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IV-1 CATCH SPECIFICATIONS 1. Member, unaided, must set the hook, fight and bring the fish to where the leader can be taken. Any other person touching the reel, rod or line will disqualify the entry. The angler must fight and defeat the fish with the tackle. Gaffing, netting or releasing the fish (touching the leader) as soon as the fish takes the bait is illegal. 3. shooting, harpooning, lancing or hand lining the fish will disqualify the entry. 4. a broken rod will disqualify the entry. 5. gaffs and nets used to land a fish may not exceed 2.49 meters (8 ft.) in overall length. When using a flying gaff or detachable gaff the rope may not exceed 9.14 meters (30 ft.) in length. The gaff rope must be measured from the point where it is secured to the detachable head to the other end. Only the effective length will be considered. If a fixed head gaff is used, the same limitations shall apply and the gaff rope shall be measured from the same location on the gaff hook. Only a single hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon and lance attachments are prohibited. Tail ropes may not exceed 9.14 meters (30 ft.). when fishing from a bridge, pier or other high platform or structure, this length limitation does not apply. 6. Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This included motor, hydraulic or electrically driven reels, and device which gives the angler an unfair advantage. Ratchet handle reels are prohibited. Reels designed to be cranked with both hands are prohibited. 7. if two lines of different tests are used and they are fastened together by any method, the Class is determined by the line having the greatest strength. (Exception: Fly Casting Division.) 8. All Casting entries must comply with the special "Casting & Retrieving Rule" in each Casting Division. 9. Intentionally foul hooking a fish is prohibited. 10. Catching a fish in a manner where the double line or leader never leaves the rod tip is prohibited. 11. A catch is disqualified when a fish is hooked on more than one line. 12. Resting the rod on any part of the boat or any other object while playing the fish will disqualify the catch. Exception: the butt of the rod may be set in a fighting chair or belt gimbal and the reel may be attached to a shoulder, back or bucket harness. 13. Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations will disqualify a catch. IV-2 Entries must be weighed by one of the following means: A. On a scale checked by a reputable tournament. B. On a scale operated by a fishing club. C. On a scale tested by a Government Bureau. D. On a member owned scale only if it has been checked for accuracy by a fishing club, Government Bureau, the IGFA or other accrediting agencies and registered with the Rod and Reel Club Angling Committee. Anglers are encouraged to release all species of fish after weighing: however, scoring will be done on the basis of the fish weight only. The use of length and girth measurements will be accepted for the weight of tarpon and billfish. The following formula will be used in determining those weights: Girth X Girth X Fork Length 800 IV-3 ELIGIBLE FISH & MINIMUM WEIGHTS The species eligible for entry and the basic weights for 100 points are listed in "Appendix C". the minimum weight required for entry is 50 points or 50% of the basic weights. IV-4 TERRITORY & TIME LIMITS Entries are eligible from any part of the world. If made from an area where adherence to any time limitations in these rules would be unreasonable, the 14 day time limit will be waived if the requirements are met as soon as possible. All entries must be made over the Internet on the forms provided by the Club. No had copy entries will be accepted. Territories consist of and are defined as: Central and All of Central and North America from the northern border of Colombia and the Republic of Panama, north to the Arctic, and including all of Canada and Alaska, with the eastern border being a line between Canada and Greenland, and the western line falling between Russia and Alaska, and extending up to 1600 kilometers (1000 miles) off shore of North and Central America.
The North
Atlantic including Greenland and Iceland, Bermuda, to a line equidistant
between the Eastern most point of Brazil and the Western most point
of Gambia, and continuing South on an equidistant meridian between South
America and Africa, with The southernmost land point ending at the border
between Namibia and the Republic of South Africa. The Eastern boundaries
begin at the Arctic and travel south with the eastern border of European
Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, including the
Gulf of Aqaba, and all African countries abutting the western Red Sea,
including Ethiopia. Then along a line following the Eastern borders
of
The Continent
of South America, the islands of
South Africa, India, East Africa, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, South China Sea A line starting
at the Arctic and following the Ural Mountains South following the Northern
border of Kazakhstan East to a line equidistant from either shore of
the Caspian Sea South to Iran, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, a line
equidistant down the center of the Red Sea, Djolubti, Somalia, Kenya,
Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa, including the Antarctic. The
Indian Ocean and Associated Islands and Archipelagos, to Bay of Bengal,
Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and the South China Sea. Including the
countries of
Australia, including
Tasmania and the Southern Seas, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands
including their Southern Seas to a line following the 115th degree of
longitude or a line approximately 200 miles west of Easter Island between
the South Pacific Islands and the west coast of South America including
Pitcairn Island, and north to a line at 22 degree north latitude, including
the Northern Mariana Islands. Also including
Western Boarder
follows the Ural Mountains from the Arctic south to Kazakhstan following
the southern border of the Russian Federation eastward to the north
west border with China, encompassing all of China, Mongolia, North and
South Korea, and the Asian portions of Siberia and the Russian Federation
north to the arctic and including the Bering Sea to a point equidistant
between the easternmost possessions of the Russian Federation and the
State of Alaska. Also included in Zone Six is
IV - 4 Points will be credited to the eligible member according to the following method: Change weight of fish from Kilos and Grams to decimals. Covert Kilos to Grams by multiplying by 1000 divide by 28.41 (number of grams per ounce), divide by 16 ( number of ounces in a gram), result is the number of pounds the fish weighs. Multiply this number by 100 and divide by the appropriate number found in "Appendix C" corresponding to the species of fish caught and the tackle used. 4.25 kilo Bonefish on "Fly 8" tackle: 4.25 x 1000 = 4250 / 28.41 = 149.6 / 16 = 9.35 x 100 = 935 / 2.5 = 374. 374 points is the point value of a 4.25 kg. ( 9.35 lb.) bonefish caught on fly 8 tackle. If calculating in pounds simply multiply the weight of the fish by 100 and divide by the appropriate number in "Appendix C". If more than one entry is made of the same species in the same Class, credit will be given only to the heaviest entry. A member may make an entry in it's own Division only, or in any Tackle Class equal to or heavier than the Class actually used, provided minimum weight requirements are met, i.e., Fish caught in the Fly Division are enterable in the fly division only; Fish caught in #4 Fly can be upgraded to Fly #8, #12, #16 or #20. Fish caught on Spin or Plug may not be entered in the General Division unless disqualified under the rules of it's specific Casting Division and provided the equipment meets the requirements of the General Division. NOTE: Trolling, use of bait and excessive leader lengths are disqualifying factors for the Casting Division. Once entered, no changes will be allowed in
the Division Category.
RELEASED FISH 1. Except as provided in subsection A.3 below, in Annual Angling Competition, a member will be credited with 100 points for each species released, provided the species meets the minimum size requirements as listed in Appendices C and D. 2. Released fish can be entered only in the Tackle Division in which they were caught, and in any line Class equal to or heavier than the Class actually used. 3. All billfish species and bluefin tuna may be entered as release fish for all purposes, and shall be scored in accordance with "Appendix D". 1. Releases shall consist of removing the hook, cutting or breaking the leader, without having weighed the fish. Care should be taken not to harm the fish. A release will be credited if; (a) The anglers intention of a release is declared before the fish escapes the angler's control (b) The angler or companion touches the leader (c) The swivel, knot ,wind on leader or float
touches hard to the rod tip. All rules applicable to weighed fish are also
applicable to released fish. Released fish can not be upgraded to a
heavier Line Class for which no weight is shown for the species in the
basic weight tables.
Entry forms will be found on the Club's Internet
site and must be filled out in the manner prescribed in "Appendix
B", and submitted by e-mail within 14 days of the catch. No mailed
hard copies will be accepted. Entries are eligible from any part of
the world. If made from any location where the adherence to the time
limitations in these rules would be unreasonable, the 14 day time limit
will be waived if the requirements are met as soon as practicable. Members
initials in the signature space on the entry card will serve as a certification
that all information on the entry is true and accurate and the equipment
and methods used for the catch meets the specifications of the Division
in which the catch is entered. IV - 6 If a member indicates their desire on the entry form, a Citation Certificate will be awarded for each entry earning 200 or more points. Citations will only be issued by e-mail for download and printing. Certificates will be awarded for released
fish if requested, but the limit to each angler shall be one per year,
per species, in each Tackle Division. All certificates for released
fish will be awarded at the end of the angling year, listing the total
for each division.
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