DIVISIONS

The tournament will offer an Optional Small Boat Division, for vessels 42 feet in length and under. Small boat division teams can compete in all tournament calcuttas. Small boat teams must choose a division. They cannot compete in both.

The tournament will also offer 4 separate Bluefin Tuna Only calcuttas and 3 bluefin trophy prizes. Harpoons will be allowed in this division, and consequently, bluefin tuna points will not count in the overall point system.

The tournament division winners will be the vessels that accumulate the most overall points.

CHECK IN – IMPORTANT

Vessels will be allowed a maximum of 42 hours away from the dock and can choose any 42 hour window during the 6 allowable fishing days. Vessels can either fish 42 hours straight or break it up into 2 separate 21 hour trips. Vessels must “start their trip” using the tournament App before they leave the dock. The app records GPS data. So be sure you are inside the harbor before you start your trip on the App. Vessels must return and radio register with the tournament committee boat on their day of return on channel 72. Upon return, vessels must finish within the 42 or 21 hour timeline. Vessels must “end their trip” on the tournament App within one mile of either the Falmouth Breakwall or their place of origin (where they started their trip). The tournament committee boat will be situated at the Falmouth Harbor entrance starting at 3 PM each fish day, and at 12 PM on Friday. Tournament vessels declaring fish must be visually verified. Once confirmed, vessels must verbally check in with the tournament weigh station on Channel 71 and follow instructions on how and when to proceed. Tournament catch forms and release footage must be submitted when weighing fish. Fish to be weighed must be out and ready to go.

FISH DAYS – IMPORTANT

All vessels will be allowed to fish 2 out of the 6 tournament fish days. Vessels will be allowed to fish overnight. All vessels will be asked to declare their fishing days upon check in on July 11th. Any fish day declaration changes must be declared by 8 PM the night before departure by texting tournament organizer Damon Sacco at 508-221-5136. Vessels can depart from any port.

BOAT POINTS FOR QUALIFYING FISH

This is a multi species tournament with a point structure built around catching a multitude of species to win. All point breakdowns are the same for both boat class divisions.

Species	Points	Limits
Blue Marlin	300 points per release	6 releases allowed
White Marlin	100 points per release	12 releases allowed
Spearfish & Sailfish	100 points per release	Unlimited releases
Bluefin Tuna	Will NOT count in the OBBC (except in Bluefin Only categories/calcuttas)
Swordfish	2 pts/lb (60" min, 1 fish max weighed) + 150 pts per released or caught fish	3 fish max counted (kill/release). Weighed swordfish count as 1 pt/lb in billfish calcuttas. No electric reels (see rules for exceptions).
Yellowfin Tuna	1 point per pound	3 fish total
Albacore Tuna	1 point per pound	3 fish total
Big Eye Tuna	1 point per pound	3 fish total
Dolphin (Mahi)	1 point per pound	1 fish total
Wahoo	2 points per pound	1 fish total

2026 OBBC Tournament Rules

Upon departure, all vessels must declare their start time using the OBBC app “Start Trip” feature. This logs GPS location and time. Phones must have location enabled. Failure to declare before departure invalidates that fishing day. If missed, the vessel must return to port and restart (no exceptions). Departure cannot be changed once declared. Mechanical issues allow switching vessels but not trips. If the app fails, a video showing chartplotter GPS time, tournament flag, and boat name can be texted to 508-221-5136.

All vessels must end their trip using the OBBC app “End Trip” feature. This logs GPS location and time. Phones must have location enabled. Failure to end a trip on the tournament app could result in disqualification if your boat is not checked in properly.

Boats declaring fish must check in via VHF channel 72 with the tournament committee boat at Falmouth Harbor jetty within their 42 or 21 hour timeline.

After visual verification by committee boat, vessels must check in with the weigh station on channel 71 and follow weigh station instructions.

All vessels must be physically seen, verified, and instructed by staff before weighing or submitting footage.

IGFA rules apply unless otherwise stated.

Maximum line class: 130 lb.

Electric reels allowed only for teasers/dredges or with motor removed for fighting fish.

Leader limits: 30 ft leader; 40 ft combined leader and double line.

Swordfish under 60 inches may be retained for 150 points.

Spreader bars allowed with one hook.

Double hooks and J hooks allowed.

Ties are broken by earliest cumulative catch time.

Catch forms and release footage must be submitted with accurate timestamps.

Release footage must be organized and ready to be viewed. Videos must contain clear, concise, and organized clips showing the tournament catch flag, mate’s hand(s) on leader, and the fish swimming away.

SD cards will only be accepted for 10 or more releases. Vessels declaring under 10 releases must present videos on a screened device – no exceptions. iPhones, GoPros, tablets, and/or laptops can be used.

140-mile range limit from Hooter Buoy.

Angler must hook and fight fish; one handoff allowed.

Rod and reel only (except Bluefin division allowances).

Fish cannot be fought from rod holder except Bluefin division.

Harpoons only allowed in Bluefin division.

Winners receive IGFA Offshore World Championship invitation.

All releases must be recorded on video with tournament flag visible and continuous uninterrupted footage from the point of catch to point of release.

Teams must document each time of catch on tournament catch forms and also show an embedded timestamp or GPS/plotter time in video.

Small boat division is for vessels 42 ft or less with optional participation in all calcuttas.

Official time is GPS time.

OBBC is not responsible for SFC rules/prizes.

Participants assume all risks.

Must follow all federal and state regulations.

No weather committee; decisions are up to each vessel.

Protests must be filed in writing by 6 PM daily with a $350 fee.

Fish belong to the boat after weigh-in; disposal must be offshore outside of harbor. Boats disobeying this will result in disqualification.

Fish must be ready before weighing.

Mutilated fish are disqualified.

Weighmaster may retain fish for inspection. Refusal disqualifies the catch.

Tournament directors have final authority on fish eligibility.

Winning crews may be subject to polygraph testing.

Boats may fish on non-fish days within 40 miles of Hooter Buoy for day trips only (no overnight trips).

Disposal of fish racks in harbors is prohibited. Violations result in disqualification, forfeiture of winnings, and a $5,000 fine. Use offshore disposal or harbor dumpsters.

All entrants must agree to the polygraph and indemnification agreement during registration. Any rule violations will result in disqualification. Tournament committee decisions are final.