Competition - Weighing In

[highwatermark]

Lads,
Looking to pick brains and any and all help much appreciated. I don't do much competition fishing but the bit I did was always catch and release, measured, verified and returned. This was either done by the angler pegged next to me or in some matches where the fish was brought to a designated steward who logged it. In this instance the steward would be on the beach and within a few minutes walk of the peg anyway at most. However I am aware that in some matches the fish are weighed in at a designated weigh station which could be some considerable distance (miles) from where fishing involving travel to it and I presume therefore these matches are not operated on a catch and release basis. What I don't understand and looking for guidance on is how this system actually operates ? As an example: your fishing from 10am and catch a good fish at 11am, the weigh station is 6/8/10 etc miles distant so I presume you dont leave your peg, drive to get it weighed in and return ! thereby losing ludicrous fishing time. So how do you retain the fish until the end of the match or until you decide to return to the weigh station whenever. I know its probably very simple to those who know but never having fished such a competition I just cant get my head around the actual technicalities of it. As I said, any and all help, guidance or advice very much appreciated.
Cheers to all and a Very Happy New Year.

[keith]

All matches on the east coast are pegged measure and return. I am not aware of any matches in the whole country that uses weigh ins so no need to worry!

[highwatermark]

Thanks Keith, Yes I know that and btw I agree entirely with it, catch and release only way forward, sea and coarse, far as I'm concerned. However the match I'm talking about is not here but in UK and IT IS a weigh in job so if I'm going to go............I need to know how it works, if thats the way they're doing it, their show, their call. Dont wanna appear to be total prat not knowing how its managed and irrespective of feelings on matter (and I don't want to get into the rights and wrongs of it here).....when in Rome etc etc. Thanks

[ShaneH]

The match will have a minimum size for each fish and fish over that size can be kept for the weigh in. So say you catch 10 dogs and when the match is over you take your 10 dogs to the weigh in they will weigh your 10 dogs As a whole to give you a bag wait of say 11lb and if you have the heaviest bag you win simple. Best keep your dead fish in a bucket of water so they don't dry out and lose wait

[tight lines]

That was the way of it years ago but the system now is much better and saves on a lot of fish being killed i have fished comps years ago and after the weight in there would be lots of dead dogs and other fish just left on the bank

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[highwatermark]

Shane, much obliged for all that and you are correct, there is a minimum size for each species. It seems such a waste particularly if an angler has a "good" day to end it as tightlines says with dead fish everywhere. I have to agree with him the current system is far superior but as I said already........when in Rome blah blah. So to clarify it, any fish caught over the minimum size may be kept, despatched quickly and retained for the weigh in. Retained in a bucket of sea water to minimise drying and hence weight loss....simple.....if unnecessary perhaps. Thanks again for assistance.

[beachbuddy]

All matches on the east coast are pegged measure and return. I am not aware of any matches in the whole country that uses weigh ins so no need to worry!

Unfortunately Keith still a few matches down this way in cork still have weigh ins in place,granted predominately rambler type and non ifsa affiliated clubs.

[shortcircuit]

Having to kill fish for a match sounds like something from the stone age. Now I have never fished competitively but it seems a terrible waste to me. A big match could end up with a beach having dozens of fish killed. Now more than ever, us anglers have to be seen by the general public as having conservation as our top priority. Matches where large numbers of fish are killed make a mockery of that

[ardinn]

Seems ridiculous to me too.
Although dogfish are not on top of my conservation list!

[JOHN1]

Seems ridiculous to me too.
Although dogfish are not on top of my conservation list!

why would you treat a dogfish any differently to any other type of fish, my mind boggles ! fish no matter what species they are deserve the same respect accross the board.

[JOHN1]

Seems ridiculous to me too.
Although dogfish are not on top of my conservation list!

why would you treat a dogfish any differently to any other type of fish, my mind boggles ! fish no matter what species they are deserve the same respect accross the board.

[highwatermark]

Thanks to all for their contributions, I knew when I posted it was going to head this way, but I needed the information and the membership did not let me down. Suffice it to say, and perhaps finish the thread, IMHO all fish, freshwater or sea deserve the same respect and handling and......as I have previously said how WE do it here is the only way to go. Thanks again to all.

[keith]

Thanks to all for their contributions, I knew when I posted it was going to head this way, but I needed the information and the membership did not let me down. Suffice it to say, and perhaps finish the thread, IMHO all fish, freshwater or sea deserve the same respect and handling and......as I have previously said how WE do it here is the only way to go. Thanks again to all.

Maybe then competitions like the Bridlington open should be avoided by conservation minded anglers, at the end of the day heaviest fish matches are a lottery and not widely accepted here ( thankfully ). Irish match fishing is world class our international results and home nations prove this, it would be great to see more anglers supporting their local clubs and joining the federation.

[gfkelly1969]

i don't know of any shore comp around galway that weigh fish but i do know of boat comps and fresh water comps that still weight fish and those comps end up with every fish killed
one boat comp last year took over 4592 lbs of fish between 10 boats
below are some photos from their facebook page
if you get upset easy don't scroll down

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