Unleash Your Next Trophy Catch

MABT Prizes Awarded

  • Top Three: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

  • Top Three: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

  • Top Three: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

  • 1st Only

  • Captain's Meeting

    Wednesday, September 9th @ 6:00pm

    American Legion Post 291

    215 15th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

  • Awards Banquet

    Sunday, September 13th @ 5:00pm

    American Legion Post 291

    215 15th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

2026 MABT Rules and Regulations

1.Each participating Club may enter an unlimited number of teams, with  a maximum of 4 boats per team. Only the scores of the Top Team will  count for each Club for the Top Club trophies.  

2. Anglers may use substitute boats if necessary, due to mechanical  issues, etc.  

• See rule 42 for additional information  

3. Above mentioned angler/boat changes must be reported and  confirmed each day that they occur to one of the following:

  • The Tournament Chairman Phil Dollar (603) 397-28961.  • The BAC office (949) 673-6316 or FAX (949) 673-6384 or email:  info@balboaanglingclub.org

4. The Tournament Control, or Committee Boat (Fin & Tonic), or Relay  Boat (TBD) –   Channel 65  

5. All anglers must have a valid California fishing license. 

6. All anglers, boat operators, and any other participants including boat  guests must sign the Master Angler Billfish Tournament 2026 (MABT)  Release of liability or will not be allowed in the Tournament. 

7. The entry fee for the 2026 MABT is as follows: 

 • $250– Members   • $300 – Non-Members*   *Non-Member entry fee comes with complimentary BAC membership through December 31, 2026.

8. There are no maximum anglers per boat. 

9. There is no limit on trolling or casting lines. Only Team Members shall  be allowed to handle leaders, rods, gaffs, tagging sticks, tail ropes,  etc.  

10. Except for Tuna and Swordfish, the use of non-offset circle hooks is  required for all live or dead bait.  

• J-Hooks are acceptable on ALL lures/jigs.  

11. The "MABT Marlin Count Verification Slip" will be completed, signed,  and turned in by each Boat Captain for all team members who earn  points.  

The slips must be brought in, faxed, telephoned, or emailed to the BAC prior to 9:00AM, Sunday, September 13th, 2026.  Any slips received after 12:00PM will not be recorded.

12. Every participating boat must designate a team member to attend the  mandatory Captain’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September  9th, 2026, at:

The Newport Beach Legion , 215 15th St., Newport Beach, CA 92663

13. Tournament boats may depart from any port.

14. Fishing hours shall be 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

15.Any boat hooked up prior to "lines out" may continue to fight the fish until it is caught or lost. 

16.Tournament radio channel to be Channel 65.

ROLL CALL will be at 11:00 a.m. and 6:35 p.m. on Friday and 11:00 a.m. and 6:35 p.m. on Saturday. All fishing boats must monitor this frequency during the Roll Call and report their activity or lack of.

Reporting procedure is as follows: Knockdowns/ Hook-ups/ Releases. Example: if you had 2 knockdowns, 1 hook up and 1 release your report would be: 2-1-1.

17. Upon hook-up, a boat must report to Tournament Control or Committee Boat (Fin & Tonic) the following:

  • Boat Name

  • Angler Name

  • Time of Hook-Up

  • Line Class

  • Bait or Jig

  • Boat location by the grid on the Official MABT 2026 Tournament Chart

18.If unable to directly contact Tournament Control, Committee Boat, or Relay Boat the boat that is hooked-up MUST relay the above information through another tournament boat to Tournament Control, Committee Boat, or Relay Boat. Hook-up information may also be called into:

  • BAC Clubhouse by VHF radio, cell, satellite phone 949-673-6316,

  • 949- 291-1361 (Bryan Lojeski)

  • 949-870-0029 (Casey McCann)

  • 603-937-2896 (Phil Dollar)).

  If there is no pickup, leave a text, voicemail, email following Tournament Reporting Procedures noted above.‍ ‍

19. A boat must immediately announce the results of any hook-up previously reported under Rule 13 when released (Marlin) or Boated (Broadbill). This additional information must be reported and confirmed in the manner and terms stated in Rule 15 and confirmed in the manner and terms stated in Rule 16.

  • Boat Name

  • Angler Name

  • Time of day when Marlin released, or Broadbill boated.

  • You may be asked to repeat information listed in Rule 13 to clarify information.

  • If no contact can be made with Tournament Control or the Tournament Committee Boat by direct contact or relay, the hook-up must be reported to the Balboa Angling Club at (949) 673- 6316. This contract must be made immediately upon hook-up and upon boating or releasing the fish, or to (603) 937-2896 (Phil Dollar), (949) 291-1361 (Bryan Lojeski) or (949) 870-0029 (Casey McCann).

20.All fish must be hooked and caught from a tournament boat. This excludes tenders, inflatables, dinghies, etc. Any device, such as a gangplank, platform, boom, or trapeze used to give a boat tagging or gaffing a fish an unfair advantage in doing so, is prohibited. (A legal bow-pulpit or swim step is allowed. Line & Leader Classification – IGFA (International Game Fish Association) Rules apply.

21.The use of backing is permissible. The catch shall be classified under the breaking strength of the first 16.5 feet (5 meters) of line directly preceding the double line, leader, or hook. This section must comprise a single, homogenous piece of line.

22.The length of the leader and double line is determined by line class. For line classes up to and including 20 lb. the leader shall be limited to 15 feet.

  • The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet.

  • The leader in all classes of tackle over 20 lb. shall be limited to 30 feet. The combined length of the double line and leader is limited to 40 feet.

23.For a released marlin to qualify, angler or mate must grab and retain the leader in hand at the time of release.

24.Billfish brought to leader UNDER 10 MINUTES MUST BE TAGGED to qualify as a release.

25.No touching the double line, no grabbing and letting go of the leader, and no cutting the leader prior to having grabbed and retained the leader. 

26.Additionally, teams are encouraged not to "pop" or "snap" the leader to break it. Marlin will be released in good condition. If possible, hooks should be removed. 

27.Teams are also encouraged to swim the marlin alongside the boat since it enhances post-release survival. Following the release of a Marlin the angler may continue fishing; no limits are set for this tournament.

28.Persons other than anglers, including professional boatmen, may be permitted upon and may operate participating boats. They may not handle rod, reel, gaff, tagging stick or leader during tournament hours.

29.Use of spotter planes and/or drones to locate fish is forbidden. Any communication with an aircraft during the tournament is prohibited, except in cases of emergency.

30.The carrying of harpoon gear is prohibited.

31.The fishing boundaries shall be 115 miles from the Bell Buoy at Newport Harbor as indicated on the Official Tournament Chart, which will be handed out at the Team Captain's meeting.

32.Fifteen (15) minutes prior to lines out, radio silence will be in effect on the Tournament Channel (Channel 65). Any boat hooked up during this time MUST immediately contact Tournament Control, Tournament Committee Boat (Fin & Tuna) or The Relay Boat (TBD). 

  • If unable to make contact, the boat must relay their hook-up information through another tournament boat to Tournament Control or the Committee Boat. Hook-up information may also be called into BAC Clubhouse by VHF Radio, Cell, or Satellite Phone (949) 673-6316, (603) 937-2896 (Phil Dollar). 

33.Roll Call will follow the announcement "Lines Out" approximately five (5) minutes after stop fishing.

34.Prizes will be awarded in the Pelagic Game Fish Division for High Pelagic Game Fish Angler. Points earned in the Game Fish Division will not count towards the overall angler, boat, and club standings.
35.Any protest must be presented in writing to the BAC before noon, Sunday September 13th. The Protest Committee will render a final resolution on all protests. Any verbal protest will not be considered.

36.In the event of rough seas, the Board of Directors has the authority to postpone or cancel tournament fishing.

  • If such action is taken, the information will be available by calling the BAC at (949) 673-6316.

  • No Refunds

37.In the event a Marlin is brought up dead it will be considered a released fish. The time of release will be that of the leader in hand.

38.The rules committee will require 12# & 16# line samples to obtain verify the breaking strength of line used in the tournament.  All samples must be turned into the BAC no later than 9:00a.m. Sunday, September 13th,2026

39. BAC members must submit a Billfish Release Form and a line sample, if the fish is for button or annual Angler Point consideration.

• Please fill out the form completely and submit with the line sample to the BAC Office within fifteen (15) days of the catch.

40. Trophies will be awarded in the following categories:

• High Angler - 1st through 3rd

• High Boat - 1st through 3rd

• High Club -1st through 3rd

• Pelagic Division -1st Place Only

41. Any tournament team member, captain, angler, affiliate of, etc. that posts, publishes, or disseminates tournament results before the Balboa Angling Club (BAC) Master Angler Billfish Tournament (MABT) committee posts / publishes the official results will have their team disqualified.

42. No list changes will be permitted to Anglers, Boats, or Teams after 6:15a.m., Friday, September 11th, unless a substitute boat is needed due to mechanical issues, etc.

Line Testing

IGFA tests all the line and tippet samples submitted with world record  claims in accordance with the metric line class designations. For example,  the U.S. customary equivalent of 4kg is 8.81 pounds. Thus, line designated  by the manufacturer as 8 1b class line may test up to 8.81 lbs. (4kg) to  qualify for an 8 1b. line class record.

The U.S. customary equivalents in  pounds for the metric line classes are as follows:

Point System

    • 12 lb. test 240 points 

    • 16 lb. test 210 points 

    • 20 lb. test 180 points 

    • 30 lb. test 150 points 

  • Surface caught Broadbill are encouraged

    • 20 lb. test 5.5 points per lb. 

    • 30 lb. test 4.5 points per lb.

    • 50 lb. test 3.5 points per lb.

    • 80 lb. test 2.5 point per lb.

  • Deep Drop Broadbill techniques  (in compliance with IGFA standards) will qualify for MABT tournament  points at a different point level than Surface Caught.  

    • 1.5 points per  lb.  (Minimum Fish  Weight minus  100 pounds)


  • Fish weight must exceed twice the amount of the line class - example: 20#  line= 40 lb. fish, minimum weight. 80# Max for Bluefin Tuna, 30# all other  species.

    Heaviest weight of a qualifying single fish regardless of line class  wins the division. 

RULE ENFORCEMENT

Any observed rule infraction should be reported to Tournament Control or  the Tournament Committee Boat. Strict adherence to both the spirit and  letter of these rules is necessary. In fairness to all, involuntary infraction of  these rules can no more be condoned than can willful violations.  Participants should be sure that they understand the rules and that their  tackle complies with specifications.

PROTEST COMMITTEE  

Phil Dollar, Casey McCann, Bryan Lojeski, John Doughty and David Dubois

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE  

Phil Dollar, Chairman Board Members Co-Chair : Bryan Lojeski, Ruth Schock, Casey McCann, Josh Kast, Andy Gottlieb, Davy Schweickert

WEIGH STATIONS

Broadbill to be weighed at Balboa Angling Club or other IGFA certified  scale by no later than 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 13th. A list of Southern  CA IGFA certified weigh stations can be found listed below smf on map at bottom of this page

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IGFA APPROVED WEIGH STATIONS (source:  igfa.org)  

1. Balboa Angling Club  200 A Street, Newport Beach, CA 92661  

2. Harbor Rod & Reel Club/Huntington Harbour Yacht Club  3821 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92649  

3. Southern California Tuna Club/Alamitos Bay Fuel Dock  227 N. Mauna Drive, Long Beach, CA 90823  

4. Killer Shrimp  4211 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292  

5. Channel Islands Sportfishing Center  4151 Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93035  

6. Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club  2600 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA  93035  

7. Mission Bay Marlin Club  2590 Ingraham Street, #B, San Diego, CA 92109  

8. The Marlin Club  2445 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106  

MARLIN  

Note that a MANDATORY line sample of 15 feet will be required on all 12#  & 16# fish released in the tournament. Line will only be tested 2 times, dry  as is. The average of the two tests will determine the breaking point of the  line.  

The BAC also reserves the right to randomly request line samples for any reported releases regardless of line class. In the event your line over tests it will be moved up into the next qualifying line class. All samples must be  turned into the BAC no later than 9:00a.m. Sunday, September 13th. Lines  may be passed to the Committee Boat for delivery to the clubhouse.  

It is important to recognize that different brands of previously tested 12 lb.  lines broke at the following strengths:  

Ande Premium 12.5 lb. Ande Tournament 11.5 lb. P-Line 17 lb.  Berkley Big Game 15 lb. Jinkai IGFA 12.5lb. Izorline 17 lb. Suffix Key Lime IGFA 11 lb. P-Line CXX 21 lb. Maxima 16 lb.       

The spirit and success of this tournament reflects upon individual and  team angling skill, based entirely on an honor system. If you have any  questions as to the breaking strength of your line, it is recommended that  you pre-test it prior to fishing. 

PELAGIC GAMEFISH DIVISION

Fish weight must exceed twice the amount of the line class - example: 20# line= 40 lb. fish, minimum weight. 80# Max for Bluefin Tuna, 30# all other species. Heaviest weight of a qualifying single fish regardless of line class wins the division.

In the event of radio contact being lost, please text/email details to the  following:  

  • BAC Clubhouse by VHF radio or - 949-673-6316  

  • Philip Dollar - 603-397-2896  

  • Bryan Lojeski - 949-291-1361  

  • Casey McCann - 949-870-0029  

In case of no cell reception, relay to Vessel “TBD”.  This vessel has Starlink  and will forward. 

Where will the 2026 MABT take you?

Key Areas are pinned to map below. Use the square icon on left top corner on map to quickly filter by Category: Weigh stations, Sponsors & Coordinates.

Thank you to our Sponsors.

See the GOLD STARS on the map above for Sponsor’s locations. Please help support our sponsors and patron them when possible.