ABOUTHISTORY SPECIESSCHEDULE RULESGALLERY
ES|EN
LEADERBOARD
5TH
EDITION
5TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION

GAME FISH
TOURNAMENT
2026

MAY 8
CAPTAINS MEETING
MAY 9
TOURNAMENT DAY 1
MAY 10
TOURNAMENT DAY 2 & AWARDS
VIEW LEADERBOARD
NICARAGUA'S BIGGEST OFFSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT 5TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION 3 CATEGORIES: BILLFISH · ROOSTER · FUNFISH MAY 8-10, 2026 SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA OFFICIAL IGFA RULES · FREE ENTRY NICARAGUA'S BIGGEST OFFSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT 5TH INTERNATIONAL EDITION 3 CATEGORIES: BILLFISH · ROOSTER · FUNFISH MAY 8-10, 2026 SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA OFFICIAL IGFA RULES · FREE ENTRY

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 5th 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.

water_drop
PREMIUM LOCATION
NICARAGUAN PACIFIC
descriptionFULL RULEBOOK

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

FLOR DE CAÑAPLATINUM SPONSOR
TUANI'SPLATINUM SPONSOR
YAMAHAPLATINUM SPONSOR
AVANZ
PLACEHOLDER
PLACEHOLDER
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.

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
  • Striped 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 — 1 pt 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.

  • Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
  • Yellowfin Tuna
  • Wahoo
⚖️ SCORED BY WEIGHT
FUNFISH
Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo

TOURNAMENT
SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES GMT-6
MAY 8

REGISTRATION & MEETING

15:00 – 19:00Boat Registration & Technical Inspection @ Portuaria, San Juan del Sur
19:00 – 20:00Welcome Cocktail at Tuani's Resto Bar
20:00Captains Meeting & Official Rules Briefing (Mandatory)
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

TOURNAMENT DAY 2 & AWARDS

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.
nature_people

CONSERVATION

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

verified

ELIGIBILITY

Open to offshore vessels — Center Console, Dual Console, Walkaround, and Sportfish — with a valid navigability certificate and Naval Force–authorized departure clearance (zarpe) for each day of the tournament. All vessels must fly the Nicaraguan national flag.
Captains must keep their license and documentation current. INPESCA issues a collective fishing license covering all registered tournament anglers — no individual permits required.

descriptionDOWNLOAD FULL RULEBOOK (PDF)

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
27–30°C / 80–86°F
WIND
15–25 kts
DISTANCE TO DROP
12 NM
DEPTH
1,000M+
VISIBILITY
20M+ CLEAR
TIMEZONE
UTC -6
San Juan del Sur
SJDS 2
Fishing
Registration Closed

SECURE YOUR
SPOT ON THE LINE

Registration includes the vessel and up to 5 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
emoji_events
ONLINE REGISTRATION · 6 STEPS · 5 MINUTES
COMPLETE YOUR
REGISTRATION

Vessel, owner, captain and up to 5 anglers. Automatic validation and instant email confirmation.

REGISTER YOUR BOAT →
verifiedEncrypted data. IGFA rules.
support_agentQuestions? Email [email protected]

GALLERY 2025

PREVIOUS EDITION
Game Fish Tournament 2025 — San Juan del Sur Nicaragua
1 / 25

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 5 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 →