The Rules
No one likes a rule breaker…
Boat Insurance Requirement: A valid boat insurance policy must cover all boats participating in the Gold Coast Flathead Classic. It is recommended that policy details be accessible during the event for easy reference.
Team Composition: Each team must consist of a minimum of two persons and a maximum of three persons. Junior teams are allowed, provided they adhere to Queensland maritime regulations.
Approval for Additional Persons: Individuals other than fully paid entrants on a vessel must obtain approval from the tournament committee. Any form of assistance to anglers by individuals not fully paid entrants may result in a team disqualification for the day or the entire tournament.
Catch and Release Policy: The competition strictly adheres to catch and release principles. All fish species caught must be released alive.
Fishing Equipment: Only artificial lures or flies are permitted; the use of dead or live bait is prohibited.
Bait and Scents: No burley is allowed, although commercial scents are permitted.
Flathead Size Eligibility: Flathead of any size are eligible for submission for points. All team members must fish from the same boat, and trolling is permitted. Each angler may only use one rod at a time. Anglers are responsible for setting, casting, attending, and retrieving their own rods. Any unequal fishing practices may result in disqualification. Protests must be lodged with the Tournament Committee or marshals on the day of the incident. The committee's decisions regarding rules and prizes are final.
Photographing Requirements: Flathead must be photographed on the provided tournament sticker for clear measurement. Fish measurement must be rounded down, and the token for the day must be visible in every picture. The length of the fish is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Tokens are issued daily and must be included in each photo.
Submission Deadlines and Requirements: Top-scoring teams and anglers must submit photos of qualifying Flatheads. All anglers must retain their photos until the end of the competition. Failure to produce photos upon request may invalidate claimed points.
Other Species Requirements: All other species must meet Queensland legal length requirements for recording purposes and must be photographed with the tournament sticker and daily token, along with the angler's name.
Tiebreaker Rule: In the event of multiple fish of equal length, the first fish caught will be declared the winner.
Fishing Equipment Restrictions: Gaffs are prohibited, and fish-friendly nets are recommended.
Line Class and Type: The tournament is open to all line classes and types.
Fishing Boundaries: Boundaries extend from Russell Island's overhead powerlines to the Pacific Highway Bridge at Nerang, excluding government-gazetted closed areas. Exclusion zones within these boundaries are specified.
Shore Fishing Regulations: Team members fishing from shore must maintain line of sight with each other.
Boat Usage: All team members must fish from the same boat. Multiple teams fishing from one boat are permissible.
Maximum Rods in Use: Each angler may use only one rod at a time, with equal fishing opportunities expected among team members.
Protest Procedure: Protests must be reported to the Tournament Committee or marshals on the day of the incident.
Committee Decisions: All decisions made by the Tournament Committee regarding rules, prizes, and trophies are final.
Submission Deadlines: Fish submissions must be entered by specific deadlines each day.
Rules for Daily Prize Draw
Selection Process: Competitors' names will be selected based on a mystery time each day for a prize draw.
Committee Decisions: Decisions regarding prize draws and prizes made by the Tournament Committee are final.
Please ensure adherence to these rules and regulations for the smooth conduct of the Gold Coast Flathead Classic.
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