White Marlin Open Photos

Federal law mandates that as of January 1, 2008 all anglers participating in either a billfish tournament or a tournament with a billfish division which bestows points, prizes, or awards for Atlantic billfish (white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish or spearfish) must deploy only non-offset circle hooks when using natural bait or natural/artificial lure combinations. Anglers in these tournaments may use J-hooks only in artificial lures.

Due to this new law, the IGFA has revised its rule stating that the hook “must be firmly embedded in or firmly attached to the bait.” The rule now states that “circle hooks may be rigged in front of bait or bait/lure combos as long as the distance from the bait and the hook is no more than one hook’s length.” This information was provided by Jason Schratwieser, Conservation Director of the IGFA.