Terms and Conditions

All fishing must be carried out in a respectful manner and any activity deemed bad sportsmanship, cheating which will be violation of competition rules and actions that are dangerous, disrespectful, or intended to cause disruption to the event or participants may lead to disqualification and banning from the event and will be at the discretion of the organisers.

Disclaimers

The organisers retain absolute control and discretion over the competition, rules, and terms & conditions and reserve the right to amend or change the rules, terms, and conditions as any time.

As organisers we endeavour to ensure that the rules include all relevant local regulations and submit these rules of the competition to be reviewed and authorised by appropriate local authorities prior to the event start.
Insurance is a mandatory condition of entry, participants who are members of the Angling Trust can provide proof of membership as evidence if insurance. We recommend participants register with the Angling Trust who provide personal liability cover as part of membership.
In the event of a breach of the rules or action that brings the event into disrepute is reported to the organisers shall be dealt with in accordance nature of the breach and could result in penalties being issued. As this is a Boat competition actions that risk injury or damage including bad seamanship depending on the seriousness may lead to disqualification to the participant or the team as a whole.
All competitors are ambassadors representing Sea Angling and the competition partners, sponsors and hosts, as such will show courtesy and consideration to other competitors, and everyone that they encounter throughout the course of the event.
All Team Members must abide by the rules and respect officials and their decisions. (We tend to bullet point info where we can and as concise as possible, to promote reading and retention by participants
Use of images, to promote this event and any future associated events it is agreed that by submission of images or video including the uploading or posting to social media using the event tags, organisers social media pages, website or competition catch reports regardless of origination of the source images you give permission to the Organisers the right to reuse provided images of participants and volunteers at their discretion in connection to the event or in the future.
The event plan is itinerary as published on the event website and social media platforms and the time provided is local time in a 24-hour format.
Registration prior to commencement of the event requires that all participants sign in and complete the verification form which will include a disclaimer confirming acceptance of event rules and terms & conditions.

All communication with the event and its organisers will be in English as the Official Language.

EVENT DETAILS

The competition is open to anglers over 10 years old before the time of the event start
Participants under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, a parental waiver must be completed permitting use of images and other legal agreements on behalf of the junior angler. (For the purpose of clarification any one 18 years old and over on the actual registration day, will be deemed as an adult and therefore can participate without any parent or guardian.
Participants under 18 years of age will not be able to skipper of a boat unless they possess a Power Boat 2 RYA certificate as a minimum an provide evidence of boat insurance in their name.
For Safety onboard and to aid when taking photo and records a minimum of 2 participants per boat is required. The maximum number per boat will be subject to the boats size with a maximum set at 4 for boats under 30ft.
The competition is a catch, measure, record, photograph & release competition use of official measuring boards is compulsory. For safety Boats must keep a minimum safe distance of 30 meters from another boat.
The measurement requirement for the qualifying fish must be photographed as follows:
- Bass and bream: nose touching the headend on the measurement board and tail flat.
- Ray species: across the wings with one wing clearly touching headend on the measurement board.
- Smooth-hounds and tope: must be belly down and nose touching the headend on the measurement board
This is a two-day competition, and the skipper/owner of the boat is required to ensure that the boat is seaworthy for the duration of the event. If the boat is unable to return for the 2nd day then the anglers onboard will not be able to continue the competition unless an alternative boat has been checked and verified, this will be decided by the officials on a case-by-case basis.
The event is taking place in fishing grounds to the East of the Isle of Whyte, map co-ordinates will be provided no later than 24hours before the event start.
All anglers are responsible for submitting their scorecards by the designated time to secure their catch of the day being recorded, this includes photographs taken to validate a catch include
- Fish on official measuring board with score card visible, and fish held by angler showing the score card. If the measurement or score card is not clearly visible the catch could be rejected.

COMPULSORY CONDITION OF ENTRY

All anglers must have adequate insurances, marine insurance for the boat and skipper, individual insurance for the angler. Membership of the Angling Trust and provision of a valid active membership is recommended.
Registration prior to commencement of the event requires that all participants sign in and complete the verification form which will include a disclaimer confirming acceptance of event rules and terms & conditions.

BOAT INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION START

All boat registrations must provide the Owner/Skippers RYA VHF certificate, Insurance, and other relevant documents, including evidence of up-to-date safety equipment (flares, life jackets, lifebuoy, and other if installed lifesaving equipment) as part of a condition of their boat entry into the event.

Checklist for Boats will consist of:

• Lifejackets for everyone.

• Two anchors (Main and Spare).

• Ample chain/rope for both anchors.

• GPS onboard and Handheld back up

• Compass.

• First Aid Box.

• Flares

• Horn/ Ships Whistle

• VHF Radio.

• Lights.

REGISTRATION

Prior to the event briefing the Skipper and Anglers are require to complete registration together as Boat Team, to provide Angling Trust membership card or copies of insurance.

Anglers will receive their ID card and Catch Card once registration is completed, any participant that fails to provide valid insurance or arrive to the briefing will not be able to compete in the event.
Late arrival to the briefing for the completion of registration will result in disqualification from the event unless the participants have a valid reason for late arrival.
Failure to attend (no show) the briefing unless a valid reason is provided or failing to contact the organisers in advance by leaving a personal message will result in disqualification from the event which will result in the forfeiture of entry fee and removal from the competition

SKIPPER’ BRIEFING & PICTURE

All Skippers are to attend the Skippers briefing following the boat safety inspections.
The Skippers briefing will clarify the rules, fishing ground co-ordinates and any other questions received by the organisers.

ALLOCATION OF THE PRIZES

Scoring System

All fish must exceed the minimum size; Bream 24cm, Bass 42cm, Rays 41cm across the wings, Tope & Smooth-Hound 51cm.

Each Angler score is on points awarded on the length of each fish record that is submitted and accepted during the competition.

Points Table

Bream Bass Ray Smoothound Tope

Length Points Length Points Length Points Length Points Length Points

24 1 42 1 41 1 51 1 51 1

26 2 46 2 46 2 61 2 65 2

28 3 49 3 51 3 71 3 79 3

30 4 52 4 56 4 81 4 94 4

31 5 56 5 61 5 90 5 108 5

32 6 59 6 66 6 99 6 122 6

34 7 62 7 71 7 108 7 136 7

36 8 65 8 76 8 116 8 150 8

38 9 68 9 82 9 125 9 164 9

40 10 71 10 88 10 134 10 178 10

*Length is in CMs

The Prizes will be issued the Team with the most points at the end of the competition in each of the top 4 Prizes.

Event of a TIE

To avoid a TIE position a bonus 50 Bonus points will be issued to each angler who has completed 1 fish of each species.

If a TIE still exits then;

The Longest Fish between the TIE'd boats of the competition will be the decider, if a TIE still exists then the time of the catch will be used, with the first one to catch the longest fish being declared the winner of that Prize.

Prize Table (Boat Team)

Pay Out Minimum Prize

1st Place £500.00

2nd Place £300.00

3rd Place £150.00

*depending on number of particpants additional Prizes will be announced prior to competition start.

Additional Prizes

Best Skipper £250.00 (must have all 5 species recorded)

Longest Fish £100.00 (to the angler 5 prizes 1 for each species)

Trophies

1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Biggest Fish
Best Skipper
Young Angler
Woman Angler
Disabled Angler

Each Participant will also receive the

• Mission Accomplished

If participants are not present to receive their prizes they will be donated to the Angling Trust to promote the next generation of Sea Anglers.

Prizes will be awarded in accordance with the event’s terms and conditions.

BOAT OWNERS RULES

The use of boats in all circumstances throughout the entire competition is entirely at the participants’ own risk and responsibility. The organisers are not liable for any damage/accidents resulting from the use of boats by participants.

INSURANCE AND WAIVERS

To be allowed to fish from a boat in the competition, anglers must abide by the following:
Signing of an on-site registration form to include an agreement to abide by the rules, an understanding of event public liability details, and confirmation of receipt and understanding of the terms & conditions.

Use of a boat during the competition is at the sole responsibility of the anglers private agreement with the owner/skipper of the boat.
Owner/Skipper has provided the organisers proof of boat insurance including its 3rd party public liability.
Anglers are required to have their own public liability insurance or have insurance provided as active members of the Angling Trust

BOAT SPECIFICATION

All boats used during the competition must conform to host venue and organisers minimum requirements of being in excess of 17ft in length and must be powered by Electric, Diesel or Petrol

BOAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT

To be compliant competition a boat must have:

Bilge Pump or Manual Pump
Fire Extinguishers in date and appropriate for Fuel type
Lifejackets for everyone.
Two anchors (Main and Spare).
Ample chain/rope for both anchors minimum 50meters.
GPS onboard and Handheld back up
Compass.
First Aid Box.
Flares
Horn/ Ships Whistle
VHF Radio.
Lights.

LIFE JACKETS

Participants are required to wear an appropriate size and fastened life jacket whilst on board the boat. This rule applies for the period between departure from the berth until return to the berth.

Life jackets will be checked and must meet the following requirements:

Must be CE certified and conform to the European standard of at least EN396 – 150 Newton.
Must be fitted with a whistle

SECURITY CHECKS

Security spot check: Organisers, marshals and local authorities have sole discretion to conduct spot checks at any time during the competition.

If a boat is found non-compliant, the boat and all participants are to immediately return to the marina and take action as necessary. They will need to go through a complete security check before being allowed to return to the competition. If a boat is found non-compliant by local authorities, it is at their sole discretion to impose local laws. Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, the event organisers have the right to issue points penalty or in severe cases disqualification from the event.

USE OF BOATS DURING THE COMPETITION

Boating rules will be applied during the event specifically the Local, national, European, and international boating rules while the organisers will endeavour to provide any local boat rules relevant to the good running of the event, it remains the boat Skippers sole responsibility to manoeuvre their boat appropriately and safely according to those rules.

Fishing is only allowed within the designated fishing grounds during the competition, any fishing outside of the specific area will incur penalty points and fish caught during the time the boat was out of bounds will be rejected from qualification.

Boats are required to keep a minimum safe distance from other boats, this has been determined as 30meters, while there may be boats that are not participating in the event present within the fishing grounds should a competing boat approach a boat at anchor, identifiable the competition markers (flags and stickers) breach this distance rule the skipper should notify the marshals by VHF radio and the boat to move to a safe distance.

Where one or more boats at anchor becomes closer than 30 meters to any other boat then the last boat to anchor in that position is required to immediately change position. In the case of a dispute of who was where last this will be decided by organisers using the GPS tracking records to identify the boats arrival time and that notification to move the boat are final.

Boats are permitted to drift or use the boats anchor during the event, it is prohibited to attach the boat to any structure (tie up to or contact any buoys, markers or structures attached to the sea bed) to hold position.

Disqualification will apply to any boat and anglers onboard if deemed unfit through intoxication, illness or mechanical failure rendering the boat unsafe.

WEATHER

During rough weather, the organisers may issue an order via VHF for boats to get immediate shelter to the nearest safe location.

In the event of thunder anglers are to stop fishing immediately and seek shelter in the nearest safe location.

Participants are to report any queries to weather conditions to the organisers via message or VHF

In the event of low visibility, participants are reminded while underway to reduce their speed and if at anchor make use of their horn/whistle when and as required.

BOAT MOORING

It is the Skippers responsibility to ensure that the boat is secured to the berth in the designated area.

The boat and anything left onboard is done at the Skipper/owner’s responsibility the organisers or the marina accept no liability for loss or damage to the boat or valuables left onboard.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

Participants are to raise the alarm immediately if a problem arises by contacting the coastguard on VHF Ch16 if danger to life exists or medical emergency arises followed by the organisers or marshal boat.

In the event of mechanical issue or assistance is needed, competing boats are required to prepare to offer any assistance that may be required. In such an incident, competing skippers are to obey all instructions passed by the event staff and or authorities.

START AND END OF COMPETITION

Each day of the competition will start time at 08:00. Boats must be present at the start point facing South Easterly at least 10mins before the designated Start time or depending on wind direction this may be facing in the same direction as instructed by the marshal boat.

Security Picture, showing each angler wearing lifejacket, ID card and the Day Flag present with at least one other competing boat in the background, must be sent to the organisers. Failure to do this will result in Points Penalty being issued.

Fish hooked but not landed by 16:00 will not be accepted and anglers will be required to retrieve all lines out of the water at the that time. All boats will be required to reach the starting co-ordinates within 90 minutes from the end of the competition. Failing to return to the starting location in time will result in voiding all anglers scorecard for the day.

Should your boat not cross the start line within the 90 minutes provided a GPS location search will be activated.

PARTICIPANTS EVENT EQUIPMENT

Participants are liable for the loss or damage of the item provided to them.

Organisers will supply each boat captain with an official measuring board, scorecards for both days, and GPS tracker, lost or damaged items will be charge to the Skipper or result in a loss of deposit.

Skippers will be issued the Day flag during the morning breakfast.

FISHING RULES

At the organiser’s discretion marshals can board the boat.

Drone use is restricted to organisers throughout the competition including providing support activities.

The act of fishing must be carried out as follows:

Boats are only permitted to have (1) rod per angler connected with any terminal tackle at any one time.
All spare rods may have only reels attached with absolutely no terminal tackle; this includes bait rods.
Participants are not allowed to come back to the marina during the hours of the competition unless dictated by a medical or mechanical emergency.

Fishing is only permitted within the boundaries of the allocated competition area.

Foull hooked fish do not count, only fish caught with the hook inside of the mouth can be recorded.
Treble hooks are permitted and count as one hook.
Participants are limited to 3 hooks used per rod
Pennell rigs count as 2 hooks.

CATCH VALIDATION

Each participant has the freedom to upload an unlimited number of catches. However, only those that meet the minimum sizes will be awarded points that will be counted for scoring purposes on a daily basis.

Data has not been received by the end of the submission time due to connectivity of the device to the mobile network, must be submitted and verified no later than 90 minutes from the conclusion of the daily competition at the event office.

Any fish below the minimum size requirement should be released immediately with utmost care.

In order to be validated the fish must be measured using the provided measuring boards, only fish that are caught by the mouth and meet or exceed the minimum length requirement will be considered eligible and meet the below requirements.

Fish represented in two pictures, 1) positioned correctly on the official measuring board, and 2) angler holding the fish safely, with ID Card visible in both photographs within 15 minutes of the catch, use of live tank is permitted if installed if more than 1 fish has been landed at the same time.

Only full centimetres should be recorded for the length if the fish passes a length marker then the next whole centimetre is to be recorded. It is the angler’s responsibility to correctly record the length of their catch and submit the upload as the length submitted by the angler will be the one recorded providing the fish lip/nose/wing is clearly touching the headboard.

However, if the length is overdeclared it will be readjusted down accordingly on review by the organisers review team.

CATCH CARDS/SCORECARD
Skippers receive two Catch Cards, the first is to be used as a BOAT Card to allocate the catch to the boat for the Skippers Prize, the second is their Anglers Card for the catch reporting.

Each angler onboard is to ensure that both the BOAT Card and their Catch Card are visible on the measurement photograph.

Anglers are responsible for verifying they get a return message for each submitted catch.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Fishing must be carried out respecting the environment, other Participants, boats, and watercraft users. Fish welfare is of primary importance and the competition is a no-kill event and operates as a catch photograph and release basis.

Respectful conduct at all times during the competition must be adopted by the Participants who must behave in a manner that will be a credit to themselves and to the Organisers, including partners hosts, sponsors, and the community. This means that swearing, obscene gestures, bringing the event into disrepute and the taking of illegal substances are prohibited.

Disputes should be raised with the event Organisers directly, any Participant that makes a grievance public through any public communication channel including social media, by making a post or leaving derogatory comments, or airing grievances that they knowingly harm the reputation of the event organisers, partners, hosts, or fellow participants may be excluded from future events.

Participants are expected to comply with good will spirit of the event and the rules at all times and by taking part in the event must be without the intention of cheating. When necessary the Participants should report any act of cheating witnessed as not reporting or hiding an act of cheating will be treated the same as cheating itself.

The organisers retain the right to search all participants’ tackles and boats to combat any form of cheating or rule-breaking, including reviewing submission data and analytical information where indication of cheating may be present, this includes disproportionate catch records on the same boat.

Participants must comply with requests from and official representative of the organisers film crews & photographers at all times regarding media coverage, except if they are in the process of landing a fish.

CATCH WILL BE VOID WHEN

Fish not positioned properly on measuring board
Excessive bloodstained fish
Poor quality photograph
- Catch ID not readable
- Out of Focus or blurred images
- Measurement not readable
- Hand covering the fish head
Lifejacket missing
The fish type not matching the picture submitted

Please note that delays in response to uploads may occur due to phone connection issues, and all submissions will be processed according to their log.

If you wish to proceed with a dispute, you have 90 minutes from the end of the days event to visit the Event Desk.

PENALTIES

Participants can incur 2 types of penalties during the event: Points deduction or Time Deduction.

Points Deduction up to 50points (per Angler)

Failing to send a picture on the start line – 10Points
Loss of ID card/Catch Cards/Day Flag/Measure Board – 20Points deduction if before the start of the competition.
No Lifejacket being warn when checked by marshals or drone – 25Points
Fishing infringement on another boat water (within 30meters – during the act of fishing ) - 50point
Not following Marshal boat instructions promptly - 20Points
Fishing outside competition fishing ground - 20Points

Time Penalty fishing Ban (Boat)

Loss of ID card/Catch Cards/Day Flag/Measure Board - During competition must return to Marina to collect replacement time lost depends on time needed to collect replacements
Not crossing the Start line within 90mins of the end of the 1st day competition – 1hour Fishing ban on the next day
Not crossing the Start line within 90mins of the end of the 2nd day competition – 1hour deduction of posted catch reports
Excessive speeding or dangerous boatmanship – 1hour Fishing ban if time allows or 1hour deduction of posted catch reports (local rules apply but can be overruled by marshals if they deem a boat is posing a danger to anyone afloat even if within local speed limits)

SANCTIONS & REPORTING OF MISCONDUCT

Any reports of cheating, or misbehaviour reported to the Organisers will be investigated and recorded, this will follow intervention by the marshal boat crew to visually inspect the boat and anglers accused and decided if cheating or misconduct is evidenced.

Delayed claims of misconduct can only be investigated and considered if substantiated by pictures, video evidence and/or other proof but must be reported within two hours from the end days event.

Disqualification events

Any deliberate acts of pollution (i.e. rubbish etc.) on the water or on land.
Any boat issued with a ticket by the authorities for poor boatmanship.
Failing to follow an instruction from the Marshals
Intoxication through alcohol or drugs
Deliberate acts of cheating with proof/witness may also include prosecution

Event organisers have the right to issue a lifetime ban from future competitions.

By entering the competition and registering your intent to compete at the time of purchase of you entry ticket you agree to be bound to the terms and conditions, rules and other policies relating to the event in its entirety.