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2022 D&WAA competition dates, applicable rules and special conditions

Competitions Committee 1: Brian Smith (07973 305983)

Competitions Committee 2: Fred Leach

Note: all competitions are 'catch and release'

Venue Date Time
Horsa Road, Shelter (groynes) HW 13:40 Sunday, 3rd April 11:30 to 15:30
Sandown Castle LW 10:50 Sunday, 19th June 10:00 to 14:00
Walmer,(Cambridge Road Gardens) HW 11:50 Sunday, 25th September 10:00 to 14:00
Walmer Castle (top car park) HW 13:10 Sunday, 27th November 11:00 to 15:00

Angling Trust Marine Committee

Model Competition Rules and Guidelines

Rule A4 FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION RULES

These Angling Trust Festival and Competition rules ("Rules") set guidance for competitions and organisers, and they are in four sections: General (G); Shore (S); Boat (B); and Minimum Sizes (M). Please note that sections (S) and (B) are designed as a set of rules which can stand alone and be used as Competition Sheets by Organisers. Therefore, there will be a majority of items that are common to both, although it does not necessarily mean that the same wording has been used. The wording considered to be most appropriate to each application has been used.

The Rules are supplemented by the Shore Competition Special Conditions (SC) promulgated by the Deal & Walmer Angling Association on 2nd September 2015 as amended from time to time.

GENERAL (G)
G 1 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
G 1.1 The name of the organisation is "Angling Trust" and in these Rules "AT" shall be so construed.
G 1.2 A club is a properly constituted sea angling organisation having not less than ten fully paid up members.
G 1.3 An Angling Trust member Club means a club whose current subscriptions have been paid to Angling Trust.
G 1.4 A Region means a Marine Region formed by the Angling Trust based on the boundaries of the relevant Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority in which it is located and having formally adopted the Angling Trust's Model Marine Region Constitution and Rules.
G 1.5 A Festival is the major competition of the year at which anglers compete for a Club's or Region's major trophies. Within these rules, for simplicity, the term Competition also implies Festival or Championship.
G 1.6 The Committee means: in the case of the Angling Trust, the Marine Committee; in the case of member clubs, the Committee of the member club; and in other cases the Committee in charge of the Festival.
G 1.7 For the purposes of the Rules, events held on piers, harbour walls, breakwaters (including pontoons and marina pontoons) and shore, are all termed shore competitions. If a boat is moored to a pontoon it is still classed as a boat competition.
G 1.8 Throughout the Rules, where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice-versa and the masculine includes the feminine.
G 1.9 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) means the Chief Executive Officer of Angling Trust.
G.1.10 The Organisers means the Competition Organisers which should be a Committee.
G 2 APPLICATION
  These Rules came into force on the 9th March 2013. These rules supersede all previous Festival and Model Competition Rules.
G 3 FESTIVALS, COMPETITIONS, INFORMATION, OBLIGATIONS & GUIDANCE
G 3.1 The dates of all AT member clubs, and Regional Festivals and Open Competitions shall be fixed in accordance with Rule A1. When such dates are fixed, no other AT member club or Region shall hold its own event at the same venue on the same date excepting:
(a) Shore events may be staged on the same day and venue as a boat event and vice versa.
(b) A 'lesser' club event may take place at the same time and venue providing that those taking part are also taking part in the main Festival or Open competition.
G 3.2 Competitions
  AT member clubs and Regions are encouraged to arrange their own Competitions and attempt to avoid fixture clashes. Refer to the Angling Trust website.
G 3.3 Designated Matches
  Angling Trust is dedicated to the development of performance and excellence in competition angling. In conjunction with all member clubs and other sea angling organisations, Angling Trust is committed to the provision of 'Designated Matches', at which a competitor will compete within an approved match format of an approved Organisation. The results of the 'Designated Matches' will be made available to the Competitions Committee by the Organisers. Match organisers from such member clubs and other sea angling organisations can apply to host such events that will require formal approval from the Competitions Committee. Designated matches will be official Angling Trust Festivals.
G 3.4 Festival & Open Match List
  Festivals and other National Competitions should be notified to the Competitions Committee, if possible, 12 months prior to such an event, and also notified to the AT Competitions Department (Nottingham office) for inclusion on the AT website and calendar of events. If during the year extra events are arranged the Competitions Committee, and the AT Competitions Department HQ (Nottingham office) should be notified in order that the date and other information can be included on the AT website.
G 3.5 Competition Match Pack
  If any member club or Region requires further information about running a competition, or requires advice on recommended match formats, they should contact the Competitions Committee which can provide guidance and further information, including the following:
(a) Master Zone Sheets size A3 and an A4 sized copy of these Rules and Size Limits for photocopying purposes. The size limits as recommended by Angling Trust, or as appropriate to accommodate geographical area (i.e. dispensation taken up), should be provided at all matches with rule sheets.
(b) Advice sheets on measuring fish, weigh-in procedures, measure and return matches and organising competitions.
(c) Explanation of results sheets and simple points systems.
(d) Copies, as required, on codes of safety for organisers of small dinghy competitions, Do's and Don'ts at Sea, and the current match list.
G 4 COMPETITIONS GENERAL
G 4.1 Entry Conditions
  When competition entries are pre-booked, entry forms, together with applicable entry fees, shall be submitted by the specified date to the Organisers. After the acceptance of the entrant, the Organisers have no obligation to return the entry fee or in the event of a bait-supplied match, bait money, should the entrant wish to withdraw from the competition. If entry cannot be accepted because of lack of space the entrant shall be notified and the entry fee returned.
G 4.2 Right to Refuse Entry
  The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry without explanation and shall in such a case return all entry fees.
G 4.3 Late Entries
  Late entries may be accepted; however, this will be at the discretion of the Organisers and may incur extra fees.
G 4.4 Abandonment
  In the event of bad weather and/or in the interests of safety, the Organisers shall have the power to abandon the competition. In such a case, entry fees, less any legitimate competition expenses such as boat or other hire charges and printing costs etc. which may have been incurred, will be returned to the Competitors.
G 4.5 Duration
  The duration of each competition will be notified by the Organisers.
G 4.6 Weigh-in
  If a competitor is disqualified for fishing, or arriving ashore after time, they shall, if practicable, be notified before their catch is weighed-in/recorded. Every competitor who has not been previously disqualified must weigh-in/record their catch when required or, if they have caught nothing, report accordingly. Failure to comply without adequate cause on any occasion may, at the discretion of the Organisers, lead to disqualification for the whole event.
G 4.7 Eligible Species
  Skate are classified scientifically as "round" fish and therefore they are barred from any class for "flat" fish. Octopus, Crustacea, Squid and Cuttlefish are ineligible. However, the competition organisers may also bar the catching of other species of fish. The Mako, Porbeagle, Thresher, Hammerhead and Blue Sharks are ineligible except in a Shark Festival; but if there is a special class for them, they can be recorded for that class only. See Appendix A
G 4.8 Licensed Angling Boats
  Marine Charter Association (MCA) Licensed angling boats must not have more persons on board than the boat's licence dictates.
G 5 ENCOURAGEMENT AND DISPENSATION FOR THE DISABLED
G 5.1 Use of Electric Reels and Winches
  Electric reels and winches are not permitted in competitions unless dispensation is given by the Organisers to accommodate a disabled angler who otherwise would not be able to compete.
G 5.2 Close/Easy Access Pegs
  The Organisers have the right to provide close or easily accessible pegs to accommodate disabled anglers who otherwise would not be able to compete.
G 5.3 Casting Assistance
  A competitor may cast for another angler who is deemed incapable of casting due to physical disability provided that such an arrangement is requested from the Organisers, and agreed, prior to the commencement of the competition.
G 6 CONSERVATION AND SCOPE FOR COMPETITION ORGANISERS
  These Rules set guidance for competitions and minimum size limits. Organisers may vary the Rules by raising size limits, or indeed seek dispensation for reduction, provided that they are equal to, or above minimum legal limits. Organisers may introduce a points system for catch and return competitions; however, notification shall be given to the competitors and Competitions Committee.
SHORE COMPETITION RULES (S)
S 1 Duration
  The start and finish of a competition will be signalled by the Organisers. Anglers are permitted to wet their line with a plain lead up to 20 minutes prior to the commencement of the match.
S 2 Equipment
  An angler is permitted to have up to three rods set up with reels, lines and traces attached but can only have one line in the water at one time. Reels must be operated by hand (Subject to Rule G 5.1, Electric Reels); and reels designed to be cranked by both hands at the same time are prohibited. The use of fishing poles is permitted.
S 3 Terminal Tackle
  Spare baited traces are allowed and no more than three hooks may be attached to any trace. A treble hook counts as one hook but no more than one treble hook and two single hooks may be used in a rig, with the exception of plug type spinning lures which are permissible when used alone.
S 4 Baits
  All baits, feathers and/or lures may be used, unless notified otherwise by the Organisers.
S 5 Restrictions
  Organisers may draft rules prohibiting the use of any tackle or method that is likely to cause danger, damage or discomfort to any competitor or other persons. Such rules must be submitted to the SC for approval after which they must be notified to all participants.
S 6 Casting
  Anglers wishing to use 'power casting' styles must use a minimum of 50lb breaking strain shock leader. Furthermore, it is recommended that the breaking strain of shock leader should be a minimum shock leader of 10lbs per oz of weight being used. In the interests of safety competitors are advised that any form of dangerous casting is prohibited. Anglers are permitted to cast immediately after landing a fish. However, in pegged matches, the retrieval of this cast is not permitted until the angler's catch is recorded by the steward or adjacent angler on the official bag label if issued.
S 7 Assistance
  Assistance may be given to land a fish but no-one other than the competitor may handle the rod. In pier competitions, assistance to land fish with a drop net is permitted, as is hand-lining the fish up the pier or promenade wall, provided that it can be lifted clear of the surface and not pulled through the water towards the competitor.
S 8 Hooked Fish
  The deliberate foul hooking of fish is not permitted; however, accidental foul hooked fish are allowed at the discretion of the Organisers, if specified before the start of the competition. In the event of fish being hooked by two or more competitors or caught on lost traces, they shall not be eligible for recording.
S 9 Undersized Fish
  It is each angler's responsibility to ensure all undersized fish are returned immediately to the water. A competitor's fish may be kept in water but any physical attempt to extend their length will lead to disqualification.
S 10 Minimum Sizes
  The Marine Committee shall fix the Recommended Retention Size Limits (or weights) of fish eligible to be included in the competitors catch; however, these need not be applicable in 'measure and return' or 'points-calculated' competitions. Organisers may fix sizes and weights different than those fixed by the Marine Committee, in which case all competitors will be notified. Fish below the minimum sizes shall not be brought to the scales. It is each anglers responsibility to ensure all fish brought to the scales are sizeable. The Organiser may provide a Master Measure and adjudicator for anglers to have their catch checked, at the anglers request, by the Organisers prior to presenting the fish to the scales; however, the onus of responsibility is on the angler. Undersized fish brought to the scales/measure may result in disqualification. Any undersized fish submitted will not count for submission. See Appendix A.
S 11 Compulsory Weigh In
  At the end of the competition competitors have one hour, or a period specified by the organisers, for bringing their own catch, peg, and completed bag label (if applicable) to the weigh in. The bags, if used, must be identified by a number or competitor's name. The Organisers may retain all fish until after the weigh-in.
S 12 Protests
  Any complaints must be submitted to the Organisers in writing within one hour of the end of the competition. A Protest Fee of £50 must accompany the complaint and be payable to the AT, and is returnable if the objection is upheld. The decision of the Organisers will be final in the event of any dispute not covered by these rules.
S 13 Entry & Disqualification
  The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry without explanation and shall in such a case return the entry fees. Any angler found breaking the rules will be disqualified.
S 14 Loss and Damage
  The Organisers shall not be held responsible for any loss, accident or damage occasioned to any competitor, official or member of the public.
S 15 Litter
  Any angler found leaving litter or throwing litter into the sea during or after the competition will be disqualified.
S 16 Position
  Fishing should be from a peg and/or zone, allocated by means of a draw. Anglers must fish from no other peg number or zone. The redrawing of pegs is not allowed. It is recommended that there is 20 metres minimum spacing between pegs and that peg 1 is always to the left looking seawards of the stretch to be pegged. In zones, it is recommended that there are a maximum of 45 competitors. This rule is not applicable to roving matches.
S 17 Fair Play
  As well as the aforementioned rules, the rules of fair play will apply. Competitors must conduct themselves in a manner within the spirit of the sport.
SHORE COMPETITION SPECIAL CONDITIONS (SC)
Amended 2nd September 2015, 16th December 2017 and 30 December 2018.
SC 1 Precedence
  In the event of any conflict between the Special Conditions and the Rules, the Special Conditions shall take precedence and prevail over the Rules and the Club Secretary's decision on all matters, including competition disputes, shall be final and conclusive.
SC2 D&WAA
  For the purposes of the Rules and Special Conditions, "D&WAA" and "Club" means the Deal and Walmer Angling Association.
SC3 Competition Eligibility
  Club members who wish to participate in D&WAA competitions in the 2022 campaign, the first of which falls on Sunday 3rd April 2022, must renew their membership by no later than Friday 1st April 2022 so that all competitors are registered as an insured for the purposes of the Angling Trust's Combined Liability Insurance policy.
SC4 Club Competitions
  Competitions are open only to D&WAA registered members each of whom is an Insured for the purposes of the Angling Trust's combined liability insurance policy whilst acting in connection with the D&WAA's activities and conforming to its rules and by-laws.
SC5 Angling Trust Affiliation
  The D&WAA is an affiliate of the Angling Trust, whose recommended retention sizes for shore-caught fish apply to all D&WAA competitions. Following these recommendations will ensure that neither the D&WAA nor its members are in contravention of any local bye laws set by the Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
SC6 Pegged Competitions
  Subject to the final decision of the D&WAA Competitions Secretary regarding the need, or otherwise, to peg a club competition, all 2022 campaign competitions will be "pegged" on the day of the competition at, or about, 20 yards (18 metres) apart, or more where practicable.
SC7 Competition Start Times
  Competitors must be present at each venue no less than 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
SC8 Competition Entry Fees
  A £10 entry fee is payable by each competitor on the day of each competition save for the Christmas competition to be held on (date to be confirmed) in respect of which an entry fee of £15 is payable.
SC9 Competition Prizes
  The following five (5) prizes are awarded from the total of the entry fees collected at each competition: first (40%), second (25%) and third (15%) place and heaviest round (10%) and flat fish (10%). A prize is shared if and when an eligible catch is matched. The prize for the heaviest sizeable round or flat fish, if none eligible is weighed in, is awarded to the second heaviest sizeable of the other class weighed in and the prizes adjusted as follows: heaviest sizeable round fish/flat fish (12%), second heaviest sizeable round fish/flat fish (8%). In a "flattie-only" or "sole-only" match the prizes are adjusted as follows: heaviest sizeable flat fish/sole (12%), second heaviest sizeable flat fish/sole (8%).
SC9A Competition Prizes: Heaviest Sizeable Round Fish Prize
  In any competition (other than a flattie or sole-only match) where (a) no sizeable eligible flattie has been caught and (b) the heaviest sizeable round fish caught is a lesser-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula), the prize for the second heaviest sizeable round fish shall be awarded (1) to the heaviest sizeable round fish of any other eligible round fish species caught, if any, or (2) where no other eligible round fish species has been caught, to the second heaviest sizeable lesser-spotted dogfish, if any, or (3) if no other eligible sizeable round fish has been caught, to the heaviest sizeable round fish caught in that competition.
SC9B Competition Prizes: Heaviest Sizeable Flattie Prize
  In any competition (other than a flattie or sole-only match) where no sizeable eligible flattie has been caught, the prize for the heaviest sizeable flattie shall be awarded to (1) the heaviest sizeable round fish caught of any species other than a lesser-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula), if any, or (2) where no other eligible round fish species has been caught, to the second heaviest sizeable lesser-spotted dogfish caught in that competition.
SC10 Competition Ties
  A tie or draw between competitors (equal weights) will be decided as follows: (1) number of fish, (2) if still equal, the heaviest fish and (3) if still equal, the number of species.
SC11 Competition Tackle Restrictions
  During a competition no more than one (1) rod and three (3) hooks are permitted to be in use at any one time.
SC12 Competition Points
  The "Gillett Points System" shall apply to all D&WAA competitions in 2022. However, the Club's November competition on (date to be confirmed) shall be the last match in which "leader-board" points are awarded and the "leader-board" will close after that competition. Accordingly, the December competition on (date to be confirmed) is "standalone" and participants will be competing for prizes and prize money only as no "leader-board" match points will be awarded at this match.
SC13 Leader-Board
  Only a competitor's "best nine" match points shall be eligible for inclusion in the year-end, "leader-board" points tally. The leader-board will close after the November competition on Saturday, (date to be confirmed) and the accrued points adjusted by deduction of each competitor's "two worst" match points thereby restricting each competitor to a points tally achieved in a maximum of nine (9) of the eleven (11) eligible competitions comprising the 2022 campaign.
SC14 Pier & Beach Rover Competition
  Not used in 2022.
SC15 Lesser-Spotted Dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula)
  In the interests of conservation, all lesser-spotted dogfish ("LSD") caught are to be recorded on the peg card and signed for by a competitor on an adjacent peg but only the three (3) heaviest LSD so recorded by each competitor are to be weighed in. All additional LSD caught are to be recorded, signed for in the usual way and returned to the water and will be allocated a notional weight of 500g each at the weigh-in.
SC16 European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
  All European eel (Anguilla anguilla) caught during a competition must be immediately returned alive to the water they were taken from and may not be retained for weighing.
SC17 Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
  All bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) caught during a competition must be immediately returned alive to the water they were taken from and may not be retained for weighing.
SC18 Pouting (Trisopterus luscus)
  Not used in 2022.
SC19 Peg Cards
  Each competitor is responsible for ensuring that his competition "peg card" bears his name and accurately records each sizeable fish caught during the competition as attested by the signature of an adjacent competitor.
BOAT COMPETITION RULES (B)
B 1 Duration
  The duration of fishing will be fixed by the Organisers. To cover differences in boat speeds, times to start 'lines in' and times to stop 'lines out' may be used; competitors are expected to adhere to those times honestly.
B 2 Equipment
  An angler may use only one rod, unless notified in advance that two rods, at the same time, may be used, with reel and running line. A maximum of two rods may be assembled with a reel attached, line through the rings/rollers, attached to a line swivel equivalent. Reels must be operated by hand (subject to Rule G 5.1, Electric Reels); and reels designed to be cranked by both hands at the same time are prohibited. The use of fishing poles is permitted.
B 3 Terminal Tackle
  Spare baited traces are allowed and no more than three hooks may be attached to any trace. A treble hook counts as one hook but no more than one treble hook and two single hooks may be used in a rig, with the exception of plug type spinning lures which are permissible when used alone. If allowed in the particular competition's rules, two rods are used at the same time, a maximum of three hooks between the two rods can be used. Subject to the above, only one set of terminal tackle will be in use at any one time.
B 4 Baits
  All baits, feathers and/or lures may be used, unless notified otherwise by the Organisers.
B 5 Restrictions
  Organisers may draft rules prohibiting the use of any tackle or method that is likely to cause danger, damage or discomfort to any competitor or other persons. Such rules must be submitted to the Competitions Committee for approval after which they must be notified to all participants.
B 6 Casting uptide
  Unless prohibited by the Organisers or Boat Skippers, casting is permissible. Anglers on charter boats wishing to cast must use a shock leader of a minimum of 35 lbs (15 kgs) and a maximum of 60 lbs (27.25 kgs) breaking strain, and all casts should be made with the terminal tackle outside the boat.
B 7 Assistance
  No other person may touch an angler's rod, reel or line after his fish is hooked or give any assistance to an angler which would be to the detriment of the fish except that another person(s) may gaff or net fish when it is brought within range. Anglers may not rest their rods on the gunwales of the boats or other such structure whilst winding fish in. Crew may unhook fish.
B 8 Hooked Fish
  The deliberate foul hooking of fish is not permitted; however, accidental foul hooked fish are allowed at the discretion of the Organisers, if specified before the start of the competition. In the event of fish being hooked by two or more competitors or caught on lost traces, they shall not be eligible for weighing in.
B 9 Undersized Fish
  It is each angler's responsibility to ensure all undersized fish are returned to the water. Competitor's fish may be kept in water but any physical attempt to extend their length will lead to disqualification.
B 10 Minimum Sizes
  The Marine Committee shall fix the Recommended Retention Size Limits (or weights) of fish eligible to be included in the competitors catch; however, these need not be applicable in 'measure and return' or 'points-calculated' competitions. Organisers may fix sizes and weights different than those fixed by the Marine Committee, in which case all competitors will be notified. Fish below the minimum sizes shall not be recorded. It is each anglers responsibility to ensure all fish brought to the scales are sizeable. The Organiser may provide a Master Measure and adjudicator for anglers to have their catch checked, at the anglers request, by the Organisers prior to presenting the fish for recording however, the onus of responsibility is on the angler. Undersized fish brought for recording may result in disqualification.
B 11 Compulsory Weigh-In
  Every competitor must record their daily catch, or if they have caught nothing, shall report to the weigh-master accordingly. Failure to comply with this rule on any occasion may at the discretion of the Organisers lead to disqualification. Bags of fish must be delivered to the weighing/recording station by the time specified by the organisers. No bags of fish will be returned to competitors until the expiration of that time. The bags must be identified by a number or competitor's name. Organisers may retain all fish until after the weigh-in.
B 12 Protests
  Any complaints must be submitted to the organisers in writing within one hour of the end of the competition. A protest fee of £50 must accompany the complaint payable to the AT, and is returnable if the objection is upheld. The decision of the Organisers will be final in the event of any dispute not covered by these rules.
B 13 Entry & Disqualification
  The Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry without explanation and shall in such a case return the entry fees. Any angler found breaking the rules will be disqualified.
B 14 Loss or Damage
  The Organisers shall not be held responsible for any loss, accident or damage occasioned to any competitor, official or member of the public.
B 15 Litter
  Any angler caught leaving litter or throwing litter into the sea during or after the competition will be disqualified.
B 16 Boats
  All boats used in the competition shall be adequate in size and carry safety equipment for all persons on board as specified in the Seaway Code. In addition to boat crew and any stewards, only competitors shall be allowed on the boat and there should be at least two competitors on board. If flags are issued to each boat they shall be kept flying from the start of the event until the return to the landing place.
B 17 Boat Positions
  Prior to the start of fishing, unbiased draws for positions shall be made. The drawer of number one shall fish as near the bow of the boat on the starboard side, and the numbers shall be from the starboard to, and across the stern or transom, with the highest number drawn fishing as near the bow of the boat on the port side.
B 18 Fair Play
  As well as the above rules, the rules of fair play will apply. Competitors must conduct themselves in a manner within the spirit of the sport. In the event there is conflict between AT Rules and these rules and guidelines the AT Rules will prevail.
B 19 Amendments
  Amendments to the Competition Rules, Specimen Fish and Festival guidelines will be proposed and provisionally approved by the Angling Trust Competition Committee and ratified by the Marine Committee. In the event of concerns being raised the Competition Committee must review those concerns and seek to overcome them.

Appendix A: Minimum Sizes (M)

Angling Trust Recommended Retention Sizes for Sea Angling Matches and Competitions

Species (common name) Species Recommended Retention Size
(Metric) kg & cm
Recommended Retention Size
(Imperial) lb & in
Anglerfish Lophius piscatorius 7kg 15lb 7oz
Bass Dicentrarchus labrax 45cm 17¾in
Bream, Black Spondyliosoma cantharus 24cm 9½in
Bream, Gilthead Sparus aurata 24cm 9½in
Brill Scophthalmus rhombus 35cm 13¾in
Coalfish Pollachius virens 35cm 13¾in
Cod Gadus morhua 35cm 13¾in
Common skate Dipturus batis 45cm 17¾in
Conger eel Conger conger Boat (120cm)
Shore (91cm)
Boat (47¾in)
Shore (35¾in)
Dab Limanda limanda 23cm 9in
European Eel Anguila anguila None (see note 1)
Flounder Platichthys flesus 27cm 10⅔in
Garfish Belone belone 38cm 15in
Gurnard, Grey Eutrigla gurnardus 28cm 11in
Gurnard, Red Chelidonichthys cuculus 28cm 11in
Gurnard, Tub Chelidonichthys lucerna 28cm 11in
Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus Boat (35cm)
Shore (30cm)
Boat (13¾in)
Shore (11¾in)
Halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus Boat (10kg)
Shore (3kg)
Boat (22lb ¾oz)
Shore (6lb 9¾oz)
Herring Clupea harengus 20cm 8in
Horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus 25cm 9¾in
John Dory Zeus faber Boat (33cm)
Shore (25cm)
Boat (13in)
Shore (9¾in)
Lesser Spotted Dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula Boat (46cm)
Shore (38cm)
Boat (18in)
Shore (15in)
Ling Molva molva 72cm 28⅓in
Mackerel Scomber scombrus 30cm 11¾in
Megrim Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis 25cm 9¾in
Monkfish (Angel Shark) Squatina squatina (see note 4)
Mullet, Grey (thick-lipped) Chelon labrosus 33cm 13in
Mullet, Grey (thin-lipped) Liza ramada 33cm 13in
Mullet, Golden Grey Liza aurata 33cm 13in
Mullet, Red Mullus surmuletus 15cm 6in
Plaice Pleuronectes platessa 28cm 11in
Pollack Pollachius pollachius 30cm 11¾in
Poor Cod Trisopterus minutus 18cm 7in
Pouting Trisopterus luscus Boat (25cm)
Shore (18cm)
Boat (9¾in)
Shore (7in)
Ray, Blonde Raja brachyuran 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Cuckoo Raja naevus 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Small-eyed Raja microocellata 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Spotted Raja montagui 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Starry Amblyraja radiata 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Stingray Dasyatis pastinaca 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Thornback Raja clavata 45cm 17¾in
Ray, Undulate Raja undulate (see note 2)
Rockling, Five-bearded Ciliata mustela 18cm 7in
Rockling, Shore Gaidropsarus mediterraneus 18cm 7in
Rockling, Three-bearded Gaidropsarus vulgaris 18cm 7in
Shad, Allis Alosa alosa (see note 3)
Shad, Twaite Alosa fallax (see note 3)
Shark, Angel Squatina squatina (see note 4)
Shark, Blue Prionace glauca Boat (23kg)
Shore (18kg)
Boat (50lb 11⅓oz)
Shore (39lb 11oz)
Shark, Bull Huss Scyliorhinus stellaris 58cm 22¾in
Shark, Mako Isurus oxyrinchus Boat (23kg)
Shore (18kg)
Boat (50lb 11⅓oz)
Shore (39lb 11oz)
Shark, Porbeagle Lamna nasus (see note 5)
Shark, Smoothhound Mustelus asterias 51cm 20in
Shark, Spurdog Squalus acanthias (see note 6)
Shark, Thresher Alopias vulpinus Boat (23kg)
Shore (18kg)
Boat (50lb 11⅓oz)
Shore (39lb 11oz)
Shark, Tope Galeorhinus galeus (see note 7)
Sole, Dover Solea solea 25cm 9¾in
Sole, Lemon Microstomus kitt 25cm 9¾in
Trigger fish Balistes capriscus 30cm 11¾in
Turbot Scophthalmus maximus Boat (41cm)
Shore (35cm)
Boat (16in)
Shore (13¾in)
Whiting Merlangius merlangus 27cm 10⅔in
Witch Glyptocephalus cynoglossus 28cm 11in
Wrasse, Ballan Labrus bergylta 23cm 9in

Notes

  1. An Environment Agency byelaw prevents anglers from retaining the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). However, they can be retained for weighing or measuring but must be returned alive to the water they were taken from on completion of fishing.
  2. Undulate ray are classified as endangered. The Angling Trust recommends that all fish are returned alive.
  3. Shad are now protected under the EU (Berne Convention) and all fish must be returned alive.
  4. Angel sharks (Monkfish) are listed under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and will be protected against killing, injuring or taking by section 9(1) on land and up to 3 nautical miles from English coastal baselines.
  5. Porbeagle are critically endangered in the north-east Atlantic. The Angling Trust recommends that all fish are returned alive.
  6. Spurdog are classified as critically endangered in the north-east Atlantic and The Angling Trust recommends that all fish are returned alive.
  7. Anglers should be aware that there is a national restriction on landing tope caught from a boat, which includes kayaks, by rod and line. Any boat-caught tope are legally required to be released as soon as possible after capture.
  8. Should there be any dispute on the measurement of a fish the Match Organisers Master Measure will be the deciding measure. All fish are to be measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin, except Skates and Rays which are to be measured wing tip to wing tip. All sizes are in centimetres or kilograms where indicated.
  9. Clubs operating catch and release matches may, of course, set size limits below these recommendations and include species which we recommend be returned. In such circumstances it is the individual anglers responsibility to ensure that fish are returned alive to the water from which they were taken.
  10. The information above was correct at the time of publishing and should be used as guidance only. The Angling Trust accepts no responsibility for changes to its accuracy by 3rd parties. We recommend that anglers and clubs check with their local IFCA for any changes to the information provided above.

Angling Trust: January 2013


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