Beampte logo finaal SOUTH AFRICAN FRESHWATER BANK ANGLING FEDERATION ANGLING RULES: REVISED 2019 Table of Contents 1. PARTICIPATION ................................................................................................................... 5 Rule 1.1 Affiliation ........................................................................................................................ 5 Rule 1.2 Number of competitors ................................................................................................. 5 Rule 1.2.1 Teams with 12 anglers ............................................................................................ 5 Rule 1.2.2 Teams with 8 anglers .............................................................................................. 5 Rule 1.2.3 Teams with 6 anglers – Grand Masters and Young Ladies U/19 ............................ 5 Rule 1.2.4 Teams with 6 anglers - Juniors U/13. ..................................................................... 5 Reël 1.2.5 Teams with 4 anglers .............................................................................................. 5 Rule 1.2.6 Changes to teams. .................................................................................................. 6 Rule 1.2.7 Functioning of teams. ............................................................................................. 6 Rule 1.2.8 Guide ....................................................................................................................... 6 Rule 1.3 DRESS AND COMPULSORY WEAR OF FOOTWEAR ......................................................... 6 Rule 1.3.1 Team dress .............................................................................................................. 6 Rule 1.3.2 Footware ................................................................................................................. 6 Rule 1.3.3 Visitors .................................................................................................................... 6 Rule 1.4 Illness .............................................................................................................................. 6 Rule 1.5 Personal reasons ............................................................................................................ 6 Rule 1.6 Teams ............................................................................................................................. 7 Rule 1.7 Compilation of teams. .................................................................................................... 7 Rule 1.7.1 Definition. ............................................................................................................... 7 Rule 1.7.2 Rules wrt Compilation of teams. ............................................................................ 7 Rule 1.7.3 Bonus. ..................................................................................................................... 7 2. CONTROL ............................................................................................................................ 7 Rule 2.1 Chief Official ................................................................................................................... 7 Rule 2.2 Number of officials ......................................................................................................... 7 Rule 2.3 Zones .............................................................................................................................. 7 Rule 2.4 Appointments ................................................................................................................ 8 Rule 2.5 Pegging of angling terrain .............................................................................................. 8 Rule 2.6 Disputes .......................................................................................................................... 8 Rule 2.7 Duration of the Competition .......................................................................................... 8 3. ANGLING WATER ................................................................................................................ 8 Rule 3.1 Determine zones ............................................................................................................ 8 Rule 3.2 Draw ............................................................................................................................... 8 Rule 3.3 Regulations wrt pegging ................................................................................................ 8 Rule 3.4 Rotation of zones ........................................................................................................... 9 Rule 3.5 Team lists ....................................................................................................................... 9 Rule 3.6 Anglers per peg .............................................................................................................. 9 Rule 3.7 Positioning on peg .......................................................................................................... 9 4. DURATION OF COMPETITIONS ............................................................................................ 9 Rule 4.1 Sunrise/sunset................................................................................................................ 9 Rule 4.2 Angling period ................................................................................................................ 9 Reël 4.2.1 Feeding ahead of time .......................................................................................... 10 Rule 4.3 Signals........................................................................................................................... 10 Rule 4.4 End of daily competition .............................................................................................. 10 Rule 4.5 Lightning ...................................................................................................................... 10 Rule 4.5.1 Stop/start wrt lightning ........................................................................................ 10 Rule 4.5.2 Stop wrt lightning after competition time has expired ........................................ 11 Rule 4.5.3 Lightning and sunset ............................................................................................. 11 Rule 4.5.4 Equipped spare rods ............................................................................................. 11 Rule 4.5.5 Indemnity .............................................................................................................. 11 5. FISHING EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................................ 11 Rule 5.1 Regulations wrt fishing rods ........................................................................................ 11 Rule 5.1.1 Equipped spare rods ............................................................................................. 11 Rule 5.2 Prohibited equipment .................................................................................................. 12 Rule 5.2.1 Alarms ................................................................................................................... 12 Rule 5.3 Line thickness and records ........................................................................................... 12 Rule 5.3.1 Prohibited lines ..................................................................................................... 12 Rule 5.3.2 Record claims and line thickness .......................................................................... 12 Rule 5.3.2.1 Leaders and records ............................................................................................ 12 Rule 5.4 Artificial bait ................................................................................................................. 12 Rule 5.4.1 Beads ..................................................................................................................... 12 Rule 5.4.2 Floats ..................................................................................................................... 12 Rule 5.4.3 Weights ................................................................................................................. 12 Rule 5.4.4 Soluble line............................................................................................................ 13 Rule 5.4.5 Penalty wrt 5.4 to 5.4.3 ........................................................................................ 13 Rule 5.4.6 Other facets .......................................................................................................... 13 Rule 5.5 Line thickness ............................................................................................................... 13 Rule 5.5.1 Tolerance wrt line thickness ................................................................................. 13 Rule 5.5.2 Checking of lines ................................................................................................... 13 Rule 5.5.3 Measuring procedure ........................................................................................... 13 Rule 5.5.4 Double checking.................................................................................................... 13 Rule 5.5.5 Penalty .................................................................................................................. 13 Rule 5.6 Traces during National Trials ....................................................................................... 14 6. HANDLING OF FISHING EQUIPMENT .................................................................................. 14 Rule 6.1 Angling area ................................................................................................................. 14 Rule 6.1.1 Casting action ....................................................................................................... 14 Rule 6.2 Casting direction .......................................................................................................... 14 Rule 6.2.1 Penalty .................................................................................................................. 14 Rule 6.2.2 Penalty .................................................................................................................. 14 Rule 6.3 Cleaning up of angling area .......................................................................................... 14 Rule 6.4 Assistance between pegmates..................................................................................... 14 Rule 6.5 Play and land of fish ..................................................................................................... 14 Reël 6.5.1 Uncontrolled playing of fish ................................................................................. 15 Rule 6.6 Wading into the water ................................................................................................. 15 Rule 6.7 Assistance from outside ............................................................................................... 15 7. FISH CONSERVATION ........................................................................................................ 15 Rule 7.1 Keepnets ...................................................................................................................... 15 Rule 7.2 Placement of keepnets ................................................................................................ 15 Rule 7.2.1 Position wrt the peg ................................................................................................. 15 Rule 7.2.2 Position in the water ................................................................................................ 16 Rule 7.3 Nametag ....................................................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.3.1 Two keepnets ........................................................................................................ 16 Rule 7.3.2 Information on nametags ..................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.4 When is a fish landed ................................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.4.1 Dragging out fish ................................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.4.2 Fish in net before casting ...................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.4.3 Landing of a second fish ....................................................................................... 16 Rule 7.5 Handling of fish ............................................................................................................ 17 8. WEIGHABLE FISH .............................................................................................................. 17 Rule 8.1 Permissable fish ........................................................................................................... 17 Rule 8.2 Valid catch .................................................................................................................... 17 Rule 8.3 Fish from outside and fish as bait ................................................................................ 17 Rule 8.4 Fish controlled by ordinance ....................................................................................... 17 9. WEIGHING OF CATCHES .................................................................................................... 17 Rule 9.1 Scales: supplying .......................................................................................................... 17 Rule 9.1.1 Scale: requirements .............................................................................................. 17 Rule 9.1.2 Scales: handling .................................................................................................... 18 Rule 9.1.3 Crates and trapeziums .......................................................................................... 18 Rule 9.2 Scales: weighing procedure ......................................................................................... 18 Rule 9.3 Weighing of fish ........................................................................................................... 18 Rule 9.3.1 Weighing procedure ................................................................................................. 18 Rule 9.4 End of the angling period ............................................................................................. 18 10. POINTS AWARD ................................................................................................................ 19 Rule 10.1 Individual placement of an angler per zone ........................................................... 19 Rule 10.1.1 Points per fish ....................................................................................................... 19 Rule 10.1.2 Placement according to catchpoint ..................................................................... 19 Rule 10.1.3 Placement wrt same catchpoint .......................................................................... 19 Rule 10.1.4 Placement wrt same catchpoint and fish ............................................................ 19 Rule 10.1.5 No fish .................................................................................................................. 19 Rule 10.2 Team placement ...................................................................................................... 19 Rule 10.2.1 Placement according to total competition points ............................................... 19 Rule 10.2.2 Placement in case of equal competition points .................................................. 19 Rule 10.2.3 Placement in case of equal competition points and fish .................................... 19 Rule 10.2.4 Placement in case of equal competition points/fish and mass .......................... 20 Rule 10.3 Merit list ................................................................................................................... 20 Rule 10.3.1 Placement on meritlist ......................................................................................... 20 11. BEHAVIOUR ...................................................................................................................... 20 Rule 11.1 Incapacitating substances ........................................................................................ 20 Rule 11.2 Unacceptable behaviour .......................................................................................... 20 Rule 11.3 Escalation.................................................................................................................. 20 12. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES.................................................................................................. 20 Rule 12.1 Ad hoc instructions ................................................................................................... 20 Rule 12.2 Power of officials ...................................................................................................... 20 Rule 12.3 Lodging of complaints .............................................................................................. 20 Rule 12.4 Official complaints .................................................................................................... 21 Rule 12.5 Appeal against ruling ................................................................................................ 21 Rule 12.6 Ordinance ................................................................................................................. 21 Rule 12.7 Know your rules ........................................................................................................ 21 Rule 12.8 Ad hoc amendments ................................................................................................ 21 Rule 12.9 Disputes .................................................................................................................... 21 13. NOTES .............................................................................................................................. 21 Rule 13.1 Defenitions ............................................................................................................... 21 Rule 13.2 Afrikaans text ........................................................................................................... 21 Rule 13.3 Appeal committee .................................................................................................... 21 Rule 13.5 Penalty wrt non-angling team member ................................................................... 22 14. AMENDMENTS ................................................................................................................. 22 15. RECORD CLAIMS ............................................................................................................... 22 16. ANNUAL MEETING AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS ............................................. 22 Rule 16.1 SPUR TOAD FROGS ................................................................................................... 22 17. PHOTOS AND SKETCHES .................................................................................................... 23 17.1 Allowable (In Line Method Feeders) (rule 5.4.6) ............................................................... 23 17.2 Not allowable (Feeder Cages) (rule 5.4.6) .......................................................................... 23 1. PARTICIPATION Rule 1.1 Affiliation The participation in competitions presented by the South African Freshwater Bank Angling Federation (SAFBAF) and all its affiliated members shall be restricted to amateur anglers who are affiliated to SAFBAF for that year. If a participant is not affiliated to SAFBAF the province involved shall be penalised with an amount of R500.00 per participant who is not affiliated. Rule 1.2 Number of competitors The compilation of teams are as follows: Rule 1.2.1 Teams with 12 anglers Teams with 12 anglers can have a maximum of 15 members namely 12 anglers, Manager, Captain and Reserve. Rule 1.2.2 Teams with 8 anglers Teams with 8 anglers can have a maximum of 11 members namely 8 anglers, Manager, Captain and Reserve. Rule 1.2.3 Teams with 6 anglers – Grand Masters and Young Ladies U/19 Grand Master teams can have a maximum of 8 members namely 6 anglers, Manager and Reserve. Rule 1.2.4 Teams with 6 anglers - Juniors U/13. A Juniors U/13 team can have a maximum of 9 members namely 6 anglers, Manager, Captain, Vice-Captain and Reserve,. This is done in order to have help on each peg in each sone. Reël 1.2.5 Teams with 4 anglers Teams with 4 anglers can have a maximum of 6 members namely 4 anglers, Manager/Captain and Reserve. Rule 1.2.6 Changes to teams. When the SA championship have started, no changes to members of the team is allowed. The only allowable changes that can be made is to replace an angler with any qualifying team member. Rule 1.2.7 Functioning of teams. The Manager / Captain / Vice-Captain / Reserve (as decribed in 1.2.1 tot 1.2.4) forms part of the team and will have free access to the angling team members during the competition. Rule 1.2.8 Guide No guides are allowed to assist any angler. Rule 1.3 DRESS AND COMPULSORY WEAR OF FOOTWEAR Rule 1.3.1 Team dress National and provincial teams must compete in their official team dress. During other team competitions all team members must wear distinctive clothing like uniform shirts and trousers to associate them with a specific team. During National Championships nobody shall wear clothes higher than their provincial colours. This means no SAFBAF, SASSAC or Protea colours may be worn. Such clothes shall only be worn when the angler represents that specific team. If an angler does not conform to this he will be warned once. If he commits the offence again on the same day, 10 (ten) competition points will be deducted from the team’s total. Rule 1.3.2 Footware During all competitions all participants shall for the duration of the competition wear appropriate footwear and will not be allowed to take it off. If a participant does not adhere to this rule, he will be warned once. If the competitor commits the offence again on the same day he will immediately be disqualified. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 1.3.3 Visitors No visitors of a team shall move around at the water during a competition wearing any National, SAFBAF or provincial dress. If a visitor does not adhere to this ruling he will be requested to put on other clothes and if he refuses, the Chief Official will ask him to leave the terrain immediately. This rule is not valid for temporary visitors who, in their capacity as SAFBAF members or provincial representatives, visit the anglers under supervision of the Chief Official. In the case of persons attending trials as selectors, officials and anglers, they must wear distinctive clothes as described above. Rule 1.4 Illness An angler may withdraw during a competition due to physical or health circumstances. In case of team competitions, he may be replaced by the reserve. The catches of the two anglers will be weighed separately and the combined catch points will be used to determine the competition point. Refer to rule 1.7.3. Rule 1.5 Personal reasons A Team member may, for personal reasons, leave the angling area before the end of the competition. In the case of an angler his catch will be weighed in the presence of the Chief Official. The relevant team member may not be replaced by the reserve or return at a later stage to continue participating in the competition. Rule 1.6 Teams During National Championships participation will be restricted to the following anglers - Men Championships - Men and Boys Ladies Championships - Ladies and Girls Junior U/13 Championships - Boys and /or girls under 13 years Junior O/19 Championships - Boys and/or Girls under 19 years Young Ladies U/19 Championships - Girls under 19 years Masters Championships - Men and Ladies 50 years and older Masters Ladies Championships - Ladies 50 years and older Veterans Championships - Men and Ladies 60 years and older Rule 1.7 Compilation of teams. Rule 1.7.1 Definition. Participants are categorised in 2 groups, Whites and Persons of Coulour(Non_Whites). Rule 1.7.2 Rules wrt Compilation of teams. During the SAFBAF Annual General Meeting certain requirements were laid down wrt the compilation of teams for participation in National Championships. These requirements must be taken into account with the selection of teams. Rule 1.7.3 Bonus. When the requirement stipulates that a certain number of Persons of Colour(PoC) must be present in a team, teams that comply are rewarded with bonuspoints. The bonuspoint is equal to the number of competing teams and is allocated daily. To obtain the bonuspoint, the PoC must fish the whole day. In the case as described in rule 1.4, when the PoC is replaced by the reserve, the catch of both anglers will count, but the team wil not receive the bonuspoints for the day. Teams that do not have PoC/’s, can make use of 12/8 White anglers , but do not get any bonuspoints. 2. CONTROL Rule 2.1 Chief Official During international and national competitions the chief officials who are in possession of a National Official Certificate will control the match. The same requirement is valid for the chief official controlling an interprovincial competition. For any other competition the chief official must at least be in possession of a Provincial Official Certificate. Rule 2.2 Number of officials If there are less than 4 teams participating in a competition, the competition can be controlled by a chief official and two additional officials to assist. One official may control two teams participating. Rule 2.3 Zones If four or more teams participate in a competition where the angling area is divided in zones, there will be a chief official and a further three to six zone officials present. If the prescribed number of officials are not available the chief official will, before commencement of the competition, appoint on an equal basis assistant officials from the participating anglers. Rule 2.4 Appointments The National Official Committee will appoint the officials for the control of international and national competitions. For all other team competitions the appointments will be done by the relevant Provincial Official Committee. Rule 2.5 Pegging of angling terrain The appointed officials must peg the angling terrain in deliberation with the host province, perform the draw for peg numbers and control the competition in accordance with the prescribed rules. At the end of the competition they will weigh the catches, complete all competition forms and will see to it that the terrain has been cleaned up. Rule 2.6 Disputes Any dispute which originates during a competition, must be settled by the chief official, control official and three appointed appeal officials. If the involved team management does not agree with the decision, the fish in dispute must be weighed and this case referred to the relevant management committee. Such an appeal must be accompanied by the complete testimonies of all the persons involved. Rule 2.7 Duration of the Competition The duration of the competition wrt the responsibilities of the officials and their mandate to act in accordance to the prescribed SAFBAF angling rules, extends from the draw in the morning until the end of the weigh-in. In this regard we look at the following rules in particular: 1.3.2 wrt footware, 1.3.3 wrt visitors, 4.5 wrt lightning and 11 wrt behaviour. 3. ANGLING WATER Rule 3.1 Determine zones It is not necessary to divide the angling terrain into zones if not more than three teams participate in a compeition. If four or more teams participate in a competition, the angling terrain will be divided into zones. Teams with 12 anglers, 6 zones, teams with 8 anglers, 4 zones, teams with 6 anglers, 3 zones and teams with 4 anglers, 2 zones. Rule 3.2 Draw There shall be a draw for places before the commencement of a competition. If the competition is over more than one angling period, there shall be a draw for places for the next angling period. An angler or a team that draw the same number that was drawn during the previous competition shall immediately draw a new number. Rule 3.3 Regulations wrt pegging The competition water or zones will be pegged with numbers so that each competitor or two competitors, as in the case of a team competition, will have a number at their disposal. During national and international championships no peg will be placed closer than 30 meters from the next peg. If the bank does not permit the pegging distance to be 30 meters or further the chief official must utilize the available bank in such a way to accommodate all participants. Provinces may during their in-house competitions place the pegs closer than 30 meters apart. Rule 3.4 Rotation of zones If the competition is held over more than one day or angling period all the participants will, during the break, move to the second following zone for 6-angler, 8-angler and 12-angler teams. Teams with 8 anglers will move 1 zone back on day 3. Teams consisting of 4 anglers will move 1 zone on each day. If any angler/s take their positions in a wrong zone, the zone-official will request the angler/s to move to the correct zone. If the angler/s fail to do so, their fish will not be taken into account for the day. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 3.5 Team lists Every team management or angler must compile a team list, according to the SAFBAF template, with full details namely initials, surname and SAFBAF affiliation number of each angler in every zone or at a peg. This team list must be handed to the chief official during the information meeting before the commencement of the competition. The required information of the participants must be obtained in advance from the relevant provincial register official. This information must be included on the team list, which is handed over to the chief official. Rule 3.6 Anglers per peg The two competitors shall take position on each side of the angling peg i.e. one to the left and one to the right of the angling peg. The competitors will not be allowed to change places during the competition. If they do change places, five merit points will be deducted from each angler as penalty. Anglers may use the full length of the angling area in the execution of any angling related action. Refer to rules 6.5 and 6.5.1. Rule 3.7 Positioning on peg The participants are not allowed to place their rods further than four meters to the left or the right of the angling peg. 4. DURATION OF COMPETITIONS Rule 4.1 Sunrise/sunset The angling time of national and international team competitions are not allowed to start before sunrise. The completion thereof after sunset is also not allowed. Angling must therefore be stopped at least one hour before sunset. Also refer to rule 4.5.3. Rule 4.2 Angling period During National Championships the angling period on each day will be eight hours, with the exception of the Juniors U/13 who competes for 6 hours per day. A participant is allowed, 30 minutes before the competition starts, to clean and or remove obstacles from the water with one of his/her fishing rods. This rod must be equipped as described in rule 5.1. In the event of all other competitions the duration of the competition must be indicated on the notice of the competition. If circumstances make normal angling impossible, the chief official, in conjunction with the team management and with a majority decision, can stop the competition or shorten the duration thereof. Reël 4.2.1 Feeding ahead of time The permittance to test and clean the water 30 minutes ahead of time does not mean an angler may start feeding before the start of the angling period (when the signal for the start of the competition is given). Any angler who does start feeding before the signal is given, will be requested to leave the angling area for the day. Rule 4.3 Signals Each phase of an angling period will be indicated with an audible signal. The first signal indicates the start of the official angling time. At the end of the official angling time a further signal will be given and all anglers must immediately step back from their rods to give the officials chance to see if there are anglers busy playing fish. Only fish that was already struck when the signal went off, may be landed and put in the holding net. After the next signal approximately one minute later, the anglers must immediately reel in their lines where after the fish will be weighed. Rule 4.4 End of daily competition The daily competition is done with only after the day’s catch has been weighed-in, per zone, and the fish have been released in the water. Rule 4.5 Lightning Rule 4.5.1 Stop/start wrt lightning The chief official will be in possession of a lightning meter. This lightning meter is to assist the Chief Official to determine in advance if lightning or a thunder storm is creating a dangerous situation. When the 6 to 12 mile (9.6 to 19.2 kilometres) indicator on the lightning meter indicates a dangerous situation, the Chief Official will immediately stop the competition by giving one long continues signal – or as determined during the information meeting - until all the participants have moved away from the water and have taken shelter. When the signal is given that the competition has been stopped due to the lightning activity, all participants will immediately take shelter. If an angler is busy playing a fish, he will immediately place the fishing rod back on its peg and take shelter. After the storm has abated or passed, in other words the 6 to 12 miles (9.6 to 19.2 kilometres) indicator on the lightning meter indicates that it is safe and normal angling conditions are possible (see paragraph 4.5.2) and there is enough time to proceed with the angling – 30 minutes or more – the competition can continue. Two short signals will indicate that the competition can be resumed. When the signal is given that it is safe and the competition can continue, the anglers may leave their shelter and handle his fishing rods again. If there is a fish hooked on his line, he may – subject to rules 6.5, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 - land it and put it in his holding net. If the competition cannot continue, the normal signals to indicate the end of a competition will be given two minutes after the restart signal were given. If the commands of the chief official regarding this rule is not adhered to, that participant will be requested to leave the terrain immediately and his actions will be reported to the SAFBAF Management Committee for further action. The fish caught by such a participant, will not be taken into account for the competition. This is applicable for the day only, meaning if, for instance, it happens on day 1, the participant can fish again on days 2 and 3. Rule 4.5.2 Stop wrt lightning after competition time has expired If the competition time has expired and the Chief Official has not yet indicated that the conditions is safe by giving the lightning safe signal, no angler is allowed to exit his shelter. When the lightning signal is given that it is safe and the end of the competition has been signalled (two minutes later) then the angler must reel in his lines and if there is a fish on his line he can – subject to rules 6.5, 6.5.1 and 6.5.2 - place it in his keep net. Only in this instance when the lightning rule was applied and the competition has ended, the stipulation of rule 9.4 will not apply when a fish is placed in the keep net. Rule 4.5.3 Lightning and sunset If the provision of rule 4.1 that a competition must end before sunset cannot be complied with in the case of the lightning rule, this provision is overruled. The weigh in shall commence as soon as possible after the thunderstorm has passed and the lightning signal has been given irrespective of the time it take place. Rule 4.5.4 Equipped spare rods All the equipped spare fishing rods must be removed from the vehicle and will be placed horizontal on short rod pegs (maximum height 100 cm) with the tips facing away from the water. (See rule 5.1 and 5.1.1) When the lighting rule is in force no fishing rods will be handled by removing it from rod pegs, vehicles or holders. Rule 4.5.5 Indemnity The SA Officials will compile an indemnity form which will indemnify each SA Official, SAFBAF committee and host province for any responsibility towards an angler if he should get injured in any way during a competition. During the information meeting of any competition presented by SAFBAF the Chief Official shall hand out indemnity forms to each Captain or Manager which shall be completed and signed by all members of a team. The Chief Official shall assure that there are enough forms for each team to be completed and that it is handed back to him before they can take part in the competition. In the case of juniors the host province will in advance send the indemnity forms with all other information and registration forms to the province which will be completed and signed by the parents of the juniors. These forms will be handed over to the Chief Official during the information meeting. If an angler refuses or neglects to hand in the indemnity form he will not be allowed to participate in the competition. The indemnity forms with the complete report of the competition shall be handed over by the Chief Official to the Convener of the SAFBAF Officials for safe guarding. 5. FISHING EQUIPMENT Rule 5.1 Regulations wrt fishing rods Participants are not allowed to fish with more than two fishing rods at any one time. Each rod will be equipped with a reel and only two single hooks are allowed to be tied to the trace. If the stipulation of the ordinance regarding fishing equipment is violated the angler will be disqualified immediately. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 5.1.1 Equipped spare rods Additional equipped rods are allowed but such rods must be placed behind the angler in a horizontal position on a rod peg not higher than 100 cm (1 meter) with the tips facing away from the water. Rule 5.2 Prohibited equipment No electrical or mechanical equipment that can assist in casting the bait into the water, to indicate a bite or to strike a fish will be allowed during a competition. The usage of electronic and acoustic bite signalling units are not allowed. The usage of remote controlled and echo scanner devices are forbidden Rule 5.2.1 Alarms Blind anglers may use an alarm to indicate bites. Rule 5.3 Line thickness and records Lines of any thickness may be used during competitions. If an angler is using line thicker than 0.30 mm, then record claims will be registered as heavy tackle records. Also refer to rule 5.5. Rule 5.3.1 Prohibited lines Braid and nanofil may only used as hooklines. This means not as the main line, leader or shaft of a trace. For the first infringement the angler wil receive a warning. In the case of a second infringement on the same day, the angler wil be disqualified immediately for the rest of the day. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 5.3.2 Record claims and line thickness Where a claim is made for a record catch for light tackle (maximum diameter of line 0.22 mm) or medium tackle (maximum diameter 0.30 mm) the line must be measured before the hook and line is removed from the fish. The thickness of the line will be determined by taking at least three readings two meters apart on the relative line. If the line does not comply to the requirements for the specific tackle then the requirements for the next heavier tackle namely light tackle to medium tackle and from medium tackle to heavy tackle will apply. Rule 5.3.2.1 Leaders and records If a leader of a thicker line is used with the longest trace tied to it, then the length of that leader is not allowed to be longer than two times the length of the fishing rod. If this leader exceeds the prescribed length the catch will be classified under heavy tackle. Rule 5.4 Artificial bait No artificial bait is allowed during any competition (also refer to 5.4.6). No object that is manufactured of polystyrene, rubber or sponge is allowed to be placed on the hook line. Only organically digestible food may be used as bait. Also refer to rule 16 wrt the use of spur toad frogs. Rule 5.4.1 Beads Beads are only allowed on to the shaft line of a trace to protect the knots. Rule 5.4.2 Floats No beads are allowed on the hook line. Floats may not be used to lift the rig from the bottom. Rule 5.4.3 Weights Weights must be knotted permanently to a trace line and no throw away weights (drop off) of any kind will be allowed. It is not allowed to use soluble line to cast any weight into the water. Rule 5.4.4 Soluble line The official may request an angler to remove the feeding bait from the weight to ensure that there is no soluble line or a throw away weight on the fishing line. If the angler refuses then the penalty will be an immediate disqualification. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 5.4.5 Penalty wrt 5.4 to 5.4.3 Anglers that trespasses rule 5.4 to rule 5.4.3 will receive a warning for a first offence of the rules and if it occurs again on the same day during the same competition the angler will be disqualified immediately. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 5.4.6 Other facets Equipment tailormade for other facets may not be used for bank angling, eg rockets, cages and ketties (also refer to rule 5.4). Anglers that trespasses this rule will receive a warning for a first offence, and if it occurs again on the same day during the same competition, the angler will be disqualified immediately for the day. Also refer to 12.9. There is however an exception wrt feeders namely feeders that slide on the like the “In Line Method Feeder”. Those are allowable, refer to the pictures in section 17.1. What is not allowable, are the feeders that are fastened on one end only like the weight of a bottomweight trace, refer to pictures in section 17.2. Rule 5.5 Line thickness When the event takes place at a venue where restriction wrt thickness of lines apply, the following will be applicable. Also refer to rule 5.3. Rule 5.5.1 Tolerance wrt line thickness A tolerance of 0.01mm will be given above/below the restriction. As an example: Where the minimum thickness is 0.25mm, 0.24mm will be acceptable. Rule 5.5.2 Checking of lines Official will check lines at least twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, by measuring it with a micrometer. This includes rigged spare rods. Rule 5.5.3 Measuring procedure When a line measured fails the requirement, the line must be measured at 2 more places, from the tip of the rod at least 2 meters apart. If 1 correct measurement is found, the line is deemed acceptable. Rule 5.5.4 Double checking When line is found that fails all 3 tests, get another official with another micrometer to confirm the finding. If the line still fails, involve the respective manager/captain as well as the head official. Rule 5.5.5 Penalty In the case where line does not comply to the restriction, the relevant angler’s net will be emptied. As soon as the irregularity is fixed, the angler can continue angling. Rule 5.6 Traces during National Trials During National Trials all Seniors, Ladies and Juniors U/19 that qualify for National colours may only fish with one hook that is linked to a safety rig. Any angler caught to contravene this rule will have all his fish caught up to then, released back into the water. Also refer to 12.9. 6. HANDLING OF FISHING EQUIPMENT Rule 6.1 Angling area The angling area of an angler extends rectangular with the general water line. The officials may indicate the direction in which the angler must cast using lime or spray-paint or a template to place a direction peg at the back of the angling peg. Rule 6.1.1 Casting action The casting action is completed as soon as the bait hits the water. For the duration of the cast, the angler is required to stay behind the casting line as indicated at the information meeting. If an angler transgresses this rule, the official will request the angler to extract the line and cast again. If it so happens that there is a fish on the line, such a fish must be released. Rule 6.2 Casting direction The angler can cast his bait from any position behind the casting border on the bank inside his angling area. The direction to cast is forward into the water. Rule 6.2.1 Penalty For a first offence of this rule – 6.2 - the angler will be warned and for a second offence he will be penalised with five merit points which will be deducted from his points. Rule 6.2.2 Penalty If the angler casts outside his angling area he will be warned for the first offence. With a second offence 5 merit points as penalty will be deducted from the angler’s points. Rule 6.3 Cleaning up of angling area After a competition the angler will be responsible for the cleaning up of the angling area around him. If the officials notice that anglers are messing up their angling area by throwing fishing line or other garbage around, they and the team management will be warned that it must be cleaned up. After the competition the officials will hold an inspection and if the angling area around a peg is not clean, the responsible team will be penalised with 10 competition points. Rule 6.4 Assistance between pegmates Anglers who are angling together may help each other but each angler must cast his own lines, strike and play his own fish. Trespassing of this rule will lead to a penalty of ten merit points against the angler concerned and the fish caught in this action will be placed back into the water. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 6.5 Play and land of fish Competitors must play and land their fish within their angling area as far as possible. With the landing of the fish any participant who is officially involved with the competition may assist the angler. Reël 6.5.1 Uncontrolled playing of fish In case an angler continuously plays a smaller fish into adjacent angler’s area and disturb their lines, the official will warn such angler to take better control when playing his fish. At the next such transgression, the fish caught will be released. The official must excercise discression wrt the size of fish caught. An angler may however follow a big fish to land it. Rule 6.6 Wading into the water Competitors are allowed to enter the water to land a fish or to conduct angling related tasks such as the placement of holding nets or to untie angling lines. Competitors are however not allowed to enter deeper than their armpits (Seniors/Ladies/Masters/Veterans) and hips (Juniors U/19, Young Ladies U/19 and Juniors U/13) into the water and they must remain on their feet. No equipment other than a landing net may be used by the angler to land a fish. Movement into the water is limited to the stretch of water direct in front and parallel with the angler’s angling area. If this rule is trespassed the angler concerned will be penalised with five merit points and the fish caught in this action will be released into the water. If the angler trespasses this rule again on the same day he will be disqualified for the day. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 6.7 Assistance from outside Only members of a team are allowed to exchange or hand over angling equipment and bait during a team competition. No help or angling equipment from onlookers to a team or team members is allowed. There is no restriction in giving information to a team or a team member by anybody. Trespassing of this rule will lead to a penalty of ten competition points deducted from the team’s total. 7. FISH CONSERVATION Rule 7.1 Keepnets Fish must be kept alive in keep nets which are specifically developed to safeguard fish i.e. the keep net must be specifically made to allow the fish free movement in it and the water must also have free flow through it. No other system of preserving the caught fish is allowed. If the keep net do not comply with this specification, the relevant fish will not be weighed. During competitions the keep nets must be placed on a stand or peg to enable the fish to move around freely. Keepnets must be placed as deep as possible in the water, or submerged along their full length. Under normal circumstances the keep nets must be placed so that it is visible to the officials and the other anglers. Rule 7.2 Placement of keepnets Rule 7.2.1 Position wrt the peg Because the two competitors within the same angling area is classified individually and not as a pair, the catches must be kept apart and weighed separately. The angler to the left of the angling peg shall place his keep net to the left of his outside rod and the angler on the right shall place his keep net to the right of his outside rod. If there is only one angler at a peg then he shall place his keep net to the left of his rods. The keep net must be hung on a stand or peg to enable the fish to move freely in it. Where the angler trangresses this rule, he/she will be warned to take the necessary corrective action. If the angler trespasses for a second time the same day, five merit points will be deducted from his total as penalty for trespassing of the rule. Rule 7.2.2 Position in the water The keepnet must be placed deep anough in the water that more or less 50cm is under water in order for the fish to move freely. Rule 7.3 Nametag Keep nets must be provided with a water resistant nametag, which is permanently attached to the keepnet. A net that is brought to the weigh-in without a permanently attached nametag shall not be taken into consideration for the competition. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 7.3.1 Two keepnets If an angler takes two keepnets to the weigh-in and the second net does not have a nametag attached to it, the two nets must be tied together. If not, the keepnet without the nametag will not be weighed and it will not be taken into consideration for the competition. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 7.3.2 Information on nametags The following information must be reflected on the nametag of an angler namely his initials and surname, name of his team and the SAFBAF affiliation number. Anglers must assure that the particulars on the nametag correspond with the information that is handed over to the officials. If the information supplied is wrong ten merit points will be deducted from the angler’s total. See rule 3.5 which describes this rule completely. Rule 7.4 When is a fish landed ALL fish must be landed in the water at all times. A fish is regarded as landed when it is in the landing net or under control of the angler. An angler may lift a fish out of the water and place it in his keepnet.A fish landed with a landing net may be brought to the bank and placed on an unhooking mat/trapezium or similar canvas to remove a hook for instance. Any fish brought to the bank and lands on the ground will not be weighed and must be released immediately. If a fish falls out of an angler or helpers hands into the water and he can catch it again by hand, the fish can be placed in the anglers keepnet. Rule 7.4.1 Dragging out fish Fish may not be dragged out of the water onto the bank. Fish dragged out onto the dry ground will be released immediately. If an angler transgresses this rule, he will be given a warning. If, however, he transgresses this rule for a second time on the same day, his fish will be released into the water and he will be ordered to leave the angling area for the remainder of that angling period. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 7.4.2 Fish in net before casting Any fish landed must be placed in the angler’s keep net in the water before he is allowed to cast again. The transgression of this stipulation will lead to the fish being released into the water. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 7.4.3 Landing of a second fish When an angler has landed a fish, in other words already in landing net, he may not land a fish with his other rod before the first fish is in his keepnet. He may strike and play the second fish, but not land it before the first fish is in his keepnet. Rule 7.5 Handling of fish A friendly request is made that anglers who want to release fish at a later stage, do not handle it with their dry hands. The rough handling of live fish is naturally not the behaviour of a nature lover. 8. WEIGHABLE FISH Rule 8.1 Permissable fish All freshwater fish species caught may be weighed-in provided that such fish comply with the legal limitations (ordinance) of the host. Fish which do not comply with the stipulations of the ordinance will be disqualified. The legal regulations must be included in the official program and copies thereof must be handed out at the first information meeting. Refer to 8.4. NB: Yellow fish is excluded here and is subject to the current applicable AD-HOC rule. Rule 8.2 Valid catch The catching of fish is judged valid if a fish is accidentally hooked outside the mouth. The deliberate foul hooking of fish is however strictly forbidden. If two anglers hook the same fish in the body, the fish will be released. Rule 8.3 Fish from outside and fish as bait No angler will be allowed to bring in any whole fish onto the competition terrain. Trespassing is penalised with ten merit points which will be deducted from the angler’s total. An angler who has caught a fish during the competition is allowed to cut the fish for bait provided that the fish must comply with the applicable ordnance. Rule 8.4 Fish controlled by ordinance Fish may be caught and placed into a keep net if it complies with the ordinance wrt length and quantity. If fish too small is found to be in the net, the angler will take it out and release it and the rest of the catch will be weighed. If there are too many of a species, the angler will take out the excess number, release it and the rest of the catch will be weighed. There is therefore no penalty/warning applicable in this rule anymore. NB: Yellow fish is excluded here and is subject to the current applicable AD-HOC rule. 9. WEIGHING OF CATCHES Rule 9.1 Scales: supplying Each participating team will be responsible to supply an electronic scale that weighs to the nearest 10 grams, a container to put the fish in and a trapezium onto which the fish can be placed for weigh-in. If a team fails to comply with this rule, the relevant Province will be fined with R1000 that has to be paid to SAFBAF. Rule 9.1.1 Scale: requirements The scales must be in working order and must weigh to the 3rd decimal (5 grams) or to the 2nd decimal if the scale weighs to the nearest 10 grams. Rule 9.1.2 Scales: handling The scales will be used in zones as allocated during the information meeting. The scale will be handled by the supplying team under supervision of the zone official. The scale will move with the handler to the next zone the next day as stipulated in rule 3.4. Rule 9.1.3 Crates and trapeziums In order to prevent fish getting out easily from crates and trapeziums, teams/provinces are requested to see that their equipment supplied is adequate to prevent this. Trapeziums and crates should be big and deep enough to hold the fish and the crate must also not have big holes that can allow small fish to fall through. Rule 9.2 Scales: weighing procedure The scale reading must be visible to the weighing officials and the relevant competitors. No person apart from weighing officials, the competitors, their team manager and their captain, has the authorization to intervene, verbally or in any other way, for claims regarding the weighing. Rule 9.3 Weighing of fish The competitor whose catch is being weighed, or his angling partner, must be present at the weigh-in to confirm and endorse the weight and quantity of the fish caught and sign the weigh-in sheet on which the catch is recorded. Once the weigh-in procedure is finished, the fish returned to the water and the score sheet signed, no complaint about the weigh-in will be accepted. Rule 9.3.1 Weighing procedure All anglers must have their nets in the water on their stands and the fish must be able to swim freely under water. During the weigh-in the official will cal the name of the angler who’s fish must be weighed. The angler will then bring out his yellowfish net first, weigh the fish and then release the fish where his other net is. He will then bring out his other net and weigh the fish, after which he will release the fish also in the deeper water where the fish can swim away freely. All possible care must be taken to prevent fish from falling onto the ground. The fish must be placed directly from the keepnet into the weighsling/crate/trapezium and after the weighing back into the keepnet. The fish must then be released in the deeper water from where they can swim away freely. Also refer to 7.2.2 en 9.1.3. Rule 9.4 End of the angling period After the first signal is given to indicate the end of the angling period, the holding net will be considered sealed. The fish in the holding net shall not be handled by any person to count or sort the fish. Only a fish that was struck before the first signal was given and landed afterwards, will be allowed to be placed in the holding net. This rule is in normal angling situations excluded from the lightning rule but must be read together with rule 4.5.2. When the lightning rule is imposed and after the signal has been given, all lines can be removed from the water and the competition has ended. If this rule is trespassed the fish will not be weighed and the angler will be disqualified. Also refer to 12.9. 10. POINTS AWARD Rule 10.1 Individual placement of an angler per zone Rule 10.1.1 Points per fish All fresh water fish that are caught and comply with the stipulations of the applicable ordinance as well as these rules, shall be weighed and catch points (calculated to the second decimal) shall be awarded to the angler as follows – - Five (5) points per fish. -Ten (10) points per kilogram for all fish caught. All Tilapiaspecies(kurper) have ‘n minimun length of 150mm to qualify for weighing and this applies to all provinces. All dwarf-fishspecies eg. ghieliemientjies, mosquitofish etc. are not weighed. The host must indicate in their invitation what dwarf species are encountered in the water where the championship will be held. Rule 10.1.2 Placement according to catchpoint The angler with the most catch points is the winner and receives therewith a competition point equal to the number of competitors (present as well as absent) supposed to participate in the competition in that zone or area. The angler in the second position receives one point less than the winner. The same procedure is followed for all anglers with a catch. Rule 10.1.3 Placement wrt same catchpoint If two anglers receive the same catch point the quantity of fish will determine the order of precedence. The angler with the highest quantity of fish will be placed in the higher position. Rule 10.1.4 Placement wrt same catchpoint and fish If the quantity of fish is the same, then the relevant anglers will receive the same competition point and the following position will fall away. Rule 10.1.5 No fish Anglers without a catch or absent members will receive a naught as competition point. Rule 10.2 Team placement Rule 10.2.1 Placement according to total competition points The placement of teams is done by adding up the competition points of all team members, irrespective whether the competition is over one day or three days. The team with the highest total shall be the winner. Rule 10.2.2 Placement in case of equal competition points If two teams have the same total, the quantity of fish shall determine the order of precedence. Rule 10.2.3 Placement in case of equal competition points and fish If the quantity of fish is the same, then the mass of the total catch will determine the order of precedence. The team with the highest mass shall be placed in the higher position. Rule 10.2.4 Placement in case of equal competition points/fish and mass If the mass is also the same, the team with the angler, according to the merit list, who has the highest individual competition point, will be placed in the higher position. Rule 10.3 Merit list Rule 10.3.1 Placement on meritlist In order to determine the order of the anglers at the end of the tournament, the merit points per angler are added up for each day (minus merit penalty points if any). The angler with the highest total is placed1st, next highest will be 2nd etc. If 2 or more anglers have the same total, the number of fish will determine the order. If the number of fish is the same, the mass will determine the order. If the masses are also the same, the anglers will get the same position and the next lower position will fall away. 11. BEHAVIOUR Rule 11.1 Incapacitating substances No participant may use any alcoholic drink during a competition or be allowed to participate in a competition when he is under the influence of any narcotics (drugs). Participants who are guilty of this will be immediately be disqualified and be banned from the competition terrain. Also refer to 12.9. Rule 11.2 Unacceptable behaviour Any other behaviour that is interfering with the general acceptable moral shall not be tolerated. Persons that are guilty of such misconduct can for the duration of the competition be banned from the competition terrain. Rule 11.3 Escalation In serious cases the violation must be reported to the executive committee for them to take further disciplinary action. 12. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES Rule 12.1 Ad hoc instructions Participants must obey all ad-hoc instructions which are given by the chief official. Such instructions are only valid if it were discussed and approved on the preceding information meeting and announced before the competition and are not in conflict with any of the other prescribed rules. Rule 12.2 Power of officials Action taken against anglers who trespasses the rules, lays with any of the officials on duty. Rule 12.3 Lodging of complaints Any offence can be brought to the attention of an official by an angler who is standing next to the offender. The official shall decide on any action to be taken after he has heard the testimony of the complainant, the offender and from other eyewitness/es. Where applicable, the team management will be informed of any action taken. Rule 12.4 Official complaints Official complaints wrt the day’s fishing must be submitted to the officials in writing before weighing commences. Such complaints will be dealt with by the appeal committee before the weigh-in starts. Complaints wrt the weigh-in may be submitted to the officials in writing after the weigh-in is done. Such complaints will also be dealt with by the appeal committee either before the next day’s fishing commences or before the final results can be compiled if this happens on the last day of the tournament. Rule 12.5 Appeal against ruling If there is any uncertainty about the interpretation of a rule and the decision of the appeal committee is challenged, then a decisive answer can be requested from the executive committee of SAFBAF. There decision shall be final till it can be discussed on the following Annual General meeting. Rule 12.6 Ordinance If any of these rules are in conflict with ruling ordinance or regulations of a local government, then the juridical regulation will be applicable. Rule 12.7 Know your rules All registered (affiliated) members must know and study the content of these rules as described by SAFBAF. Any violation or deviation of these rules on account of ignorance will not be accepted as an apology. Rule 12.8 Ad hoc amendments If any affiliated body experience practical problems with the prescribed angling rules they may request the executive committee of SAFBAF for an ad-hoc amendment to address the specific problem. Rule 12.9 Disputes In the case of a dispute wrt fish or when an angler is disqualified (eg fishing without shoes – 1.3.2), the fish must be weighed and documented. Refer to the following rules: 1.3.2 / 3.4 / 5.1 / 5.3.1 / 5.4.4 / 5.4.5 / 5.4.6 / 5.6 / 6.4 / 6.6 / 7.3 / 7.3.1 / 7.4.1 / 7.4.2 / 9.4 / 11.1. 13. NOTES Rule 13.1 Defenitions In these preceding text pronouns such as he, she, him or himself are used and will be applicable to both sexes. Rule 13.2 Afrikaans text In the case of any disputes the Afrikaans text will be the official document. Rule 13.3 Appeal committee During the information meeting but before the beginning of a competition, the appeal committee must be nominated and appointed to settle disputes which may occur during a competition. If an angler has been penalised and the prescribed penalty points are more than the angler’s competition point then the offender will receive a naught as a merit or competition point. Rule 13.5 Penalty wrt non-angling team member If a non-angling team member commits an offence the penalty points imposed will be subtracted from the team’s total. 14. AMENDMENTS The angling rules may be amended on the Annual Meeting of the Federation or it can be revoked with a normal majority vote if the amendment is indicated on the agenda of the meeting. If no notice was given of such an amendment, a two third majority is necessary for any change. 15. RECORD CLAIMS Application for the registration of record claims must be submitted within 90 days on the prescribed form to the Record Official of the Federation. When a record fish is caught during a controlled competition the angler must, by means of his club, apply by the Provincial Record Official to register this catch as a Federation Record. Zone or control officials must certify the catch by the completion of the form “Certificate of Catches during a Controlled Competition”. 16. ANNUAL MEETING AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS During the SAFBAF Executive Committee meeting held on 17 June 2006 it was decided that irrespective of the stipulations of the ordinance of the various provinces that – Rule 16.1 SPUR TOAD FROGS Spur toad frogs (Xenopus laevus) may not, alive or dead, or cut in pieces, be used for bait during any competition controlled by SAFBAF. If any participant trespasses this rule, the participant will immediately be disqualified for the day. 17. PHOTOS AND SKETCHES 17.1 Allowable (In Line Method Feeders) (rule 5.4.6) 17.2 Not allowable (Feeder Cages) (rule 5.4.6)