Japan International Billfish Tournament (JIBT)

1 About JIBT
2 46th JIBT 2024
3 Charter Boats
4 Eligibility for Tournament
5 Entry fee
6 Cancellation Policy
7 Hotel
8 Rental Tackles
9 Pledge
10 Entry

July 25, 2024 (Thursday) – July 28, 2024 (Sunday)

About JIBT

Japan International Billfish Tournament is held in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and is one of the world’s leading big game tournaments. More than 100 teams take part in it and compete. From the 1st tournament in 1979 to the 6th edition, it was held on Miyake Island in Tokyo, and from the 7th tournament onward, the venue was shifted to Shimoda City. From the start, IGFA Rules, which are international standards for sportfishing, were used. The 4th tournament (1982) saw the participation of an American team led by Robert Iverson, Fisheries Officer at US Embassy, marking it as the very first international billfish tournament in Japan using IGFA Rules. In recent years, with many billfish roaming on the Kuroshio Current and the rumors spread, the tournament grew in scale, and becsme internationally known as one of the most productive billfish tournaments in the world.

46th JIBT 2024

Event Period: July 25, 2024 (Thursday) – July 28, 2024 (Sunday)

July 25th
14:00 – 16:30 Team Registration
18:00 – Pre-Event Celebration

July 26th
5:45 Opening Ceremony
7:30 Start Fishing
15:00 Stop Fishing

July 27th
7:00 Start Fishing
15:00 Stop Fishing

July 28th
7:00 Start Fishing
14:00 Stop Fishing
18:00 Award Ceremony

Competition Ground: Nearshore based at Izu Shimoda Port in Shizuoka Prefecture and Wakago Port in Niijima Village, Tokyo Prefecture
Target Fish: Billfish species (Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Swordfish, Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish)
Rules: IGFA rules are applied, and violations may result in disqualification.

Charter Boats

In Japan, trolling by anglers of foreign nationality was long prohibited. However, Japan Game Fish Association, the organizing body of JIBT, negotiated with related local governments and agencies to finally allow charter boats to receive anglers from overseas. Skilled local charter captains yield impressive results every year.

A charter boat ”Banjyo Takamiya Maru”

Eligibility for Tournament

It is mandatory for the team leader to be a member of either IGFA (International Game Fish Association) or JGFA (Japan Game Fish Association).

You can find more information about IGFA here.

https://igfa.org/

Entry fee

1.Team registration fee : ¥50,000

The registration fee to be paid by each team.

2.Participant : ¥30,000 per person

Members “participating in fishing,” including the captain (representative). Those participating in fishing include anglers, gaff men, leadermen, and anyone else assisting with marlin fishing.This includes the party participation fee as well.

3.Party: ¥10,000 per person

People who will only be participating in the party and not in the fishing.

4.Charter fee for 3 days :¥360,000

This is for the charter fee. The charter fee for one day is 120,000 yen, totaling 360,000 yen for three days. Please be aware that refunds cannot be made in the event of the tournament being held despite bad weather conditions.

All prices include tax.

Cancellation Policy

・Cancellations made by June 23 (Sun) are free of charge.
・Cancellations made by July 21 (Sun) will incur a charge of 50% of the total entry amount.
・Cancellations made on or after July 22 (Mon) will incur a charge of 100% of the total entry amount.
Dates are based on Japan Standard Time.

Hotel

During the tournament period, it becomes difficult to reserve hotels in Shimoda City due to the peak season. The JIBT office has made hotel reservations for participants from overseas. We have reserved three Japanese-style rooms, each with a capacity of five people. If you need a room, please contact the JIBT office(japan@jgfa.or .jp). Room allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that the hotel fee is not included in the participation fee. You may also arrange for your own hotel accommodations.

This is an example of a Japanese-style room. The actual room on the day may be slightly different.　Hotel Bay Kuroshio

The hot spring in the hotel 　　　Hotel Bay Kuroshio

Here is the hotel’s homepage

Rental Tackles

Regarding rental tackle, the JIBT Executive Committee has prepared rods and reels for trolling. If you need them, please contact us. However, please be aware that there is a limited number of these available, so priority will be given to those who apply first.