Rules and Regulations

Rules & Regulations
Contest Rules
The contest is restricted to human powered and/or sail assisted kayaks only. Any other form of propulsion or watercraft is prohibited. No ferrying of kayaks by other boats is permitted. All fish submitted for weigh-in are to be caught on the water from a kayak and transported to shore by kayak. All kayaks are to be launched from Mahurangi.
Only two rods or hand lines may be used, with only two hooks allowed per rod or hand line per angler. Treble hooks are permitted only on artificial lures.
The contest registration and briefing will be at 06:50 am on before fishing starts at 7 am.
To be eligible for receipt of prizes anglers must be registered to enter the contest and additionally, be present at the official prize giving to claim any spot-drawn prizes.
The official contest fishing period commences at 7.00 am and ends at 2.00 pm on Sunday 5th April 2009. Any fish caught outside these times are not eligible for weigh-in.
Weigh-in times are from 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Sunday 5th April. Anglers who are not present at the weigh-in station by the stated time will not be permitted to weigh their fish. The Weigh Master will be the sole judge of time.
All fish presented for weighing must be a minimum of 500 gm in weight, and additionally for this contest, the minimum length for Snapper shall be 30cm. All fish submitted for weighing shall comply with the NZ Amateur Fishing Regulations. No under size fish will be accepted.
Fish deemed not to be in good fresh condition will be rejected from weighing.
No contestant may weigh-in more than three fish of the same species, and all fish submitted are to have been caught on that day by the contestant.
The spot prize will be won by the contestant who's entry number is drawn at random from all the eligible anglers entry numbers during the official prize giving on Sunday 5th April 2009.
The Heaviest Fish and Runner-up prizes are for the first and second heaviest fish of each species category that are weighed-in during the contest period. The eligible species are: Snapper, Kahawai, Trevally
If two fish of the same species are weighed-in at equal weights, then the fish that has the lowest contestant entry number shall be deemed the heaviest. The second fish weighed-in at that weight shall then become the runner-up in that species category.
In the event of prizes not being awarded for any reason, they will be drawn. All prizes must be won. There will be no cancellation of the contest.
All matters on which these rules are silent shall be determined at the discretion of the organising committee.
The purchasing of an entry in the Hibiscus Kayak Fishing Competition constitutes acceptance of the rules and regulations of the contest and participants agree to abide by the decision of the organising committee. No correspondence will entered into.
Safety Rules
At least one form of electronic communication (cell phone or VHF radio) is required.  The cell phone number or VHF call sign will be recorded on the registration forms of the respective contestants. The VHF radio channels to be utilized for the contest will be advised at the registration briefing.
It shall be the responsibility of the contestants to determine that launching and fishing conditions at the location is safe for their personal abilities & craft.
All contestants shall be required to confirm and sign at registration time that they have the following mandatory safety equipment in order to be eligible to fish the contest.
Mandatory

• Approved PFD/Life Jacket (to be worn at all times on the water)
  
• Communication (cell phone and/or VHF radio - one per fishing group)
  
• Distress Whistle (attached to PFD)
  
• Tow Line/Anchor Rope
  
• Hand Bailer Pump (not required for Sit-On-Top kayaks)
  
• Paddle Rescue Float (not required for Sit-On-Top kayaks)
  

• Hi-Viz Kayak Safety Flag
  
• Spare Paddle
  
• First Aid Kit
  
• Sun Screen, Hat & Sun Glasses
  
• Food & Water