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:
-
Fishing
Season - The fishing season begins on January 1st
and ends on Sunday, October 6, 2019 by 5 p.m.
-
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.
-
Eligibility
for Seasonal Awards -
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ties
- All seasonal ties will be decided based on the day and time
of catch.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Weight/Size
Minimums* - During Club tournaments, unless stated otherwise
by OC Marlin Club tournament chairmen, all
catches must meet the
Club's minimum requirements -
-
Dolphin - 10 lbs.
-
Shark - Release only
-
Tuna - 30 lbs., *Seasonal
Tuna Award has no minimum weight
-
Wahoo - 20 lbs.
-
Bluefish - 8 inches
-
Flounder - 16 inches
-
Mackerel - 14 inches
-
Rockfish - 28 inches or
longer. 1 per person per day.
-
Tautog - 16 inches
-
Swordfish - Release only
-
Spearfish - Release only
-
Sailfish - Release only
-
White Marlin - Release
only
-
Blue Marlin - Release
only
-
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.
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