LOS PINOS SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT
GENERAL RULES AND TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS
September 11–12, 2026 • San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico
GENERAL RULES
1. The “LOS PINOS” Sport Fishing Tournament consists of one event with a guaranteed prize purse. The tournament will take place along the Pacific Ocean coast, in the Municipality of San Quintín, Baja California, on September 11 and 12, 2026.
2. The tournament will be won by the team that records the highest accumulated weight in pounds, resulting from the combined weight of one surface species and/or one bottom species, according to the category selected by the team.
• SURFACE SPECIES: Yellowtail (Jurel de Castilla), Corvina, Bonito, Yellowfin Tuna, Albacore, Bigeye Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Bonito, Roosterfish, Sierra, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish. Only species weighing a minimum of 6 (six) pounds will be accepted at the official scale. For billfish in general, the minimum accepted weight will be 90 pounds. Species not listed herein will not be accepted, as well as any species prohibited or protected by the competent authorities.
• BOTTOM SPECIES: Kelp Bass (Cabrillas), Rockfish (Baquetas), Vieja, Rockot, Flounder, Whitefish (Blanco), Lingcod, Snappers, and Triggerfish (Cochitos), provided they weigh a minimum of 6 (six) pounds. Species not listed herein will not be accepted, as well as any species prohibited or protected by the competent authorities.
PRIZE TABLE
| Tournament Place | Cash Prize | Non-Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $250,000.00 | Trophy and special gift |
| 2nd | $150,000.00 | Trophy and special gift |
| 3rd | $50,000.00 | Trophy and special gift |
| Total | $450,000.00 |
3. Prize table for the tournament, awarded to the three teams with the highest accumulated weight across both species categories (bottom and surface).
4. For winning teams, the weight in pounds accumulated by a team is not transferable to another team, even if there is a change in team members from one tournament to another. At least one fisherman from the original team must remain on the team for the accumulated weight to count. The team must also retain the same team name under which it was originally registered. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the team that achieved the best time record, meaning the team that registered its catches at the official scale first.
5. The base registration fee will be $7,000.00 MXN (Seven Thousand Pesos 00/100 M.N.) per team per tournament, which entitles the team to have up to 5 (five) fishermen plus the Captain on board, for a total of 6 people. If additional fishermen are required, up to 3 additional fishermen may be added, provided that the vessel’s legally permitted capacity allows it. Additional fees: 1 additional fisherman: $1,000.00 MXN; 2 additional fishermen: $1,600.00 MXN; 3 additional fishermen: $2,200.00 MXN. Maximum: 9 people per vessel.
6. Jackpot options will be available in both species categories. If there is no winning team in any Jackpot, the prize purse will roll over to the following tournament. Teams that participated in a Jackpot that is declared unclaimed or without a winner must re-enter the corresponding Jackpot(s) of their choice by paying the applicable entry fee. “Gold Bottom” Species: $3,000.00 MXN. “Gold Surface” Species: $3,000.00 MXN.
TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS
7. All persons aboard the vessel must be registered for the tournament and must carry a printed copy of their valid sport fishing permit, which may be obtained online at: https://tramites.ebajacalifornia.gob.mx/ventanillaunica/tramites/pesca
8. This tournament is organized under a team format. At all times, the official team representative listed on the registration form shall be the person authorized to address and resolve any matter concerning registration, weigh-in, awards, or official protests before the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE.” Once a team has been officially registered with its name and registration number, such information may no longer be modified.
9. In order to promote family participation, teams may be composed of a mix of women, children between 8 and 14 years of age, and adults in general. Since prizes are awarded by team, the prize will be awarded to the team in the event that it places from 1st through 3rd.
10. For registration to be fully valid, the official team representative must provide proof of payment of the tournament registration fee, together with payment for any Jackpot(s) selected. Payment may be made through the methods provided by the organizer, including the website, bank transfer, or credit card payment link. The representative must also provide valid sport fishing licenses for each person registered to be aboard the vessel. Once all requirements have been fulfilled, the representative will receive a completed registration receipt, the official rules and regulations, and wristbands displaying the team number assigned by the tournament.
11. The decision of the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE,” and, where applicable, the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE” established for purposes of the Championship, shall be final and non-appealable. Failure to comply with or disrespect toward such decision may result in disqualification.
12. All participants are responsible for carefully reviewing and understanding the Tournament Rules and Regulations. At least one team representative must attend the Captains’ Meeting. Failure to attend shall constitute acceptance by the team of all agreements reached at said meeting, including any modifications to these rules and regulations.
13. Fishing equipment may be freely selected by each team, including the type of fishing line used, with the exception of electronic reels, which are strictly prohibited.
14. Each participating team shall be responsible, through its official representative, for presenting its catches at the official scale. Once registered, the catches will be returned to the team. In the case of catch-and-release videos, the team representative must notify the organizers that they have the corresponding videos and present them at the registration desk for review.
15. The weigh-in registration desk will provide the team representative with a weigh-in receipt. It shall be the responsibility of the representative to verify that all information is correct, including the team number, weigh-in time, weight, and score. No subsequent modifications will be accepted, except in the event of a registration system error, in which case the team representative must present the original copy of the corresponding weigh-in receipt.
16. During fishing, once a fish takes the bait or lure and becomes hooked, it must be fought and brought toward the vessel without assistance other than the reel, rod, and line. No one may assist the fisherman while fighting the fish. Assistance may only be provided with a landing net in order to bring the fish aboard the vessel. For bottom species, only one rod with one hook may be used, provided that the hook is not part of the lure. For trolling or casting, lures may normally be equipped with one or two treble hooks.
17. Courtesy weighing of specimens will not be permitted. Each team may weigh only one fish per fishing category, selected by the team. For prize purposes, the total weight will be calculated by adding the weight in pounds of the two species presented: one bottom species and one surface species. In the event of a tie, the winning team will be the team that first properly registered its catches with the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE.” The Weigh-In Judge may request videos and photographs from the team representative at the time of weighing in order to clarify any questions or concerns observed.
18. To register their catches, teams must personally appear before the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” and display their tournament registration wristband. It is strictly prohibited to present catches that arrive at the weigh-in area by land, even in cases of force majeure or unforeseen circumstances.
19. Vessels will depart at 6:00 a.m. The official scale will open at 1:30 p.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. The “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” will not receive or weigh any fish after the official scale has closed according to the tournament’s official clock. Once the scale has closed, only fishermen who are already standing in line waiting to have their catches weighed will be registered. An official clock will be displayed in a visible location for everyone and will serve as the official time reference for the judge and participating teams.
20. The “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE” shall NOT be responsible for any accident suffered by participating teams before, during, or after the tournament. Therefore, participating teams and fishermen, together with their vessels, shall participate in the competition AT THEIR OWN RISK.
21. The tournament may be canceled due to force majeure, including adverse weather conditions or the closure of the port by the competent authorities, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of participants and the general public.
22. All teams are required to maintain digital video files of at least 25 seconds showing the fight with the fish, the moment of capture, and the moment the fish is brought aboard the vessel. The complete specimen must be clearly visible for at least 7 seconds. The video must be configured with the correct date and time. It must also clearly show the assigned identification, including the wristband with the vessel/team number and the fisherman’s wristband. Additionally, two photographs of each catch presented at the official scale must be maintained. This evidence may be required in the event of a formal protest or whenever the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” has any doubt regarding the catch. The judge may impose the corresponding sanctions if a violation is confirmed. However, if a participating team presents a video shorter than the time established in this rule, this shall not constitute grounds for disqualification, provided that the video contains the fishing evidence required under this rule and leaves no doubt that the catch and fishing technique used were correct and legal.
23. Teams placing from 1st through 3rd, as well as Jackpot winners, are required to present and deliver the aforementioned videos and photographs to the tournament’s Official Committee. These materials will be reviewed 30 minutes after the last team in line has registered its catch at the official scale. The names of the teams and/or representatives required to present their files at the review table will be announced during the 30 minutes following the official closing of the weigh-in. Therefore, all teams that have registered a weigh-in are strictly required to remain in the weigh-in area. Teams that fail to comply with this requirement will be disqualified and will forfeit any right to prizes and points. If a team is disqualified for any of the reasons described above, evidence from the 4th through 6th place teams may be reviewed. Otherwise, the prize shall be declared unclaimed.
24. Any team that has a complaint or identifies an irregularity committed by a participant from another team must report it personally and provide whatever evidence it may have to support its complaint. The complaint must be submitted in writing using the official protest form provided by the Official Committee and signed no later than 30 minutes after the official scale closes. A deposit of $5,000.00 MXN (Five Thousand Pesos 00/100 M.N.) must accompany the protest. The “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” and/or the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE” established for this purpose shall conduct the appropriate investigation and, if applicable, impose the corresponding sanction before the awards ceremony. If the complaint is determined to be valid, the deposit will be refunded. When digital files are presented as evidence, the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” and/or the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE,” or a representative thereof, must be present, along with one representative of the protesting team and one representative of the team accused of the violation. The “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE” shall prepare a written resolution regarding the protest, which must contain the handwritten signatures of the participants. The absence of a signature from either the protesting team or the accused team shall in no way invalidate the decision.
25. As required by the Mexican Navy Secretariat (SEMAR), and for their own safety, all vessels are required to carry safety equipment on board and have a VHF radio turned on and tuned to the previously assigned frequency, which is the authorized frequency for all tournaments. Participating teams must refrain from misusing radio communication equipment. Any person identified as improperly using the radio will be subject to severe sanctions by both SEMAR and the tournament committee.
26. Any participating team caught committing any violation that constitutes grounds for disqualification will be immediately eliminated from the competition, as will its individual members.
27. Disqualification may be declared by the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” and/or the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE.”
GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION
- Violating the tournament rules, regulations, or any provisions contained in this document.
- Resting the fishing rod on the gunwale or rod holder of the vessel while fighting the fish.
- Presenting a fish in a decomposed condition or showing signs that it has been frozen.
- Allowing persons who are not registered for the tournament to fish from the vessel. This violation will result in the disqualification of all catches found aboard the vessel where the violation occurred, including catches that have already been registered, as well as the registered team member(s) who were aboard the vessel.
- Allowing persons who are not registered for the tournament to fish from the vessel. This violation will result in the disqualification of all catches found aboard the vessel where the violation occurred, including catches that have already been registered, as well as the registered team member(s) who were aboard the vessel.
- Fishing by hand, meaning without the use of a rod and reel, which are fundamental equipment for sport fishing, or using electric reels. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Presenting at the official scale any fish that was not caught by the same team or by persons registered for the tournament, or that was acquired by any other means.
- Any other circumstances not expressly contemplated herein that, due to their seriousness, in the judgment of the “WEIGH-IN JUDGE” and/or the “OFFICIAL COMMITTEE,” are contrary to the sporting spirit of fishing.
- A substantiated protest.