Tournament Speaker:

Kirk Wiles

Tournament Staff

  Ann Marie Cochrane, Katy Cochrane, Cindy Henderson,

Kerry Howard, Robin Krenek, Jo Ellyn Krueger, Jamie Youngs,

Tournament Weighmaster

Dwayne Engels

Tournament Promotions:

David Cochrane

Tournament Artist

Inga Clough Falterman

www.ingaworks.org

  Tournament Information

     -Entry Fee is $1,500 per boat, plus $1,000 to the Mandatory Billfish Pool. If paid before July 15th, Entry Fee is $1,200.

Final entry deadline is 7:00 pm, August 7, 2014, at the Captain’s Party in Port Aransas and 5:00 pm at

Coastline Marine

281-291-0101

2321 Nasa Parkway  Seabrook, Texas  77586

     -Boats may register by mail at Tournament Headquarters:

Texas Legends Billfish Tournament

   P.O. Box #1167   Seabrook, Texas  77586   409-739-4817  

No cancellations accepted after 7:00 pm August 7, 2013.

No Exceptions.

Please verify your vessel's condition before the cancellation deadline.

  Our Early Departure Time, anytime after 5 pm on August 7^th, allows an unhurried trip offshore during daylight hours for safety and practicality!   

Weigh Station – Port Aransas, Texas. All boats submitting videotapes or weighing fish must return to Port Aransas by 6:00 pm on August 9, 2014. Boats must be inside the Port Aransas Municipal Harbor Breakwater (NOT Port Aransas Jetties). No exceptions. Boats waiting in line to weigh fish or submit videos inside the harbor at 6pm will be considered on time.

This year’s participants will enjoy three special events. The Captain’s Party, Memorial Dinner Party and the Awards Brunch.  All registered boats will receive 6 Entry I.D.'s for admission to all events along with dinner, T-shirts, hats, tournament bag and other gifts and information.  Other prizes will be awarded. Make sure you pick up your bag before departure. Special object of the day is included and required for each day of fishing.

Additional Entry I.D.'s and tournament gear can be purchased at registration.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, August 6th

1-7pm - Early Registration at Fox Yacht Sales - 203 West Cotter, Port Aransas, TX.

Register Early/Pick up Tournament Bags

Thursday, August 7^th

1-7 pm - Final Registration and Captains Party in Port Aransas, TX.

at

Virginia's Restaurant

and registration is also available

at

Coastline Marine

in Seabrook, Texas

***Final Chance for Entries***

 Friday, August 8^th

      12:01 am - Fishing Begins- use your GPS for correct time

   7-11 - Weigh Station On Call - Please call in 2 hours before arrival if weighing fish.

To weigh-in from 7-11 pm call John Cochrane 409-739-4817

  Saturday, August 9^th

2-6 pm - Weigh Station Open

  6 pm - Weigh Station Closed

8 pm - Memorial Dinner

Virginia's Restaurant

Sunday, August 10^th

10 -11 am - Awards Brunch for all participants 

Virginia's Restaurant

Tournament Rules

2014

Last year we modified the rules slightly and changed some categories.

Please read the rules carefully and give us a call if you have any questions.

    -By entering this tournament, participants agree to abide by all rules and decisions.

 All committee decisions are final.

   Contestants are boats.  

There may not be any pooling of catch or transfer of catch from one boat to another.

 In the event of a mechanical failure that disables a participant’s boat, a substitute boat may be used at the discretion  and coordination of the tournament director. Any substitution must take place at the dock, not offshore.

All boats must be registered and all fees paid before leaving their respective ports on Thursday, Aug 7^th.

Boats may depart anytime after 5pm.

    All boats are required to return to Port Aransas, Texas to weigh any fish or submit release tapes,

 regardless of departure port.

   -Fishing time starts at 12:01 am on August 8, 2014 and ends at 6 pm August 9, 2014 at the close of the weigh station. Stop fishing in time to make the 6 pm deadline if you boat or release a fish. Boats must be inside the breakwater at Port Aransas Municipal Harbor Breakwater (not Port Aransas jetties) at 6 pm. No exceptions. Boats waiting in line to weigh fish or submit videos inside the Port Aransas Harbor at 6 pm will be considered on time. All times are local CDST and available on your GPS (corrected from Coordinated Universal Time)

Use your GPS for correct time.

      - Contestants will contact a committee boat on VHF Channel 68 or call Tournament Headquarters at 409-739-4817 immediately after boating or releasing an eligible billfish. It is not necessary to call in hook-ups, only catch or release information. It is also not necessary to call in tuna, wahoo or dolphin. For released billfish the committee boat will also record the time of release. Be sure the committee boat gets your information. A list of committee boats and contact information will be included in your tournament bag.

    - In the event that no contact can be made with a committee boat, have another boat relay the information to a committee boat for you or call Tournament Headquarters at 409-739-4817. If all attempts to reach a committee boat fail, another tournament boat can take your catch information, be sure to get the boat's name and make sure they record the time.  

If you are unable to contact a committee boat, but have telephone service, you may also call

Tournament Headquarters at 409-739-4817 to report your catch.

    - All boats are required to have a video camera to verify release of billfish. NO EXCEPTIONS. Releases should be confirmed by nearby boats, if possible, and reported to a committee boat.

Jungle Rules!

 There are no angling rules other than the fish must be caught on an IGFA conventional rod and reel and boated by hand or gaff. Anyone may handle the fishing rod. 

No harpoons, shooting, explosives, poison, electric reels, electric shock, entangling devices, nets, longlines or other non-sporting devices may be used.

    -Fish must be weighed in edible condition. This rule will be strictly enforced. Remember to take plenty of ice and insulated fish bags. All fish must remain in the weigh master’s possession until the end of the tournament or until released by weigh master.

    -Boats weighing fish will be responsible for those fish after weigh- in. This includes Blue Marlin

    -No mutilated or frozen fish accepted!

    -A boat may fish as many lines as desired.

    -All fish must be caught in accordance with State and Federal Laws.

    -A weather committee comprised of the tournament committee and selected registered participants may decide to postpone the tournament in case of bad weather. Sunday, August 10^th may be used as a weather day, if necessary. One day of fishing constitutes the tournament. If the tournament is cancelled due to weather, entry fees will be refunded less tournament expenses.

     - Regardless of weather, the captain/owner of each vessel is responsible for decisions made regarding the safety of their vessel.

   -Conduct: the committee will consider unsportsman-like conduct as grounds for disqualification. Contestants are responsible for their crew’s actions. Committee decisions are final.

Protests: The only situation where a protest will be considered is in regards to a violation of the tournament rules. All protests should be substantial in nature, include documented evidence and must be submitted to the Tournament Director, in writing, before 7 pm, August 9, 2014. A $500 cash deposit must be included with the protest. The deposit will be returned only if the protest is upheld. The Tournament Committee will resolve all disputes and their decision is final.

 POLYGRAPH: All participants (including captain, crew or guest) agree to submit to a polygraph test if requested by the Tournament Committee. Failure to submit to such an exam will result in the disqualification of the boat, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee. Any participant disqualified by the Tournament Committee for cheating, attempting to cheat or any other dishonest conduct may not be allowed to participate in future tournaments.

Intentionally filling a fish with water or any other substance is considered cheating. 

Scoring

Our Tournament promotes the release of Billfish!

    This point system is designed to promote releasing all Blue Marlin under 500 lbs. 

All White Marlin and Sailfish must be released!

Blue Marlin are the only billfish eligible to weigh in the Billfish and Blue Marlin Pools and must be at least 101” in short length  - the Lower tip of the jaw to the fork of the tail.

Blue Marlin, White Marlin and Sailfish are the only fish scored in the billfish pools. 

Swordfish are not scored in the billfish pools. 

A Blue Marlin release counts the same as bringing a 500 lb blue to the dock!

Point System

           Blue Marlin Weighed-in                                    1 point per pound

        Blue Marlin Released                                          500 points

        White Marlin Released                                        150 points

        Sailfish Released                                             100 points

   Bonus Points  

     Blue Marlin 600 lbs. and over.        1 point per pound +900 points   

   -Highest aggregate score determines the winner(s). In the case of a tie on weighed fish, length prevails. On released fish, if the score is tied, the boat catching the most blue marlin releases wins. If still tied, the boat with the earliest release time wins. If there is a tie between boats with weighed fish and released fish, the boat with the most weighed points wins.

Entry Fee and Boat Pools

    -Entry Fee and Mandatory Boat pool must be at Tournament Headquarters on or before July 15, 2014 to qualify for discounted entry fee - $1200. After July 15th, entry fee is $1,500. Final entry deadline is 7:00 pm August 8^7h, 2014 in Port Aransas, Texas.  

$2,000 to the boat releasing the largest blue marlin determined by video review committee!

 $1,000  to the boat releasing the 1st blue marlin!

 $1,000  to the boat releasing the most billfish!

Tournament Promotions

David Cochrane

Tournament Photographers

Capt. David Cochrane

Jamie Youngs

Registration Headquarters:   409-739-4817

Early Registration  - Wednesday, Aug. 6th

Captain's Party and Final Registration - Thursday, Aug. 7th

Fishing Days - Friday 8th - Saturday 9th

Weigh-in and Dinner - Saturday, Aug. 9th

^{Awards Brunch - Sunday, Aug. 10th} 

Port Aransas, Texas

and departure from the Texas port of your choice!

www.foxyachtsales.com

2014 Texas Legends Billfish Tournament

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TEXAS BIG GAME TOURNAMENT BOATS

 Click on a Boat Name for more Information!

BIG BLUES OF THE GULF

     LARGEST BLUE MARLIN CAUGHT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO OVER 700 LBS.

   WEIGHT        ANGLER                  BOAT                          LOCATION                     DATE

                                                                           1- 1054.6           Barry Carr                Sea Wolff                    Biloxi, MS. (S.R.)                 6/8/02

                                                                           2- 1046          Conrad Hawkins           Lucky II                  Panama City, FL (S.R.)          7/14/01

                                                                           3- 1038.2       Francisco Iniquez        La Valiente              Veracruz, Mexico (S.R.)         6/19/10

                                                                           4- 1018.5         Linda Koerner            Damifino                   South Pass, LA (S.R.)           7/23/77

                                                                           5- 998.6             Barry Carr                Sea Wolff                     Panama City, FL                 7/16/06

                                                                           6- 980.7       Warren Culbertson      Dixie Darling                     Destin, FL                       6/14/85

                                                                           7- 958.6            Cliff Stanich               Last Stall                         Venice, LA                       9/7/03

                                                                           8- 917.4            David Pippin            Miss Orleans                  Gulfport, MS                      6/13/97

                                                                           9- 876.5           James Farrow          Defense Rests        S. Padre Island, TX (S.R.)          8/20/88

                                                                           10- 851           Victor  E. Palma            Pursuit                     Veracruz, Mexico                  9/18/11

                                                                           11- 845.8          Chris Ferrara              Reel Fire              Orange Beach, AL (S.R.)          7/12/13

                                                                           12- 843.7           Deb Hebert              Iona Louise                     Biloxi, MS                         6/6/14

                                                                           13- 828.4         Glenn Summers         Backdown II                  Pensacola, FL                       6/01

                                                                           14- 809           Mauricio Moreno           Kaiser                     Veracruz, Mexico                  4/20/06

                                                                           15- 789.8         Jeremy Powers           Rising Sons               Orange Beach, AL                 7/12/13

                                                                          16- 783.6          Travis Dorland            Done Deal                      Destin, FL                         6/23/12

                                                                          17- 779.3         Marcus Kennedy            Kwazar                   Orange Beach, AL                  5/27/89

                                                                          18- 759.5              Phil Hurst                   Sancha                   Port O’Connor, TX                  7/16/95

                                                                          19- 756             Sydney Turner        You Never Know           Orange Beach, AL                  5/26/13

                                                                          20- 751.6           Keith English          Click Through                 Pensacola, FL                       6/30/07

                                                                          21- 745         Manning McPhillips         Huntress                    Panama City, FL                      7/85

                                                                          22- 744             Ryan Robichaux            Freedom                        Venice, LA                         6/2/12

                                                                          23- 743.5             Greg Keffer               Wild Thing                     Freeport, TX                      6/17/95

                                                                          24- 740                Camilo Kuri                   Moro                      Veracruz, Mexico                  6/10/13

                                                                          25- 738              Archie Lowery               Invader                      South Pass, LA                     7/4/80

                                                                          26- 731.9             Pepe Torres                 Jeromar                   Veracruz, Mexico                  3/20/11

                                                                          27- 730.2           Ken Mcilhenny               Kismet                       Pensacola, FL                       8/88

                                                                          28- 725               Jerry Pickett               Little Mako               Port Mansfield, TX                  7/87

                                                                          29- 723             Louis Gautreaux        C’est Tout Bon               Grand Isle, LA                    7/23/04

                                                                          30- 722.8           Joel Broussard                 C-Ya                            Biloxi, MS                        6/10/06

                                                                          31-722.2             Laurie McVay           Reel Addiction             Orange Beach, AL                7/13/13

                                                                          32- 722               Terry Affolter                 Freda B                   Port Mansfield,TX                  7/82

                                                                          33- 721.7        Christopher Howat         Birdie Time                     Biloxi, MS                         6/9/12

                                                                          34- 714.7             Chip Temple              Jasper Time                     Destin, FL                        6/20/09

                                                                          35- 712               Brian Barnhill               High Risk                   South Pass, LA                     6/5/98

                                                                          36- 710               Travis Dorland            Cotton Patch               Orange Beach, AL                5/24/14

                                                                          37- 708.5               Chris Davis                Sea Mixer                      Venice, LA                        5/31/14

                                                                          38- 707.9           Dixie Snellgrove              Karma                        Pensacola, FL                        7/99

                                                                          39- 706.4       Christopher Albritton          Lit Up                    Orange Beach, AL                   5/29/11

                                                                          40- 706.1             Bob Johnson              Pipe Dream                      Venice, LA                         5/31/14

                                                                          41- 706                   Bob Byrd               Cajun Playboy                  Freeport, TX                        6/20/92

                                                                          42- 702.5             Cole Casady                   Patron                           Biloxi, MS                          6/10/11

                                                                          43- 700.5           Gary Middleton         Mechanical Man           Port O’Connor, TX                  7/15/05

This is an unofficial list. I have compiled this information with my best intentions through limited research.

If you have more information on these fish or a fish not listed weighing 700+  lbs.  please contact me @ 409-739-4817.

This list is for documented - weighed fish only. (S.R.) = State Record

BY MONTH:  March – 1  April – 1  May – 5  June – 18  July – 14  August – 2  September - 2

Ó 2014 CAPT. JOHN COCHRANE

............................................................................................

2012 RESULTS!

48 boats and over $500,000 in prize money!

Over 150 Billfish caught again!

 Click on a Boat Name for more Information!

CASH PRIZE WINNERS!

$2,000 to On Location with the largest blue marlin measured on the release ruler!

 $1,000  to Donaken releasing the 1st blue marlin!

 $1,000  to the Game On releasing the most billfish!

August 10-14, 2011

Tuna Mania Pool - AMBUSH   

Top Captain & Mate

Capt. Joe Lyall

 Mate Eric Carr    

Aboard the

PATRON

Boat Pool Winners

         PATRON     1 Blue Marlin - 545 lbs. New Tournament Record   845 points    

LET IT RIDE        3 White Marlin, 3 Sailfish                           750 points        

                    TICO TIME     1 Blue Marlin, 1 White Marlin, 1 Sailfish    650 points                          

          BANDIT       1 Blue Marlin, 1 White Marlin, 1 Sailfish    650 points               

MOJO            1 White Marlin, 3 Sailfish                         450 points

WHEN BOATS ARE TIED FOR POINTS, THE BOAT WITH THE EARLIEST RELEASE TIME WINS

ALL WHITE MARLIN AND SAILFISH WERE RELEASED!

Fish Pools

   Largest Tuna - HAPPY HOUR    163.5 lbs.

     Largest Wahoo - SHE BANGZ      57.4 lb       

  Largest Dolphin - REEL ATTITUDE    38.2 lbs.   

                      Largest Swordfish - BANDIT   106 lbs.