RAFCAA (Coarse Angling)MODEL MATCH RULES

ANNEX P TO
RAFCAA/CCMAN/3
DATED 01 SEP 07

RAFCAA COARSE ANGLING MODEL MATCH RULES

INTRODUCTION

1. These model rules combine the most up-to-date NFA rules, with those previously approved by the RAFCAA (Coarse) sub-committee, which are to be followed for all RAF coarse angling matches, at whatever level. Local fishery rules, where applicable, over-ride these rules unless the fishery owner has given prior permission.

GENERAL

2. Water Closure. All sections used in a match are to be closed for angling to all competitors in the match for the 24 hrs directly preceding the match. If the match is held on a commercial fishery, the decision to close the water for 24 hrs will be at the discretion of the organising committee. However, the decision must be clearly laid out in the match paperwork, which is to be distributed to participants no later than 2 weeks prior to the match.

3. Pegging. Matches are to be pegged down. Pegs should preferably be 20 yards apart and no less than 15 yards apart, and are to be staked out and numbered prior to fishing. Pegs must be of a state to give competitors a practicable and reasonable chance to fish their swim. On drawing his number, each competitor is to proceed to his designated swim. Competitors may receive assistance to or from their peg, for themselves or their tackle. The peg must remain in position until the weigh-in is completed. Every competitor must fish from within 1 metre of his designated peg. No competitor may move his peg without an organiser’s official consent. On flowing water, the competitor may fish in the direction of the flow as far as the next peg. On still water, he may fish as far as half the distance between his peg and the pegs on either side. Where competitors are drawn on opposite banks, the limit of the swim is the line midway between each bank. The competitor will restrict their activities completely to these boundaries; neither his hookbait or groundbait must intrude into his neighbours swim. In extremis, (e.g. snagged tackle or fish) an angler may seek permission from his neighbour before moving from his peg to remedy the situation. A competitor must not cause annoyance to, or seek to interfere with another competitor during the course of the competition.

4. Health & Safety. It is the responsibility of the Health & Safety Rep on the sub-committee to ensure that all pegs are safe and usable. Particularly, he is to ensure that any areas containing overhead electrical power lines are suitably restricted, and that there is safe access to the water.

5. Fish Retention. Competitors must retain all fish in keepnets that comply with the relevant EA Byelaws. Competitors must take every practicable step to keep their fish alive, and, after weighing them, must ensure their careful return to the water. Any rough handling or mistreatment of fish may lead to disqualification. If, for any reason fish are seen to be in distress, a competitor or match official has the right to demand that they be weighed immediately and returned to the water during the match.

THE MATCH

6. Tackle. A competitor shall have in use one rod or pole, one line and one single hook at a time, but may have other rods or poles or tackle assembled for use in position behind him, providing no such other tackles are baited.

7. Bait. Any bait, subject to local rules, can be used, except live or dead fish, frogs, spinning baits or artificial lures. No competitor shall have live or dead fish in his possession before a match. All competitors must submit to a search if requested by an official.

8. Preparation. Before the starting signal, no competitor must, on any count, groundbait or loose-feed the swim, but will be allowed to wet a line, plumb the depth and test the float, mix and wet groundbait, clear his peg of weed or obstructions and position his equipment. On no account must a feeder be used before the starting signal.

9. Introduction of Bait. All groundbait and loose-feed may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two-handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed. No bait shall be introduced with a pole cup or bait dropper attached to an extra rod/pole whilst continuing to fish.

10. During the Match. A competitor must strike, play and land his own fish. No bait or equipment can be given to any competitor during the course of a match. Competitors withdrawing from the match are not allowed to give their bait or groundbait or to approach another competitor during the course of a match. A competitor may wade provided that the water does not extend above the knees unless he can touch the bank with his fingertips. A competitor must cease fishing at the ‘all-out’ signal. Should he still be playing a fish hooked before the signal is given, he will be permitted no more than 15 minutes after time has been called to land the fish.

11. Lead Weights. The use of lead, including any alloy or compound lead, in the form of split shot or other weight, is prohibited. This does not apply to weights of lead if incorporated into the construction of swimfeeders or floats.

THE WEIGH-IN

12. Eligibility. All fish caught are eligible for weighing with the exception of game fish and crustaceans, unless local rules dictate. For example, some associations do not count pike or zander. Any fish suspected of being weighted, or any fish considered suspicious by the scales-man must be presented to the match organisers and a ruling made. In the case of match officials recommending the disqualification of a competitor, they are to weigh in the competitors fish in case the ruling is not upheld.

13. Recording the Weight. All catches are to be weighed to the nearest quarter of an ounce or ten grammes and rounded up. Each competitor is responsible for ensuring the correct weight of their catch is recorded by the steward. In any dispute, the decision of the scalesman and organising committee is final. All fish must be weighed at the competitors peg. Unless the bankside terrain renders impossible, no catch shall be carried more than 10 yards to the scales.

14. Litter. All litter, whether produced by the competitor or not, is to be removed from the peg. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification.

THE FINAL WORD

15. Any competitor or team proved to have been in contravention of these rules is liable to disqualification. If an individual contravening these rules is representing a team, then that team may also be disqualified. In the event of any unresolved dispute on the day of the match, the weights are to be recorded but no result announced until the RAFCAA (Coarse) Chairman has made a ruling. Any pools money is to be held pending the result, or returned to every competitor.