• 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.