible in CatchStat (or delivered in person) by 7:00 p.m. and to monitor the in‑system status thereafter.

5. Keep Originals. Teams must retain the original, unedited video files until final results are posted.

Catchstat Quick Submission Checklist

□ BEFORE LINES-IN, make sure at least one team member can sign in and see My Teams.

□ After each release appears in your Fish Log, upload the matching video(s).

□ Submit the signed affidavit (upload, email, or hand‑deliver).

□ If any electronic issue arises, bring the originals in person by the deadline.

Releases not submitted by this deadline will be disqualified, unless a specific exception has been made by the Tournament Director. Any falsified affidavits will result in disqualification from the tournament without refund. All recordings, images, and audio become the property of The Marlin Group Network LLC and may be used for promotional purposes. Tournament media (website, social channels, or video) is for entertainment and marketing only.

7. IGFA Rules: All IGFA angling and tackle rules apply in this tournament unless otherwise stated. All OWC registered anglers must hook and fight their own fish until it is released or boated. Registered angler teams are responsible for ensuring that IGFA and tournament rules are followed. Any angler who intentionally breaks these rules is subject to expulsion and disqualification, upon determination by the tournament committee, from this and future tournaments without a refund of any registration fees. It is the registered angler’s/team’s responsibility to clarify to their captains and mates ALL rules, that this is NOT a “hook & hand” tournament. Only one registered angler can handle a rod during the entire duration of the fight, from hook-up through the official release of each fish. For the avoidance of doubt, other team members may clear other lines.

8. Addition to IGFA Rules: Captains, mates, or any other non-registered people aboard are not permitted to pitch hook-rigged baits or drop back hook-rigged baits to fish. Because many fish that are caught during the tournament are teased up and pitch baited or bait and switched, we suggest that teams practice pitch baiting, drop back methods, and bait & switch in advance of the tournament. Captains and mates are permitted to use teaser reels, hookless baits, and hookless lures for bait & switch fishing methods.

9. Omnidirectional Sonar: There will NOT be separate categories for boats with or without omni-directional sonar (“Omni”). All teams will compete together, with adjusted point values to promote an even playing field.

All boats equipped with Omni and/or searchlight sonar must declare at registration whether they will utilize the equipment during tournament fishing days.

Teams fishing on Omni-equiped boats, but who wish to earn non-Omni points, must declare this choice on the official affidavit at registration and must disable the boat’s Omni functionality prior to start fishing. A Tournament Official must inspect and secure the Omni equipment using tournament-approved tamper evident tape or seals. The Omni must remain completely powered off and secured during the entire 24 hour period of each tournament fishing date. Any broken, removed or altered seal must be reported immediately to the Tournament Director. The Tournament reserves the right to inspect any boat at any time to ensure compliance.

This declaration is binding for the duration of the tournament, except in the case of an approved vessel substitution due to mechanical failure or other circumstance. In such cases, the Tournament Director may approve a change in Omni status prior to Lines In based on the equipment aboard the replacement vessel. Points previously earned will remain scored based on the Omni status on the day in which those fish were caught. No change in Omni status may take place during a tournament fishing day.

For teams using Omni, sonar devices may not be deployed before Lines In (7:30 AM) and must be turned off no later than 15 minutes after Lines Out (3:30 PM) each day.

Unauthorized activation or use of Omni by a team declared Non Omni, or tampering with tournament seals, may result in loss of points or disqualification at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.

10. Points: Overall Points are determined by the combination of billfish release points and meatfish points. If there is a tie in points, rankings will be determined by which team reaches the greatest combined point total first, whether by release time, or weigh-in time. Points are attributed to both the team and to individual anglers, for the purposes of award determination. 

• Billfish Points:

  • Omni Users:

    • Blue/Black/Striped Marlin: 350 points

    • Sailfish/Spearfish: 140 points

• • Non-Omni Users:

    • Blue/Black/Striped Marlin: 500 points

    • Sailfish/Spearfish: 200 points
      

• Meatfish Points: Points will be awarded for dorado and tuna (yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna) weighing 20 pounds or more. Each team may weigh a maximum of two fish per species (max. 2 dorado, 2 tuna), per day. Fish will be weighed to the tenth of a pound up to 200 lbs, and to the nearest pound for fish over 200 lbs. Scoring is as follows:

• • 1 point per pound for fish under 100 lbs

  • 1.5 points per pound for fish 100–199.99 lbs

  • 2 points per pound for fish 200 lbs or more

Examples: 40.6-lb tuna = 40.6 points, 150-lb tuna = 225 points, 201-lb tuna = 402 points
Teams must report boated meatfish, including team number and angler number, and tournament committee may request team to provide video of the boated fish. In the event of a tie by weight, the first fish weighed by time will win. Fish must be presented whole; mutilated fish will not be weighed. Meatfish points do not count toward the optional billfish release jackpot(s).

11. Radio Communications: Official VHF channels and a Whatsapp/cell phone number for communication will be provided at the captains and anglers meetings. All billfish releases and boated gamefish intended for weigh-in must be reported to tournament control with the team number, angler number, and species. If out of radio range, catches must be relayed via radio or cell phone as soon as possible. Tournament control’s time will serve as the official time for all starts, hookups, and stops, with no exceptions. All hookups within the final 15 minutes of fishing each day must also be reported to Tournament Control. The tournament channel is reserved strictly for official announcements and release reports. Competitor conversations must occur on alternate channels.

12. Bait: Dead bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament. Live bait is NOT permitted in the tournament. Fishing for bait prior to the start of fishing is prohibited. No lines are permitted in the water prior to the start of fishing. Dead bait cannot be purchased or otherwise acquired during tournament fishing hours from another vessel. 

13. Daisy Chains: The use of daisy chains attached in any way to the same rod as a hooked bait or hooked lure is not IGFA legal and therefore prohibited. Daisy chains are permitted when used strictly as a teaser.

14. Hooks: Bait must be rigged with non-offset circle hooks only. Artificial lures without natural bait may be rigged with conventional J-hooks.

15. Line: 130LB manufacturers stated maximum line class. All fishing line types are permitted except for wire lines. Wire leader is allowed in the tournament. 

16. Maximum Rods/Lines: There is no limit to how many rods or lines in use.

17. Prospecting: Teams may not hire or use other boats, planes, helicopters, or drones to locate fish or assist in any way with catching or releasing fish.

18. Tackle: All fish must be caught on rod and reel, and all terminal tackle must be rigged to IGFA regulation. The length of the leader is the overall length, including any lure or hook arrangement or other device, and is measured to the bend of the last hook. The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel, or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. In all line classes exceeding 20 pounds (10 kg), the leader shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 40 feet (12.19 meters) total. The angler must furnish, upon request, the lure, leader, line, hook, rod, reel and/or any other terminal tackle with which the fish was caught.

19. Teasers and Dredges: Unlimited in use or numbers.

20. CatchStat: The Offshore World Championship uses CatchStat.com for team management, video submission, and live scoring updates. All leaderboards and payout figures on CatchStat are for entertainment purposes only and may not reflect official standings or payout amounts. For official results, please contact the tournament committee directly.

21. Committee Rights: The Tournament Committee has the right to investigate and act upon any incident occurring during the tournament. It shall have the right to disqualify any capture following examination. Refusal to allow the committee to examine any tackle, line and/or leaders will result in immediate disqualification from the event without a refund of any registration fees. As part of the resolution of a protest, the Tournament Director may at his discretion require the boat captain and all registered anglers who were aboard on the day in question — that is, all signatories to that day’s catch affidavit — to submit to a polygraph examination. Refusal to cooperate results in disqualification without refund. The tournament committee reserves the privilege of changing the rules and starting and finishing times for any reason it deems necessary. Any such changes will be communicated to all teams via an email through CatchStat. All decisions of the Tournament Committee are final and non-appealable. 

22. Observers/Photographers: The tournament, at its sole discretion, may assign an observer or photographer to any boat on any fishing day. If an observer or photographer is assigned, the boat is responsible for their comfort and safety. Observers do not determine official releases or catches.

23. Weather: There is no weather committee. The tournament is conducted on a “fish at your own risk” basis. If any portion of the tournament is fished and a team or teams land or release fish that match the tournament’s eligible species and minimum weight limits, then prizes will be awarded.

24. Protests: Participants may lodge protests against any catch which they believe was not made in accordance with these rules. Protests must be based on what the protesting party personally witnessed. All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by $1,000 USD. Protests concerning days of fishing must be in the hands of the Tournament Director no later than 7:00 PM on the day of the alleged incident. The $1,000 deposit is refunded in full if the protest is upheld.

A protest alleging that a vessel fished outside the boundary must be jointly filed by two participating tournament vessels that both witnessed the infringement. The $1,000 deposit is split between the two protesting parties.

Following the filing of a protest, the Tournament Committee may take whatever investigative steps it considers necessary, including examining release videos, requesting and reviewing GPS tracks, taking statements and potentially subjecting team members to a polygraph.

Outcomes:
Upheld — including where GPS tracks show a boundary violation, or tracks were not retained as required. Deposit refunded in full. The protested catch is disqualified.
Not sustained — lacks evidence to uphold claim. Deposit forfeited. No further consequence for the protesting parties
Boundary protest disproven — GPS tracks place the accused vessel inside the boundary. Deposit forfeited. The teams that jointly filed are disqualified from the competition.
Knowingly false — Any protest the Committee finds was made in bad faith. Deposit forfeited. Disqualification and ban from future competition, at the Committee’s discretion.

All disputes are ruled on by the Tournament Committee and are final and binding. Decisions of the tournament organizers and Committee are final, nonappealable and nonjusticiable.

25. Sportsmanlike Conduct: All participants are expected to maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike manner at all times. Unsportsmanlike, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate behavior towards the tournament committee, other participants, or staff—as determined at the sole discretion of the tournament committee—will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team without refund, and may result in prohibition from participation in future tournaments.

26. Optional Jackpot Details: Optional Jackpot entries may be added or adjusted by the team’s Primary Contact through the end of the Registration Event. After 3pm on April 11, no Optional Jackpot entries may be withdrawn. Additional Optional Jackpot entries may be added until 7am April 12. Any Optional Jackpot entries made between 3pm April 11 and 7am April 12 must be made through CatchStat and paid by credit card. All jackpots will pay out 85% of optional jackpot entry fees, referred hereafter as the Payout. Only teams registered in each respective jackpot will be eligible for each cash award.

Optional Jackpots are as follows: Overall Points, Billfish Release Points Jackpot (3 divisions), Daily Billfish Release Points (3 divisions), Biggest Dorado, and Biggest Tuna.

Overall Points 50/30/20 Optional: The entry amount for this category is $5,000. The Overall Points Jackpot will be awarded to the top three teams with the most cumulative points of the tournament over all three (3) days of fishing and be awarded accordingly; First place 50%, Second Place 30%, Third Place 20%. If there is a tie, Payouts will be determined by which team reaches the greatest combined point total first, whether by release time, or weigh-in time.

Billfish Release Points Winner-Take-All Jackpot: There are three (3) divisions in this category; 

• Division 1 (Entry Amount: $5,000)

• Division 2 (Entry Amount: $2,500)

• Division 3 (Entry Amount: $1,000)

The Billfish Release Points Jackpot will be awarded to the team with the most overall billfish release points of the tournament over all three (3) days of fishing, and awarded 100% of the Payout. Ties between teams will go to the team that scores the greatest number of release points first according to official release time.

Daily Billfish Release Points: There are three (3) divisions in this category; 

• Division 1 (Entry Amount: $6,000)

• Division 2 (Entry Amount: $3,000)

• Division 3 (Entry Amount: $1,500)

The Daily Billfish Release Points optional jackpot will be divided three (3) ways among the teams that score the most billfish release points on fishing Day One, Day Two, and Day Three. For the avoidance of doubt, and as an example, the Payout from entries in each division shall be divided between the highest point total winner from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3. Ties between teams on any fishing day will go to the team that scores the greatest number of release points on that day first, according to official release time. If no billfish are released on an individual day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day. If no billfish are released on the final day of fishing, then the final-day payout money goes to the previous day’s winner(s). 

Biggest Dorado Winner-Take-All Optional: The entry amount for this category is $500. 100% of the biggest dorado optional Payout will be awarded to the team who weighs the heaviest qualifying dorado (20 lbs or over) by weight of the tournament over all three (3) days of fishing. If no dorado are weighed during all 3 days of the tournament, the payout for dorado goes to the team with the most overall points that has paid into the Biggest Dorado Optional.

Biggest Tuna Winner Take All Optional: The entry amount for this category is $500. 100% of the biggest tuna optional Payout will be awarded to the team who weighs the heaviest qualifying yellowfin or bigeye tuna (20 lbs or over) by weight of the tournament over all three (3) days of fishing. If no Tuna are weighed during all 3 days of the tournament, the payout goes to the team with the most overall points that has paid into the Biggest Tuna Optional.

27. Prize Disbursements for Optionals: Each registered team representative is in control of any prize winnings and, upon winning funds, must sign a prize disbursement form specifying how the funds are to be distributed. If the funds are intended to be disbursed to multiple parties, each party must fill out a form signing off on their portion of the winnings and specifying how the funds are to be distributed (check, ACH or wire), in addition to providing a signed form W-9, if applicable. Funds will be disbursed within 30 days from receipt of all necessary documents, and confirmation that entry fees have cleared the bank. All funds will be paid from a US bank account in US dollars. Winners are responsible for paying all federal, state and local withholding taxes. 

The Offshore World Championship tournament committee reserves the right to update or change these rules at any time. By entering the Offshore World Championship tournament and paying the entry fees, all participants agree to abide by the tournament rules and accept all decisions made by the Tournament Committee as final.