OCTOBER FEST 2025

This competition is run by the fishing committee or other nominated members of the Stillwater Boating Club. (The committee) This committee shall have final decision-making powers on the eligibility of any angler or catch entered into the competition. Timing, species and prizes available may be amended due to catch numbers, weather or entrants at the committee’s discretion.

Read these rules carefully, and if in doubt, ask a committee member for clarification. Entries that are deemed invalid will not be eligible for any prizes.

The Competition

This is a month-long fishing competition running from 12.00am 03rd October 2025 to 11.59pm 31st October 2025. All entries must be received within this time. There will be a special sub comp “Magic Round” held over the Labour weekend period between Friday, the 24th October 5pm to Monday 27th October 11.59pm. A special number, word or item to be in the photo will be sent out for this magic round category. A briefing will be held at the club Thursday, 2nd October at 6.30pm to run through the competition.

Fishing Method

NZ Fishing rules must be observed. Fish must be caught on a rod and reel

Fishing Area

Unless otherwise noted, fishing is open in NZ coastal waters

Valid Species

Normal Species will be as below, but not limited to;

• Snapper

• Kingfish

• Kahawai

• Trevally

• Gurnard

• John Dory

Other species may be added at the discretion of the committee and will be notified prior to the competition commencing.

No sharks, rays or eels.

Entering A Fish

One fish per species can be entered for each category in the competition. An angler may send in more than one fish to be entered, but only the longest eligible fish will be entered for any prizes. Additional entered fish will form the data for the average length prizes. (if applicable) Entries must be sent to fishing@swbc.co.nz by the close of the competition. All entries must have the angler’s name, species and length of the entry in the subject line.

Fish must be of SNA1 area legal size to be eligible for entry.

In the event of a tie, the entry that was received the earliest at the nominated email address will take the highest placing.

Anglers must be in attendance at the prizegiving to receive/ be valid to receive their prize. No show – no prize. Prize giving on 2nd November at 4pm.

Photographing The Fish

Providing a clear and valid image of the fish is the angler's responsibility, and failure to enter a valid photo may be grounds for the committee to invalidate or deduct length from the entry.

Photos must be taken on a valid measure mat showing 5mm increments and a 90-degree stopper. Tape measures and stickers are not valid. A list of valid measure mats and examples of photos can be viewed here https://www.fishingcomp.co.nz/approved-measures/. Providing the measure mat has an L-shaped end and has been provided by a reputable supplier, then other measures may be acceptable. If in doubt, contact a Fishing Committee member. Measures used must be submitted at the prize giving for checking.

The fish must be placed so that the upper or lower jaw is against the stopper in their natural position (i.e., not elongated) and the tail is spread to prove length. Depending on the species and type of tail, the measure will be taken to the shortest point of the V or the longest point of the flat or inverted tail. Gutted, gilled or butchered fish will not be accepted. Measures will be rounded down to the nearest 5mm marking.

At the commencement of the competition, the committee will announce via email and social media a number, word or object that must be in the photo. This number, word or object must be clearly visible in the photo, and if incorrect or not clearly visible, it may be grounds for invalidating the entry. A special number, word or object will be re-sent at the commencement of the magic round; this will be required to be in the photo to be eligible for this special category.

Categories

Prizes will be awarded to categories as listed in the competition announcement. These categories will be divided into, but not limited to;

• Open

• Women’s

• Junior (under 15 at commencement of competition)

• Magic Round

If a competitor enters a fish that places in the open category, then that entry will be moved to that category and no longer be valid in the subcategory. For example, if a junior catches a fish that is placed in the open category, the entry will be removed from the junior category and be valid only in the open category.

Entries for the magic round will also be valid for the general categories above.

General

Decisions of the Fishing Committee are final and cannot be protested.

Competition entry must be received by 6pm 2nd October 2025.

The committee reserves the right to amend comp formats and rules and will do their best to announce them via social media, email etc.

It is solely the entrant’s responsibility to be aware of the rules and requirements; the committee will be available to explain or clarify any areas that the angler does not understand.

The competition aims to be fun and inclusive; any behaviour or actions deemed against this aim may be grounds for exclusion from the event.