angling rules

Angling Rules

1. From the time a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight and land or boat the fish without the aid of any other person, except as provided for in these regulations. (CLARIFICATION to ANGLING RULE 1.) If the mate is letting out a bait or lure and the reel is in free spool, the rod can be put back in the cover board. This situation is legal Under NO circumstances can any drag be put on the reel or the rod handed to another person. The rationale is that the hook has not been set with the reel out of gear. When retrieving a bait or lure the fish would be disqualified immediately if the rod is put back into the cover board or transferred to another person as the reel is in gear and the hook has been set.
2. If a rodholder is used and a fish takes the bait or lure, the angler must remove the rod from the holder as quickly as possible.
3. In the event of a multiple strike on separate lines being fished by a single angler, only the first fish fought will be considered for an Australian record.
4. If a double line is used, the intent of the regulations is that the fish is to be fought on the single line for most of the time that it takes to land the fish.
5. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the angler.
6. Use of a rod belt or waist gimbal is permitted.
7. When angling from a boat, once the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader.
8. One or more gaffers may be used in addition to persons holding the leader. The gaff handle must be in hand when the fish is gaffed.
9. The Angling Rules and Equipment Regulations shall apply until a fish is weighed.

Disqualifying Acts & Situations

THE FOLLOWING ACTS WILL DISQUALIFY A CATCH:

1. Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.
2. The act of persons other than the angler intentionally touching any part of the rod, reel or line (including the double line), either bodily or with any device during the playing of the fish, or in giving any aid other than that allowed in the rules and regulations. If any obstacle to the passage of the line through the rod guides has to be removed from the line, then the obstacle (whether berley, floatline, rubber band or other material) shall be held and cut free. Under no circumstances should the line be held or touched by anyone other than the angler during this process. Holding or touching an angler in a manner that assists them in fighting the fish or takes pressure off the angler. Touching or briefly holding the angler to prevent them from falling does not constitute a disqualification.
3. Resting the rod in a rodholder, on the gunwale of the boat or any other object while playing the fish.
4. Handlining or using a handline or rope attached in any manner to the angler’s line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
5. Shooting, harpooning or lancing any fish (including sharks) at any stage of the catch.
6. Berleying with or using as bait the flesh, blood, skin or any other part of mammals other than hair or pork rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting.
7. Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.
8. Changing the rod or reel while the fish is being played.
9. Splicing, removing or adding to the line while the fish is being played.
10. Intentionally foul-hooking a fish.
11. Catching a fish in a manner that the double line never leaves the rod tip.
12. Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to possess.
13. Attaching the angler’s line or leader to part of the boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
14. If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the angling rules.
15. The act of any person touching any part of the leader when striking or hooking a fish.
16. Holding or touching an angler in a manner that assists them in fighting the fish or takes pressure off the angler. Touching or briefly holding the angler to prevent them from falling does not constitute a disqualification.

THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS WILL DISQUALIFY A CATCH:

1. When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played) in a manner that reduces the length of the tip below minimum dimensions or severely impairs its angling characteristics
2. Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not considered to be disqualifying injuries.) Any mutilation of the fish must be shown in a photograph and fully explained in a separate report accompanying the record application.