2024 Herman Lucerne Biscayne Legends Classic

A new kind of tournament, for a new commitment to Biscayne Bay conservation.

Introducing the Costa Herman Lucerne Biscayne Legends Classic, a one-of-a kind event designed to bring a new level of focus to the issues this precious ecosystem faces, while spurring a new kind of on-the-water tournament experience.

Our event will combine education, advocacy, restoration, and epic fishing with some of the top guides, scientists and anglers in the world. We will begin on the evening of Thursday, March 14 with a mandatory Captain’s Meeting that will include presentations on recommended fish-handling, a state-of-the-bay discussion by the Miami River Waterkeeper, and an ecosystem presentation by scientists from Florida International University.

On Friday, March 15, 25 anglers will race to see who can catch the legendary Grand Slam of Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit fastest- A format designed to minimize the pressure on the fishery, while still providing the strategy and competition of an elite tournament. In addition, a scoring bonus is available based on tournament-day shoreline trash clean-up, making this event truly unique, as well as bringing focus to the challenges Biscayne Bay faces every day.

So join us as we celebrate one of the most incredible inshore urban fisheries on earth, and we will crown the first HLM Biscayne Legend this July. Register today, as we are limiting this event to 25 anglers.

HLM/ BTT BISCAYNE LEGENDS CLASSIC

CAPTAIN’S MEETING

When: Thursday, March 14 at 6PM
Location: TBD
Meeting is mandatory for ALL anglers and guides

FISHING:

Friday, March 15
Lines in- 7:00AM
Lines out- 3:00PM

LOCATION:

Teams may launch from anywhere on the morning of Friday March 15, and return anywhere. However, attendance at the Captains Meeting on Thursday March 14 is mandatory for all angler and guides, and attendance at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday at 6:00 is compulsory for at least one team member, and they must arrive by 6:00 PM. Failure to get back in time will negate that team’s score.

SCORING:

Anglers will be competing on earliest time taken to complete a slam (Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit). First angler to compete the slam will be declared the winner, with the following provisions:
There will be two divisions, General and Fly.
If an angler catches fish with a combination of tackle, they will be scored in the General division.
Every fish caught on fly will automatically be granted a 30-minute time deduction towards their total time.
Additionally, every team will be given two 30-gallon 4Ocean garbage bags, and each bag of shoreline trash gathered on tournament day turned in (via photograph) will grant the team a 15-minute deduction from their total time (total available bonus, 30 minutes). Trash bag deductions must be recorded by photograph.
The angler with the earliest corrected time will be the Grand Champion.
If the Grand Champion is in the General Division, a Fly Division champion will be named as well. If the Grand Champion is in the Fly Division, a General Division champion will be named as well.
In the case of a tie, first fish caught in the slam will be the tiebreaker.
Additionally, awards will be given for First Bonefish, First Tarpon, and First Permit.
A fish will be count as caught when an angler has the fish under control boatside, and must get a photograph/video with the leader in hand, with both the fish and angler visible, and the tournament bracelet in the photograph. Fish MUST remain in the water and be released unharmed.

AWARDS BANQUET

When: Saturday, March 16 at 6:00PM
Location: TBD

AWARDS

Grand Champion
Fly/General Champion
1st Tarpon
1st Bonefish
1st Permit

SCORING EXAMPLES

Team A (General)- Tarpon caught at 7:45, Bonefish caught at 8:15, Permit caught at 10:30
Team B (Fly)- Tarpon caught at 8:00, Bonefish caught at 9:00, Permit caught at 10:45
**Team B adjusted times= 7:30, 8:30, 10:15
Team A wins first Bonefish
Team B wins first Permit and 1st slam

TOURNAMENT RULES

Strictly catch-and-release.
All fish must remain in the water to the extent possible in fighting, photographing and handling according to BTT protocols.
An angler must hook, fight and bring the fish to the boat unaided by any other person.
No chumming shall be allowed.
All IGFA rules shall apply.
It is the responsibility of each angler to know, understand and abide by the IGFA and these rules.
Guides cannot participate in addition to their anglers.
Multiple anglers can participate with a single guide.
The maximum line test/tippet allowed shall be 12-lb. test.
Line test shall be determined by the line manufactures stated line test.
The leader, including double line, shall not exceed the length of the angler’s rod.
For anglers fishing with a fly rod, the leader and tippet length shall comply with IGFA rules.
Anglers fishing with bait or fishing with a fly rod must only use single hooks.
Each angler may only use or work one fishing rod at a time.

PROTESTS

A registered angler may protest any other registered angler’s catch by filing a written protest to the tournament committee by 5:00 P.M. of the day of the protested catch.
The judge’s committee will settle any protest and their decision will be final.

COMPLIANCE

Each team shall be responsible for accurately and completely submitting the team’s scores using the Tournament app. Failure to comply with any rule or regulation of the tournament, or law, rule or regulation of Biscayne National Park, may cause the disqualification of an angler or the angler’s catch.

POLYGRAPHS

In consideration of the tournament’s acceptance of an angler entry, each registered angler specifically agrees and consents to voluntarily submit to a polygraph examination or examinations, to be conducted by a polygraph examiner selected by the tournament committee, at any time until all prizewinners and awards are determined and announced. The method and conduct of all polygraph examinations, and the interpretation of the results thereof, shall be in the sole judgment of the polygraph examiner appointed by the tournament committee and whose opinion shall be final. If any registered angler refuses to submit to a polygraph examination or if any registered angler or occupant gives a response which, in the sole opinion of the polygraph examiner is not accurate or untruthful, then all registered anglers on the boat shall be immediately disqualified without further notice. Any registered angler so disqualified shall not be entitled to any prize, award, or entry fee refund.

WEATHER

All anglers will fish at their own discretion and at their own risk. If bad weather causes the cancellation of one of the two days of fishing, the tournament will become a one-day tournament. The judges’ committee shall be responsible for making the decision.

INDEMNITY

All anglers will fish at their own risk. All anglers agree to indemnify and hold harmless all members of the Tournament Committee, Directors, Sponsors and their agents and employees from any and all liability, loss or damage they may suffer as a result of this fishing tournament.

CELL PHONES/RADIO CONTACT

The use of cellular phones or radio communication with non-registered anglers, for fishing information, during tournament fishing hours is strictly prohibited.

MISCELLANEOUS

No one other than a registered angler shall be allowed in a boat, other than a licensed captain or competition committee member or designee.
Every angler must have a current Florida fishing license, unless exempt by Florida law, or fish on a vessel whose captain has a current boat fishing license.
The tournament committee reserves the right to refuse the registration of any angler.
Any challenges to the calculations should be made within one hour of posting.