Comp. Rules

PLEASE NOTE: SOME OF THIS IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED>>> PLEASE CHECK WITH COMP SECRETARY IF UNSURE

COMPETITION RULES
1 Competitors shall not begin to fish a competition before the stated time and rods must be taken in by the time laid down for the finish. Fishing shall not take place within half an hour of the commencement of the competition, and any fish taken previously must be declared to a steward and tail removed if the fish is to be retained.

2 All fish shall be weighed by the official appointed for the purpose and must be submitted within the prescribed time after the competition ends - see recent update re stewards and fish cards.

3 All sizeable fish caught during club competitions shall be eligible for the club’s points system, with the exception of mackerel, scad mackerel, silver eels, monkfish, shad, shark and any fish prohibited by fisheries legislation.

4 Competitors may use two rods unless  specified with no more than three hooks. A reserve rod is allowed providing no terminal tackle is attached. Competitors rods must not be handled by anyone but themselves unless in danger. In a competition where two rods are allowed;
Competitors may have a pennel rig on both rods, or a pennel rig on one rod and one or two hooks on the other. In all cases pennel rigs must be baited as a single hook, and the distance between the hook eyes must not exceed 10cm.

5 In case of a competitor with a disability, prior permission may be granted by the Competition Secretary for casting to be carried out on their behalf. Juniors must cast and reel in for themselves.

6. No handline or fixed pole shall be used.

7. Competitors will take up their own positions on the beach and are responsible for their own health and safety to and from their fishing location as well as during fishing.
8 The distance between competitors in shore competitions should be such as to allow all anglers to fish safely and unhindered. Staking out for other anglers prior to the start is not permitted.

9 No assistance in landing a fish may be given by any boatman, attendant or bystander except in the actual lifting of the fish from the water with a gaff, net or hand.

10 For Club awards and records, a fish must be caught from any Isle of Wight shore, pier or estuary, and from boats within a twelve mile limit of the Isle of Wight coastline. (except EFSA awards)

11 Specimen fish must be submitted by the club member to the Records Officer or via the Shore Secretary within fourteen days of the capture of the fish. Note: All species of sea fish are admissible. Fish do not have to be caught during Club competitions, but must have sufficient validation to support the claim.

12 Shore Points System
Shore comps. Overall : 20 points for 1st place, reducing to one point for 20th place.


13 AT, Southern IFCA or WWAC size limit to apply, whichever is the greater.

14 In all competitions smoothound to count as one species (starry) with a 36” size limit.

15 Competition fees may be fixed by the General Committee after the A.G.M.

16 Any departure from these rules may disqualify the competitor so offending.

17 The decision of the Competition Secretary shall be final in all matters affecting the competition. He may, if he so desires, refer such matters to the General Committee, before giving a final decision.

18 Visitors in competitions. A charge of £10 will be made per competition. Visitors will become temporary members of WWAC for the duration of the competition and for a maximum of three competitions per year. 

19 All WWAC shore competitions shall have their weigh in venue at either Newport or West Wight (Yarmouth or Freshwater Bay) with the exception of competitions run in conjunction with Open Competitions, or when a competition has a fixed venue.