Rules for the 2019 Seasonal Awards

Each year the Marlin Club takes the time to recognize the offshore fishing accomplishments of its members. We honor them at a seasonal awards banquet where we present them with trophies and plaques to celebrate their achievements

The following constitutes the rules and qualifications for the seasonal awards presented by the Marlin Club:

1. Fishing Season - The fishing season begins on January 1^st and ends on Sunday, October 6, 2019 by 5 p.m.

2. Catch Reports - For seasonal awards all catch reports must be entered on-line (this includes the White Marlin Open) at www.ocmarlinclub.com . Tournament catch reports must be turned in as per the rules stated in each specific tournament. Catch reports must be entered on-line no later than ten days from the date of the catch with the exception of year end reports, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. All reports must be filed by Monday, October 7, 2019 by 12 p.m. No exceptions! The use of green sticks is not allowed for seasonal awards or any OCMC tournaments. Intentional use of live bait or live bait teasers is not allowed for any and all tournaments and seasonal awards. Only billfish boated during modified release tournaments (i.e. Big Fish Classic, White Marlin Open, & The Mid Atlantic) are eligible for seasonal totals. Photo verification of blue marlin is required for seasonal awards and OCMC tournaments. A photo uplink is available within the on-line catch report system; please do not upload your photos separately from the on-line report.

3. Eligibility for Seasonal Awards -

   1. Members - Dues must be paid in full prior to fish catches counting towards seasonal awards. Any catch reports received prior to dues being paid will not count towards seasonal awards. Catches made by Members on Member or Non-Member boats are eligible for awards.

2. Non-Members - Non-Members are not eligible for Billfish Awards with the exception of the Junior Angler Awards. Fish caught by Non-Members are eligible for all other seasonal awards when the fish is caught on a Club boat and the Member's boat dues are current.

3. Captains and Mates - Members and Non-Members who receive pay as a professional may qualify for seasonal awards if fishing as an angler and not paid for the day that he/she catches the fish for the seasonal award. Example: A paid Captain or Mate chooses to charter a boat, become a Member or a charter team or fish as a non-paid guest.

4. Fish eligible for awards - All fish eligible for awards, must be caught within 100 nautical miles of the Ocean City, Maryland Inlet (Sea Buoy). All catches eligible for Ocean City Marlin Club Seasonal Awards, must depart and return to the Ocean City, Maryland or Indian River Inlets. To qualify for seasonal tournament and awards all catches must meet or exceed all Federal Requirements and Marlin Club weights.

5. Ties - All seasonal ties will be decided based on the day and time of catch.

6. Billfish Caught in one day - Fish caught on overnighter trips are eligible and must be reported on the specific day of the overnighter when the fish was caught.

7. First White Marlin Caught - $5,000 will be awarded by the Ocean City Marlin Club for the First White Marlin Release of the year. The fish may be caught by a boat from either the Ocean City, Maryland Inlet or Indian River Inlet by a Member or by someone fishing on a Member boat.

8. First Blue Marlin Caught - $2,500 will be awarded by the Ocean City Marlin Club for the First Blue Marlin Release of the year. The fish may be caught by a boat from either the Ocean City, Maryland Inlet or Indian River Inlet by a Member or by someone fishing on a Member boat. Photo identification required of a Blue Marlin to ensure proper identification of the Billfish.

9. Last White Marlin Caught - $1,500 will be awarded by the Ocean City Marlin Club for the Last White Marlin Release of the year. The fish may be caught by a boat from either the Ocean City, Maryland Inlet or Indian River Inlet by a Member or by someone fishing on a Member boat. The fishing season ends on Sunday, October 6, 2019 by 5 p.m. No exceptions!

10. Individual Angler Awards - For awards given to an individual angler the fish must be self-hooked and caught by the angler, unaided by the boat's crew. Junior Anglers may receive assistance. All Ocean City Marlin Club and IGFA rules apply.

11. Charles E. Kratz Award - A trophy plus $500 will be awarded by the Ocean City Marlin Club for the First White Marlin Caught by a Junior Angler. The fish may be caught by a boat from either the Ocean City, Maryland Inlet or Indian River Inlet by a Member or by someone fishing on a Member boat.

12. Recreational Angler Award - An award given to the angler that caught the most billfish. Fish do not have to be self-hooked. Top Lady and Gentlemen Anglers (self-hooked) are not eligible for this award. All Ocean City Marlin Club and IGFA rules apply.

13. Private/Charter Boats - Private boats who fish one or more times for pay become Charter boats and are not eligible for awards given to private boats.

14. Weight/Size Minimums* - During Club tournaments, unless stated otherwise by OC Marlin Club tournament chairmen, all catches must meet the Club's minimum requirements -

    1. Dolphin - 10 lbs.

    2. Shark - Release only

    3. Tuna - 30 lbs., *Seasonal Tuna Award has no minimum weight

    4. Wahoo - 20 lbs.

    5. Bluefish - 8 inches

    6. Flounder - 16 inches

    7. Mackerel - 14 inches

    8. Rockfish - 28 inches or longer. 1 per person per day.

    9. Tautog - 16 inches

    10. Swordfish - Release only

    11. Spearfish - Release only

    12. Sailfish - Release only

    13. White Marlin - Release only

    14. Blue Marlin - Release only

15. The 25/50/100/200 Club for billfish releases - Member boats releasing 25-49 billfish, 50-99, 100-199 and 200+ billfish will be recognized in the 25, 50, 100 or 200 released billfish club, respectively. The boat name will be permanently inscribed on a plaque board displayed in the club. The new 25, 50, 100, 200 member boats will also be announced at the seasonal awards.

All catch reports must be entered on-line by 12 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2019.