2nd Annual Benevolent Wahoo Tournament
Official rules
October 23–24, 2026 · Marathon, Florida
Tournament rules
Download rules PDF ↗01
Registration for the tournament opens on September 21, 2026. The entry fee is $700 per boat, which includes six anglers, if payment is received on or before October 09, 2026. If paid by this date, additional adult anglers are $75 each and junior anglers are $25 each. If payment is received on or after October 10, 2026, the late entry fee is $800 per boat, which also includes six anglers. At the late entry rate, additional adult anglers are $100 each and junior anglers are $50 each. Junior anglers are defined as anyone 17 years of age or younger as of the fishing date, October 24, 2026, and will be required to provide their valid birthdate during registration.
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There is no provision for the return of entry fees unless the tournament director receives a written request for such fees at least (10) days prior to the kick off of the tournament.
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The tournament rules will be strictly followed, and all decisions of the tournament director will be final. Any captains, mates, or anglers found to be in violation of any tournament rules, will be disqualified from this tournament.
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Any angler substitutions need to be approved by the tournament director, no later than the end of the captains meeting.
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Lines in at 7am and lines out by 3pm. The weigh station, at Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden and Cafe, 59300 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050, opens at 3:30pm, and all fish/anglers must be in line to weigh by 5:30pm.
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Boundaries–Maximum depth of 600’ of Florida Keys waters (Ocean Reef to Key West). No Bahamian Waters permitted.
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Fish must be caught by rod and reel. No spear guns, harpoons or free gaffing allowed. Electric reels and/or kite fishing is allowed.
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No restriction on the number of lines in the water. And wire is permitted.
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Scoring: One point per pound of any non-mutilated wahoo/kingfish/blackfin tuna.
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In the event of a tie, the earliest weigh in time will determine the tie.
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The categories are: Wahoo: 1st, 2nd, 3rd; blackfin tuna 1st; kingfish 1st; First Responder wahoo 1st; Lady Angler wahoo 1st; Junior Angler wahoo 1st.
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All registered boats and anglers must comply with Florida Fishing Laws and Regulations.
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Live baiting and live bait chumming are both permitted.
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The tournament director has the right to refuse any entry.
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Fish cannot be transferred from one boat to another, in the event of a mechanical failure, etc.
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Bait fishing is permitted prior to lines in, only.
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If you are hooked up to a fish prior to lines out, you can continue to fight your fish as long as you make the weigh in. Any fish hooked up after lines out, will not be allowed to weigh in.
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You are allowed to use the hook/pass method.
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Participants of this tournament enter at their own risk. Officials, committee members, the City of Marathon and Marathon Fire Rescue, and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of this tournament (including members and officers of Marathon Fire Rescue Benevolent Association), shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sports fisherman, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels, and equipment, which may occur during this tournament.
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THE MARATHON FIRE RESCUE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION FISHING COMMITTEE and any and all participants will abide by any federal, state and/or local laws that pertain to the environmental control of the fisheries. All registered anglers must possess a current Florida saltwater fishing license and present upon request.
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NOTE: Tournament rules are subject to change without notice. ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CAPTAIN’S MEETING.