2023 Tournament Format & Entry Information

Updated January 11, 2023

Download Print Version of Format & Entry Information (PDF)

If you’re new to the tournament you may have some questions about our format — what we fish for, the different entry levels and awards, and how to enter the tournament. This page should answer most of those questions. But if you’d like more information, just call Julia at 910.264.3947 or email julia@tournamentcontrol.com.

EARLY BIRD DRAWING — DEADLINE MAY 31

Entries received by May 31 are eligible for the Early Bird drawing and a chance to win $1,000 plus free dockage at Baytowne Marina during the tournament. The earlier you enter the more chips you get. Entry date is based on the date we receive your deposit.
REGISTER FOR THE TOURNAMENT

Tournament Format

The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is a “modified release” tournament; blue marlin are the only billfish that may be weighed and must meet a 110″ minimum length before they can be boated. Release points are awarded for blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish. The three heaviest weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo are eligible for cash awards, as are the top three teams entered in the Release Division, and the top three Crews entered in the Crew Division. Awards are presented to the top overall, release, lady and junior anglers, and the top overall release team has its name engraved on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy, donated by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts, sculpted by Chris Barela and on permanent display in the Baytowne Marina Bar & Grill.

Registration Contact & Mailing Address

REGISTRATION CONTACT
Julia Brakhage
phone 910.264.3947
email julia@tournamentcontrol.com
website fishecbc.com

MAILING ADDRESS
ECBC
PO Box 6128
Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Entry Information

You can enter the tournament any time before the end of Registration on Wednesday; the base entry fee must be paid in full by the end of Registration. Optional entry levels and jackpots can be entered at any time up until the start of tournament fishing. The base entry fee must be paid to secure a slip at Baytowne Marina. There is a $500 late fee for teams signing up on the day of registration.

TOURNAMENT ENTRY OPTIONS

• Enter online at fishecbc.com/entry-form/.

• Download a print version of the entry form at fishecbc.com/pdf/ecbc-entry-form.pdf and email completed form to julia@tournamentcontrol.com or mail to ECBC, PO Box 6128, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. Do not mail entries after June 12th.

• Call Julia at 910-264-3947 and she can register you over the phone.

• Bring completed forms with you to Registration.

OPTIONAL ENTRIES AND JACKPOTS

• Enter and pay optional entries and jackpots online at fishecbc.com/jackpots/.

• Download a print version of the jackpot form at fishecbc.com/pdf/ecbc-jackpots.pdf and bring it with you to either Registration on Wednesday or Jackpot Entry on Thursday morning.

REGISTRATION

Registration is 4:00–8:00pm on Wednesday, June 22 at Hotel Effie, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Teams must check in during Registration to verify team information and collect team bags. Additional wristbands and merchandise may be purchased at the event. Each team is given an envelope at Registration which includes a billfish scorecard, tail tags, rules and other forms.

CHECK—PREFERRED Checks (business, personal, cashiers) are accepted for both Entry Fees and Jackpots. Make checks payable to Sandestin Investments, LLC and mail to ECBC, PO Box 6128, Miramar Beach, FL 32550. Please do not mail checks after June 10th; bring with you to Registration instead.

CASH—Cash (USD) is accepted onsite during Registration and Jackpot Entry.

CREDIT CARD—We accept American Express, Visa and MasterCard. A convenience fee of 3% is added to credit card transactions.

A 7% sales tax is added to entry fees (E1, E2, E3). There is no tax on jackpots.

There are three levels of entry: One mandatory base entry (E1) with an 80% return, an optional Release Division (E2) with an 85% return and an optional Crew Division (E3) with a 100% return. Each entry level pays out to three places with the following splits: three winners—50/30/20; two winners—60/40; one winner takes all. There are also twenty-seven optional jackpots with a 90% return. Each jackpot category pays out to three places with the following splits: three winners—60/25/15; two winners—65/35; one winner takes all. If no qualifying fish is caught in a jackpot category, the amount that was allocated to awards is refunded to only those teams entered in the category where no qualifying fish was caught.

E1—Base Entry (mandatory)—$6,000 ($6,420 with tax)
There is a $500 late fee for teams signing up on the day of registration.

The base entry includes weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo. Awards are based on the top three heaviest fish in each species. Of the amount allocated to awards, 60% goes to the top billfish and 40% goes to the top gamefish, split evenly between the three gamefish species. If there are no marlin weighed, the prize money rolls evenly into the gamefish categories. If there are no winners in a gamefish species category, the cash allocated for that species rolls evenly into the remaining species categories. If there are no gamefish caught in any species category, the prize money rolls to the billfish category.

E2—Release Division (optional)—$2,500 ($2,675 with tax)

The release division includes blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish. Awards are given to the top three teams accumulating the most release points. Billfish releases must be video verified.

E3—Crew Division (optional)—$500 ($535 with tax)

The crew division includes the team’s overall catch—both weighed fish and billfish releases. Awards are given to the top three crews accumulating the most total weight (all species) plus release points.

Jackpots (optional)
You can enter any combination of jackpots (for example: B1, B2, B3, D2, W3). Jackpot winners are based on the top three heaviest fish, or most release points, in that jackpot category.

Blue Marlin: B1-$500, B2-$750, B3-$1,000, B4-$2,500, B5-$5,000, B6-$10,000

Release: R1-$500, R2-$750, R3-$1,000, R4-$2,500, R5-$5,000, R6-$10,000
You must be entered in the Release Division (E2) before you can enter the Release Jackpots.

Dolphin: D1-$500, D2-$750, D3-$1,000, D4-$2,500, D5-$5,000

Tuna: T1-$500, T2-$750, T3-$1,000, T4-$2,500, T5-$5,000

Wahoo: W1-$500, W2-$750, W3-$1,000, W4-$2,500, W5-$5,000

Decisions pertaining to the distribution of a team’s total purse are the sole responsibility of the team members, regardless of whether an award is published as an individual or team award. The tournament organizers do not participate in decisions regarding cash distribution. We suggest you discuss how any prize money won is to be distributed before the tournament.

Disbursement Order—Each team receiving a cash award must complete a Disbursement Order specifying how the funds are to be distributed. The Disbursement Order is given to the Team Contact, either at the Awards Brunch or emailed, and once completed must be signed by the Team Contact as recorded on the Entry Form.

Form W-9—Any person or company receiving a check must submit a W-9 before funds can be disbursed.

Cash Disbursement and Tax Documents—Cash awards are paid by check and mailed within two weeks following the receipt of the completed Disbursement Order and W-9(s). A 1099-MISC is issued for all prize money to the person or company to whom the check is made payable.

Top Overall Release Team (Perpetual Trophy)—Sponsored by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts
Awarded to the team that accumulates the most release points and is also entered in the Release Division. The winning team’s name is inscribed on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy sculpted by Chris Barela, which is on permanent display in the Baytowne Marina Bar & Grill.

Top Angler—Sponsored by Simrad
Awarded to the angler who weighs the heaviest blue marlin. If no marlin are weighed, awarded to the angler who accumulates the most total weight plus release points.

Top Release Angler—Sponsored by Costa Del Mar
Awarded to the angler who accumulates the most release points.

Top Lady Angler—Sponsored by MarineMax and Grady-White Boats
Based on overall catch—both weighed fish and billfish releases and awarded to the lady angler accumulating the most total weight plus release points.

Top Junior Angler/Billfish—Sponsored by The Billfish Foundation
Awarded to the junior angler (15 years or younger) who accumulates the most total release points.

Top Junior Angler/Gamefish—Sponsored by Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison and