RULES FOR FRESHWATER ANGLING

Constitution 10.5.

ANNEXURE B (As amended November 2010)

1. Competitions    2. Boats and regulations    3. Line and tackle    4. Weighing and landing fish    5. General

6. Points allocation    7. Record fish    8. Team selection    9. Provincial colours    10. Definitions    11 Amendments

 1        Competitions 

1.1   Competition dates and times shall be determined by the Management committee who shall advise all  member clubs by circulation of a fixtures list for the year. 

1.2   No changes to the dates and times as decided in RULE 1.1 will be permitted, unless at the monthly  meeting at least one month before the competition date. 

1.3   Cancellation etc. 

1.3.1          A competition round may only be abandoned by the Safety officer or the Executive committee prior to any boat being launched. 

1.3.2          A round may be called off by the Safety officer or the Executive committee, should such determine that conditions for fishing are unsafe for any or all boats. 

1.4   Competition boundaries shall be determined at the captains meeting. 

1.5   Any angler or boat infringing any of the rules shall be disqualified for that competition round. 

1.6   No member shall be permitted on the water to be fished, from the Friday preceding the round, until the day prior to the competition day. 

1.7   No member shall be permitted to fish in the competition waters for at least 6(six) hours before the start of any competition. 

1.8   A skippers meeting will be held 1 hour before each launch. Weight sheets are issued and any other business may be decided at this meeting. 

1.9   Boats may launch before the captain’s meeting but are not allowed to commence fishing until the specified times. 

1.10            A boat may carry more than 2 persons. i.e. different teams may fish from the same boat. 

1.11            Any angler who fishes alone must have his total catch verified by another competing angler. 

1.12            Ground baiting is permissible. 

1.13            A fishing spot may be marked with a float anchored by means of a sinker. Each float shall be marked with the boats name. (feb 2009) Each team may only have two markers. 

2        Boats and regulations 

2.1   All boats shall comply with the safety regulations as laid down for the category for which the boat is registered. E.g. a boat registered as a category B shall carry all equipment required for that category, even if the boat is only used in the dam. 

2.2   Boats may not go outside of the boundaries determined before fishing. 

2.3   Boats may not follow fish out of the boundaries. 

2.4   Fish hooked but not landed at the expiry time of the competition may be played for an additional half an hour, on condition that the control boat or weights official has been notified. 

2.5   No boat may fish within 50 metres of another boat, unless by consent. 

2.6   No ground baiting is permissible within 50 metres of a spot already marked by another team. 

3        Line and Tackle 

3.1   Line used shall be restricted to I.G.F.A. Test 4.0 kg maximum breaking strain. The onus is on the angler to ensure that the line conforms to the I.G.F.A. specifications. (do not rely on the store bought packaging). 

3.2   Any one angler may use only two rods and reels at any time.  Not more than two single hooks, or one treble hook may be used per rod. 

3.3    It is permissible to use a manufactured lure that has two treble hooks. 

3.4    An angler may use a so-called yzuri lure to catch bait. Any fish caught on this lure may not be  weighed, unless the lure consists of two hooks. 

3.5    The trace length may not exceed 153 centimeters. A bimini knot is considered to be part of the trace and the measurement will be to the furtherest point being the hook or the sinker. 

3.6   Each boat should have a scale capable of weighing in units of 50 (fifty grams), and preferably also a scale capable of weighing 25 (twenty-five) kilograms. Scales must be certified annually. 

4        Weighing and landing fish 

4.1   There is no minimum size or weight, except as determined by Provincial regulations. 

4.2   Eels are an acceptable species. 

4.3   An angler shall have no assistance whatever in baiting hooks, casting, hooking or playing a fish.  It shall disqualify an angler's fish if such angler hands the rod to any other person after hooking the fish and before it is landed. Fish when gaffed or netted must be on the hook. 

4.4   In the event of two persons at one time hooking the same fish, it shall not be counted in any competition. 

4.5   No fish that is mutilated may be weighed. 

4.6   Certain species may be allocated a designated weight, and such fish may be considered landed if the trace is touched by the angler or his boat partner and the species identified (refer points allocation). At present there are no designated species. 

4.7   Should a fish seem to be an exceptional fish, the angler or his boat partner may gaff or net the fish.  The fish can be weighed and released. The weight and species must be recorded on a weight sheet. If a large fish is a potential record the rules below for record fish should be followed. 

4.8   When weighed and released, that member's boat partner may witness the weight.  It is noted that it would be preferable if another boat could witness, or verify the weight or measurement of a fish released. 

4.9   Only affiliated anglers who have paid all fees will be entitled to have their weights recorded. 

5        General 

5.1  These rules shall always be subject to the terms of the Constitution of the KZNLTBAA

5.2   These rules shall stand unless altered on the following basis:

5.2.1          Notice of a proposed amendment of these rules must reach the Secretary within 30 (thirty) days before the date of the next committee meeting.

5.2.2          The rules can be altered by a two-thirds majority decision of the Management committee. 

5.3   Notice of any rule change shall be advised to the member clubs 30 (thirty) days before the next competition date. 

5.4   The Executive may, at their discretion, at any time call for a check on any boat eg line, tackle, scales or even call for the bringing back of all fish caught for a round. 

5.5   The Executive committee, who will act in all matters involving disputes, shall appoint a jury of at least three Management committee officers to make recommendations to the Executive committee as regards to any disciplinary steps as may be necessary. 

6        Points allocation  

6.1   Points for a round are awarded as follows:

6.1.1          Certain points are awarded for the following designated fish, which is “trace touched”.

6.1.2          The Executive committee will determine exceptional fish weight from time to time.

6.1.3          Presently there are no designated species.

6.1.4          All species will be the actual weight of the fish.

6.2   Individual points for a round are awarded as follows:

6.2.1          Heaviest bag is awarded top points. Second heaviest bag is awarded second top points, etc.

6.2.2          Top points is the number of anglers participating plus 5 points for attendance, or 20 points plus 5 points for attendance, whichever is the greater.

6.2.3          Attendance is awarded 5 points.

6.2.4          Non-attendance is not awarded any points.

6.2.5          In the event of a tie, the higher points will be awarded to the angler with the least number of fish.

6.3   Average points will be awarded in the following circumstances:

6.3.1          Provincial representation at a LTB competition.

6.3.2          National representation in a L.T.B competition.

6.3.3          Attendance at an official S.A.L.T.B.A.A. meeting.

6.3.4          Serious Illness will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee, on receipt of written application.

6.3.5          Average points will be determined as the anglers previous 3 rounds divided by 3 excluding fractions.

6.4   Team points for a round will be awarded as follows:

6.4.1          The team with the highest aggregate mass will be awarded points equal to the number of teams in the competition round  +2 and the other teams one point per position less.

6.4.2          All teams will get 2 points for attendance provided they fish the competition.

6.4.3          Teams with a nil weight return will only get the attendance points.

6.5   Points collection.

6.5.1          Weigh sheets are provided at skippers meeting.

6.5.2          The weight sheet should be filled out, subject to the conditions in the fishing rules, which will include measurements for non-designated species.

6.5.3          The weight sheet must be handed to the weights official within 1 hour of the official “lines up”, or one hour after entering the Durban Harbour from Offshore.

6.5.4          Weight sheets should be filled out and handed in even if no fish are caught.

6.5.5          No weight sheet or incomplete weigh sheet means zero points. 

7        Record Fish 

Any fish caught may qualify for a record. Should an angler catch a record fish outside of an official competition, it may be claimed. Should an angler catch a potential record fish the following procedure needs to be followed:-

7.1   the trace used to catch the fish needs to be removed from the rod complete with at least 15 meters of line still attached to the trace. 

7.2   the fish has to be weighed on an assized scale. 

7.3   the fish should be photographed 3 times from 3 different angles next to a scalable object;(matchbox, ruler etc.) 

7.4   The angler has to be an affiliated member of KZNLTBAA. 

7.5   A record claim sheet needs to be completed. 

7.6   The claim form, trace and claim fee needs to be handed to the records officer, within 60 days of the catch date. 

7.7   Claim fee for a KZN record is determined under FINANCE in the Constitution. 

7.8   The KZNLTBAA records officer will issue provincial records. 

7.9   Claim fee for a S.A. record is determined from time to time by SALTBAA. 

7.10            The records officer will submit the application to SALTBAA who will make the final decision whether to award national records. 

8             Team Selection

8.1   Nominations will be called for approximately six months before a team needs to be selected. 

8.2   Nomination forms need to be filled out and handed in before the nomination closing time and date. (This will accompany the nomination form when it is sent out) 

8.3   A nomination fee needs to be paid when the nomination form is returned. 

8.4   An angler would have to have been an affiliated member of KZNLTBAA for a minimum of 3 years at the date of the nominations closing. 

8.5   The selection committee shall select anglers to participate in competitions based on the ranking list, with due regard to other factors.

8.6   The ranking list shall commence from 3 years (to the day) form closing of nominations. I.e. should the nomination closing date be 15 June 2006, then all rounds from and including 16 June 2003 would be considered. 

8.7   The two worst rounds for each angler would be deducted from the total points scored over the ranking period. 

8.8   The “A” team would consist of the top requisite number of anglers. 

8.9   Should further teams or reserves be required, these would follow the rules above. 

8.10            The captain of the team would be selected by the selection committee. 

8.11            Should a team member withdraw from the competition, the next ranking team member from the lower teams will fill the team. 

8.12            Anglers selected for teams are responsible for their own costs to participate in the event. 

8.13            Sponsorship by KZNLTBAA will be determined by the committee. 

8.14            Fundraising may be done with the approval of the committee only. 

8.15            Should a dispute arise from the selection of a team, the decision of the executive committee would be final. 

8.16            Should a manager be required, then nominations for such a position may be called for. 

9          Provincial Colours 

9.1        Full provincial colours are awarded once and angler has competed in a national competition.  Half provincial colours will be awarded for all anglers who are part of a team, in either a national or inter provincial competition. Managers are included. Reserves are excluded unless called upon to actively participate. Colours are awarded for all categories, namely Seniors, Veterans, Ladies, Under 21 and Juniors.

9.2         Full provincial colours are awarded once an angler has competed in the “A” team, in either a national or inter provincial competition. Managers are included. Reserves are excluded unless called upon to actively participate. Colours are awarded for all categories, namely Seniors, Veterans, Ladies, Under 21 and Juniors.

10          Definitions

  • Boundaries                  The boundaries will be determined at the captains meeting. 
  • Competition start time The time at which an angler may cast fish line into the water.  
  • Competition end time  The time at which an angler must remove his lines from the water.  
  • Launch                                    A boat is considered as launched once the boat is floating clear of the trailer. 
  • Abandoned                  the round is cancelled. No points are awarded. 
  • Postponed                   the round is put off till another day. 
  • Called off                     The round has stopped by the weights official or the Executive committee. Points will be allocated for fish caught prior to the round being called off. Points will be awarded for attendance.  
  • Attendance                 The member has actually fished in the round. 
  • Exceptional Fish          The weights determined by the Executive for different species, above which the fish is deemed to be an exceptional fish.  
  • Team                           A team consists of a maximum of two members who make up the team. 
  • I.G.F.A                         International Game Fishing Association 
  • SALTBAA                     South African Light Tackle Boat Angling Association. 
  • Ground baiting                        Dumping of feed in a particular area in order to attract fish to that area. 

11     Amendments 

Date

Amendment

By who

Doc update

Oct 2009

Item 8.4 Changed from 3yrs to 2yrs

Don Nelson

RLP

Oct 2010

Item 8.5 Changed to allow other criteria apart from ranking list.

Jim Ormshaw

RLP

Nov 2011Awarding of colours revised.R.L.P.R.L.P.

The official All Coastals rules would supercede these rules in all All Coastal competitions.

The official SALTBAA rules would supercede these rules in all SALTBAA competitions.