A fish hooked prior to the stopping time may be fought until boated, released or lost provided the team arrives at the weigh station prior to its closing for the day. The Tournament Committee reserves the privilege of changing starting and ending fishing times to coincide with weather, tides, and improved probability of better fishing conditions. Fishing time will not be extended during the tournament unless all anglers are included. Boat captains must report to Tournament Control the time of hook-up as it occurs, the grid area, the time the fish was released, lost, or boated, the species of fish and whether or not the fish was tagged. There are no additional tournament points awarded for tagging a fish in addition to releasing the fish.
Anglers are responsible for their own bait.
Only black or blue marlin count for tournament points in non-release award categories. All marlin that are boated must be weighed. All marlin must be weighed using the tournament's official weigh station. Black or blue marlin brought to the weigh station may have their mouths taped shut. However, after the marlin has been raised by the weigh station personnel the angler will be asked to remove whatever is securing the mouth shut and clip any external leader material to the edge of the marlin's mouth.