Rules for the competitions

Sportsmanship:

· It's about more than following rules - it's about respect, good behavior and community

· Fish honestly

· Help others when you can

· Win with humility, lose with dignity.

· Create a good atmosphere both on the water and on land

· We compete to have fun, develop and find new friends - not just to win

Security:

Mandatory safety equipment that must be included in the kayak:

· Compass (The one in your phone is ok)

· Knife

· Hook cutter

· Whistle

· Water

· First aid (bandages, wound wash, etc.)

· Telephone (it is advisable to use a strap or float for it)

· Pedal kayakers must have a paddle, (Not half a paddle but the whole paddle)

· Life jacket/floating clothing

· Inears/Headphones are not allowed, Inear in one ear is ok

(Listening to the phone from the speaker is ok)

· Parking of cars. Make sure you do not block the race management car.

· A life jacket or similar is mandatory and must be worn the entire time you are on the water.

· The fisherman must ensure that he has valid insurance and everyone participates at their own risk.

· If the water is cold, a dry suit is required. What is cold or not is up to the angler to decide based on their own risk assessment, unless the competition management requires this.

Generally:

· We follow the "sea laws", such as carrying lanterns, alcohol on the lake, etc. We also do not anchor or fish in a fairway.

· Assembly and briefing before start is mandatory attendance. (Captain's meeting)
In case of late arrival, a cm deduction will be applied.

· We follow any local rules and fishing regulations.

· In case of late arrival, a penalty of 2 cm per minute will be applied. If the delay is more than 15 minutes, the competitor will be disqualified for that day.

· At least one foot ashore (bridge or similar) at the finish line is required.

(That you are on land).

· If you have gone ashore earlier, you must notify the competition management according to a specific routine. For example, put your tag back on your nail on a board.

· You may launch and prepare the kayak at any time before the start. (However, do not use the echo sounder (the transducer must not be turned on) or fish).

· During the competition, it is not permitted to receive any form of tips, help, information, guidance or similar assistance from outsiders who are not involved in the competition.

· Fragrances, those available on the market may be used

· All fish must be caught and landed from inside the kayak by the competitor while on the water.

· All measurements must be taken on the water in the kayak, however, if you catch a larger fish, such as a pike, you can go ashore to measure and take photos.

· Help (e.g. with large fish) from fellow competitors is allowed, however, photography must be done with the competitor's own phone.

· We must maintain a distance of at least 30m between the competitors.

Unless you say it's ok to be closer

· All use of equipment that enables real-time visualization under the water surface, with so-called LIVE transducers, is prohibited, such as Megalive, Livescope, Panotix, Active target active target 2, etc. However, echo sounders with a gossip window are OK.

· All electronic equipment that artificially affects the behavior of fish is prohibited: For example, emitting bubbles, vibrations, sounds, attractants or similar.

· A fish may only be counted once, so-called recaptures may not be recorded.  

· Measurement and registration of fish takes place immediately, it is not allowed to store fish in nets/Livewells or similar  

· Not allowed with so-called hangers

Fishing methods:

· Only hand gear in the form of rod and reel and artificial baits

· Not allowed: Trolling, live bait, hangers, electric motors, sails, fishing with multiple rods at the same time. Unless permitted by the competition management.

✔️ This is ok: You pedal and accelerate through the water and cast and reel in.
= active fishing – Not trolling

❌ This is not ok: You are pedaling and speeding through the water with the rod in the holder
= passive fishing – trolling

Memorable rule: "If the movement of the bait in the water is NOT carried out by the fisherman, this is considered passive fishing, i.e. Trolling" is not allowed.

Photographing:

· If you use gloves, they should be wet before measuring, as should the measuring board.

· If you have a finger in the fish's eye, the report will be rejected.

· After the photo shoot, the fish must be released safely and the competitor is responsible for the well-being of the fish.

· All photography must be done with a mobile phone

· If your own measuring board is used, it must be presented to the competition management beforehand.

· The image must be clear and the markings on the measuring board must be readable

· The entire fish MUST be visible in the photo. It is permissible to hold your hand over the fish as long as it does not obscure the head or tail fin.

· The images may not be manipulated in any way

· The fish must be at the edge of the measuring board and the head end must be at 0 cm.

· Parts of cm are rounded up. 56.8cm = 57cm, 46.3cm =47cm

· The GPS information is to ensure that the competitors are not in a fishing ban area.

· Make sure you update the position of each fish

· Minimum dimensions: We generally do not use this, if this is used, the competition management will announce this before the start.

Protests:

· All protests must be in writing and received by the competition management no later than 30 minutes after the end of the fishing period.

In the event of a breach of the rules, the following penalties may be awarded:

· A maximum deduction from today's catch of 75 cm.

· Disqualification from the competition (one day or more).

· Cm deduction. For example, if you do not meet the time for the Captain's Meeting, time for the finish line or false start, etc.

Other:

· The competition management reserves the right to use participants' photos for further marketing of kayak fishing competitions.

· Any winnings tax is paid by the competitors

· All participation is at your own risk.

· Fishing license not included

· We adhere to the rules that apply to each water.

· Requirement for membership in the sport fishermen's association, as well as being registered in Sweden (Registered in Sweden only applies to SM)         

Jury:

Per Norman

Manuel Manne Dahlberg