Before fishing all competitors must agree to abide by these rules.
All scales will be checked on the 1st day of the 2 day event by one of the BPS committee
or nominated person. A colour coded ticket will be placed on the scales to verify
accuracy or amount in ozs to be added or subtracted to give an accurate weight of
captured pike. Scales of 4ozs or more out will NOT be used.
Each angler must be equipped with scales, landing net, weigh sling, pike sack(s)
and at least 1 pair of long forceps to ensure the safe weighing and un-hooking of
any pike they may catch. An un-hooking mat or soft bubble roll wrap is also advisable.
Any angler witnessed weighing in pike under the jaw, rather than using a weigh sling
will be instantly disqualified and will be barred from any future BPS matches for
LIFE!
The use of only 1 rod is permitted during this 2 day event and only 1 rod is to be
brought onto the water.
No live-bait is to be used on the hook or brought onto the bank at any time.
All anglers fishing this 2 day event are acting stewards and you will be expected
to weigh and record the capture of pike when asked to do so by another angler.
On no account can a steward weigh-in a pike for an angler from their own regional
group (i.e.) an angler from Group 3
cannot weigh pike for another angler from Group 3, etc. Each angler will be issued
with a weigh card depicting their name and regional group number. 11 regional groups
cover England, Scotland & Wales.
When witnessing a pike, the scales must be checked and zeroed in before weighing.
All parties must agree with the final weight before returning the fish to the water.
On no account must an angler return their own fish to the water. The steward must
return the fish to the water, ensuring that the pike has swum away out of sight and
is not merely resting visibly in the margins.
It is every anglers duty to retain their catch alive until a witness can be summoned,
for on no account will dead pike be weighed in. Pike must not be kept in sacks for
more time than is absolutely necessary, and anglers must use common sense in the
interests of pike safety when keeping more than one pike in a sack at any one time.
It is a better and safer option for each angler to carry two sacks with them.
Multiple catches of 2 or more pike must be recorded separately on the competitors
weigh card.
Roving means just that, so that you may roam freely within the laid out match boundaries
(you will be informed of these before the match commences). On no account can anglers
lay claim to individual swims, this is a 'free for all' so shoulder to shoulder and
cross casting is allowed within the rules.
Wading is only allowed if the host clubs rules allow it. You will be informed before
the start of each day’s fishing if it is allowed, and what rules may be in place.
The use of any vehicle, bicycle, boat or the like must not be used for 'swim-hopping'
at anytime. All anglers must be on foot during the tournament. Once vehicles have
been parked at the designated starting points; they must remain there until the end
of the day’s competition.
For the continued enjoyment and fairness to others, any competitors caught flouting
these rules, or altering their weigh cards will be instantly disqualified and asked
to leave.
Your weigh cards must be handed to an official within 1 hour of the end of the daily
competitions. Failure to do so, will automatically result in any catch made being
null and void.
Any objections must be made within 1 hour of the end of the daily competitions. Once
prizes have been awarded
problems cannot then be rectified.
The "Top Ten" heaviest weights over the 2 days will be invited onto the team as members
of "The British Pike Squad" that will fish against "The Irish Pike Squad" at the
following years International Pike Championships Final. So that we only end up with
10 anglers in the squad, if more than one angler has the same overall weight after
2 days, the competitor catching the most pike (i.e.) a competitor catching 3 pike
for 10 lbs will beat a competitor catching 2 pike for 10 lbs), 11th and 12th placed
anglers will act as squad reserves. These anglers will be approached in that order
should they become required at any time.
Under all circumstances the committee’s decision is final.
