Tag & Release Tournament

[Broadbill]

Hey Guys,

I think I have an idea for an interesting tournament. What do you think about a 100% tag and release sword tourny? All fish must be correctly tagged and varified by either camera or judge (like some billfish tournaments). Most tagged fish wins, probably pay out the first 3-5 places. The cool thing would be the ability to fish out of different inlets until lines out (maybe an all nighter). Awards would follow the following night. I think this would be an excellent way to show our commitment and support of this fishery, as well as tagging a great amount of fish in one night. I'm sure we could get all the tags donated for the cause and tagging kits for those that don't have them. I'm sure we could get backing from TBF and others. It would probably be a good summer time tournament due to more fish and size not being the main concern.

If you like the idea p.m. me. I would really like to put this together if anyone else would like to help. Any ideas would be much appreciated!

[quack quack]

Swordfish Xtream league 3 diff inlets 3 diff tourney with overall champ

Miami,Hillsboro,St,Lucie

[Fishalways]

I'm in.

Sounds like an awesome Idea.

One question though, would there be a penalty for keeping fish like some of the other billfish tournaments? Or maybe limit to one keeper only?

[NightStalker]

I think this is a great idea and would be interested in competing in the tourney. Although a good number of the fish we catch are undersized and released, i dont think many are tagged. This would help scientists and at the same time show all how much we care about these great gamefish.

[Swordone]

You should have the ability of catching and keeping a slob! Maybe make each tagged and released fish worth 300pts. So no one would kill one unless it was over 300lb or maybe even 400pts and 400lbs...My point is we all go out there for the big fish of a lifetime and if someone is lucky enough to hook and catch her they should be rewarded

[Jesslyn]

Originally Posted by Swordone

You should have the ability of catching and keeping a slob!

I think you could keep your slob but it would not count in the tournament if it was strictly a T&R tournament or i like the 300pt mark

[quack quack]

150pt released fish 200pt tag and release.85in min size still only count as 200pt fish.If under 85in 400pt penalty.

[Uncle Buck]

I'm all for it. But I do think each crew should have the option of keeping a worthy fish, without penalty.

[WhItEoUt 23]

I'm in but i do think one fish should be aloud for keep i would love to help any way i can please let me know


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TIGHT LINES AND SHARP HOOKS

[hawgdawg]

St. lucie inlet sucks, unless it is dredged by then I would change it to either Jupiter or West palm.

[quack quack]

I think there are enough Tourneys that kill and the release format is something new that should be done.If it was a sailfish tourney no one would think of killing one.The release format is what will set this tourney apart from the rest.

[quack quack]

Jupiter would be fine with me.

[Tunachaser]

Originally Posted by quack quack

I think there are enough Tourneys that kill and the release format is something new that should be done.If it was a sailfish tourney no one would think of killing one.The release format is what will set this tourney apart from the rest.

Let me pull my stick out for a second, so I can stir the pot What about our beloved Swordfish quota QQ??????

[quack quack]

Originally Posted by Tunachaser

Let me pull my stick out for a second, so I can stir the pot What about our beloved Swordfish quota QQ??????

In a reg nmfs Tourney released fish are counted in the data turned in so the nmfs would see all fish caught
ps you can put that stick back from were you got it.

[Tunachaser]

Originally Posted by quack quack

ps you can put that stick back from were you got it.

P.S.

[quack quack]

Originally Posted by Tunachaser

P.S.

[Broadbill]

I am good with keeping one big fish I guess, but it needs to be BIG (300+). I think every fish should be tagged or it doesn't count. This not only puts an interesting twist in things but does some good as well. As far as inlets go I think it would be cool to fish out of 3-4 or even 4-5 inlets. This allows a lot of water to be covered and people won't have to travel to one destination to fish (since fish don't have to be weighed it can be a bit more diverse). Have a lines in and lines out time and a captains meeting and an awards ceremony in an agreed on area. The only downfall to this would be lack of ability to call fish in as they were caught, but I'm not sure in this situation that would be important. Keep the ideas rolling!

Thanks,

-Scott

-The one thing I came up with that could be a real problem would be injured fish or deep hooked fish that might not survive being tagged and let go for points. Somehow we need to find a way to keep people responsible and not turn fish back that would most likely be shark bait!

[LIGHTS OUT]

Utilize circle hooks. If it's going to be strictly a tag and RELEASE tourney, what would be the point of risking a gut hooked or foul hooked fish. The conservation/information aspect would greatly be diminished (and rather hipocritical)by using offset J-hooks in a tag and release tourney. Just food for thought.

[Broadbill]

Great idea!

[Uncle Buck]

The one thing I came up with that could be a real problem would be injured fish or deep hooked fish that might not survive being tagged and let go for points. Somehow we need to find a way to keep people responsible and not turn fish back that would most likely be shark bait!

That's why there should not be any penalty for kept fish. Only releases count towards the tournament.

No Circle Hook Requirement! We'll never get anything to the boat.