THE BIG CATCH

Internet Registrations:
Closes: Midnight 26th February 2010
Please note: To register here, click on the Register button and complete form and payment.
Register in Person: You can register in person on the day.

Briefing:
8:00pm     Friday 26th February 2010 at the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club, foreshore, Apollo Bay.

Fishing Times:
6:00am - 4:00pm      Saturday 27th February 2010
6:00am - 11:00am    Sunday 28th February 2010

Social Function, Early Bird Presentation & Spot Door Prizes:
7:30pm       Saturday 27th February 2010

Fishing Competition Presentation:
12:30pm     Sunday 28th February 2010

Event Description:
The Big Catch is a boat, kayak and land based fishing competition in the Apollo Bay region.

All fish caught and eligible for entry into the competition will be judged on length and must be handed to judges for measurement, by: 
4:00pm       Saturday 27th February 2010   
11:00am     Sunday 28th February 2010 to be eligible.

                 OR

The other option is that all competitors will be provided with an event-authorised measuring device (ruler/tape) and a competitor ID tag. Photos of fish measured on this device, with competitor ID tag clearly visible, will confirm the catch. Only fish that meet or exceed the minimum length for that species will be eligible for entry. (Competitors must provide their own digital camera. Images must be viewed by recording/ judging officials when anglers return from fishing).

Competitors are free to either keep their fish if they choose to, or release them after photograph.

Categories:
Champion Angler medals and prizes available in:

Boating & land-based divisions for:
• Biggest Fish: Of each eligible species – greatest length
• Grand Slam: Combination of all eligible species – greatest total combined length.

Kayak division for:
• Grand Slam: Combination of all eligible species – greatest total combined length.

Mystery Prize:
Mystery lengths for each species will be set, with great prizes up for grabs.

Eligible Species Include:
Boat Fishing
- Snapper
- Flathead (all species)
- King George Whiting
- Shark (all species).

Kayak (Yak) Fishing
- Snapper
- Flathead (all species)
- King George Whiting
- Bream

Land-based Fishing
- Australian Salmon
- King George Whiting
- Trout
- Bream

Event Confirmation & Event Kit:
Check-in for Event Confirmation and pick up your Event Kit, Measuring Device and Competitor ID Tag), from 7:30pm – 10:30pm on Friday 26th February 2010, at the Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club.

Pre-entry requirements:
• Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence: unless exemption applies.

Fishing Rules:
• Fishing is restricted to the waters between and including Kennett River and Aire River and the river estuaries within the zoning.

• Exclusion zone: Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary

• Any boat found to contain illegal equipment or bait will result in disqualification of all competitors in the boat

• All fishing is governed by regulations of the Victorian Fisheries and any breach of these regulations found by event organisers, will mean automatic disqualification and reporting of to the authority.

• Each entrant must sign the indemnity declaration on the Entry Form before the event. If under 18, the parent or guardian must sign. The organisers reserve the right to reject or cancel any entry at any time.

• The Event Director reserves the right to reject any entry

• It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure their equipment is in safe working condition.

• Any competitor retiring from the event must notify the Event Director/official. Due to safety procedures it is essential that event officials account for all competitors at the end of the scheduled event.

• Competitors must provide the largest fish caught in any category (or a digital photograph of the fish), to the event coordinators, for measurement, prior to 4:00pm cut-off, on the day of the event, to be deemed eligible for any competition medals or prizes.

• The digital photograph must clearly show the length of the fish being measured, using the measuring device and Competitor ID Tag, provided to all competitors in their Event Kit.

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