Winter League 2023 Rules

[Big Kev]

** The rules have been updated to suit this year I have made a few small changes .
I have changed the match fee to £10 in total and added an extra pool at each match and I will also be giving a trophy to the best junior hopefully this may attract a few more juniors

We are again using the measure and release format in the majority league matches whereby only a maximum of 2 fish per angler can be recorded. A maximum of 1 flat and/or 1 round fish per angler to be recorded. This gives everyone a good chance of success.

At the some matches the format will be slightly different to suit the venue. where this happens it will be made clear in the preview prior to the match.

While we want to keep the league as informal as possible the rules must be adhered to and as such I will have no hesitation in disqualifying anyone who breaks them.

1. Only 1 rod to be used at any time (spare can be set up with line threaded through the eyes but no end tackle can be attached)
2. Minimum fish size limit of 23cm.
3. Maximum 2 hooks (Pennels count as 2 hooks, no trebles allowed)
4. Spare traces can be set up
5. 2 fish only to be recorded (1 flat and/or 1 round) unless advised different by the match organiser.
6. All fish to be witnessed/signed by another angler
7. Organisers decision is final
8. No walking off until 30 mins before start time
9.Any angler leaving litter will be disqualified
10.All dogfish will be awarded 40cm
11.Rays will be measured from nose to the end of the tail
12.Pendulum casting is not allowed
13.Appropriate shock-leader must be used
14.Accompanied juniors are welcome but they must cast for themselves
15.In the event of a tie for overall league positions on points the overall length from all matches will be the deciding factor
16.Any anglers who turn up late for a match MUST come to see me to pay their match fee BEFORE they start fishing.


The winner (angler with the longest total length) in each match will be awarded 10pts, with the second being awarded 9pts etc down to 1pt for 10th place.
The Angler who wins one of the pools on the day will also be awarded 1 point [eg.winner of longest fish gets 1 point]
All anglers will also receive 1 point for each match they fish.
The angler with the highest total of points after all matches [your best 8 scores from 10 will count dropping your worst 2] will be declared the WSF Winter league winner and will receive the trophy.
This year there will also be a payout for the top 3
A further trophy will be awarded to the angler who catches the longest cod during the league.
A further trophy will be awarded to the best junior .
Each match is an individual open in it`s own right so if you only want to fish one or two matches you can but obviously you will not have a chance to win the overall league.
In the event of a tie for final positions total length of fish caught will come into play

There will be an entry fee of £9 per match which will include a pay out for 1st 2nd and 3rd in each match £1 for the longest fish and £1 for an additional pool to be decided for each match and £1 towards the overall leauge prize fund ....each angler in each match will also pay £1 to cover our public liability insurance costs. so the total cost will be £10 per angler.
Juniors will be £5

Dogfish DO NOT COUNT in the longest fish pool.

For those who are not familiar with the winter league matches we try to give every angler the chance of winning by only allowing a maximum of 2 fish to be recorded1 flat and/or 1 round fish with the exception of a couple of matches as detailed.

WSF Winter League 2023 Minimum - Fish Size 23cm

Only fish from the following list will count

Bass
Bull Huss
Coalfish
Cod
Conger Eel
Dab
Dogfish
Flounder
Gurnard
Herring
Mackerel
Mullet
Plaice
Pollock
Pouting
Rockling
Skate / Ray
Smooth Hound
Sole
Turbot
Whiting

Weevers & Silver eels DO NOT Count.[/b]