We have set the day for the Certified Observer Class as Sept 15th in Morehead/Beaufort, so mark you calendars if you want to be a part of the class.

If you are not on my list and want to attend, please email me at jimcurrin@triad.rr.com

http://www.igfa.org/co.asp


Certified Observer Program

I. C.O.P. Overview
A. Instructor:
B. Time: 45 min
C. Key Points
1) Importance of observers in release format tournaments
2) Overview of program and its objectives
3) Responsibility of the observer
4) How observers will be selected & notified of selection
5) Observer meeting and importance
D. Questions & Answers
1) Time: 15 min
II. Etiquette:
A. Instructor:
B. Time: 30 min
C. Key Points
1) Do’s and don’ts of being aboard a sportfishing boat
2) What to wear & what to bring
3) Alcohol consumption
4) List of items to go over with captain prior to getting to fishing grounds
5) Travel tips
D. Questions & Answers
1) Time: 20 min

III. Safety
A. Instructor:
B. Time: 45 min
C. Key Points
1) Environmental Conditions and Effects
2) The location of all the emergency equipment
3) Moving about the boat
4) Boat Emergencies
5) Cockpit Hazards
6) Captain, Crew, Anglers
7) Other Considerations
D. Questions & Answers
1) Time: 20 min

IV. Rules & Regulations
A. Instructor:
B. Time: 30 min
C. Key Points
1) IGFA International Angling Rules for Equipment
a. Discuss rules on backing, lines, leaders, and double lines
• Demo of actual setups with double lines with leaders and wind or leaders
b. Brief review of rules on rods and reels
c. Discuss rules for hooks and lures
• Demo of properly rigged lures and baits (bully hoo for actual bally hoo)
d. Discuss other equipment used by anglers and or notes

2) IGFA Angling Regulations
a. Discuss nine rules for ethical angling (particular emphasis on unauthorized assistance to angler during hookup and fighting with fish)
b. Acts which disqualify a catch (discuss fourteen identified acts and provide examples/photos to illustrate the act or violation)
c. Discuss three situations that disqualify a catch (photos of rod breakage and fish mutilation)
3) Brief review of key points
• Equipment, primarily proper use of double lines and leaders
D. Equipment demonstration
1) Time: 20 min
E. Questions & Answers
1) Time: 20 min

Note: Equipment used for demonstration will be available for close up examinations upon completion of class.

V. Species Identification
A. Instructors:
B. Time: 1.5 hours
C. Key Points:
1) Identification of major species of billfish
2) Acceptable options for observers to position/reposition themselves to
Adequately see and verify billfish ID
3) No interfering with captain's view of cockpit of line/fish direction and no
interfering with angler, rod, mate when trying to clearly see
D. Questions & Answers
1) Time: 20 minutes