Xanadu, the million dollar marlin prize is actually guaranteed by an insurance policy that the Club purchases annually. If someone is lucky enough to win, the million dollars is paid out over 20 years as an annuity...still a great deal...I'd love to have a $50,000 head start every year for twenty. Anyway, all the rules can be found on the MBGFC's web site
www.mbgfc.org The two big factors are complying with IGFA rules and Alabama's rules for establishing a new state record. If you tournament fish, it is imperative to know IGFA rules for angling, which can be found in PDF format on their site
www.igfa.org The state record requirements can be found here
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater/I will say this: typically all regional tournaments base their rules on an IGFA format, but most do not go to quizzing entrants about leader lengths, line test, hook rigs, etc. However, it is my belief that since the million dollar prize is backed by an insurance policy, if a claim is placed when somone breaks the state record, I am fairly certain that the underwriters will want to make sure all the I's were dotted and T's crossed...in other words, I'd have everything rigged in compliance to the letter of the IGFA rulebook if I were competing for the million bucks...be ready to show the equipment you landed her on, everything from rod, reel, line, leader, lure, hook, fly gaff, etc.
Just be in the know...anyway, good luck to all. Bryan Bennett, Sam's (251) 981-4245