Rules effective for Series 13.
(See Itemised changes at the foot of the document)

Hobie Fishing Series 13, presented by DAIWA, is designed to offer kayak anglers competitive Bream fishing tournaments. All events are open to all makes of kayaks except for the Australian Championship, where all competitors are provided with identically fitted out Hobie MirageDrive® kayaks.

The Hobie Fishing Series shall have its own qualifying rounds, payouts and prize schedule.

The series shall consist of two-day events only. All bream tournaments are cast and retrieve, lure and fly only, and involve an angler bringing back to the weigh-in, his or her, heaviest bag of own caught, live, legal fish. The events shall be a combined bag weight tournament.

DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE A TEMPERATURE, COUGH, OR OTHER COLD/FLU SYMPTOMS. YOU SHALL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A TOURNAMENT 14 DAYS AFTER THOSE SYMPTOMS RECEDE.

1. KAYAK RESTRICTIONS
   • Canoes or sit-in kayaks are not allowed.
   • Sit-on kayaks are allowed.
   • Outriggers are allowed.
   • Self-draining kayaks are preferred.
   • Combustion, sail or electric propulsion are not allowed.
2. ENTRY FEES AND DIVISIONS
   • $120.00 for an Early Bird Entry.
   • Early Bird Entries close midnight AEST/AEDT, respectively, on the Friday the week before the event (7 days).
   • Entries received after this time shall incur a late payment fee of $50 which competitors are required to pay to enter the tournament.
   • Late fees are not eligible for any sort of discount.
   • Online entry will close at 10 am on the Thursday prior to the event.
   • Anglers may then enter on the day. Entry forms will be available at registration on the first day of the event. The same late payment fee will still apply.
   • Due to permit limitations, “on the day entries” will not be taken for sold out rounds. “On the day entries” shall be accepted on capped rounds that have not sold out.
   • First time entrants shall choose between a one-time free entry or pay to participate in the Open. If they choose the free entry they are NOT eligible for payouts and their scores shall not be recorded and do not contribute to AOY points
   • First time entrant discounts are only eligible for an angler’s first Hobie event. First time discounts do not apply per season or per year.
   • Masters (60 or over) and Youth (aged 16 Years) shall receive a $50 discount on the entry fee during checkout.
   • Divisions
     • Women’s.
     • Master’s (60 and over) – the age is to be determined as at 31 December of the calendar year of the event (eg 2021).
     • Youth (16 – under 18yrs) – Youth competitors shall be 16 years of age (as at the date of the event) and under 18 years of age on 31 December of the calendar year of the event (eg 2021).
     • There shall be a minimum of three anglers entered in a division for a winner to be declared and a sponsor prize pack to be awarded.
     • An angler shall have caught and weighed-in a minimum of one legal fish to be declared the divisional winner. All divisional entrants are still eligible to win prize payouts and prize packs in the main field of anglers – excluding first timers who did not pay for their entry..
     • Only one other Division can be nominated other than OPEN.
3. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
   • Anglers will need to sign up for a free Hobie membership card. This individually numbered Hobie card will be sent to each member. This card/number will need to be presented for entry and registration at all events. This card/number will NOT need to be presented for entry and registration at events where the Angler enters the event(s) online. ON THE DAY entrants shall present their Hobie Card or proof of their Hobie membership.
4. ATOMIC BIG BREAM
   • A $100 prize for the biggest bream of the tournament shall be awarded at each Hobie Fishing Series event and shall be known as the Atomic Big Bream.
5. PRIZE POOL AND PAYOUTS
   • The Hobie Fishing Series offer prizes and cash payouts and will vary from event to event.
   • Prize packs: In a 49-angler field, prize packs shall be awarded to 4th and 5th place only in the open class. In a 50+ angler field, prizes shall be from 4th place to 10th place in the open class.
   • Cash payouts: In a 49-angler field cash payout shall be from 1st to 5th and cash payout from 1st to 10th in a 50+ angler field.
   • Trophies: Will be awarded in leu of prize packs to the first three places in both 49-angler and 50+ angler fields.
   • Any late entry fees over and above the Early Bird entry payment shall not count towards the prize pools. All divisional entrants, Open, Masters, Women, and Youth are eligible to win prize payouts and prize packs.
   • First Timer entrants refer to “Entry Fees and Divisions section (2)”.
   • Payments will be made within 30 days at the completion of the round, when possible.
6. SAFETY
   • The care of fellow competitors and tournament staff is of the utmost importance. If an angler or a tournament staff member is in distress it is expected that other competitors shall assist. Safety is more important than your day’s catch.
   • Inflatable lifejackets shall be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or state regulations.
   • All competitors shall wear an Australian Standards Level 100+ Lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD), former type 1 category (or above), at all times when on the water.
   • All competitors shall be issued with a key-tag at the start of each session. The key tag shall be placed on the key-tag board before the allocated finish time.
   • Organisers shall initiate a search for late returning anglers.
   • During competition hours, smart phones may only be used for:
     • Safety and Emergency Calls
     • Communicating with Event Organisers via supplied emergency number only
     • Photography
     • Social media posts using the hash tag #hobieasiapacific
     • Time Keeping (session times shall be based on the Official Event Clock)
     • Emergency phone numbers shall be announced at the tournament briefing
     • Making or receiving any other phone calls or messages is not permitted and shall result in disqualification.
   • The tournament organisers reserve the right to reduce the fishing arena, change start or finish times, change the start and finish location and postpone or cancel a tournament if they deem it necessary for the safety of anglers or required by authorities.
   • All tournament staff (director, organiser, media, scorer and support staff) have the right to direct any angler back to shore, at any time, in the interest of safety.
   • If for safety or any other reason, the Tournament Director/Organiser calls for a stop to fishing, the session shall be deemed cancelled for ALL anglers (whether they are or are not aware of the cancellation) and no fish shall be weighed-in by any angler.
   • The tournament organisers reserve the right to disallow anglers with kayaks that the organisers deem to be unsafe.
7. PRE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
   • Anglers shall use their own kayak, or borrowed, tackle, and safety equipment.
   • Anglers shall be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the tournament. Proof of age and guardian waiver may be required.
   • Online entry at hobiefishing.com.au.
   • Cancellation of an entry before the closing date for “Early Bird Entries” shall result in a refund. Refer to specific event info sheet for dates.
   • Cancellation of an entry after the closing date for “Early Bird Entries” shall incur a 20% cancellation fee.
   • Cancellation of an entry on the Pre-fish, Navigation or Tournament day shall result in the forfeit of the entire entry fee, regardless of the reason.
   • Anglers shall contact Hobie media to cancel their entry. media@hobiecat.com.au
   • Cancelled entry refunds may take up to 30 days to be processed.
8. PRE-FISH BANS
   • A pre-fish ban means anglers are not allowed on competition waterways and linked systems within a 20km radius of the event launch location for ANY REASON during the specified (pre-fish ban) dates for each event.
   • During the pre-fish ban no person may be on tournament waters to locate fish or gain fishing information on a contestant’s behalf.
   • Land based pre-fishing is NOT allowed.
   • Pre-fish bans on all competition waterways and linked systems begin 12 calendar days prior to the competition, until the day before the competition, when pre-fishing will be permitted.
   • 
     • Example
       • Event Date: Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January.
       • Pre-fish Ban starts and includes Monday the 18th January.
       • Pre-fish Ban finishes (fishing allowed) Friday 29th January.
   • Please refer to the specific event information sheet for details of pre-fish ban dates.
   • Navigation only days may be nominated for some locations.
     • A practice navigation day may be nominated by the tournament organisers.
     • No fishing rods/reels shall be allowed on kayaks on nominated navigation only days.
     • Failure to comply with the restrictions placed on navigation days shall result in an immediate disqualification from the event.
     • Please refer to the specific event information sheet for details.
9. REGISTRATION AND BRIEFING
   • o It is the responsibility of all competitors to obtain the necessary angler permits or licenses for the waterway in the state being fished. The tournament organisers shall not allow a competitor to continue in the tournament without the legal licenses and permits. All documents shall be made available upon request by Tournament staff.
   • On day one of the tournament, competitors shall go to the pre-arranged location where an official shall visually check that they have a Level 100+ Lifejacket (formerly type 1 PFD). They shall then register and the angler shall be given their key-tag.
   • On day two of the tournament, competitors shall go to the pre-arranged location where an official shall register them and allocate the angler their key-tag.
   • Registration, Briefing, Start and Finish times shall vary from event to event. Please read the info sheet relevant to each event to confirm times.
   • The tournament registration shall be on the morning of the competition and will close 30 minutes before the tournament begins. Failure to register within the allocated time shall result in an angler starting in the last position available regardless of reason for absence.
   • Competitors shall register with the tournament officials BEFORE the mandatory competition briefing.
   • The mandatory briefing shall be held after the close of registration.
   • It is a requirement of entry that all anglers shall attend the entire briefing. Failure to do so may result in an angler starting in the last position available.
10. START
    • The order of entry may be used to determine the start method. Start methods include;
      • Order of entry, single file start e.g. #1 entry first away, #2 entry, second start, etc.
      • Split start times, split finish times. EG: First 50, Group A, Second 50 Group B.
      • Group start, all competitors start together in single start line, between start markers.
      • Gate start in which all anglers start on single start line, however split direction at the gate markers.
      • Other as required for safe fleet start.
    • All competitors shall make their way to their desired spots by pedal or paddle-power.
    • All competitors shall pedal or paddle across the defined start line and in the specified direction. Failure to do so may result in a time penalty of 1 hour or 750 grams.
    • The tournament organisers reserve the right to modify any starting order and procedure as required.
    • The Tournament Director/Organiser shall announce the start method at the official briefing.
11. FISH HANDLING PROCESS
    • Wet anything that the fish shall touch (hands, net, measuring device).
    • Land your fish properly using a net. Avoid handling fish by their delicate gills.
    • Release or place your fish in the boat’s Livewell as quickly as possible.
    • Repeat for all fish caught.
    • Anglers shall release the fish in a humane way, so the fish are not harmed and have the best survival rate possible. This means at some weigh-in locations the angler shall walk into knee deep water to release their fish safely. Failure to do so, may result in disqualification. The health of the fish is the angler’s responsibility from capture to release,
12. LIVEWELLS
    • Livewells shall have a minimum capacity of 23L with a functioning, battery operated, intake pump. Livewells smaller than 23L in capacity will result in disqualification.
    • Fish shall only be caught during the designated times and shall be kept in the angler’s Livewell.
    • Once an angler has caught their limit and they then catch another fish they shall immediately release one of their fish. Anglers caught fishing with more than the competition defined Bream bag limit shall be immediately disqualified. The tournament organisers reserve the right to check kayak Livewells during competition hours.
    • At any stage pre-tournament, during and at the completion of the tournament, any tournament staff member has the right to inspect an angler’s Livewell.
    • Competitors shall be mindful of changes in shallow water areas where the water temperature may spike causing distress to the fish. Anglers shall fill their Livewells in deeper cooler water before entering shallow water areas.
13. FINISH, WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE AND POINTS SCORING
    • Key Tags shall be placed on the key tag board immediately on return to the event site, at completion of fishing. Tags not returned by the allotted weigh–in time shall be penalised at the rate of 50 grams per minute or part there of.
    • If an angler returns later than 15 minutes after weigh-in time, the angler shall be penalised 750 grams and all fish caught shall not be weighed. There shall be NO exceptions to this regardless of circumstance.
    • Weight penalties shall be deducted from the anglers accumulated bag weight and may incur a negative score.
    • Allocated key tags shall only be placed on the key tag board by the corresponding angler.
    • Any late penalties shall be deducted from the Atomic Big Bream prize calculations as well as the overall bag weight.
    • Kayak anglers may return to the weigh in location earlier than the allotted time, however, once their key tag is placed on the key tag board, the angler’s session is deemed over and they shall not return to the water and they shall wait until the designated weigh in time, mentioned at the tournament briefing, to weigh in their catch.
    • Only Hobie staff and anglers nominated as assistants are permitted to weigh-in early.
    • The bag limit shall be announced by the Tournament Director/Organiser at the briefing.
    • Bream shall be the minimum state legal length, plus 1cm and shall be measured to the tip rather than to fork.
      • For example, the legal state length in Queensland is 25cm to the tip, this shall mean that in QLD
        rounds the minimal legal length shall be 26cm to the tip.
    • Any undersized fish weighed in shall be disqualified from the angler’s bag.
    • Only live Yellowfin, Black and Pikey Bream are eligible for tournament points.
    • Anglers shall catch their own fish and weigh-in only fish they have caught using Hobie Fishing Series legal methods.
    • The fish’s mouth shall be closed while measuring.
    • Bream shall be weighed in order of angler arrival to the bump tub line up OR as instructed by the Tournament Director/Organiser.
    • Details of the weigh-in site and times shall be established during the briefing prior to the start of the event.
    • Each angler may weigh up to the session maximum bag limit of Bream.
    • Bream shall be weighed collectively with “Atomic Big Bream” candidates weighed individually. Note: It is the angler’s responsibility to identify these fish to the weigh master.
    • If the angler believes the weight that is represented by the scales is wrong they can request the scales be re-tared and the bag reweighed. If this is the case the angler shall then take the second weight regardless of whether it is heavier or lighter than the first weight that was recorded.
    • Dead fish, or those unable to swim away from the release point before the weigh-in has finished (as deemed by the event organisers) shall be reweighed and deducted from the anglers’ bag weight. At all times, the wellbeing of the fish shall be the responsibility of individual anglers.
14. TIES
    • When two or more anglers finish the tournament with the same Total Bag Weight, the angler with the largest single day bag – on any one day – shall be declared the winner. If neither angler has a larger single day bag, a tie shall be declared. Example 1: John Smith and Jack Brown shall tie because they had the heaviest bags – on any one day – of the tied anglers. Sam Freddo shall take the next place.

Final Results Below

Example 2: Sammy Jane shall take the higher place because she had the heaviest bag – on any one day.

Final Results Below

Example 3: In this scenario the anglers shall be a tie as no-one had a higher bag weight – on any one day.

Final Results Below

15. RULES
    • Competitors shall abide by all state fishing and boating regulations.
    • Anglers may fish any line class with spin, baitcast, spincast or fly fishing tackle.
    • Trolling is not permitted – lure and fly CASTING only. Trolling is defined as using the momentum of a propelled kayak to give the lure action. Casting along a stretch of bank under pedal or paddle power is permitted if using the pedal or paddle power to maintain the kayak’s position.
    • Before altering a kayak’s position, the line shall be removed from the water.
    • The tournament organisers reserve the right to disqualify anglers deemed to be purposely trolling in defiance of the spirit of Hobie Fishing Series events.
    • Drift fishing is allowed.
    • Dragging of kayaks across sand bars and shallow water:
      • Kayaks can be dragged across a sand bar that is covered by water during a high tide.
      • Kayaks cannot be dragged across or over any object, bank or structure that is not covered by water during the high tide cycle in the tournament arena.
    • Anglers are not permitted to fish from outside their kayak at any time during sessions, including fighting and landing fish.
    • Kayaks should remain a cast apart (unless two parties agree to remain within such distance) while fishing.
    • Any restrictions, non-boating or non-fishing areas shall be adhered to. Failure to do this shall result in either disqualification from the session or the tournament, plus a maximum penalty of 750 grams may be applied.
    • If asked to leave a private marina, oyster lease or other facility, anglers shall do so immediately and shall not return for the remainder of the tournament.
    • Anglers may only use one rod at a time while fishing all Bream events. This includes such cases as when a lure is snagged but still attached to the rod. Anglers cannot pick up another rod and begin casting as this would constitute using two rods.
    • The tournament organisers reserve the right to place cameras or media devices on kayaks.
    • In the interest of safety, in the case of physical or medical emergencies with prior approval from the tournament organisers, anglers can be assisted by a motorised vessel to a safe mooring with the understanding that their catch shall be ineligible for the day.
    • The kayak rigging area, scoring area and registration area, are deemed work places and as such, are designated non-smoking and non-vaping areas.
    • Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director/Organiser or his/her designee at a tournament. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director/Organiser or a rules committee shall impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate by them, including without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. The Tournament Director/Organiser’s decision is final.
    • Any concerns regarding clarification of rules can be discussed with the tournament organisers BEFORE the start of the tournament.
    • Any complaints regarding breaches of the rules shall be submitted to the on-site Tournament Director/Organiser within 15mins of the close of session, as announced by the Tournament Director/Organiser.
    • Penalties for rule and conduct violations may include the following:
      • Disqualification of catch for the day.
      • Disqualification from the tournament.
      • Disqualification from future Hobie Fishing tournaments.
      • A maximum penalty of 750 grams may be applied.
16. SESSION TIMES & MINIMUM HOURS FISHED TO CONSTITUTE AN EVENT
    • Session times will be announced at the briefings and listed on the official Notice Board.
    • Either day’s session times may be extended in the event of weather or system issues (floods, tides etc) in an effort to not cancel the event.
    • In the event of bad weather, a minimum of 6 hrs over the 2 days are required to be fished to constitute an event.
    • If the event is unable to meet the minimum hours required, the event will be cancelled or postponed to a future date.
17. QUALIFYING FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
    • Places shall be allocated for the 2021 Hobie Fishing Series Australian Championship through Hobie
      Kayak Bream Series qualifying rounds, AOY, and the Tournament Organiser’s discretion.
    • Once the total tournament boat number has been allocated extra Australian Championship spots may be made
      available to anglers based upon AOY as of the last qualifying round for 2021.
    • The winner of the Hobie Fishing Series Australian Championship shall receive an invitation into the
      following year’s Australian Championship and shall become Pre-Qualified to receive an invitation to the
      next Hobie Fishing Worlds.
    • Declined Australian Championship spots may be repopulated by AOY anglers that have not qualified
      through qualifying rounds.
    • The number of spots available for the Australian Championship shall be done on a per round basis and shall be as follows:

18. HOBIE FISHING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM
    • The Australian Hobie World Championship Team positions shall be awarded to the anglers from with highest Angler of the Year (AOY) Points at the end of the Hobie Fishing Series.
    • In the result of a tie, any tie will be broken using a count back system. The angler with the highest and subsequent scores in their AOY results from the 2021 Hobie Fishing Series will gain the highest spot.
19. BREAM KAYAK ANGLER OF THE YEAR (AOY)
    • The unique Hobie Membership Club Number is used to assign angler’s points to the Angler of the Year (AOY) report. In order for your AOY points to be correctly allocated to you, you shall ensure the correct number is entered into your entry forms.
    • Angler of the Year points shall be calculated on Hobie Fishing Series results.
    • Points from each Hobie Fishing Series event shall be allocated according to placing.
    • 1st 100 points.
    • 2nd 99 points etc.
    • For rounds where more than 100 competitors weigh fish each angler weighing fish after 100th place shall receive 1 AOY point. (see table below)

1. • Anglers catching no fish shall be awarded 0.
   • The Hobie Kayak Angler of the Year shall be awarded to the angler with the highest accumulation of points from their best five tournaments at the end of the qualifying rounds for the year.
   • Angler of the Year ties shall be settled by a count back, the angler with the best performance in the most recent tournament shall gain the higher placing.

20. SPORTSMANSHIP AND CODE OF CONDUCT

    All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that shall be a credit to themselves, to Hobie Fishing, and Hobie Fishing’s sponsors. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules of Hobie Fishing tournaments.
    • Consumption and/or possession of alcoholic beverages or any kind of mind-altering substance during registration or tournament hours extending through the weigh-in procedure.
    • Abuse of, or addiction to, mind-altering substances.
    • Conviction of a felony within the past 36 months.
    • Suspension/disqualification, probation or ban from any tournament or fishing organisation.
    • Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavourably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the first sentence of this section. This includes verbal communication and social media.
    • In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, Hobie Fishing shall have the right to refuse an application to compete, to deny a confirmed application to compete by returning the entry fee (minus deposit) or to disqualify a contestant.
    • Hobie Fishing shall encourage Fisheries and Boating Officers to attend all Hobie Fishing tournaments to police safety regulations, registration, relevant boating legislation as well as alcohol and drug laws.
    • It is expected that anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming a professional sports person. Behaviour that shall reflect unfavourably on Hobie Fishing, its members, representatives and sponsors shall subject the angler’s catch to penalty or disqualification.
    • It is a condition of entry that all anglers acknowledge and accept the Model Release and Liability Waiver included on the entry form.
    • If you are entering an event on behalf of someone else, you accept the liability waiver terms and model release on their behalf.
    • If an entrant is aged under 18 years, the liability waiver and model release will be viewed and agreed to by their legal guardian in order for them to compete in their event, and that their legal guardian will be responsible for their safety during the event.
    • If you do not accept the terms of the liability waiver and/or model release you shall cancel your entry transaction now.
21. ACCOMMODATION
    • Please be mindful that you follow local council guidelines when arranging your accommodation, IE: overnight stays, for each round.
    • Your cooperation in this will see Hobie Kayak Fishing competitions welcomed again into the local communities well into the future.
22. MODEL RELEASE
    • By entering, you give Hobie Cat Australasia Pty Ltd and parties designated by Hobie Cat Australasia Pty Ltd, including clients, licensees and purchasers, the right to use your name, photographs and video of you for sale to any medium for the purposes of advertising, trade, display, exhibition, social media, television or editorial use.
23. LIABILITY WAIVER
    • The responsibility for a person to participate in the Hobie Fishing Series is yours alone. By entering, you are conscious of the dangers inherent to kayak fishing.
    • By entering, you agree that none of the organisations or persons involved with the Hobie Fishing Series including Hobie Cat Australasia Pty Ltd, sponsors, promoters, or any other involved persons or parties accepts liability for damages due in negligence or any other reason whatsoever while conducting or connected with this event for injury, to property or person, you may incur while participating in the tournament and while upon the event premises.
    • By entering, you know the risks of danger to yourself and your property while preparing for and participating in the tournament, and while upon the event premises. You will rely upon your own judgment and ability, assume all such risks of loss and hereby agree to reimburse all costs to those persons or organisations connected with this tournament for damages incurred as a result of your negligence.
    • Furthermore, by entering, you agree to be bound by the Hobie Fishing Series Rules and any other rules that govern this tournament. The organising authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the tournament.
    • These terms do not operate to exclude any provision of the Australian Consumer Law that applies and cannot be excluded by agreement.
24. COVID-19 AND PUBLIC SAFETY
    • Public Health guidelines shall be followed in relation to outdoor gatherings.
    • Hobie Fishing’s COVID-19 Safety Measures and any event/regional specific requirements shall be adhered to.
    • Failure to follow all COVID-19 Safety Measures and/or directions from Tournament staff at these events shall result in disqualification.
25. AMENDMENTS TO THE OFFICIAL RULES
    • The Tournament Director/Organiser has the ability to change, amend or delete a rule as necessary. Changes will take place prior to the start of a session and will be announced at the session briefing or prior to the start time of any round or championship. Any changes to the rules made during an event will be written and posted on the official notice board and website.
    • It is the angler’s responsibility to check the notice board for changes.

Amendments