135 Fishing Open – The Ultimate Fishing Tournament Experience

December
4 - 6, 2025

Tournament Overview

The 135th Anniversary Signature Open is a celebration of 135 years of passionate dedication to craftsmanship and the love of ethical sport fishing, coming to life December 4-6, 2025. The event will be hosted at the incredible Marina Pez Vela facility with the competitors testing their skills in the fish rich waters of Quepos Costa Rica.

_{TOURNAMENT TEAM}BASE ENTRY FEE AND AWARDS

Mandatory Base Entry fee for the 2025 135th Anniversary Signature Open is:

$4,500 for Sonar Boats
$2,500 for Non-Sonar Boats
$1,000 for Small Boat 36’ and under

Allowing up to six anglers and three crew to participate.

Teams will also have the opportunity to enter optional jackpots to compete for cash prizes.

A final registration Soirée and Captain’s meeting will take place at Marina Pez Vela on December 4.

Followed by two fishing days on December 5 and December 6.

The awards ceremony at Marina Pez Vela follows the final day of fishing (December 6).

Total Sonar Boats across the board including the base entry and all optional jackpots is $33,500.

Total Non-Sonar Boats across the board including the base entry and all optional jackpots is $23,500.

Total Small Boat 36’ and Under across the board including the base entry and all optional jackpots is $2,000.

All teams pay a tournament base entry fee of $4,500 for Sonar equipped boats, $2,500 for Non-Sonar equipped boats or $1,000 for Small Boat 36’ and under with 20% going to the tournament and the remainder awarded as cash purse. The tournament base entry fee provides nine VIP passes, six registered anglers and three registered crew, to all event functions, team gifts, purse and awards.

Teams will be designated as fishing on a Sonar boat, Non-Sonar boat or Small Boat 36’ and Under and will compete in separate divisions for the Base Entry purse and awards. The Base Entry purse will be determined by the number of teams entered as Sonar, Non-Sonar or Small Boat 36’ and Under boats. All Sonar and Non-Sonar Boats, will compete together for the Tuna and Dorado Base Entry and Optional Jackpot division purse and awards. The Base Entry awards will include daily winners for each fishing day and overall winners over the two days of fishing and be awarded accordingly.

‍A maximum of one professional angler per team will be permitted and must be identified on the entry form. The term professional is defined as any individual who, within the previous three years of the start of the first day of fishing derives income from and/or actively engages in the act of sportfishing for profit or employment, whether full or part-time, and whether such income comes from the ownership entity of the vessel or not, such as a captain, mate, deckhand, boat owner or charter operator who runs and operates a sportfishing vessel or teaches others how to sportfish. The following individuals shall not be deemed professional under these rules and regulations: yacht brokers who do not personally run boats for profit or employment, licensed captains who do not derive income from sportfishing, event coordinators and/or fishing tournament promoters, charter operators and owners who do not act as a captain or mate on the vessels they own or manage. All participants will be required to submit entry forms for each angler in which they will declare their occupation. All teams must follow I.G.F.A. saltwater angling and tackle rules unless otherwise stated for the 135th Anniversary Signature Open. For a complete listing of the I.G.F.A. saltwater equipment and angling rules, please go to:
‍
IGFA International Angling Rules
IGFA Reglas en Español

‍The exception to this is that a captain, mate or angler may set the hook and pass the rod to a registered angler. This may occur only once during the fight. It is the responsibility of each team and crew member to know, understand and abide by I.G.F.A. and tournament rules during this competition. Any angler who intentionally breaks these rules is subject to expulsion and disqualification, upon a determination by the tournament committee, from this and future tournaments without a refund of any registration fees.

_{TEAM BASE}
ENTRY AWARDS

Sonar Team Division Base Entry $4,500 - purse based on number of teams entered

Day One Most Billfish Release Points 11%

Day Two Most Billfish Release Points 11%

First Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 32%

Second Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 22%

Third Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 12%

High-Point Billfish Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Lady Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Jr. Angler (17 or younger) – Trophy and prizes

Non-Sonar Team Division Base Entry $2,500 - purse based on number of teams entered

Day One Most Billfish Release Points 11%

Day Two Most Billfish Release Points 11%

First Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 32%

Second Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 22%

Third Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 12%

High-Point Billfish Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Lady Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Jr. Angler (17 or younger) – Trophy and prizes

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Tuna Awards

•  First Place Tuna 3%
•  Second Place Tuna 2%
•  Third Place Tuna 1%

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Dorado Awards

•  First Place Tuna 3%
•  Second Place Tuna 2%
•  Third Place Tuna 1%

_{Happy Hour}Daily Award

All Sonar and Non-Sonar teams are eligible to win the Happy Hour Daily prize of $1,000 and additionally a bottle of Flor de Caña V Generaciones, 30 year luxury rum. The Sonar and Non-Sonar teams that earn the most billfish release points from 11:00am - 1:00 pm each day will win the prize.

SMALL Boat 36’ and Under Base Entry $1,000 - purse based on number of teams entered

Day One Most Billfish Release Points 11%

Day Two Most Billfish Release Points 11%

First Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 32%

Second Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 22%

Third Place Most Overall Billfish Release Points 12%

High-Point Billfish Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Lady Angler – Trophy and prizes

High-Point Billfish Jr. Angler (17 or younger) – Trophy and prizes

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Tuna Awards

•  First Place Tuna 3%
•  Second Place Tuna 2%
•  Third Place Tuna 1%

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Dorado Awards

•  First Place Tuna 3%
•  Second Place Tuna 2%
•  Third Place Tuna 1%

_{OPTIONAL SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

All optional jackpot divisions are 80% payback. Only teams entered in the optional jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards. The tournament rules apply to all optional jackpots.

^{Teams with “non-sonar” designation may opt to fish in the “sonar” designated divisions but must choose one or the other.}

SONAR BOAT DAILY BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $3,000

The Daily Billfish Release Jackpot prize consists of one-half of the total jackpot money for each day and goes to the team with the most billfish release points each day. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

SONAR BOAT DAILY SPLIT BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $3,000

The Daily Split Billfish Release Jackpot will provide two daily prizes each day and consists of one quarter of the total jackpot money. The teams that have the most billfish release points from 7:30 am - 11:30 am, and 11:31 am to 3:30 pm each day will win the prize. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

SONAR BOAT OVERALL BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT
LEVEL ONE - $3,000
LEVEL TWO - $5,000

There are two levels of Sonar Boat Optional Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot. Level-one jackpot fee is $3,000; level-two jackpot fee is $5,000. The Overall Billfish Release Points Sonar Boat Jackpot will be awarded to the top three teams with the most Overall Billfish Release Points of the tournament over the two days of fishing and be awarded accordingly. First place 50%, Second place - 30%, Third place - 20%. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

SONAR BOAT WINNER TAKE-ALL
BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $5,000

The fee to enter the Sonar Boat Winner Take-All Release Jackpot is $5,000 and is optional. The jackpot will be awarded to the Sonar Boat team with the most overall billfish release points of the tournament. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

_{OPTIONAL NON–SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

NON-SONAR BOAT DAILY BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $1,500

The Daily Billfish Release Jackpot prize consists of one-half of the total jackpot money for each day and goes to the team with the most billfish release points each day. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

NON-SONAR BOAT DAILY SPLIT BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $1,500

The Daily Split Billfish Release Jackpot will provide two daily prizes each day and consists of one quarter of the total jackpot money. The teams that have the most billfish release points from 7:30 am - 11:30 am, and 11:31 am to 3:30 pm each day will win the prize. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

NON-SONAR BOAT OVERALL BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT
LEVEL ONE - $2,000
LEVEL TWO - $3,000

There are two levels of Non-Sonar Boat Optional Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot. Level-one jackpot fee is $2,000; level-two jackpot fee is $3,000. The Non-Sonar Boat Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot will be awarded to the top three teams with the most Overall Billfish Release Points of the tournament over the two days of fishing and be awarded accordingly. First place 50%, Second place - 30%, Third place - 20%. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

NON-SONAR BOAT WINNER TAKE-ALL BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $3,000

The fee to enter the Non-Sonar Boat Winner Take-All Release Jackpot is $3,000 and is optional. The jackpot will be awarded to the team with the most overall billfish release points of the tournament. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

_{SONAR AND NON–SONAR OPTIONAL}GAMEFISH JACKPOTS

DORADO (DOLPHINFISH) DAILY JACKPOT

There are two levels of optional Dorado (Dolphinfish) Daily Jackpot.
Level-one jackpot fee is $1,000
Level-two jackpot fee is $2,000
The Dorado (Dolphinfish) Daily Jackpot prize consists of one-half of the total jackpot money and will be awarded to the team that catches the largest Dorado (Dolphinfish) each day. If no fish are weighed on an individual day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day or the previous day’s winner.

OVERALL TOP THREE LARGEST DORADO (DOLPHIN FISH) JACKPOT

The fee to enter the Overall Top Three Largest Dorado (Dolphinfish) Jackpot is $2,000 and is optional. The teams that catch the three largest Dorado (Dolphinfish) will be awarded accordingly. First place 50%, Second place - 30%, Third place - 20%.

TUNA DAILY JACKPOT

There are two levels of optional Tuna Daily Jackpot.
Level-one jackpot fee is $1,000
Level-two jackpot fee is $2,000
The Tuna Daily Jackpot prize consists of one-half of the total jackpot money and will be awarded to the team that catches the largest tuna each day. If no fish are weighed on an individual day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day or the previous day’s winner.

OVERALL TOP THREE LARGEST TUNA JACKPOT

The fee to enter the Overall Top Three Largest Tuna Jackpot is $2,000 and is optional. The teams that catch the three largest tuna will be awarded accordingly. First place 50%, Second place - 30%, Third place - 20%.

_{OPTIONAL SMALL BOAT 36’}AND UNDER JACKPOTS

SMALL BOAT 36’ AND UNDER BOAT DAILY BILLFISH RELEASE JACKPOT $500

The Daily Billfish Release Jackpot prize consists of one-half of the total jackpot money for each day and goes to the team with the most billfish release points each day. If there is a tie in billfish release points by multiple teams in the tournament, rankings will be determined by the first team to reach their aggregate point total by time of release.

TUNA AND DORADO (DOLPHINFISH) DAILY JACKPOT $500

The Tuna and Dorado Daily Jackpot will go to the largest Tuna and Dorado each day and consist of 25% of the total purse. If no fish are weighed on an individual day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day or the previous day’s winner.

RULES &
REGULATIONS

This Release affects your legal rights and its completion is a prerequisite for your enrollment and participation in the 135th Anniversary Signature Open (the “Tournament”). Your entry indicates your FULL acceptance of these terms. By entering the 135th Anniversary Signature Open and paying the entry fees, I AGREE AS FOLLOWS: I am applying to participate in the Tournament; acceptance of my application is at the sole discretion of the Tournament organizers. In consideration of being permitted to apply for, enroll or participate in the Tournament and such activities as may be arranged for me in connection with such application, enrollment and participation (collectively, the “Tournament Activities”), individually for myself and on behalf of my personal representatives, heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, and next of kin, and as the vessel’s master (if I am the vessel’s master):

1. I hereby acknowledge that the Tournament Activities are dangerous and hazardous, and may entail the risk of serious injury, death, and property or economic damage. I understand that the risks include, but are not limited to, dangers posed by inclement weather and the inherent risks posed by game fishing. I hereby fully assume all noneconomic and economic risks posed to me by my enrollment and participation in the Tournament Activities, whether those risks are known or not and whether those risks are foreseen or not. I hereby release and discharge the Tournament, its sponsors and organizers; each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies; the officers, employees, associates, agents, and contractors of all of the foregoing; all other Tournament participants; and all location owners and operators (collectively, the “Releasees”) of and from any and all claims, suits, causes of action, obligations, liabilities, debts, costs, damages, or demands of every kind and nature which I now have or which may arise from or in connection with my enrollment and participation in the Tournament Activities, whether or not caused or contributed to by the negligence of the Releasees or the manner in which the Tournament is conducted by the Releasees. ALL TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN INSURANCE COVERAGE.

2. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Releasees, their heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, assigns, and parent organizations from any damages, costs, expenses, or liabilities, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees or other professional fees, resulting from or in any way connected with the risk posed by the Tournament or Tournament Activities, and regardless of whether those risks were caused in full or in part by a party indemnified hereunder.

3. I agree that this Release supersedes any other agreements, written or oral, between the parties and is governed by the laws of Costa Rica. I intend this release to be interpreted as broadly as possible, and if any portion of this Release is held invalid, I intend the remainder to continue in full legal force and effect.

4. I acknowledge receipt of the rules of the Tournament and I agree to fully abide thereby. I further agree that: (i) I will abide by and accept all decisions made by the Tournament organizers or any representative of the Tournament organizers in connection with my application, enrollment, or participation in the Tournament; (ii) all such decisions will be final, non-appealable, and in the sole discretion of the Tournament organizers or their representatives; and (iii) any economic or non-economic consequences to me as a result of such decisions are within the scope of the foregoing release. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT. MY ACCEPTANCE AND TOURNAMENT ENTRY IS GIVEN VOLUNTARILY, WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE BEING MADE TO ME, AND I INTEND MY ENTRY TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. Participants in Tournaments are advised to obtain their own insurance covering them and their vessel’s participation. By entering the tournament, I hereby affirm receipt of the rules of the Tournament. I also affirm that I will abide by and accept all decisions made by Tournament management.

PUBLICITY RELEASE In consideration for being permitted to enroll and participate in the 135th Anniversary Signature Open (the “Tournament”), I hereby agree to the following terms: 1. I grant the Tournament, its organizers, and their respective licensees, affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Licensed Parties”) the unrestricted, irrevocable, and perpetual worldwide right to record, copy, reproduce, publish, exhibit, perform and otherwise exploit (collectively, “use”), and license others to use in any and all media now existing and hereinafter developed, without payment of additional compensation, my appearance, name, likeness, voice, and statements that I make in interviews connected with the Tournament, and any photographic, video or audio materials that I create during my participation in the Tournament (collectively, the “Property”), for any purpose, including but not limited to advertising and promotion. I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve any use of the Property or any materials including the Property. 2. The Licensed Parties shall have no liability to me relating to the use or publication, as set forth herein, of the Property for any reason. For myself and on behalf of my personal representatives, heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, and next of kin, I hereby irrevocably release and exempt the Licensed Parties from and against all actions, claims and demands that I now have or may have in the future arising from or relating to any such use or publication of the Property. 3. Nothing herein obligates the Licensed Parties to make any use of any of the rights set forth herein. The rights granted shall not revert to me by reason of the Licensed Parties’ lack of use, and are irrevocable. 4. By registering as a participant, you are consenting to our privacy policy and agreeing to grant the 135th Anniversary Signature Open and its organizers use of your personal information to send you newsletters, surveys, offers, and other emails that may be of interest on behalf of the 135th Anniversary Signature Open and our trusted partners. You can opt out or amend your email preferences at any time.

If you have any questions or doubts,
please contact us:

Fishing Director: tournamentdirector@135fishingopen.com

Event Director: eventdirector@135fishingopen.com

For Slip Inquiries: reservations@marinapezvela.com

For Charters Reservations: tours@marinapezvela.com

Interested in sponsoring this event?
Contact: eventdirector@135fishingopen.com

December
4 - 6, 2025

Tournament Overview

_{TOURNAMENT TEAM}BASE ENTRY FEE AND AWARDS

_{TEAM BASE}
ENTRY AWARDS

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Tuna Awards

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Dorado Awards

_{Happy Hour}Daily Award

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Tuna Awards

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Dorado Awards

_{OPTIONAL SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

_{OPTIONAL NON–SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

_{SONAR AND NON–SONAR OPTIONAL}GAMEFISH JACKPOTS

_{OPTIONAL SMALL BOAT 36’}AND UNDER JACKPOTS

RULES &
REGULATIONS

_{DOWNLOAD
‍}THE INFORMATION

© 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December4 - 6, 2025

Tournament Overview

TOURNAMENT TEAMBASE ENTRY FEE AND AWARDS

TEAM BASEENTRY AWARDS

Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry Tuna Awards

Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry Dorado Awards

Happy Hour Daily Award

SMALL Boat 36’ and Under Tuna Awards

SMALL Boat 36’ and Under Dorado Awards

OPTIONAL SONARBOAT JACKPOTS

OPTIONAL NON–SONARBOAT JACKPOTS

SONAR AND NON–SONAR OPTIONALGAMEFISH JACKPOTS

OPTIONAL SMALL BOAT 36’AND UNDER JACKPOTS

RULES & REGULATIONS

SONAR DEFINITION

Prize Disbursement

Schedule

Fishing Days

Awards Ceremony

Permit and Licenses

Weigh In

Gamefish Minimum Weights

Eligible Species

Departure AND Boundaries

Tournament Radio Communications

Reporting of billfish

Video Release Verification Rules

Catch Affidavits

Billfish Release Points

CatchStat

Tournament Committee

Weather

Protests

Sportsmanlike Conduct

Angling and Tackle Rules

Application for registration and full release of liability and assumption of risk: Read carefully

DOWNLOAD ‍THE INFORMATION

Age Verification Required

© 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December
4 - 6, 2025

_{TOURNAMENT TEAM}BASE ENTRY FEE AND AWARDS

_{TEAM BASE}
ENTRY AWARDS

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Tuna Awards

_{Sonar and Non–Sonar Base Entry}Dorado Awards

_{Happy Hour}Daily Award

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Tuna Awards

_{SMALL Boat 36’ and Under}Dorado Awards

_{OPTIONAL SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

_{OPTIONAL NON–SONAR}BOAT JACKPOTS

_{SONAR AND NON–SONAR OPTIONAL}GAMEFISH JACKPOTS

_{OPTIONAL SMALL BOAT 36’}AND UNDER JACKPOTS

RULES &
REGULATIONS

_{DOWNLOAD
‍}THE INFORMATION