Bitcoin Marlin World Challenge – Official Rules

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1. General

These are the official rules (the “Rules”) of the Bitcoin Marlin World Challenge (the “Tournament”). The Tournament is conducted quarterly, is open to IGFA-compliant anglers worldwide, and follows IGFA rules (www.igfa.org) except as specifically modified herein.
Failure to comply with these Rules will result in disqualification.

 

2. Entry & Eligibility

• Base Challenge Entry

  • Blue Marlin Base – $2,500 USD per entry. Awarded to the heaviest qualifying Blue Marlin (500+ lbs).

  • Black Marlin Base – $2,500 USD per entry. Awarded to the heaviest qualifying Black Marlin (500+ lbs).

  • Entries remain active each quarter until the prize is won. If no qualifying fish is caught, the prize pool rolls over to the next quarter.

• Lightning Grander Challenge (1000+ lbs)

  • Level 1 – $5,000 USD. Must also be entered in the Blue or Black Marlin Base.

  • Level 2 – $10,000 USD. Must be entered in Blue Marlin Level 1.

  • Level 3 – $21,000 USD. Must be entered in Blue Marlin Level 2.

  • Entries carry forward each quarter until the prize is won; prize pool rolls over if no qualifying fish is caught.

• Payment – Accepted by credit card, wire transfer, or other approved method. No cash accepted. All funds must be received in full prior to the entry deadline for each quarter. A 3.5% processing fee applies to credit card payments.

• Right to Refuse Entry – The Tournament reserves the right to reject or revoke any entry, for any reason, at its sole discretion.

 

3. Official Tournament Schedule

• Quarter 2 – Entry deadline: 11:59 PM March 31. Fishing days: April 1 – June 30.
  Peak seasons: Atlantic/Caribbean (May–June), Hawaii (May–June), Mediterranean (May–June).

• Quarter 3 – Entry deadline: 11:59 PM June 30. Fishing days: July 1 – September 30.
  Peak seasons: Atlantic/Caribbean (July–September), Europe (July–September), parts of Australia/Southeast Asia (July–September).

• Quarter 4 – Entry deadline: 11:59 PM September 30. Fishing days: October 1 – December 31.
  Peak seasons: Pacific (Mexico/Central America) (November–December), parts of Australia/Southeast Asia (October–December), South Africa (October–December).

• Quarter 1 – Entry deadline: 11:59 PM December 31. Fishing days: January 1 – March 31.
  Peak seasons: Pacific (Mexico/Central America) (January–March), parts of Australia/Southeast Asia (January–March), Indian Ocean (January–March).

The official start and end dates for each quarter will be published in advance. Only catches made during those dates and within designated fishing hours are eligible.

 

4. Withdrawal & Refunds

• Refunds are available only if written notice is received prior to the entry deadline for that quarter.

• No refunds will be issued after this deadline for any reason, including weather, vessel/mechanical issues, or personal circumstances.

 

5. Qualifying Fish

• Base Challenge – Blue Marlin or Black Marlin weighing 500 lbs or more.

• Grander Challenge – Blue Marlin or Black Marlin weighing 1000 lbs or more.

• All fish under the qualifying weight, or smaller than the current leader, must be released.

• In the event of a tie, the first fish reported and verified will be declared the winner.

 

6. IGFA & Legal Compliance

• All participants must comply with IGFA rules (www.igfa.org) and applicable local laws.

• Anglers are solely responsible for obtaining and holding any required licenses, permits, or registrations.

• Failure to have required documentation will not be grounds for protest if the catch otherwise qualifies.

 

7. Prize Money & Distribution

• Winner Takes All – Prize equals 80% of entry fees collected for that category.

• If no qualifying fish is caught, the prize pool rolls over to the next quarter; entry carries forward until the prize is won.

• Prize is paid to the designated payee provided in writing by the winning participant.

• The Tournament may deduct reasonable costs from the prize in the event of disputes or claims.

 

8. Fishing Hours

• Lines In – 8:30 AM local time.

• Lines Out – 4:30 PM local time.

• Hookups must be reported as soon as possible. If hooked before lines out, anglers may continue fighting until boated, released, or lost, but the fish must be weighed and reported before 11:59 PM local time of that fishing day.

 

9. Reporting & Verification

• The boating of a qualifying fish must be reported within 20 minutes of boating and must include:

  • Length (lower jaw to fork of tail)

  • Girth

  • Estimated weight

• The actual qualifying weight and measurements shall be taken by a qualified weigh station with certified scales.

• All fish must be weighed at an accredited station.

• Required documentation:

  • Official weight, length, and girth by an approved weigh master.

  • At least two independent witnesses.

  • Photos and video showing the fish, measurements, and scale reading with date/time stamp.

  • Names and contact information of witnesses.

• Fishing in a remote area is not permitted unless adequate verification procedures are available, as determined at the sole discretion of the Tournament.

 

10. Fishing Line Requirements

• Monofilament, Dacron, or braided line ≤ 100 lb manufacturer rating, or IGFA/Tournament-rated ≤ 130 lb breaking strength.

• Backing of any size is permitted if the top shot meets the above specifications.

• The catch will be classified by the breaking strength of the first five meters preceding the leader/hook.

 

11. Sportsmanlike Conduct

• All participants must conduct themselves in a respectful, professional, and sportsmanlike manner.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment of other participants, or any behavior detrimental to the Tournament’s reputation will result in disqualification.

 

12. Assumption of Risk & Insurance

• Tournament activities involve inherent risks, including the possibility of serious injury or death.

• All participants acknowledge and accept these risks and agree to participate voluntarily.

• Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain personal insurance coverage for themselves, their crew, and their vessel.

 

13. Publicity Release

• By entering, participants grant the Tournament and its affiliates the right to use their names, likenesses, photographs, and catch details for promotional purposes, without additional compensation.

 

14. Polygraph

• The Tournament reserves the right to require a polygraph test from anglers or crew prior to awarding any prize.

• Costs for testing may be deducted from prize funds.

 

15. Rule Changes

• The Tournament reserves the right to update, modify, or change these Rules at any time, with changes effective immediately upon posting on the official Tournament website.

 

16. Adverse Conditions

• Fishing is at the participant’s discretion. No refunds will be provided after the refund deadline due to weather, sea conditions, or other circumstances.

 

17. Dispute Resolution

• Protests must be submitted within 24 hours after the final designated fishing day of the quarter.

• All decisions by the Tournament Rules Committee are final.

 

18. Indemnification & Liability

• Participants enter at their own risk and release the Tournament and its affiliates from all liability arising from participation.

• Maximum liability is limited to the entry fee paid or $10,000 USD, whichever is less.

 

19. Consent to Rules

• Submitting an entry constitutes acceptance of these Rules and agreement to comply.

• Failure to comply will result in disqualification.