Ahipara Gamefish Club Fishing Rules
Last updated 19 August 2024
This version is current from 1 July 2024.
Fishing Season
1 July to 30 June
Fishing Area
New Zealand 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Fishing Rules
All fish landed must comply with New Zealand fishing laws. All fishing must be carried out in accordance with NZSFC Angling Rules, incorporating the IGFA Equipment and Angling Regulations, unless the angler cannot reasonably comply due to a disability. The Committee reserves the right to make a decision on the eligibility of any angler’s fish where the fish has not been caught in accordance with these rules.
Qualifying Anglers
For any fish to count for the club, the angler must be a current financial member of Ahipara Gamefish Club (AGC) prior to the fish being caught.
Qualifying Fish and Minimum Weights
The following fish are currently the only fish that qualify for club trophies, records, prizes or certificates (club awards). Minimum weights apply to some fish. The club encourages the tag and release of all fish under the minimum qualifying weights. The club will process all world or NZ record claims irrespective of these rules. Weighing of all fish is at the weighmaster’s discretion.
Qualifying fish and minimum qualifying weight for landed fish (if applicable) are as follows:
Sharks and Other Fish
The club does not recognise sharks for any club awards. The club will process all world or NZ record claims irrespective of these rules. Other scale fish are recognised for Juniors. Records for other fish may be kept at the discretion of the Committee.
Certified Scales & Courtesy Weighs
All landed fish must be weighed on a certified scale to qualify for club awards. Courtesy weighs from other clubs are acceptable, unless tournament rules state otherwise.
Catch Cards
Catches must be reported to the Club Recorder as soon as reasonably practicable after the capture. Weigh sheets and tag cards must reach the Club Recorder before the end of the fishing season to qualify for any club award for that season. Digital copies are accepted.
Mutilated Fish
If a fish has any new wounds other than clean gaffing or bleeding wounds, such as fresh propeller wounds or shark bites, this will disqualify the fish. Bleeding of fish to improve eating quality is encouraged and bled fish are eligible for club awards.
Other Clubs’ Tournaments & Nationals Fish
If an AGC member weighs or tags a fish during a contest run by another club, that fish may be counted for AGC awards as well. However if an AGC member is fishing for another club’s team during the NZSFC Nationals, then any fish tagged or weighed by that member will not count for Ahipara Gamefish Club.
Trophies and Prizes
Definitions:
The trophies available to be won each season are currently as follows:
Open Trophies
Junior Trophies
Tournament Trophies
Other Prizes (seniors only):
Points Systems For Trophies
Angler Most Points
Trophy is awarded to the angler who accumulates the most points throughout the season. IGFA and club fishing rules apply.
Points are accumulated on the following basis:
Skipper Most Points
Trophy is awarded to the skipper who accumulates the most points throughout the season. The angler does not need to be a member of any club. IGFA and club fishing rules apply.
Points are accumulated on the following basis:
February Trophy
Trophy is awarded to the angler who accumulates the most points during the month of February. Anglers collect points by catching up to five species of fish. Only the highest scoring fish per species is counted towards the angler’s total points. There are no line weight or tackle restrictions.
Points are accumulated on the following basis:
Criteria for Other Club Trophies and Competitions
Most Meritorious Trophy
Trophy is awarded to the angler of the most meritorious catch of the season, decided by the Committee.
Gallagher Insurance Kingfish Classic
Tournament runs throughout the month of November. IGFA and club fishing rules apply. No line weight restrictions. Braid may be used. Only Senior financial club members may enter. An entry fee is payable, which goes into the prize pool. Trophy is awarded to the heaviest qualifying kingfish caught during the tournament. Prize money is awarded for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaviest kingfish. Other prizes may be awarded at the committee’s discretion.
Prize money divided as follows:
Striped Marlin Jackpot
Tournament runs from 1 January to 30 April. IGFA and club fishing rules apply. Only Senior financial club members may enter. An entry fee is payable, which goes into the prize pool. Prize money is awarded for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaviest striped marlin.
Prize money divided as follows:
Ties
In the case of a tie for any trophy, the angler who catches the tying fish first will be given precedence. Where points are tied for any points trophy, the trophy will be shared.
No Qualifying Fish
In the event that any club trophy may not be awarded due to lack of a qualifying fish as per these rules, the committee has the discretion to consider anglers whose fish do not meet the qualifying criteria.
Club Records
The club will maintain a club record register with line class records for all qualifying fish, in the following classes:
Queries, Disputes and Changes
Any discrepancy or topic not covered in these Rules can be submitted to the Committee for discussion and ruling. Any disputes that arise must be submitted to the committee for discussion and the committee’s decision is final. The committee has the right to amend the above rules, and will notify any changes via the club website.
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