Competition Rules

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NCFFI Competition Rules – Coarse Angling

The following rules for senior anglers are adopted at all NCFFI angling events and those organised by our member clubs unless specified otherwise.

  • Competitors shall fish with a single rod or pole, line and one hook only at any time. They may however have any number of assembled tackle ready for alternative use.
  • Competitors must normally fish from a point not greater than 1 meter from his peg. The fishing area (swim) shall normally be defined by point’s mid-way between the competitors peg and those of his left and right neighbours. In moving water the boundaries shall be from the competitors peg to that of his downstream neighbour. An angler may wade to fish provided he remains within 1 metre of the bank.
  • A competitor may break the water the surface of the water prior to the start of the competition to perform the following task;
    a. To clear his swim of weeds and obstructions.
    b. To position his keepnet and tackle.
    c. To wet and mix groundbaits.
    d. To plumb the dept of his swim. In plumbing the dept before the start the angler must not in any way introduce bait or groundbait to his swim. Any fish accidentally hooked while plumbing it must be returned to the water and not placed in the keepnet.
  • Competitors may normally use all hook-baits with the exception of live and dead fish and artificial lures.
  • Fish caught must be retained in a suitable keepnet at least 3 metres in length. All fish should be carefully unhooked and gently handled. All fish should, after weighing in, be gently returned alive to the water. Dead fish will not be weighed in.
  • All species of coarse fish except pike may count for weigh in.
  • A competitor may not leave his peg except to answer the call of nature or by prior arrangement with the organisers. Within these provisions the angler shall not disturb other competitors. If an angler is away from his peg he must reel in and remove his hook etc from the water.
  • At the end of the competition an angler shall have 5 minutes to land any fish hooked before the end of the event.
  • An angler must be present to weigh in his catch except by prior arrangement with the organisers.
  • Anglers should check their weights on the scales and may be required to sign the weigh sheet as an acceptance of the weight/score. It is the angler’s responsibility to ensure that his weight is correct.
  • Objections must be lodged in writing with the organisers within 2 hours of the end of the competition.
  • Competitors found in contravention of these rules, may on written objection be disqualified or penalised by the organisers.
  • The decision of the organisers or official referee shall be binding in all disputes.
  • The organisers shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to or by any of the competitors.
  • Littered pegs shall not be weighed in, whether or not the litter belongs to the angler fishing the peg.

NCFFI Competition Rules – Predator Lure Angling

The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland supports Catch & Release in all angling disciplines whether this be for sport or recreation. Fish welfare and the safety of our competitors is paramount especially when angling from a boat. Our preferred method for recording catches in predator angling is the use of a board/mat to measure the length of a fish recording this result by camera. This is in-line with world championship regulations and common practice throughout much of Europe. However, we recognise the administrational support necessary to implement this may not feasible for some of the larger competitions where the so called “blue barrel” process is still in place. While we work toward a solution better matched to fish welfare, we will continue to support those competitions supported by DAERA Inland Fisheries, who provide roaming stewards at mobile weigh stations and encourage the use of slings. These competitions are organised to have a low impact on fish stocks. In line with best practice for fish welfare we believe that heaviest fish prizes should be discontinued, and we are pleased to note that this is now excluded from such competitions.

The following rules for senior anglers are adopted at all NCFFI Predator angling events and those organised by our member clubs unless specified otherwise.

Boat Competitions

  1. Anglers fish in pairs on a boat.
  2. Boats must be in suitable condition and checked for any pollution discharge
  3. All fish are measured, recorded and returned to the water immediately
  4. Hooks on lures must not be baited in any way
  5. Only artificial lures made of steel, wood, rubber and plastic may be used. “Fly” “aquatic larvae” (nymphs, buzzers etc.) imitations are not allowed. Any type of natural bait such as fur, feather,(dressed hooks on spinners), natural skin, will not be allowed.
  6. Ground baiting is prohibited
  7. Fish finders may be used
  8. Foul hooked fish may not be measured
  9. Boats shall remain a minimum distance of 50 metres apart while fishing unless otherwise specified
  10. Only Pike, Trout or Perch will be counted unless otherwise specified
  11. Trolling is not permitted
  12. Each competitor must have a landing net and unhooking pliers/ forceps.
  13. Competitors may carry and assemble as many rods as they wish, but they are allowed to use only one rod at the time.
  14. The length of the rods is limited to 2.75meters/ 9 feet.
  15. All fishing starting/finishing times must be strictly followed.
  16. Anglers are not allowed to enter the water.
  17. Fish played after the ending signal sounds don’t count- even if it’s hooked before signal.
  18. In the event of adverse weather conditions the competition must be cancelled or moved to a safer location.  If deemed suitable then the anglers are responsible for their own personal safety.
  19. Lifejackets must be worn by all onboard.
  20. All vessels should include a minimum of one experienced boatsman.
  21. All competitors must be made aware of the ‘14 steps to safe boating’ www.iws.ie
  22. To protect our waterways and ensure the prevention of the spread of invasive species boats, trailers and equipment should be inspected and cleaned.  See http://caisie.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Myles-Web-Boater-Poster.pdf

Any breach of the rules  2, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18 will result with a warning and 1 point reduction from the leg/ round.

Two warnings will result in immediate disqualification. Any breach of the rules 1,  3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,  11, 12, 16, 19  will result in immediate disqualification

Measure-Photo-Release – recording the catch

  • Each Boat Team must provide their own digital camera with an empty removable memory card. We recommend you also have a back-up.
  • The organiser will allocate each team with a measure board, board number and team marker to be returned at the close of the competition.
  • The organiser will take the first photograph of the team allocated measure board and markers with the team’s camera.
  • You may decide when and how many fish to photograph throughout the day but those to be considered in competition must also be recorded on the score sheet with length in cm.
  • Your camera must be set to record the time and date the photo is taken
  • The fish should be photographed on the measuring board laid flat in the boat
  • The fish should only be held on the measure board by hand
  • The fish should be photographed from the left side, showing its full length from the top of the lip to end of the tail with its lip resting against the top of the measure board.
  • The allocated board number and team marker must be clearly shown in the photograph
  • The measure boards, numbers and markers should be returned promptly at the end of the competition, to the organisers along with your camera and corresponding score sheet before the designated time or they will not be counted.
  • The memory card in the camera should contain only those you wish to record for the competition and a cable should be provided for the downloading of photographs
  • Video footage is not accepted for fish measurement
  • Photos of dead or blood stained fish will not be accepted

Bank Competitions (Shore/Area Trout)

  1. In the absence of a steward on the bank all fish caught must be photographed in the net with the designated marker and returned to the water promptly.
  2. Foul hooked fish will not be counted (fish must be hooked by at least one hook attached to the head).
  3. Fish lost and not landed in the landing net, will not count.
  4. Fish which will touch the ground at any point, (even when they are still in the net or hand, while unhooking) will not count.
  5. Fish unable to swim off or found dead or dying after releasing, will not count and penalties can be applied
  6. Only artificial lures made of steel, wood, rubber and plastic may be used. “Fly” “aquatic larvae” (nymphs, buzzers etc.) imitations are not allowed. Any type of natural bait such as fur, feather,(dressed hooks on spinners), natural skin, will not be allowed.
  7. Hooks on lures must not be baited in any way.
  8. It is not allowed to use any additional weight of any kind, on the line. Only lead headed hooks, or lead wire mounted on the lure may be used.
  9. Drop shot, paternoster and other techniques (where weight and lure are separated) are not allowed.
  10. Ground baiting is prohibited.
  11. Each competitor must keep distance of minimum 20 meters from others competitors and stay within drawn peg/zone where applicable.
  12. Each competitor must have a landing net and unhooking pliers/ forceps.
  13. Competitors may carry and assemble as many rods as they wish, but they are allowed to use only one rod at the time.
  14. The length of the rods is limited to 2.75meters/ 9 feet.
  15. All fishing starting/finishing times must be strictly followed.
  16. Anglers are not allowed to wade or enter the water.
  17. Fish played after the ending signal sounds don’t count- even if it’s hooked before the signal

Any breach of the rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 will result with a warning and 1 point reduction from the leg/ round.

Two warnings will result in immediate disqualification. Any breach of the rules 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, will result in immediate disqualification

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