El Salvador is emerging as the newest billfish Mecca on the warm and calm waters of west Central America. The sailfishing is just as good as the neighboring countries of Costa Rica and Guatemala and there is a mix of blue marlin, which adds excitement to your days of fishing!
Flying to El Salvador is fast and simple, a two and a half hour flight from Miami and a three-hour flight from Houston. Most major airlines service El Salvador International Airport daily from many cities around the U.S. and from the airport is only a short twenty-minute drive on nice roads to the hotel and marina.
Bahia del Sol is an all suites hotel. Rooms are located in individual townhouses with all the amenities including air conditioning, hot water, private jacuzzis and satellite TV with over 200 channels. The marina can handle up to 40 boats, there is 50 amps. power, fresh water and a diesel dock as well. From spectacular fishing, ancient Mayan ruins to world class shopping malls; El Salvador is a great and safe place to experience sport fishing at its best
15th EL SALVADOR INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
Official Program
November 18th. 8:00 p.m.: Captain’s meeting, press conference and welcome party.
November 19th. 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: First day of fishing.
November 20th. 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Second day of fishing.
November 21st. 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Third day of fishing.
November 21st. from 8:00 p.m. 'til... Award ceremony, family show and dinner party.
ENTRY FEE: US$1,000.00 plus 13% VAT per boat / team.
COPA SUZUKI Marlin release division:
Awarded to the teams with more points on marlin releases. All marlin count the same no matter the species.
1st. Grand Champion: a brand new Suzuki SX-4 valued at over US$20,000.00 and a big trophy.
2nd. Place: Rolex Submariner Gold/SS and a trophy.
3rd. Place: beautiful prize and trophy.
Maspor Marine Sailfish release division:
Awarded to the 5 teams with more points on sailfish releases.
FIVE BEAUTIFUL PRIZES AND TROPHIES
La Curacao/MARINSA Fun fish division:
Awarded to the teams with the five heaviest fish. Participating species dolphin, tuna and wahoo.
FIVE BEAUTIFUL PRIZES AND TROPHIES
Casino Colonial Top Female Angler award.
Awarded to the best performing female angler.
Farmacias Beethoven Top Junior Angler award.
Awarded to the best performing junior male or female angler, 17 year old or under.
Tournament Rules:
* IGFA Rules & Regulations will apply in the tournament with changes or additions indicated herein. Complete IGFA rules will be included in the kits provided at the captain’s meeting.
* Maximum line allowed 80 lbs. test.
* All billfish will count for tournament points in his own division and according to the following: 100 points for sailfish and 500 points for marlin (any species).
* All live marlin tagged with TBF tags will receive 25 additional points.
* An official release occurs when the swivel or leader knot touches the rod tip or when the mate wiring the fish grabs the leader.
* All marlin and sailfish are to be released and must be filmed with a time stamped video camera for the points to be awarded. Boats bringing marlin or sailfish will be disqualified thus loosing all entries.
* Non-offset circle hooks are mandatory for all natural baits and bait/lure combination.
* Weight station will open at 4:00 p.m. and will close at 5:30 p.m. on both days.
* All boats must check in no latter than 5:30 pm no matter if they have nothing to weight.
* All boats must have a VHF marine radio and/or cellular in good working order.
* A repeater will be made available in a VHF channel and it will be notified on the captain’s meeting.
* Every single billfish must be reported immediately to the committee at the time of the strike and as soon as the fish is released or lost.
* In the event of a tie, the team to reach the points first based on time of release will be deemed the winner.
* The transfer of a fish to a boat different than the one it was caught from is prohibited.
* All boats will be assigned an observer during the captain’s meeting, which will be picked up at the docks of Bahia del Sol each day before departure.
* Boats will be cleared for leaving the dock in groups of five and following the order of registration.
* Any irregularity detected in the capture of a fish the team will be penalized with disqualification.
* In case of bad weather, a meeting would be called and a vote would be taken among all participants and if agreed by majority the event could be postponed to a different date.
* In any dispute, the organizing committee’s decision is final.
* The organizing committee and Bahia del Sol reserve the right to refuse entry to any person or persons.
* The organizing committee and Bahia del Sol are not liable of any type of accidents, damages and/or loss of life, boats and equipment during the event.
For further information and registration contact:
Paco Saca
Email: paco@farmaciabeethoven.com
US Phone: (561) 283-2937
Marco Antonio Zablah
Phone: +503 2510-7210
