Offical Tournament
Rules 2026
I. General
1.0 The San Pedro Classic Fly Fishing Tournament (the Tournament) is a catch-and-release fly fishing-only Tournament. The health of the fish must be put above the competition. All means must be used to handle the fish properly to ensure their survival. Approved release methods will be provided to each contestant.
1.1 The Tournament shall be governed by the fly fishing rules of the San Pedro Classic Fly Fishing Tournament, as amended from time to time. It is the responsibility of each fly fishing angler and guide to know the official rules of the San Pedro Classic Fly Fishing Tournament.
II. Teams
2.0 There is one division, a Pro division. Each Pro team will consist of a licensed Belize Tourism Board (BTB) tour guide; defined as a BTB-licensed professional guide who has actively guided for at least six (6) months prior to the Tournament, and no more than 2 fly fishing anglers. Note: each Pro team may consist of only one (1) fly fishing angler; however, the team fees remain the same and you will be competing against those teams that have two (2) fly fishing anglers.
2.1 Guides may not guide for a member of their immediate family which is defined as spouse, sibling, child, or parent.
2.2 An active BTB tour guide, defined as an individual having a tour guide license issued by BTB and has provided guiding service for hire within the prior six (6) months, shall not be eligible to participate as a fly fishing angler in the Pro Division.
2.3 The Pro Team BTB tour guide may not fish or assist in the casting, hooking, or retrieving of the fish.
2.4 In the event of an emergency or illness, a fly fishing angler or tour guide may have a substitute.
2.5 The Pro Team fly fishing anglers are responsible for daily guide fees and gratuities.
2.6 At least one fly fishing angler or their tour guide must attend the Captain's Dinner to confirm registration, receive Tournament information, and pick up swag bags.
2.7 All fly fishing anglers entered in the Tournament must obtain and carry with them during the Tournament a valid Belize Sport Fish license covering all days of the event.
III. Fish Entries, Fishing Times, Territory, and Rules
Tournament Headquarters refers to the designated tournament area located at Central Park.
Judge’s Station refers to the official scoring and check-in table located within Tournament Headquarters.
3.0 Only tarpon, bonefish, and permit will be accepted as entries in this Tournament. Each fish must be recorded using a digital video with the official measuring ruler and team ID card clearly visible.
All fish must meet minimum length requirements and be measured from the most protruding part of the head (snout) to the center fork of the tail using the Tournament-provided measuring ruler.
3.1 Cameras and smartphones may be used to take videos of the entries.
3.2 Each team must check in each morning at the Judge’s Station located at Tournament Headquarters beginning at 5:00 a.m. to receive their daily measuring ruler and team ID card. Breakfast items including coffee and juice will be available during morning check-in.
At the end of each fishing day, teams must return the measuring ruler and team ID card at afternoon check-in at the Judge’s Station by 3:00 p.m. Failure to return these items will result in a 300-point penalty.
3.3 Under the direction of an official starter, all boats will leave the starting area each day at 5:30 a.m. Teams must ensure they have completed morning check-in prior to departure.
3.4 All areas in and around Ambergris Caye are open to fish, but restricted to depths of water where a push pole may be used according to commonly accepted customs and practices. No anchors are to be used. Fishers may wade from the boat to fish.
3.5 Fishing may begin as soon as a boat arrives at a fishing location. Fishing may continue until 2:00 p.m., at which time all lines must be out of the water. A fish hooked prior to 2:00 p.m. may be fought, landed, and released after that time. Any fish hooked prior to 2:00 p.m. and expected to be landed after 2:00 p.m. must be called in to the Judge’s Station via phone.
All teams must return to the Judge’s Station at Tournament Headquarters by 3:00 p.m. Boats returning after 3:00 p.m. will incur the following penalties:
- 3:01–3:15 p.m.: 250-point deduction
- 3:16–3:30 p.m.: 500-point deduction
- After 3:30 p.m.: All fish entries from that day will be disqualified
- Failure to return or check in by 5 p.m. without prior communication: Full forfeiture of the day’s score, with the incident referred to the Tournament Committee for review. Additional disciplinary action, including disqualification from the Tournament, may be considered depending on the circumstances.
If a team anticipates being late due to weather, mechanical issues, or any emergency, they must notify the Tournament Director or a designated official as soon as possible via phone. This is required for both safety and accountability. Failure to do so may result in additional penalties at the discretion of the committee.
3.6 Official tournament time shall be determined by the Tournament Committee.
3.7 The Tournament Committee reserves the right to inspect any video submission and request clarification if necessary.
3.8 The start on any day may be delayed by the Tournament in the event of imminent inclement or dangerous weather. In the event of severe weather (i.e. tropical storm), the Tournament Committee may shorten the number of Tournament fishing days.
3.9 The policy of the Tournament Committee is that the first boat to reach a spot is entitled to fish there. The Tournament Committee strongly recommends strict observation of all recognized courtesies and sporting practices between boats. This includes giving way and sufficient room to other boats in an area that typically accommodates more than one boat under normal fishing conditions. It is considered unsportsmanlike and a rules violation to have a spot "saved" by another boat.
3.10 Chumming or fishing in or near chummed areas is not allowed. There will be no fishing within 200 yards of known "pet fish" areas, such as the former Sunset Grill or similar areas on Caye Caulker.
3.11 No assistance may be given to any fly fishing angler other than by their guide who handles the boat, grabs fish, measures, and releases fish. No other assistance can be given by the guide.
IV. Scoring and Points
4.0 All teams are allowed to fish for any or all of the three fish species allowed in this Tournament during each of the three days of the Tournament but are limited to a maximum of five (5) of each species per day. All entries must comply with Rule 3.0.
4.1 For purposes of scoring, the Tournament shall issue to each team a Catch and Release packet to include: minimum length measuring devices and a set of the rules.
This is a 100% release Tournament.
Minimum length by species:
Bonefish: 15 inches
Tarpon: 28 inches
Permit: 15 inches
(Measure all fish from fork of tail)
4.2 All fish must be videoed preferably while the fish is in the water. All fish to be videoed must only be handled with wet hands to protect the fish's slime from being removed. Only one (1) video is required to be taken with the fish and the team measuring stick with the number clearly visible in the video.
4.3 Points: Each of the three (3) fish species eligible for entry into the Tournament has separate point values. Tarpon will be scored at 200 points for each released fish above the minimum length. Each released permit will be scored at 300 points. Each released bonefish above the minimum length will be scored at 75 points each.
A Grand Slam is achieved when a team catches all three eligible species on the same day. A Grand Slam is awarded 500 points in addition to the regular points for each fish caught.
A Tournament Slam is defined as catching all three eligible species over the course of the three tournament days. A Tournament Slam does not receive any points toward the leaderboard but will be recognized with placement after any Grand Slam achievements.
4.4 Winning Order: The team that accumulates the most Grand Slams or portions thereof will be declared the Grand Champion. In the event of a tie in Grand Slams, total points will determine the winner. If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined by the earliest timestamp of the final qualifying fish, based on submitted video evidence.
V. Tackle
5.1 Only fly-casting will be permitted, and only artificial flies may be used. Only one-handed rods and single-action reels are eligible to be used. The rod may not be altered after a fish is hooked.
5.2 Tippet will be 20 lb. manufacturer's stated test or less for all species and will be furnished by the fly fishing anglers. Fly fishing anglers may use smaller size (pound strength) tippet material but may not exceed the stated pound test tippet material.
5.3 Leaders may not exceed 15 feet in length and must contain not less than 15 inches of tippet material between the knots. For tarpon, a shock tippet may be of monofilament or fluorocarbon material, may not exceed 12 inches including the knots, and must be tied directly to the tippet. If questions arise about a team's tippet material, that team shall provide the spool with its identification as well as the actual tippet in question.
5.4 A broken rod, above the reel seat, will not disqualify a caught or released fish.
5.5 No gaffs may be used in the retrieval of fish boat-side. Landing nets or cradles are the only acceptable method if not using your hands. Please take great care when handling fish and prevent air exposure to a minimum. KEEP EM WET!!
CATCH & RELEASE TIPS
1.) Land fish in the water
2.) Keep fish out of boats
3.) Get photos fast—fish in the water or dripping wet
4.) Support fish with two wet hands, never squeeze/hug
VI. Final Authority
6.0 The decisions of the Tournament Committee are final.