General Rules
April 28th, 2008 Posted in General InformationGENERAL RULES
PLEASE READ THESE CAREFULLY
APPLICABLE TO ALL BOAT AND SHORE EVENTS
In the interest of future sport, the committee earnestly request that competitors return alive to the water, all fish below the minimum sizes listed in general rule 4.
1. The entrance fee for each event shall be stated in the schedule.
2. Each event shall commence at the time printed in the schedule, and immediately prior to the start of the match, the fish bags of competitors may be examined by any member of the committee.
3. Each competitors catch must be presented for weighing not later than the time stated in the schedule, together with proof of registration, at the weighing station listed for that event. Once presented the catch must not be handled by the competitor until released by the official.
4. The following minimum sizes have been set by the committee: Bass 42cm, Coalfish (Billet)
36cm, Cod 36cm(40cm in Boating Events), Conger 59cm, Dab 24cm, Flounder 26cm, Haddock 31cm, Ling 73cm, Mackerel 35cm, Plaice 29cm, Pollack 36cm, Pouting 24cm, Spur Dogfish 60cm, Common Sole 26cm, Lemon Sole 26cm, Whiting 31cm, Wrasse 35cm. All other fish to be not less than 30cm.
5. No competitor may have fitted up at the same time, more than one rod with reel and running line, nor have at any time, more than two hooks attached. (Trebles count as one hook)
In lieu of a rod and line, competitors may use a single handline with no more than two hooks attached. In the interest of safety, any member of the committee may stop an angler casting when it is considered that the casting action constitutes a safety risk.
6. Competitors may receive the help of any person to cast , net or land a hooked fish but must hook and play the fish alone. No other person may handle the rod once the cast has been made.
7. The winners of all trophies shall be allowed to hold the same until 1st day of August in the year following the award, and shall give guarantee’s for their safe custody whilst in their possession. All trophies, with boxes where appropriate, are to be returned on or before that date. Please note that it is the responsibility of the winners to have trophies engraved and at their own expense.
8. Competitors may take more than one prize or Trophy in any competition. In the case of a tie, the competitors concerned shall toss a coin
9. All bait shall be contained in receptacles, and shall not be turned out on footpaths. Competitors must remove all debris and litter at the close of the event. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
10. All competitors residing within 25 miles of the town are counted as residents.
11. In the case of bad weather rendering fishing impossible, the committee shall meet 30 minutes before the scheduled start time, at the Toll House, and shall make such arrangements as they see fit.
12. Neither the Festival Committee nor Scarborough Rock Angling Society shall be held responsible for any matter or thing arising from any alteration to these rules or otherwise, or for any damage, loss or injury incurred by any person in connection with the Festival.
13. In all matters relating to the Festival, the decision of the committee is final, and their powers may be delegated to judges or stewards appointed by them. The committee reserves the right to reject any entry, and in such case, the entry fees paid will be returned.
14. Any breach of these rules shall result in disqualification. In this event, the competitor concerned shall not be eligible to receive any prize offered for the competition, and may be prevented from taking any further part in the remainder of the Festival at the discretion of the committee. Any amalgamation of fish or other dishonest action will result in the disqualification of all parties concerned. Anyone wishing to make a complaint against another competitor or Festival official must do so in writing with a £1 deposit as soon as possible after the incident concerned. The deposit will be refunded if the complaint is proved.
15. Postage or carriage on prizes to be forwarded must be paid in advance.
16. Competitors are requested to remove all tackle from their fish bags before handing to the weigher in.
17. Competitors may not fish in the 30 minutes prior to the start of any event, and may not have fish in their possession.
18. Competitors may only fish within the boundaries stated at the head of each event page.
19. Successful competitors will receive their awards at the place stated elsewhere in this schedule.
20. The committee reserves the right to amend the prize list for any event.
21. Competitors must weigh in their own catch.
22. Juniors anglers must be over 6 years old, and under 17 on the first day of September in the year of the festival concerned.
SPECIAL RULES - ALL BOATING EVENTS
1. All boats must register with the secretary. Boats over 40 ft. O.A.L are not eligible. (Excluding Charter Boats) The committee reserve the right to refuse or revoke the registration of any boat or boats.
2. Competitors must make their own arrangements for the hire of boats and must pay the charge themselves. It is advisable for competitors to provide their own bait and entrance tickets.
3. All boats are to remain behind the starting line of the East Pier to the South Bay Bathing Pool, and within hailing distance of the piers, prior to the time for departure indicated in this schedule.
4. Fishing may commence at the times listed in this schedule. Any fishing before these times will render the boat and all competitors aboard, liable to disqualification.
5. Competitors must weigh in their own catch.
6. Only competitors and boatmen may be in the boats during competitions.
7. Professional boatmen are not allowed to fish for competitors under any circumstances. Neglect of this rule will disqualify all occupants of the boat.
8. Any competitor or boatman may assist competitors to gaff or lift a fish, untangle a line, assist ladies to bait hooks or remove fish from the hook once boated.
9. Undersized fish must not be retained, the following minimum have been set by the committee: Bass 42cm, Coalfish (Billet) 36cm, Cod 36cm(40cm in boating events), Conger 59cm, Dab 24cm, Flounder 26cm, Haddock 31cm, Ling 73cm, Mackerel 35cm, Plaice 29cm, Pollack 36cm, Pouting 24cm, Spur Dogfish 60cm, Common Sole 26cm, Lemon Sole 26cm, Whiting 31cm, Wrasse 35cm. All other fish to be not less than 30cm. The sorting of catches is prohibited.
10. The committee reserve the right to place a steward in any festival registered boat.
11. No craft or mooring to be within casting distance of a land cast line.
12. All boating events are to commence only after consultation with the harbourmaster. The decision regarding suitability of sea and weather conditions for all craft taking part, will be that of the committee
If the red flag is flying at the scheduled departure time, the committee may initially delay the start of the match, and await an improvement, or cancel the match if it is considered that improvement is unlikely.
13. If after the start of an event, conditions deteriorate, and licensed boatmen are recalled, the match will immediately end. If less than half of the time allowed for fishing has elapsed, the competition will be deemed cancelled. Refunds of entry fees will be made on production of proof of entry. If more than half of the time allowed for fishing has elapsed, the competition will end at the time of the recall. The weigh in will take place up to two hours after the time of the recall.
14. All boats must leave from, and return to Scarborough Harbour.
15. In the event of a boat having to be assisted to return to the harbour, any competitors on board or on a boat giving assistance, may weigh in after close of the weigh in if the committee decide that they could have made the weigh in but for the emergency.
16. All fish except those to be entered for the Sam Taylor or Saltmer Trophies are to be clean gutted and washed off at sea.
17. No competitor may have fitted up at the same time, more than one rod with line through the rings, and may never use more than three hooks at any one time. (A treble to count as one hook)
18. A maximum of 30 mackerel, 35cm minimum size and above are allowed per competitor, per event in all boating competitions.