HIBT at a glance

HIBT at a glance

HIBT at a glance

c What: 53rd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament

c When: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

c Where: Fishing takes place in West Hawaii waters, with boats departing daily from Kailua Pier. A variety of other related events will take place in Kailua-Kona.

c Daily weigh-ins: 4 p.m. at Kailua Pier

c Fishing tackle: Teams must use 50- or 80-pound test line

c How to score points: Teams will receive a point per pound for every billfish weighing 300 pounds or more and every tuna weighing 100 pounds or more. Officials will award 100 bonus points for weighed billfish at 500 pounds or more, the heaviest qualifying weighed billfish on each day and the heaviest weighed billfish of the tournament. Also, teams will receive 33.3 percent bonus points on weight of qualifying fish taken on 50-pound test. Teams will receive tag-and-release bonus points for fish caught on 50-pound test (300 for blue or black marlin, 200 for striped marlin or sailfish and 100 for spearfish) and 80-pound test (250 for blue or black marlin, 150 for striped marlin or sailfish and 50 for spearfish). The team with the most points at the end of the tournament will receive the event’s Governor’s Trophy. The charter boat captain who accumulates the most billfish points on his boat will receive the Henry Chee Award.

c Last year’s champion: Vanuatu’s Port Vila Game Fishing Club, which returns to defend its title

c Teams: 40

c Countries represented: 11