Get ready for the ultimate offshore fishing showdown at the PELAGIC Rockstar Offshore Tournament®, taking place in Quepos, Costa Rica from January 9th to 12th, 2025. Imagine yourself not just as an angler, but as a Rock Star Pelicula in the world of sportfishing, competing for over $1,000,000 in prizes. This isn’t just a tournament; it’s Central America’s grandest and richest sportfishing event, drawing teams from across the globe to the beautiful Marina Pez Vela.
Whether you’re a seasoned tournament angler or looking to step into the competitive fishing scene, the PELAGIC Rockstar Offshore Tournament® offers an unparalleled experience. Spend two action-packed days targeting prized species like sailfish, marlin, tuna, and dorado in the rich waters of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond the thrill of the catch, immerse yourself in a festival-like atmosphere at Marina Pez Vela, a world-class yacht harbor brimming with top-notch restaurants, lively bars, and unique retail shopping. Expect a weekend filled with exhilarating rock concerts, authentic Costa Rican hospitality, and some of the planet’s most exceptional fishing. This is your chance to live the rock star pelicula lifestyle, even if just for a weekend!
Tournament Schedule: Your Rockstar Agenda
Mark your calendars for this exciting lineup of events:
- Thursday, January 9th: Team Check-In, Captain’s Meeting, & Kickoff Party – Get ready to rock!
- Friday & Saturday, January 10th – 11th: Tournament Fishing Days – Time to show your angling prowess.
- Sunday, January 12th: Awards Ceremony – Celebrate the champions and the spirit of competition.
Entry Fees & Jackpot Opportunities: Are You All In?
Here’s a breakdown of how you can get in on the action and potentially reel in massive winnings:
- General Entry: $4,500 – Your mandatory ticket to compete.
- All In (Sonar Division): $66,500 – Maximize your potential in the sonar-equipped category.
- All In (Non-Sonar division): $46,500 – Go big in the non-sonar division.
Understanding the Fees and Jackpots: A Clear Breakdown
What’s New This Year? For the first time, boats equipped with sonar and non-sonar boats will compete separately for general entry billfish prizes and trophy categories. The general entry billfish payouts will be directly proportional to the number of Sonar/Non-Sonar boats participating. Similarly, Billfish and Marlin Only Optional Daily Jackpots will also be divided into these two distinct divisions.
However, all boats will compete together in the gamefish divisions, including general entry prize money, trophy categories, and gamefish optional jackpots.
General Entry and Gamefish Optional Daily Jackpots Details:
| GENERAL ENTRY | $4,500 | MANDATORY |
|---|---|---|
| OPTIONAL GAMEFISH JACKPOTS | ||
| $500 TUNA DAILY JACKPOT | $500 | OPTIONAL |
| $1K TUNA DAILY JACKPOT | $1,000 | OPTIONAL |
| $2K TUNA DAILY JACKPOT | $2,000 | OPTIONAL |
| $1K OVERALL TOP THREE (60% to 1st, 30% to 2nd, 10% to 3rd place) | $1,000 | OPTIONAL |
| $500 DORADO DAILY JACKPOT | $500 | OPTIONAL |
| $1K DORADO DAILY JACKPOT | $1,000 | OPTIONAL |
| $2K DORADO DAILY JACKPOT | $2,000 | OPTIONAL |
| $1K OVERALL TOP THREE (60% to 1st, 30% to 2nd, 10% to 3rd place) | $1,000 | OPTIONAL |
| TOTAL | $13,500 |
Important Note: Every boat competes on equal footing in the general entry gamefish divisions and gamefish optional daily jackpots.
¹ Prize money is estimated based on the projected number of entries and optional jackpot participation.
Billfish and Marlin Only Optional Daily Jackpots Breakdown:
| SONAR OPTIONAL BILLFISH JACKPOTS | NON-SONAR OPTIONAL BILLFISH JACKPOTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | $1,000 | OPTIONAL | $1K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $2K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | $2,000 | OPTIONAL | $2K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $3K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | $3,000 | OPTIONAL | $3K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $5K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | $5,000 | OPTIONAL | $5K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $10K BILLFISH RELEASE DAILY JACKPOT | $10,000 | OPTIONAL | ||
| $20K BILLFISH RELEASE WTA | $20,000 | OPTIONAL | $10K BILLFISH RELEASE WTA | |
| $3K BILLFISH RELEASE OVERALL TOP THREE | $3,000 | OPTIONAL | $3K BILLFISH RELEASE OVERALL TOP THREE | |
| $1K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | $1,000 | OPTIONAL | $1K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $3K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | $3,000 | OPTIONAL | $3K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | |
| $5K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | $5,000 | OPTIONAL | $5K MARLIN ONLY DAILY JACKPOT | |
| TOTAL | $53,000 | TOTAL |
Key Updates for 2025:
- Sonar Divisions: Billfish Division General Entry and Optional Daily Jackpots are now split into sonar and non-sonar categories, ensuring fair competition.
- Overall Billfish Jackpot: The $3k Billfish Release Overall Optional Jackpot will distribute winnings to the top three teams: 60% for 1st place, 30% for 2nd, and 10% for 3rd, based on the most billfish released over the two tournament days.
- Winner Takes All (WTA): The Winner Takes All Billfish Optional Jackpot offers a massive payout, awarding 100% of the jackpot to the single team with the highest billfish release count over two days.
Payment Deadlines and Methods: Get Your Entry Secured
| Payment Type | Payment Deadline | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire Transfer | Cleared by 1/3/25 | $35.00usd | Contact [email protected] for instructions |
| Check | Cleared by 1/3/25 | $0.00 | Contact [email protected] for instructions |
| Credit Card | 1/9/25 | 3.5% | Pay directly through CatchStat: https://pelagic.catchstat.com/ |
| Cash | 1/9/25 | $0.00 |
Sonar vs. Non-Sonar: Defining the Divisions
Understanding the Technology:
While all fish finders technically use sonar as echo sounders, for tournament purposes, the distinction between Sonar and Non-Sonar is specifically defined:
-
Sonar Equipped Vessel: Any vessel using sonar with a transducer mounted on a shaft or “Staff” that extends from or through the hull/keel, capable of rotating 1-360 degrees to scan the water. Examples include systems like Furuno Omni Sonar or Koden KDS 6000 Sonar. These vessels are required to compete in the “Sonar” optional jackpot division.
-
Non-Sonar Vessel: Any vessel using a traditional fish finder with a “fixed” transducer that does not have an extending shaft or rotational capabilities. These vessels are eligible for the “non-sonar” optional jackpot division.
Teams designated as “non-sonar” have the option to participate in “sonar” divisions, but must choose one or the other for jackpot entries. The Tournament Director’s decision on sonar classification for any boat or crew is final and binding.
General Tournament Rules: Compete Fair and Square
Each team can have a maximum of six (6) registered anglers, one (1) captain, and two (2) mates, totaling nine (9) registered team members. The general entry covers four (4) eligible divisions: (i) Billfish Sonar, (ii) Billfish Non-Sonar (iii) Tuna, and (iv) Dorado. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) in each division based on their combined performance over the two fishing days.
Angling & Tackle Regulations: Know the Limits
- Costa Rican Law Compliance: Teams must adhere strictly to Costa Rican Fisheries laws, including mandatory billfish release and the prohibition of offset circle hooks.
- Fishing Hours: Fishing is permitted during tournament hours: 8:30am-4:30pm on January 10-11th, 2025.
- Bait and Hooks: Teams may use live or dead bait with non-offset, in-line circle hooks, or lures with standard J-Hooks. Offset circle hooks are not allowed.
- Line Class: Maximum line class is 130LB as stated by the manufacturer.
- Leader Length: Leaders must not exceed 30 feet.
- Combined Length Limit: The maximum combined length of double line and leader is 40 feet.
- Prohibited Equipment: Electric reels, spears, and harpoons are forbidden.
- Fishing Boundaries: Teams must fish within a 50-mile radius of the Marina Pez Vela buoy.
- Angler Assistance: Captain and crew can assist in hooking fish, and anglers can pass the rod once initially after hookup to another registered angler. No further rod passing is allowed. Exception: Tuna Division – see Gamefish Division rules.
All rules are subject to final review and potential last-minute changes at the Captain’s Meeting on January 9, 2025. Team attendance at the Captain’s Meeting is highly recommended to ensure full understanding of all regulations.
Tournament Schedule: Detailed Breakdown of Events
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
- Thursday, January 9th – Tournament Headquarters, Marina Pez Vela
- 3:00pm – 6:30pm – Mandatory Team Check In/Registration
- 7:00pm – Captain’s Meeting
- 7:30pm – Kick Off Party
- Friday, January 10th – Fishing Day 1
- 6:45am – Starting Line
- 7:00am – Shotgun Start (Optional)
- 8:30am – Lines-In/Start Fishing
- 4:30pm – Lines Out/Stop Fishing
- 4:30pm – 7:00pm – Gamefish Weigh-Ins
- 4:30pm – 7:00pm –Video Release Review
- Saturday, January 11th – Fishing Day 2
- 6:45am – Starting Line
- 7:00am – Shotgun Start (Optional)
- 8:30am – Lines-In/Start Fishing
- 4:30pm – Lines Out/Stop Fishing
- 4:30pm – 7:00pm – Gamefish Weigh-Ins
- 4:00pm – 7:00pm –Video Release Review
- Sunday, January 12th – Marina Pez Vela
- 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Awards Ceremony and Party
DAILY FISHING HOURS: 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Each fishing day begins with boats lining up in front of Marina Pez Vela by 6:45am for an optional shotgun start at 7:00am. Teams not participating in the shotgun start should remain towards the back and may depart after it commences. Lines-in will be announced on VHF Channel 21 at 8:30am daily. Fish hooked before the 4:30pm lines-out call can be played until release, loss, or boated (for gamefish), but teams must check in at the scales/stage before 7:00 PM each day. Hook-ups between 4:20 – 4:30pm must be radioed in on VHF Channel 21.
DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
Starting Line: 6:45 AM
Shotgun Start: 7:00 AM
Lines-In: 8:30 AM
Lines-Out: 4:30 PM
Scales/video review Open: 4:30 PM
Scales/video review Close: 7:00 PM
WEIGH-IN: 4:30PM – 7:00PM
Weigh-in occurs daily at Marina Pez Vela. Scales are open from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, but teams checked in by 7:00pm will have their catches weighed even if it’s past closing time, provided they meet all other rules.
BILLFISH RELEASE VIDEO DOCUMENTATION: 4:30PM – 7:00PM
Teams must submit billfish release scorecards and video evidence of each release at the documentation station at Tournament HQ in Marina Pez Vela each day after fishing.
Billfish Release Division – Scoring: Points for Conservation
Remember, all billfish must be released in accordance with Costa Rica fisheries laws. The Billfish Release Division winner is the team with the most release points over two days. Releases must be radioed to control (VHF Channel 21, backup Channel 27), video-recorded, and logged. Qualifying species include sailfish, striped marlin, blue marlin, and black marlin. Rankings are based on the total two-day release points.
Billfish Scoring Breakdown:
| Billfish Species | Points per Release |
|---|---|
| Blue Marlin | 300 |
| Black Marlin | 300 |
| Striped Marlin | 200 |
| Sailfish | 100 |
Important Note: Unidentifiable billfish in videos will be scored at 100 points.
Billfish Release Video Requirements: Capture the Proof
To score, release videos must continuously show:
- Timestamp: Visible and correct time/date on all videos.
- Angler in Action: Registered tournament angler fighting the fish.
- Leader Touch: Mate touching the leader boatside. Clear species identification is required. Unidentifiable fish score 100 points.
- Scorecard Visibility: Tournament-provided color-coded scorecard clearly visible with the fish.
- Release Confirmation: Video of leader cut or fish unhooked and released, followed by 3+ seconds of fish no longer attached.
Catches without proper video evidence will not be scored. Teams must provide their own video recording devices with timestamp capability. Tournament Officials’ video rulings are final with no protests. Submitted videos may be used by Pelagic, Inc. for marketing purposes.
Tie-breaker (Billfish Division): Ties are broken by the time the aggregate point total was reached. The team reaching their total earlier wins. Ensure video timestamps are accurate to Costa Rica time!
Gamefish Divisions: Tuna & Dorado – Scoring by Weight
In the Gamefish Divisions (Tuna & Dorado), teams can weigh up to two fish per species daily, but only the heaviest of each species will be scored per day. Final rankings are based on the aggregate weight of the heaviest tuna and dorado caught over the two days.
NEW THIS YEAR – Tuna Division Angler Switch: For tuna only, a one-time angler switch is allowed per day per team under these conditions:
- Tuna Only Switch: Limited to tuna catches.
- Registered Anglers Only: Switch must be between two registered anglers; crew can assist but not reel.
- Captain Notification: Captain must report the switch to radio control before it occurs.
- Video Evidence: Angler switch must be videoed and submitted for review to validate the catch for scoring.
Note: If no qualifying gamefish are caught in a division, prize money rolls to the other gamefish division. If no tuna or dorado are scored, the money rolls to the Billfish Release Division.
Scoring: Gamefish are scored at 1 point per pound, rounded to the nearest tenth (e.g., 17.2 lbs = 17.2 points). Only the heaviest fish per species per day count.
Minimum qualifying weight: 15.0 lbs. Each division awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash and prizes.
Fish tails are clipped after weighing. Altered, spoiled, mutilated, or frozen fish are disqualified at the discretion of officials. Boats entering fish caught on another vessel, weight-altered, frozen, or tampered with will be disqualified without refund.
General Entry & Awards Payouts: Splitting the Prize Pool
General Entry is mandatory for tournament participation and awards eligibility. After a 20% administration fee is applied to the total general entry amount, 50% of the prize money goes to the Billfish Release Divisions (Sonar and Non-Sonar, 1st-3rd place each), and 25% each to the Tuna and Dorado Gamefish Divisions (1st-3rd place each). Billfish prize money distribution depends on the Sonar/Non-Sonar boat ratio.
Prize money distribution within each division: 60% to 1st place; 30% to 2nd place; and 10% to 3rd place.
Optional Daily Jackpots/Daily Jackpots: Increase the Stakes
Teams can opt into daily jackpots for top 3 overall, winner take all, and daily categories across all three divisions, plus a marlin-specific jackpot. Daily jackpots are winner-take-all per category per day, based on the heaviest fish (tuna/dorado) or most release points (billfish/marlin).
Daily jackpot entry fees are split evenly over the two tournament days.
Sonar/Non-Sonar Optional Billfish & Marlin Only Daily Jackpots: Separate jackpots for sonar and non-sonar boats are available for billfish and marlin categories.
Sonar/Non-Sonar Optional Billfish Overall 60/30/10 Jackpots: The $3k billfish overall jackpot is split 60/30/10 for the top three teams in each division based on their two-day billfish release totals.
Winner Take All Billfish Optional Jackpots (WTA): WTA jackpots award 100% of collected fees (no admin fee deducted) to the team with the most billfish release points in each division over two days.
Tuna and Dorado Overall Top Three Jackpots: The $1K gamefish overall jackpot pays the top three teams (60/30/10 split) with the heaviest combined weight in each gamefish division over two days.
Important Notes on Credit Card Payments:
- A 3.5% surcharge applies to credit card payments.
- Charges are processed by Pelagic Tournaments LLC.
Note: A 20% administration fee is deducted from general entries & jackpots, resulting in a net prize payout of 80% of gross fees. Winner Take All Jackpots payout 100% with no admin fee.
Tie Breakers (Gamefish Division): Gamefish daily jackpot ties are split evenly. If no qualifying fish are caught on Day 1, the jackpot rolls to Day 2. If still no qualifying fish on Day 2, the Day 1 winner in that category receives the rolled-over jackpot. If no qualifying fish are caught in a jackpot category across both days, entry fees for that category will be refunded (minus the 20% admin fee).
Marlin Only Daily Jackpots: Exclusively for marlin species (blue, black, striped). Daily jackpots awarded to the team with the most marlin release points each day, following the same rules, scoring, and tie-breaker procedures as the Billfish Release Division.
Marlin Points:
| Marlin Species | Points per Release |
|---|---|
| Blue Marlin | 300 |
| Black Marlin | 300 |
| Striped Marlin | 200 |
Important Information: Registration, Check-in, Awards, and More
REGISTRATION: Register online at www.PelagicTournaments.com or during Team Check-In on January 9th (3:00-6:30pm) at Tournament HQ. Entry fees and Optional Jackpots must be finalized and paid at registration.
CHECK IN/CAPTAIN’S MEETING: Check-in/late registration is January 9th (3:00-6:30pm) at Marina Pez Vela. Captain’s Meeting is at 7:00pm on the main stage, potentially streamed on @PelagicGear Instagram. Teams are responsible for knowing tournament rules, schedule, and any updates from the Captain’s Meeting, streamed or not.
AWARDS CEREMONY: January 12th, 6:00 – 7:30pm, Marina Pez Vela main stage. All teams are welcome. Ceremony may be streamed on @PelagicGear Instagram.
PROTESTS: Written protests with $500 cash must be submitted to the tournament director by 8:00pm, Saturday, January 11th, 2025, including a written statement and supporting evidence. The Tournament Director’s decision is final. Abuse, threats, or disparagement of Pelagic Tournaments LLC or staff can lead to disqualification without refund. Successful protests are refunded $500; failed protests are non-refundable. Pelagic Tournaments, LLC reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone.
VIDEO RELEASE: Pelagic Rockstar Tournament, Pelagic Tournaments LLC, and Pelagic, Inc. may use all submitted and tournament-taken videos and photos for worldwide marketing purposes in perpetuity.
RIGHT TO POLYGRAPH: The tournament reserves the right to polygraph winners. Cheating or video falsification results in disqualification, no refund, and potential ban from future events.
WITHDRAWAL: Written withdrawals before 8:00am on Day 1 of fishing receive a full refund. No refunds after fishing starts.
FORM 1099: Prize winnings are taxable and reported on Form 1099. Winners will receive payment via wire transfer only (no fees), after a 30-60 day processing period. Payout instructions will be sent to the team contact.
CHARTER/LODGING INFORMATION: Boat charters and lodging are the team’s responsibility. Marina Pez Vela charter options: www.marinapezvela.com, Costa Rica: +(506) 2774-9006, Toll Free: 1-866-740-4658, Email: [email protected].
Further Questions? Email [re: 2025 Rockstar Offshore Tournament] for assistance.
US Contact/Tournament Director – Tony DiGiulian: [email protected] (954) 895-6635 (Call, Text, WhatsApp)
Costa Rica Contact – Alcides Alfaro: [email protected]
Future Tournament Dates:
January 15th – 18th, 2026
January 14th – 17th, 2027
