Club Rules

1. The club year will run from January 1st to December 31st.
2. No more than 2 Rods & 3 Hooks to be used at any time (Pennel Hook counts as 1).
3. A monthly password will be released for each calendar month & must be clearly spoken in all Catch & Release videos.
4. 1. Club members will not be permitted to compete for other clubs / Organisations.
   2. A club member wishing to fish external individual angler leagues / competitions will be permitted to do so but any fish caught must be weighed in accordance with the club rules to be accepted for club awards.
5. The soaking (in fresh water) shall not be tolerated under any circumstances. A damp towel is more than adequate to preserve a fish for weighing purposes.
6. 1. The club shall purchase & retain a set of certified digital scales which will be kept at Southwest Sea Baits & recertified every 12 months.
   2. The club scales shall only be used to check members scales for accuracy & the weighing of fish at Southwest Sea Baits, Club meets / comps.
   3. Members shall be required to bring their scales to Southwest Sea Baits to be checked for accuracy every 12 months.

7. Catch & Release shall be encouraged but not essential, there will be no negativity towards any member who decides to retain a fish for any reason.

   Catch & Release

   Fish must be weighed in following the guidelines below, failure to adhere to them will result in the fish NOT being accepted.

   Relevant password must be clearly spoken in all Catch & Release videos.

   Scales must be shown hanging from a tripod where possible and be shown on Zero prior to the fish being weighed.

   Using of a Sling or Bag is encouraged but not essential, but it must be hung on the scales and Zeroed prior to the weighing of the fish.

   After weighing & clearly showing the weight of the fish it should be removed and the scales should automatically return to zero.

8. There will be the option for the club member to video call a committee member to witness the weighing of the fish instead of a recorded video. (This option may only be used between 8am & 10pm)
9. Boat Catch & Release videos to be submitted to the weighing officer who's decision on weight will be final and decided by him/her.
10. Fish caught from charter or commercial fishing boats will be accepted so long as all club rules are followed.
11. 1. A junior must be under the age of 16 at point of registration for the club & will be classed as a junior for the remainder of the club year.
    2. A junior may have a hook baited & cast by somebody else but must set the hook & retrieve the fish themselves. Committee discretion will be applied for a child with less ability.
12. A Club Record fish may be accepted & claimed via Catch & Release or presented to club scales. (If C&R option is used the scales must be provided at Southwest Sea Baits for the weight to be checked against club scales & adjusted if required).
13. 1. Boundaries are from Weymouth Pleasure Pier to Lands End on the south coast & Lands End to Portishead Pier on the north coast.
    2. A boat must set sail from a location within the set boundary in rule 13a for fish to count towards club awards.
    3. Any fish caught outside of club boundary will be accepted towards the out of area trophy only. (This must be within the British Isles).
14. There will be no out of bounds, fish caught from Piers, Pontoons & Jetties will be accepted as Shore caught fish as long as they are permanently attached to the shore. (Anglers fishing from private land do so at their own risk, we do not encourage any angler to break any laws entering private or prohibited land.)
15. Any Club Member bringing the name of the club into disrepute will be brought before the committee to have the case discussed. The decision made by the committee will be final.
16. The committee are entitled to refuse membership to the club & will provide on request to current members a reason for refusal.
17. Committee decisions on all matters will be final.