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There are three major sections of our Tag Card:
(1) ID & Location
(2) Fish, Gear, & Description,
(3) Fishing Team
Take a look at the card to familiarize yourself with these three segments.
While all the information is incredibly valuable, questions 1-10 (highlighted in blue) and information on at least one member of the fishing team is required for us to input this data into our database.
The first section of the tag card identifies the species and records where and when it was tagged. This is by far the most important information for any tag card, which is why we highlighted it in blue! If any of this information is missing, the tag report is not usable for research purposes.
Question 1: Circle the ocean the fish was tagged in (Atlantic, Indian, or Pacific). Specific locations and/or names can be included within the Location Field (Question 6).
Question 2: Check the box of the species tagged. If another highly migratory species was tagged, you can simply write the species in.
Please DO NOT tag fish other than billfish or tuna with TBF tag cards.
Question 3: Date is written in MM/DD/YY format. For example, January 10th, 2024 is written as 01/10/24.
For international entries, ensure format is MM/DD/YY instead of DD/MM/YY.
Questions 4-5: Preferred Lat/Long format is two numerals for each, but you can write as either hour minute or a decimal. Check North (N) or South (S) for latitude, then East (E) or West (W) for longitude.
For example: 23 52 N, 111 25, W.
Question 6: Location can refer to one of two things – the city/state of your tagging event (ex. Miami, Florida), or the more specific geographic or manmade feature where you caught the fish (ex. Wilmington Canyon, Ribbon Reef, or Appomattox Rig). If you choose a locally known spot or feature, it’s important to include the coordinates to verify the location.
The second section of the tag card requests details on the fish, the gear used, and the conditions while tagging. Use the illustration provided to determine an accurate length measurement.
Questions 7-9: By writing the measurement to the nearest whole number, length can be reported in inches or centimeters. Make sure to check the box for the appropriate measurement type. Using the illustration provided, confirm whether measurement is TL or LJFL and if it is estimated or exact.
Question 10: Unless the fish was brought to a scale, it is assumed all weights will be estimated whole numbers (unless indicated otherwise). Provide us with your best estimate and indicate pounds or kilograms.
Question 11: Fish Condition refers to the condition at time of release. The goal is always to release the fish in excellent condition after proper revival. Good or Fair conditions are subjective, often used when something is wrong with the fish i.e. released before proper revival, tail wrapped, gut hooked, or some other negative condition. If the fish died after tagging, select Dead. Include any notes or remarks if needed.
Question 12: Check box for type of bait used. Exact bait species or sizes are not required.
Question 13: This time period is defined as moment between initial hookup and when the leader is grabbed. First line is for number of hours and second is for minutes. If fight time is less than an hour, leave “HR” blank and include total number of minutes.
Question 14: Indicate whether the fish was caught using a Circle or J hook.
Question 15: This is an incredibly rare and important event for data collection. If you catch a fish with a tag in it, that is referred to as a Recapture. Safely remove the original tag by cutting it off and retag the fish. Do not pull, rip, yank, or cut the original tag out of the fish. You may also leave the original tag in the fish and report it to us without retagging. If you retag the fish, make sure to include the number of the original tag here in Question 15.
If you recapture a tagged fish, report it to TBF via our database at https://tagbillfish.org/. You will receive a reward for your efforts!
Question 16: Optional section. If no tournament was involved, simply leave blank or write N/A. If you tag a fish during a tournament, write the full name and avoid acronyms.
Question 17: If a shark is encountered at any point from the initial hookup to the release, please check the box here. Only through data collection efforts like this can we begin to suggest changes that will benefit our fisheries.
The final section of the TBF Tag Card gives credit to the ones responsible for catching the fish! Each tag must have at least one person associated with it, whether it’s an angler, captain, or mate. If the card represents a recapture, only the members of the team listed on this card will receive a prize.
With over 150,000 registered individuals in our Tag & Release Database, it is easy for duplicates to occur. To prevent this and ensure the tag is associated with the correct people, please provide as much additional information as possible (email, address, and phone number).
Questions 18-25: Include information related to angler involved. If known, include TBF ID# to avoid duplicate entries. If you’re entering a new address that you would like us to update within our system, check the box in Question 22. For contact information, email is by far the most valuable.
If the angler is a youth angler (17 years or less), indicate that in Question 25 and provide a birthday. This is especially important for our annual Tag & Release Competition youth categories.
Questions 26-31: Same information requested of anglers, with the exception of youths.
Questions 32-33: Boat name is another important tool to identify specific captains and anglers, as well as to credit the correct boats for recaptures and release certificates. With many boats sharing the same name, it’s important to include the make, model, and length of the boat in Question 33. Please ensure the spelling of the vessel’s name is correct.
Questions 34-37: Include information related to first and second mates, especially if they are to be considered for the annual competition.
The last and most important thing to do with a Tag Card is to report it! There are two ways to report a Tag Card. The best and most reliable method is to self-enter the card information directly into your TBF online portal. The next way is to mail the cards to us and we will enter them for you. Keep in mind, there is always a slight risk when mailing the cards. If mailed, include the completed yellow Tag Issuance card included with your tags.
The quickest and most reliable method, self-reporting your tag card information online provides the angler with their data in real time. There are no risks involved and setting up an account is 100% free. Simply create an account and enter your cards at your convenience!
The second method is to mail the physical cards to us. Each card comes with prepaid postage, so as long as you’re in the United State, simply drop it off at the closest mailbox! If you are mailing in your cards, please make sure all handwriting is clear and legible. For international submissions, additional postage may be required. It is recommended to combine all cards into one package to reduce shipping costs. Always take photos of the card prior to shipping. Please note there is a delay in upload time.
Our goal with the Tag & Release Program is to ensure all catch data is used to benefit billfish in as many ways as possible. That’s why all our billfish data is completely open sourced, allowing anyone to be able to put in a request to access it. From NOAA to ICCAT, to interested anglers and private researchers, TBF’s billfish data is consistently used to provide an accurate representation of billfish activities worldwide.
When you tag a fish and report that data, you become a part of a global network of anglers, captains, mates, scientists, managers, and advocates working together to conserve billfish. Thank you for joining us! If you would like to get involved in the Tag & Release Program, you can purchase tagging equipment at our online shop.
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