Our rules

Fishing Rules

All Divisions

All fish must be caught on tackle which complies with the ANSA Tackle Specifications and, in accordance with the fishing rules, by a member of a club affiliated directly or indirectly and individual members affiliated directly with ANSA

Only fish on the List of Eligible species list (caution Large file) will be considered as a capture.

1. The angler must hook, fight and bring the fish to gaff unaided by any other person

2. If a rod holder is used, the angler alone must remove the rod from the rod holder as quickly as possible.

3. No part of the rod or reel may be rested whilst the fish is being fought, except when using a rod belt, harness, gimbal or chair.

4. In the event of a multiple strike on separate lines being fished by a single angler, only the first fish fought will be considered as a capture.

5. Tackle and methods used must be as stated in each Division to be eligible for a record in that Division.

6. When angling from a boat, bridge, pier or land, once the leader is brought within grasp of a mate, or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip, more than one person is permitted to hold the leader.

7. One or more gaffers may be used in addition to persons holding the leader. The gaff handle must be in hand when the fish is gaffed.

8. The angling equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is weighed.

9. Gilled and gutted fish WILL NOT BE DISQUALIFIED but no allowance in weight will be made. (ANSA related activities only)

Disqualifications

All Divisions

The following acts, situations or omissions will disqualify a catch.

(a) Failure to comply with the rules or tackle specifications.

(b) A broken rod including the butt. For IGFA, a rod broken in a manner that reduces the length of the tip below minimum dimensions or severely impairs the angling characteristics.

(c) Acts of persons other than the angler in adjusting reel drag or touching any part or>f the tackle either by hand or other device during the playing of the fish, or giving aid other than taking the leader (or trace) for gaffing, netting or landing purposes, or in the replacing or adjusting the harness.

(d) Handlining a fish at any stage during the capture except when the leader or trace is to hand. This rule does not apply in the handline division.

(e) Shooting, harpooning or lancing the fish, including sharks at any stage of the catch.

(f) Mutilations caused by sharks, other fish or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh.

(Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars and generation deformities shall not be considered disqualifying injuries).

(g) Berleying (chumming) with or using bait, the flesh, blood, skin or guts of any MARINE MAMMAL.

(h) Using the boat or any device to beach or drive into shallow water any fish in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.

(i) Intentionally foul hooking a fish.

(j) When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than one line.

(k) Catching a fish in a manner that the double or leader never leaves the rod tip. If a double is used the intent of the regulation is that the fish will be fought on a single line most of the time that it takes to land the fish.

(l) Attaching the angler's line or leader to part of the boat or other object for then purpose of holding or lifting the fish.

(m) Using sizes or kinds of bait that are illegal to possess.

(n) Changing of rod or reel, splicing the line, or removal or addition thereto during the playing of a fish.

(o) The use of flotation devices designed to hamper the fighting ability of the fish.

(p) For any ANSA related activity, captures must not be taken from artificially enclosed fish farms or commercial impoundment.

(q) If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and is recaptured by any method other than outlined in the angling rules.

(r) The use of any device or action which, in the opinion of the National Executive, is designed to breach the ethics of the Australian National Sportfishing Association.

(s) FEDERAL, STATE, and LOCAL FISHING REGULATIONS;

All members of ANSA must ensure that all captures are made in accordance with current legal requirements pertaining to the area fished. This includes both salt and freshwater legislation. Failure to comply with existing legislation would deem any capture illegal and could involve civil and/or criminal action.

(t) DRUGS
(i) Any angler found to be using a performance enhancing drug or drugs either prescribed or obtained by other means, with the view toward enhancement, be disqualified for a period of two years, or as determined by the National Executive.
(ii) All ANSA members be prepared to comply with and provide tests as directed by the specific Drug Detection Agency, should any ever be required.

Angling Year
The angling year shall be from 1st July to the 30th June in the following year.

Equipment & Regulations

All Divisions

Except for special provisions in some divisions
(ie IGFA Gamefishing and Flyfishing)

Equipment used shall be as follows:

Lines
Non Metallic lines in natural or synthetic material only, are permitted. With the exception to this rule being lines with a containing a core of the base metal, lead.
Wire lines are not permitted.

Backing
If fishing line is attached to backing, and the backing leaves the reel, the heavier line becomes the line class, except for flyfishing division.
When backing is attached it must not exceed the line class of the division being fished.
This restriction does not apply if the backing is unattached.

Reels
Reels must be manually operated and nor mechanically or power operated. Ratchet handles and reels designed to be cranked with both hands at the same time are prohibited.
Physically handicapped persons, who are unable to operate a manually operated reel, are allowed to use electrically operated models, where approval has been granted. (Approval may be granted following the production of either a medical certificate or statutory declaration that the person is incapable of using a conventional reel.

Rods
Rods must comply with the sporting ethics and customs. Considerable latitude is allowed in the length of a rod. (Refer to IGFA Gamefishing and Flyfishing regulations for IGFA record claims).

Hooks
Hooks shall be of standard patterns. A double or treble hook shall be classed as a single hook. Automatic hooking devices are prohibited. Ganged hooks are permitted provided that all hooks are embedded in the bait.

Lures
Artificial lures are permitted provided that no more than three (3) hooks are attached.

Bait
Bait may be any vegetable matter or the whole or any part of any fish, insect or animal other than as provided in Clause (g) Disqualifications.

Gaffs & Nets
Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 2.4 metres in overall length. In using a flying or detachable gaff, the rope may not exceed 9.14 metres.
The gaff rope must be measured from the point where it is secured to the detachable head to the other end. Only the effective length will be considered. If a fixed head gaff is used the same limitations shall apply and the gaff rope shall be measured from the same location on the gaff hook. Only a single hook is permitted on any gaff.
When fishing from land, bridge, pier or other high platform or structure, this limitation does not apply and multiple hooked head gaffs are allowable.
harpoon or lance attachments are prohibited.
Fly gaff not permitted in Flyfishing in IGFA activities.

Floats
Floats are prohibited with the exception of any small flotation device attached to the line or leader for the sole purpose of regulating the depth of the bait. The flotation device must not in any way hamper the fighting ability of the fish.

Chairs
Fighting chairs must not have any mechanically propelled device that aids the angler in fighting the fish.

Gimbals
Gimbals must be free swinging, which include gimbals that swing in a vertical plane only. Any gimbal that allows the angler to reduce strain or rest while fighting the fish is prohibited.

Harness
A harness may be attached to the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair.

Bait & Lure Placement Devices
Such as outriggers, down riggers and kites etc., are permitted to be used provided that the actual fishing line is attached to the snap or other release devices, either directly or with some other material. The leader or double line may not be connected to the release mechanism either directly or with the use of a connecting device.

Safety
A safety line may be attached to the rod provided that the line does not in any way assist the angler in fighting the fish.