MA500 rules updated

[Russell A. Jost]

For those of you who are interested, there are some changes in rules for the ma500. Especially interesting are rules 8 and 25. http://www.ma500.com IMO I think these are positive changes and will be good for the tournament. What do you tournament and offshore guys think?

[Deep C]

I think that its been poke n pass for a couple years now and that rules committee has always had the final say. Looks like they worded it stronger to keep sheister lawyers out of it and avoid messes like WMO is facing. Still I'd bet that some blood sucker is trying to fond a loophole in the owrding to worm in if they can.
I'm 100% for committee ruling as final... Thats how it should be...
As for the poke and pass. I'm fine with it. Allows more John Q Publics to get in and stand a chance of winning. Especially with the circle comming into play. They may benefit from watching those with experience do it instead of just getting in there and swinging away J style.
Live bait or poons have never been allowed so thats nothing new...

[MarlinHunter03]

Am I missing a rule? Where is the rule that says participants must use circle hooks for marlin? Shouldn't that go under rule #8?

[madgaffer]

I dont believe it has been completely passed yet. I read an article where it stated that by 2009 all kill tournaments would have to switch over to circle hooks but I honestly other than being under the tent at the MA500 last year heard anyone officially say that we must use circle hooks. I do like the fact that a mate can pitch the bait to a fish than hand the rod off when hooked that makes me feel a little better. We missed a couple fish last year letting people get involved in setting the hook on a marlin but thats fishing.

[intruder]

I think that its been poke n pass for a couple years now and that rules committee has always had the final say. Looks like they worded it stronger to keep sheister lawyers out of it and avoid messes like WMO is facing. Still I'd bet that some blood sucker is trying to fond a loophole in the owrding to worm in if they can.
I'm 100% for committee ruling as final... Thats how it should be...
As for the poke and pass. I'm fine with it. Allows more John Q Publics to get in and stand a chance of winning. Especially with the circle comming into play. They may benefit from watching those with experience do it instead of just getting in there and swinging away J style.
Live bait or poons have never been allowed so thats nothing new...

Now I know why the Dinosaur ate the Lawyer in Jurassic Park!

[whitey]

I dont believe it has been completely passed yet. I read an article where it stated that by 2009 all kill tournaments would have to switch over to circle hooks but I honestly other than being under the tent at the MA500 last year heard anyone officially say that we must use circle hooks.

The circle hook law has been been passed. Anyone fishing a tournament that awards a prize for billfish must use circle hooks while fishing baits.

[Phat Mann]

It great when you start getting the applications in the mail.

I, too, am all for the hook and pass in this tourney. Really allows full participation from all tallent levels.

The Pirates Cove Tourney gives you the "angler" rules which truly narrows the field. Until of course someone wipes out your whitey releases with a big blue one in the boat??? (Thems the rules)

I love the idea of a rules committee descision for a dispute. I would much rather a descision be rendered by those from this industry than a bunch of lawyers who will drag an issue through the system until there is no $ or integrity of the tourney left to fight over.

Way to go MA500. (Just be prepared to file that dismissal motion for the ambulance chaser who files an action anyway)