Juniors

Junior Tournament Rules

1. Eligible Fishing Days 

The tournament will be conducted from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025 and ALL days of the year are eligible fishing days.

2. Entry Fee

Entry into the competition is FREE. To enter, a Junior/Smallfry must complete either online entry that can be found at the bottom of website. 

Each entrant will have a unique “login ID” after registering online 

Note:  An angler may only enter the tournament under one (1) Game Fishing Club, the Club location determines the angler’s state waters.

Once an angler has registered in the competition, there will be no need to reregister in future year’s tournaments. An angler will be registered to compete in the tournament until they reach the age of 16.

An angler must have joined the competition prior to Capturing/Releasing any fish. All fish Captured & Released entered into the competition must be after the tournament entry date.

3. Categories

Small Fry – Capture and Release

Anglers under the age of 11 years at the date of entry will be placed into the “Small Fry category.” They will remain in the Smallfry category until the end of the tournament year even if they turn 11 years old throughout the year.

Junior – Capture and Release

Anglers over 10 and under 16 years at the beginning of the Tournament year (1st July) qualify as Juniors until the end of the Year (30th June). They will remain in the Junior Category until the end of the tournament year even if they turn 16 years old throughout the year.

In the case of a National Record Claim being made for a Captured Fish, then that claim is determined by the angler’s Date of Birth and not category they are fishing in.

4. Eligible Species

For the eligible Capture and Release species list, please refer to the separate ‘Eligible Species List” under the Juniors Menu.

5. Eligible Line Classes

Line classes are:

1kg; 2kg; 3kg; 4kg; 6kg; 8kg; 10kg; 15kg; 24kg & 37kg

Note: 60kg line is NOT eligible in this tournament

6. Capture and Release sections

Capture and Release (Tag & Release or Measure & Release) are two (2) separate sections, however an angler may enter fish in both sections.

7. Capture Section

1. Capture section includes Water Based (ie: on a boat), Land Based and Freshwater species.
2. Minimum weights for capture is as per angler’s home State Association minimum weights, if none stipulated, then Billfish and Other Gamefish MUST equal line class used and Sharks & Rays MUST double line class used.
3. A maximum of 5 Captured fish of any one species can only be entered on any one day.
4. Capture limits must comply with each State’s individual Bag limit requirements. 

8. Release Section (Incorporating Tag & Release and Measure & Release)

8a. Tag & Release

1. Only those species listed on the attached eligible Tag & Release species list are eligible for tag and release pointscore, min Length 60cm. please note: any special conditions that may apply for certain species.
2. All Billfish MUST be tagged with “Billfish Only” tags to be eligible for pointscore.
3. The GFAA Guideline for use of specific tags is:
   
   
   
   
4. A maximum of 5 tagged &/or measured fish of any one species can be entered on any one day.
5. For Tag & Release, any minimum lengths or weights set by the angler’s home State or a State’s embargoes for Tag & Release including State Fishery Laws must be adhered too by all anglers.

8b. Measure & Release

The introduction of Measure & Release to the National Junior Tournament has been provided as a further option for anglers to account and score points for fish that may not be eligible for either Tag & Release or Capture.

1. Only approved Measure/Brag mats can be used. These include the Shimano, NSW Fisheries & IGFA Mats.  Note: For all M&R World Record claims, only the IGFA mat can be used.
2. Fish must be clearly photographed on the Mat - 2 photos. (Photo 1 - showing the whole fish on the mat & Photo 2 - a close up shot of its tail showing the precise length of the fish on the mat.)
3. The Measure & Release Form or the GFAA Measure & Release Card is to be filled out, scanned and uploaded into the On-line Entry & Reporting section of the website.(similar to Tag Cards). Forms are to be retained by the angler for their own reference. Forms are available from the Junior Tournament Section of the GFAA Website.
4. To be eligible to score points, the photos (refer 8b (ii)) MUST also be uploaded via the On-line Entry & Reporting section of the website section when inputting the data from the Measure & Release form.
5. Refer to Species List regarding specified lengths & eligibility for Capture/T&R/M&R. A minimum Length of 30cm applies to the Measure & Release of all species unless otherwise indicated on the Eligible Species list.
6. A maximum of 5 measured &/or tagged fish of any one species can be entered on any one day.
7. For Measure & Release, any minimum lengths or weights set by the angler’s home State or a State’s embargoes for Measure & Release including State Fishery Laws must be adhered to by all anglers.
8. Fish are to be measured as indicated (X – X) on the M&R Form.
9. Carp may be measured only for points but are NOT to be release under any circumstances.
10. Bread and Butter Species - CARE – Please ensure fish recorded under the Bread & Butter Species list are NOT also a listed in Game Fish Species list and therefore may be eligible for higher points. 

9. Point Scores

1. Point scores are as per the attached capture and release point score list and are progressive throughout the year with State overall winners being those with the highest accumulated points in each division.
2. All points will go to the state that the angler is affiliated with and has nominated as the angler’s home Club on the entry form.
3. Only fish captured/released in the angler’s “home” state are eligible for state pointscore, any fish captured/tagged/released in another state’s waters will be eligible for National pointscore only.
4. Progressive point scores will be available on the GFAA website after verification by coordinators.  An angler has to the end of the following month to query that month’s pointscore. The angler must contact their respective State Coordinator with any point score query.

10. Trophies

1. There are a total of 56 trophies available for State winners. Each State/Territory will have 8 winners – two (2) in each category of Capture and Release (one(1) Male & one(1) Female).
2. As well, there are (2) two National awards given i.e. Overall Small Fry & Junior National Champions in Capture and Release.
3. Winners will be determined by the tournament pointscore system; in the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the count back system i.e. the first angler to reach the points.

11. Online Reporting

Online reporting is completed on the GFAA website. This facility enables you to submit your captures and Tag/Measure releases directly on the website rather than having to submit monthly reports.  Reporting can be done at any time but must be completed by 14th of the following month.

You are required to input a photo or scan copy of the following: 

• Club capture form for all Captures,
• A copy of the tag card for all tagged fish
• A copy of the measure & release form for all fish measured & released.

You may also submit a photo of your fish for consideration for publication on the website.

Please ensure copies of Capture forms, Tag Cards and Measure & Release forms are legible & readable before saving to the database. 

12. Other Tournament Awards

There will be (2) two tournament prizes awarded each month, one for each of the highest point scoring Capture and Release angler categories. Up to a further 2 meritorious awards may also be provided for outstanding achievement. (anglers can only win 1 category award throughout the year, ie: once you win an award, you cannot win it again.)