RULES FISHING COMPETITION COOK THE HOOK! 

1. Competition format: 100% Catch and release. All pike caught must be released after measurement and photography. If the pike dies, this must be noted and reported to the competition organizer. 

2. Laws: The competition is conducted according to:

• Åland Islands fisheries legislation,

• decisions and regulations from the Åland Provincial Government,

• rules from the respective fishing team/water owner within the competition area.

3. Participants and boats: All fishing is done from the boat. Max. 3 people per team/boat. Only registered competition participants are allowed to fish during the competition period. Each boat must have a boat captain/responsible person. 

4. Gear: No more than 1 active rod in the water per person fishing. 

5. Approved competition fish: Only pike is an approved fish. To be approved, the fish must be caught within the competition area, during official competition time & measure at least 55 cm. 

Pike under 55cm must be immediately released according to Åland legislation.

6. Measurement: The measurement takes place on the measuring board that is handed out by the organizer. 

The fish is measured:

• from the tip of the nose with the mouth closed,

• to the tip of the tail fin,

• in whole centimeters,

• Rounding is done downwards to the nearest whole centimeter.

Example:

• 81.9 cm = 81 cm

• 82.0 cm = 82 cm

7. Photography: 

For an approved catch, a clear photo is required showing the following:

1. Whole pike

2. Zero point of the measuring board

3. Fish length marking

4. Participant's race ID/card

The photo should be taken from above and be sharp enough that the competition management can check the length without any doubt.

The competition management reserves the right to reject unclear images.

8. Handling of fish:

The pike should be kept in the water as long as possible. Release should be done immediately after photography. 

The organizer strongly recommends: Barbless hooks or clamped barbs. Rubberized net and the right unhooking tool. 

9. Scoring: 

The competition is decided by total length in centimeters.

Each team/participant may register a maximum of:

• 5 longest pikes.

Example:

• 96 + 88 + 84 + 79 + 74 = 421 points

10. Competition time: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

11. Protests: The decision of the competition management is final.

12. Disqualification: Disqualification can occur if:

• fishing outside the competition area,

• use of unauthorized tools,

• intentional mismeasurement or image manipulation,

• unsportsmanlike conduct,

• violation of fishing law regulations or Åland fishing legislation,

• inadequate fish handling that seriously endangers the survival of the fish.

13. Competition areas and permits: Hellsö, Finnö, Karlby and Överboda fishing teams have sponsored fishing permits for this competition in 2026. The competition is only conducted within the water areas where the respective fishing team on Kökar has issued a permit. Current areas and any special restrictions will be announced on the morning of the competition when measuring boards are handed out.