4TH
EDITION

4TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION

GAME FISH
TOURNAMENT
2026

MAY 8

CAPTAINS MEETING

MAY 9

TOURNAMENT DAY 1

MAY 10

TOURNAMENT DAY 2 & AWARDS

SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA OFFICIAL IGFA RULES INTERNATIONAL ANGLERS MAY 8-10, 2026 SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA OFFICIAL IGFA RULES INTERNATIONAL ANGLERS MAY 8-10, 2026

THIS IS WHAT YOU
LIVE FOR

"The Pacific coast of Nicaragua holds legends in its deep blue waters. Here, every strike is a battle between man and nature's fiercest predators."

The Game Fish Tournament returns to the vibrant bay of San Juan del Sur for its 4th International Edition. Bringing together the most select crews from Central America and beyond. Join us for three days of high-level competition and technical mastery in the legendary billfish capital.

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PREMIUM LOCATION

NICARAGUAN PACIFIC

descriptionFULL RULEBOOK

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

FLOR DE CAÑAPLATINUM SPONSOR

TUANI'SPLATINUM SPONSOR

YAMAHAPLATINUM SPONSOR

AVANZ

PLACEHOLDER

YETI

Want to partner with the most exclusive fishing event in the Pacific?

BECOME A SPONSOR

🏆

HALL OF CHAMPIONS

Those who left their name on the water. Their names will live here forever —
because the sea never forgets.

2023 EDITION

"The year the ocean spoke."

BillfishBig Sugar

RoosterPiggy Bank

Fun FishWet Sand

2024 EDITION

"When the wind was on their side."

BillfishUno Mas

RoosterUno Mas

Fun FishSun Fish

2025 EDITION

"The edition no one will forget."

BillfishUno Mas

RoosterWet Sand

Fun FishSun Fish

480+Billfish Released

100+Competing Boats

400+Anglers

6Countries

The absolute kings of the Pacific. Every release requires perfect coordination among the crew under strict IGFA rules.

Black Marlin — 500 pts
Blue Marlin — 500 pts
Sailfish — 100 pts

🔄 CATCH & RELEASE

BILLFISH

Marlin & Sailfish

San Juan del Sur is one of the most prolific spots in the world for roosterfish. Its rocky bottoms and shallow waters are their ideal habitat. Known for its unique dorsal crest and explosive fight — every encounter is a story.

Roosterfish — 50 pts each

🔄 CATCH & RELEASE

ROOSTERFISH

Nematistius pectoralis

The category where anyone can steal the show. Scoring is strictly by weight — the heaviest fish wins. Perfect for all crews.

Mahi-Mahi / Dorado
Yellowfin Tuna
Wahoo
Amberjack

⚖️ SCORED BY WEIGHT

FUNFISH

Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo

TOURNAMENT
SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES GMT-6

MAY 8

REGISTRATION & MEETING

14:00Boat Registration & Technical Inspection @ Portuaria, San Juan del Sur

18:00Captains Meeting & Official Rules Briefing (Mandatory)

19:30Welcome Cocktail at Tuani's Resto Bar

MAY 9

TOURNAMENT DAY 1

05:00"Lines In" — Official start of fishing

16:00"Lines Out" — Fishing ends

17:30Daily Score Validation & Video Review

MAY 10

DAY 2 & FINALS

05:00"Lines In" — Final Session

15:00"Lines Out" — Competition closes

19:00Grand Awards Ceremony & Closing Dinner

TOURNAMENT
RULES

01All billfish must be released in good condition. Bringing billfish aboard is prohibited.

02Official IGFA rules apply to all equipment and methods.

03Maximum line: 50 lb monofilament only.

04Mandatory radio report at Lines In, Hookups, and Lines Out.

05Mandatory video evidence for all releases with official date/time stamp.

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CONSERVATION

The Game Fish Tournament is strictly catch and release. Our mission is the preservation of billfish populations in the Pacific.

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ELIGIBILITY

Open to all registered vessels with a valid seaworthiness certificate. Anglers must carry a Nicaraguan fishing permit.

THE VENUE:
SAN JUAN DEL SUR

Just 12 nautical miles offshore, Nicaragua's Pacific canyons plunge over 1,000 meters — creating a highway of warm currents that feed one of the greatest concentrations of billfish, roosterfish, and dorado in the Western Hemisphere. San Juan del Sur is not just a pretty venue. It's a world-class hunting ground where local captains know these bottoms by heart. The water is blue, clean, and alive. If you haven't fished here, you haven't fished.

MAY TEMP

29°C / 84°F

WIND

15–25 kts

DISTANCE TO DROP

12 NM

DEPTH

1,000M+

VISIBILITY

20M+ CLEAR

TIMEZONE

UTC -6

Registration Open

SECURE YOUR
SPOT ON THE LINE

Registration includes the vessel and up to 4 anglers. All participants receive the official Tournament 2026 kit.

check_circleENTRY TO OFFICIAL IGFA SCORING
check_circleCOCKTAIL & GALA DINNER PASSES
check_circleTOURNAMENT TECHNICAL APPAREL KIT

FREE

STANDARD ENTRY FEE

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW ARE RELEASES VALIDATED?+

Every release must be recorded on video with a visible date and time stamp. The video must clearly show the hook removed from the fish and the animal in good condition in the water. No valid video, no points — no exceptions.

WHERE CAN I GET MY FISHING PERMIT?+

Sport fishing permits in Nicaragua are obtained at the INPESCA offices in Managua or at the Rivas delegations. We recommend processing it at least 2 weeks in advance.

ARE THERE CATEGORIES FOR WOMEN?+

All categories are open to women on equal terms. We are developing a special award for the top female captain of the 2026 edition. More details coming soon.

HOW MANY ANGLERS PER BOAT?+

Registration includes up to 4 anglers per vessel. If your crew is larger, contact us directly.

IS ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE IN SJDS?+

San Juan del Sur offers hotels, hostels, and rental homes for all budgets. We recommend booking 4-6 weeks in advance. We will soon announce partnerships with official tournament hotels. View hotels & accommodation in SJDS →

GAME FISHTOURNAMENT2026

THIS IS WHAT YOU LIVE FOR

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

HALL OF CHAMPIONS

2023 EDITION

2024 EDITION

2025 EDITION

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

REGISTRATION & MEETING

TOURNAMENT DAY 1

DAY 2 & FINALS

TOURNAMENT RULES

CONSERVATION

ELIGIBILITY

THE VENUE: SAN JUAN DEL SUR

SECURE YOUR SPOT ON THE LINE

GALLERY 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GAME FISH
TOURNAMENT
2026

THIS IS WHAT YOU
LIVE FOR

TOURNAMENT
SCHEDULE

TOURNAMENT
RULES

THE VENUE:
SAN JUAN DEL SUR

SECURE YOUR
SPOT ON THE LINE