1. Registration: 

• All participants must register prior to the event. https://www.somersetyouangling.club
• Where required in England, all competitors must be in possession of a valid Environmental Agency rod licence. (Children under 13 do not need a licence. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free. You'll still need to get a junior licence.)
• No member will be allowed to re-draw

2. Peg Draw: Fishing locations (pegs) will be assigned through a random draw.

3. Fishing Area:

• Competitors may fish halfway between you and the next angler.
• SYAC will provide close or easily accessible pegs to accommodate disabled anglers who otherwise would not be able to compete or their Parent / Guardian on the day.
• Anglers may not leave their peg area with a baited line left in the water or baited hooks left on the side of the bank.
• All competitors must fish from the bank and within 1 meter of their peg, unless there is a genuine reason and agreed with an official on the day.
• Competitors are not to stand up on their seat box. 

4. Accompaniment for Cadets/Juniors:

• All Cadets (under 12s) and Juniors (12-16 years) must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the match.
• It is the adult’s responsibility to ensure the child remains at their peg during the match, including for weighing in and packing away tackle.
• Participants may leave their peg only for a toilet break or to attend the presentation ceremony
• Participants are responsible for ensuring that their pegs are clear of litter and no participants may have his/her catch weighed in who has litter lying on the banks of his/her swim.

5. Equipment:

• Only one rod, whip or pole, with a single hook, is permitted at any time.
• You must read the venue's website to ensure you are not breaking any rules.
• You must check the venue’s net limit to ensure you do not exceed this, in the case you go over a net limit this net will be disqualified from your total weight or fishery rules.
• Keep-nets should be dry when arriving to fish as dry nets do not spread disease. Fish must never be handled with gloves or towels.

6. Bait:

• Bait limits may be imposed; participants will be informed in advance.
• You Must read the venue's website to ensure you are only using bait that is allowed at that specific venue.
• Artificial baits are strictly prohibited (No Lures, Spinners etc)
• Using one species of fish as a live bait to catch another is not permitted.
• Floating baits are strictly prohibited ( No floating bread or Dog Biscuits etc )
• No feeding can take place until the start of the match has been announced.
• You may not feed with your pole whilst having a bait within the water.
• No competitor may disturb the water in any manner before the starting signal except for positioning the keepnet, mixing groundbait, plumbing the depth, shotting float and clipping up.

7. Fishing Time: The match duration will be specified prior to the event.

8. Start and End Signals:

• Signals will indicate the start and end of the match; fishing outside these times is not allowed.
• All competitors must stop fishing immediately the signal to stop (whistle) is given, except if already playing a fish, in which case the call ‘Fish on’ is to be announced at the signal to stop. A further 20 minutes is permitted to land the fish.
• A match may not be abandoned once it has commenced unless there is a concern for the safety of the competitors, parents or coaches.

9. Championship points:

• Points will only be awarded for matches that are actively advertised and signed up for on our website.
• 20 points will be awarded for first, descending.
• In the case of a competitor not weighing in 1 point will be awarded
• In the case of a competitor leaving a match early or not attending will receive 0 points. 

10. Weigh-In: All catches must be presented to the designated officials for weighing, weights will not be re-weighed if you accidentally leave fish in the net.

11. Fish Handling: All fish must be handled with care and returned to the water promptly after weighing.

12. Prohibited Species: Pike and game species do not count and must be returned immediately.

13. Conduct:

• Unsporting behavior, including interference with other competitors, is prohibited.
• You must maintain respect for all members, coaching staff & parents/ guardian any abusive language will not be tolerated.

Cadets (Under 12s)
1. Assistance: 

• Adult assistance is permitted for baiting, and unhooking, but the cadet must actively hook and play the fish themselves.
• Whichever method your child chooses to fish they must be able to fish that method independently unless within the first 12 months of them fishing and prior approval from the match organiser.

2. Fish Safety: Fish safety is paramount, if a child has been playing a fish for 20 minutes or more an adult can assist with a volunteer's approval.

3. Duration: Matches will last no more than 3 hours to accommodate younger participants.

4. Equipment: A maximum length of 11.5 metres is allowed for poles.

5. Safety:

• Life jackets or buoyancy aids are recommended.
• An adult is required to pull for a break if a child is snagged up. If a fish is hooked and becomes free you pass the piece of equipment back to the Cadet.

Juniors (12-16 Years)
1. Independence:

• Participants are expected to handle all aspects of fishing independently, with verbal guidance allowed
• ALL junior competitors must feed their peg unaided. Where a medical exemption is applicable, Juniors may receive assistance in filling a pole cupping kit which the junior will then use to feed his or her swim. Where no pole is available, then assistance will be allowed with feeding from an adult, coach, or parent.
• Whichever method your child chooses to fish they must be able to fish that method independently unless within the first 12 months of them fishing and prior approval from the match organiser.
• Adult assistance can be given when unhooking Perch, Pike or Large Carp.
• Adult assistance can be given when using a landing net for large species.

2. Fish Safety: Fish safety is paramount, if a child has been playing a fish for 20 minutes or more an adult can assist with a volunteer's approval.

3. Duration: Matches will last up to 4 hours.

4. Equipment: A maximum length of 13 metres is allowed for poles.


Youth (16-21 Years)
1. Independence: Participants must fish independently without assistance.
2. Duration: Matches will last up to 5 hours.
3. Equipment: A maximum length of 16 metres is allowed for poles.

Penalties and Disqualifications

• Violations of the rules may result in penalties or disqualification, at the discretion of the officials.
• Any complaints of unfair conduct must be made immediately to a member of the committee. Any actions arising from that complaint will be down to the discretion of the Somerset Youth Angling Club committee. Any member having a complaint to make must do so in writing to the Secretary within 48 hours of the alleged occurrence.
• If you are late to match registration and or the draw your peg will be randomly drawn
• Failure to turn up for 3 matches in a season without prior notice will get you banned from all future events.