The Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament is an all release fly-fishing format using 16lb test IGFA specifications unless otherwise superseded by the official tournament rules. Five weight fish ( 70 pounds minimum) can be measured for “weight” points with 10 points awarded per pound. Tarpon that are less than 70 pounds but are least 4 feet long can count as releases and are worth 300 points each.
The angler with the highest number of total points at the end of the 5 days of fishing is the grand champion. Each anglers must be accompanied by a fishing guide licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Participants can fish any area that can be reached by boat leaving from and returning to the official Fishing Headquarters at the specified starting and ending times.