2018 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic

Frequently Asked Questions (answers are subject to change)
Revised: May 14, 2018

The MGCBC is a sportfishing 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. One noted exception is the allowance that the rod may be handed off one time within the first minute of the fight. However, the state of Mississippi rules which will be enforced when a state record is submitted, states that “fish must be hooked, fought, and brought to net or gaff by the applicant with no help from any person, except that another person may operate the net or gaff.” The full page of State Saltwater Fishing Record Rules can be found at http://www.dmr.ms.gov/index.php/marine-fisheries/finfish/138-state-saltwater-fishing-record-rules

Measured from lower jaw to the fork of the tail, blue marlin must measure at least 110 inches. Fish not meeting these minimums will not be accepted to the weigh-scale and will remain on the boat.

All billfish releases require video verification (see rule 13). Also, rule #7 requires all billfish to be logged on the Billfish Scorecard in the order that fish are either boated or released. The order of boated or released fish on the scorecard along with the date and time, must match the sequence on the video turned into the judges for scoring.

No, the angler or team will be responsible for filling out the state of Mississippi application for a state record.

No, for State record prizes, only the heaviest fish in a given species at the end of the tournament, which has broken the state record, will receive the state record prizes provided a successful polygraph and a confirmed record by the state of Mississippi.

Yes, in order to compete for state records each angler must purchase a state of Mississippi saltwater fishing license. While the state of Mississippi allows tournament anglers to compete without a license, the state’s rules for breaking a state record require anglers to possess the license in order to apply for a state record. You can purchase the saltwater licenses online at https://www.ms.gov/mdwfp/hunting_fishing/

Yes, to participate in a registered Atlantic HMS tournament, anglers or vessel owners must possess an HMS permit.

Yes, polygraphs will be administered by the tournament at the discretion of the tournament director. A registered member of the team, designated by the captain or owner, must be willing to sit for a polygraph. The designated member cannot be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If the polygraph examiner determines a subject is under the influence, that person will be disqualified from performing the polygraph. Without a successful polygraph the team will forfeit all cash prizes and the tournament will not support an application to the state for a record fish.

Electric reels are not allowed for fighting fish at any time as “fish must be legally caught in a sporting manner on rod, reel and line or pole and line, and hooked with a legal hook and lure”.

It is recommended that tournament participants follow the guidelines established by the NMF and Mississippi DMR regarding hooks.

One blue marlin per day, two total for the tournament. Possession for blue marlin is one per day. Example: One blue marlin per boat can be brought to the weigh scales for the first day of weigh-in (Friday). Boats can return to fishing grounds and catch a second blue marlin to be weighed on the second day of weigh-in (Saturday) for a total of two blue marlin for the tournament.
For tuna, wahoo and dolphin divisions, three fish per species per day. Example: Regardless of when they are boated, for each boat, three tuna can be weighed on the first day of weigh-in (Friday), and three additional tuna can be weighed on the second day of weigh-in (Saturday). Only three fish per species will be allowed at the weigh scales on any weigh-in day. It is recommended that tournament participants follow possession guidelines established by the NMF and Mississippi DMR.