North Drop Open 2024
Two days of Blue Marlin Fishing in the British Virgin Islands, August 8-10
North Drop Open 2024
Two days of Blue Marlin Fishing in the British Virgin Islands, August 8-10
Our Partners, we Thank You for making this possible!
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About North Drop Open
Our Story
The Virgin Islands
Our Story
At the North Drop Open, are passionate about fishing all our lives. We feel it is time to revive sportfishing in the most amazing fishing area in the world, the British Virgin Islands. There is no better homeport for our fleet than Spanishtown, Virgin Gorda. Thank you to Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour for being our host Marina this year!
Our Team
The Virgin Islands
Our Story
Roger Casellas, Puerto Rico
Luis Cordova, Dominican Republic
Chad Lettsome, Tortola
Fly Navarro, Florida
Thomas Warner, Jost van Dyke
All of us love the British Virgin Islands and Big Game Fishing, and we are excited to work together to bring this tournament to you.
The Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands
The Government of the British Virgin Islands shares our vision of creating new opportunities for the youth of the Virgin Islands. The Premier the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, the Hon Karl Dawson, the Hon. Vincent Wheatley of the 9th District, and Theodore James at Conservation and Fisheries have been instrumental in making this event possible, along with the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. Thank you!
SCHedule of Awards
Best BVI Boat
Best Boat Non-Omni
Best Boat Non-Omni
Awarded to the Best BVI registered boat, this award is based on the points earned by all the anglers on the boat, highest points wins. Cash Award is $10,000!
Best Boat Non-Omni
Best Boat Non-Omni
Best Boat Non-Omni
This award is the the best non-BVI boat that uses traditional sonar equipment on board and is based on the points earned by all anglers on the boat, the highest points wins. Cash Award is $10,000!
Other Awards
Best Boat Non-Omni
Other Awards
Best Boat Omni - $10,000.
Best Angler - $5,000.
Spirit of the Sport/Youth - $2,500.
Best Crew - $2,500.
Fishing with North Drop Open
Tournament Rules
Official North Drop Open 2024
TOURNAMENT RULES
All boats entered must be in Virgin Gorda with their Team registered by 6pm on Thursday August 8, 2024, and depart from Spanishtown on the days of the tournament and be present at the AWARDS CEREMONY.
Food & Drinks will be available from 4:30pm on Thursday August 8, 2024.
Entry Fee - 2500. per boat, the Tournament will pay for your tournament and Angler Fees required by the BVI Government. Each boat must provide their Anglers names and IDs.
· Bimini Start 8:00 AM
· Lines Out - 4.00 pm
Scoring is based on a point system of 300 points per Blue Marlin, 300 points other Billfish.
Prize Giving 7.00 pm, with Live Band at 7:30pm
Prizes will be awarded for:
· Best Boat No Omni
· Best Boat BVI Based
· Best Angler
· Best Boat Omni
· Spirit of the Sport/Youth Angler
· All strikes and releases must be reported to North Drop Radio Channel 06.
All other North Drop Open Rules apply.
This is a rod-and-reel, catch-and-release Blue Marlin Tournament. No other game fish will be scored. All anglers, captains and crew are asked to commit to a sportsmanlike conduct that honours the sport and the resource.
OTHER TOURNAMENT RULES
· To be eligible to participate in the tournament, each entrant must have A BVI Fishing lIcense, completed an entry form and paid all fees not later than August 8, 2024, and must agree to abide by tournament rules and BVI LAW.
· All catch and release must be submitted with video proof recorded on a digital camera and handed or transmitted to the Control Center booth before or on arrival at the dock.
· Video must show the Angler, the leader to the tip of the rod, the species of fish, and the Day Marker Card or bracelet provided by the Tournament Committee, and the release.
· The Official Tournament Headquarters will be the place designated on the entry form.
· Boats can depart from Spanishtown, Virgin Gorda only.
· The “Fishing Day” is from the Start until the vessel returns to any port or Marina.
· If a vessel returns early to any port or Marina that is the end of the fishing day: No substitution or replacement of anglers or crew is allowed during the course of the day. No assistance ( i.e. bait, beer, or fuel) from other vessels is allowed except in case of emergency as reported to and permitted by North Drop Radio control.
· The angler must set the hook and bring the fish to the boat unaided: However, assistance in moving the rod from the gunnel holder to the fighting chair is permitted.
· The captain must report the hookup to Control, and the release. LINES OUT one minute after hookup. A maximum of 120 minutes is allowed to fight each fish. After 120 minutes the fish must be released and if the leader has not touched the tip of the rod, no points will be awarded for that fish. There must still be the required video.
ONE ROD PER ANGLER
· One angler per fish, no assistance except gunnel to the chair. No person other than the angler is allowed to touch the rod, reel or line until the leader touches the tip of the rod.
· All fish must be released as close to the fish as possible.
· Only Non-Offset circle hooks are allowed on live or rigged baits. J-Hooks are allowed on artificial baits only. Maximum two hooks per bait.
· No points for mutilated or damaged fish.
· The entrant of the boat or someone so delegated will be responsible to ensure that these rules are enforced under pain of disqualification from the tournament with no refund of fees.
· Each participating boat may have observers on board if they choose, but only anglers, crew and cameraman are allowed in the pit during fishing.
· It shall be the responsibility of the Judges Committee to adjudicate the written rules and to make necessary decisions where the situation has not been anticipated by the written rules. The Decision of the Judges committee is Final.
· Any boat in distress must fly a Red Flag and notify North Drop Radio immediately.
· All boats Must Have VHF radio and standby and monitor on channel 06
· The judges have the right to inspect any boat and gear at any time.
EQUIPMENT
· Hand lines are prohibited.
· No lines in excess of 80 lbs. breaking strength are permitted.
· Not more than two hooks are permitted, per line. Only Non-Offset circle hooks are allowed on live or rigged baits. J-Hooks are allowed on artificial baits only. Maximum two hooks per bait.
· Artificial and any other baits are permitted.
· Power driven reels are prohibited.
· Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.
· Reels designed for cranking with both hands are prohibited.
· Harpooning, lancing or shooting to assist in boating of fish is prohibited.
ANGLING REGULATIONS
· Harnesses may be used, and may be replaced or adjusted by another person.
DISQUALIFICATION ACT
· Failure to comply with rules and other regulations.
· Acts of person other than the angler in adjusting the reel drag or touching any part of the rod, line or reel during the fighting of fish.
· Mutilation of fish caused by propeller, attacks of other fish, shooting and Harpooning.
· Jigging & Drift Fishing Prohibited.
SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
All participants are expected to maintain a reasonable and sportsmanlike demeanor at all times throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike or threatening conduct towards tournament organizers or other participants, or any other behavior which the tournament organizers deem inappropriate, in their sole discretion, will result in immediate disqualification of the entire team with no refund of entry fees.
PROTEST
Participants may lodge protests against any catch which they believe was not made in accordance with these rules. All protests must be stated in writing and accompanied by US$100. The tournament judges may call a protest hearing in their discretion; a protest hearing is not guaranteed. All protests will be settled on the day of the incident unless the tournament judges feel more time is necessary. All protests must be in the hands of the tournament's designated rules official by 7 p.m. on the day of the alleged incident. The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, must be present at any official protest hearing. The tournament committee may refuse to consider any protest evidence not submitted at the protest hearing in the presence of the protest team. If the protesting or protested team fails to show up for the protest hearing, that team forfeits its right to submit evidence. Each side has three minutes to describe their reasons for protest. Protest committee has 3 minutes of Q and A to make their decision. Decisions of the tournament organizers with regard to protests are final, non-appealable, and non-justiciable.
RADIO
· A base radio will be in operation, called North Drop Radio on Channel 06. All boats must report their departure-location-strikes and types of fish to North Drop Radio.
· It is the responsibility of each boat to have the required Safety Equipment on board.
Liability
It is expressly understood that all participants in the North Drop Open Tournament enter at their own risk. By registering as an angler in the Tournament the angler holds harmless the North Drop Open, its officers, its donors, sponsors and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the Tournament from any liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sport fisherman, their company, boat captain, crew member, vessel and equipment which may occur during or in conjunction with the Tournament.
Tournament Fee
Our pay arrangements are being finalized this week and will be published here. The Tournament fee is $2500.00 USD. Please register and pay at least two weeks in advance. There is a 10% discount for registering before July 8, 2024. Please be reminded that your boat must be registered to fish in the BVI with the Conservation and Fisheries Department, please ask for Kia Soares at fisheries@gov.vg, cc. kisoares@gov.vg. 284 541 4495. She will provide the forms and information necessary for your registration to be complete. Your tournament fee INCLUDES only your Tournament License and your Tournament Angler Fees. Payment questions can be directed to Chad Lettsome, SaltShaker Charters, 284-340-6000.
Our partners
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The Official Requirements to Fish...please Call Kia Soares.
We are working with all the relevant departments in government to ensure a smooth entry and tournament procedure. Please call if you have any questions.
Places to Stay in Virgin Gorda
Villa Rentals
The Best Marina in the BVI
Marina and Resort
Call Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals for the best of on-shore accommodations in Virgin Gorda. Call 284 542 4014 or letica.paul@vgvrbvi.com and ask about special pricing for participants in he North Drop Open and make the visit to Paradise a memorable one!
Marina and Resort
The Best Marina in the BVI
Marina and Resort
On the shores of the famous North Sound, this iconic Resort and Marina is waiting to take care of your every need!
Dining, accommodation, shopping and transfers can all be handled here. 284 542 4011 is the number to call.
The Best Marina in the BVI
The Best Marina in the BVI
The Best Marina in the BVI
We are proud to partner with Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, and they are ready to take care of you and your boat while you are here. Please call ahead and reserve your slip, and ask for Alejandro the new GM from Argentina! 284 499 5500 and marina@vgyh.vg
Get Involved!
If you are interested in having a qualified youth angler or trainee on board for the Tournament, please reach out.. We have partnered with local programs and our goal is to have a rejuvenated sport fishing industry here in the BVI. Please, help us in this effort!
Please reach us at warner_thomas@yahoo.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes, if you want to fish in the BVI before or after the tournament the BOAT and each angler will need a license from the Department of Fisheries, and they can issue you the licenses via email. If you are fishing the Tournament ONLY this may be different. Please get in touch with Kia Soares in June or early JULY for August Licenses at fisheries@gov.vg or 284 541 4495. Please cc kisoares@gov.vg The BOAT must register with Fisheries whether you are fishing JUST the tournament, or OUTSIDE the tournament.
Your tournament fee includes your boat tournament license and your angler licenses ( up to three anglers ) at the time of entry into the tournament. You must have the BOAT registered to fish with CFD to fish in the tournament, this MUST be done in advance, in June or early July. Breakfast will be brought to the boats each morning, and the meals at the evening shore events is included as well. Our evening events will be cash bar or sponsored brands only.
Yes we will have credit card payments, ATH, and wire transfers available. Credit card payments will have an additional processing fee of $175.00 added.
Official Licensing Information....call Kia Soares at Conservation and Fisheries Department at 284 541 4495. Email is Fisheries@gov.vg , kisoares@gov.vg
Please Direct questions about payments to Chad Lettsome at Saltshaker Charters, 284 340 6000.
For clearance details. please contact Simon Power of Anchors-End, 284 496 7676, info@anchors-end.com.
Contact Us
284 499 2400, Tom Warner
North Drop Open 2024
Copyright © 2024 North Drop Open - All Rights Reserved.
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