Tenterden and District Angling and Preservation Association
Terms & Conditions

(A)  Members are required to comply with the byelaws of the Environment Agency including the RFA and to carry the current membership cards and a valid Environment Agency Licence at all times and produce them if required by Water Owners, Police, Bailiffs or any Committee Member.

(B)  That fair angling by rod and line only is permitted. Any person found guilty of unlawful practices shall be expelled from the Association.

(C)  Members shall not be allowed while fishing on private land to be accompanied by a dog, or have in their possession a gun or any instrument capable of being used to catch or kill or maim any animal or bird and any Member shall be responsible personally for any damage done to crops, hedges, banks, or other property. The Members, Committee and Trustees of the Association cannot be held responsible for any accident or loss sustained during any competition or private expedition.

(D)  Members are prohibited from leaving litter on banks or surrounding property, nor any to be thrown in any water, particularly nylon line, polythene bags or scrap, bottles or tins. No ground fires or BBQ's allowed. Any Member breaking this byelaw will be expelled immediately from the Club.

(E)  Sea fish to Angling Trust size limits.

(F)  That not more than 2 rods and 2 baits on each line shall be used by a member at any time except on competitions and no lay lines to be used.

(G)  Members to allow space of at least 20 yards between each position. Members with children should see that the children do not cause any annoyance to other Members. No audio equipment to be played loudly.

(H)  Access and parking at agreed points only. All gates to be closed. Please only drive off road if weather and conditions make it safe to do so.

(I)  Specimen Fish to be weighed on the bank by any Member possessing dial or digital scales provided that they cannot weigh their own specimen fish and that its recorded weight be witnessed by another Club Member or Land Owner. Members must state in which water their fish was taken. Only those fresh water fish caught from Association waters will be considered for awards or inclusion in fresh water and specimen fish competitions - only those sea fish caught from Kent and Sussex coast will be considered. The Club may request to verify the scales used against the Club match scales.

(J)  Match venues may change or be cancelled without notice as conditions dictate (at match organiser's discretion).

(K)  No specimen fish to be weighed in for club trophies if caught from boats except for trout.

(L)  (i) On fresh water competitions only 1 rod and 1 hook (except when spinning).

      (ii) All Juniors under the age of 14 to be accompanied by an adult on all Club waters.

      (iii) Unless otherwise stated, No ground bait, peanuts or boilies to be used on club ponds or lakes.

      (iv) Please refer to any specific rules for each water as shown on the Club signage.

      (v) A maximum of two rods to be used on all club ponds or lakes.

(M)  On sea competitions only 1 rod and up to 3 hooks to be used at any one time.

(N)  No live fish to be used for bait and the use of gaffs and unhooking gags is banned.

(O)  Specimen Freshwater fish may be weighed in by the 14th March each year - Sea fish between 15th March and 14th March. All dates are inclusive.

(P)  Keep nets shall be of such size and character as defined by the Environment Agency and/or the Angling Trust. Suitable sized unhooking mats must be carried and used for the unhooking of all specimen fish and at weigh in's.

(Q)  No Member or group of Members may commit or organise any competition with Non-members on any club waters other than those shown on the official fixture list, except with the Committees prior approval.

(R)  Saltwater competitions: 15 minutes to be allowed for members to weigh in after finishing time.

1.  Competitions normally pegged.

2.  Competitions start on a whistle or signal.

3.  Pegs will be drawn one hour before start time.

4.  Latecomers MUST advise the match organiser ASAP ahead of the draw if they will not be present for the draw but still intend to enter.

5.  One rod or pole with a single hook to be in use at any one time - other rods and poles may be set up.

6.  No breaking of water except for plumbing up, placing of keep nets, swim raking and mixing of ground bait before the start of the match.

7.  No game fish, pike or sea fish to be included in Freshwater Competitions.

8.  Competitors' fish will be weighed at their peg only with the nominated Club scales.

9.  Waters closed for matches only if on fixture list or if there is a notice at venue.

10.  All Club matches are for Members only.

11.  Members who intend fishing the match must not fish the venue the day before.

12.  All pegs must be left free of litter.

13.  All competitions are fished for points: pools entry is optional (except for Opens).

14.  Three Club matches must be fished to qualify for the Christmas match.

15.  When fishing against other clubs, we will abide by their Rules on their waters.

16.  Freshwater Secretary's decision is final or that of the person who is running the match.

17.  Bloodworm and joker banned on all Club matches.

18.  Competitors should not sit more than one metre from the peg marker when fishing.

19.  Please see the separate rules and guidelines when match fishing for Pike.

We are lucky enough to have access to some waters that have a good stock of Pike, Perch and Chub, some of which grow to a good specimen size. Whilst we encourage all members to fish for all species, this document is to draw attention that fishing for predators requires a different approach - using the correct methods and tackle will help protect the welfare of the fish that swim in our waters, the reputation of us as Anglers and in the long run, help us all catch more!

Fishing for Perch and Chub does not require any real specialist tackle, often it's more a case of using slightly heavier tackle and larger baits if float and ledgering however if using smaller lures to catch these species there is always a chance that a Pike will take a bait intended for a Perch or Chub so this must be considered when lure fishing and a suitable strength line and trace must always be used.

All Members new or existing wanting to try Predator Fishing are invited to speak or meet with an experienced member on the bank to discuss and answer any questions relating to this exciting method of fishing, having the correct knowledge and confidence is more important than having the latest tackle, most standard carp tackle can be adapted with some basic tackle extras. We hope that you will enjoy fishing our waters throughout the season and join us at some of the matches we hold both for Match Fishing as well as those specifically for Pike.

The following should be read in conjunction with, and are in addition to, the Club & RFA Byelaws and Rules as found on the Club website and included with your membership pack.

1)  Rods - Suitable tackle should be used at all times, when dead baiting for Pike, rods need the strength and capability of casting dead baits and end tackle as well as playing double figure fish so ideally should have a test curve of 2.5llb plus. When lure fishing, rods should be rated and capable of casting the weight of the lure being used.

2)  Reel Line & Traces - Reel line should be suitable for the target species and match the rod and reel being used, when Pike fishing a monofilament with a breaking strain of 15lb minimum should be used and 30lb minimum if using braided lines. Wire traces must always be used when targeting pike and when there is a chance a Pike may be caught, these should have a minimum of breaking strain of 25lbs. The use of fluorocarbon as a trace material when dead baiting or general lure fishing is not permitted however it may be used when drop shotting with a single hook. Suitable heavy duty 'Up Traces' should be used to help protect the main line from a Pikes teeth and are also suggested due to the number of Swan Mussel shells the river beds contain.

3)  Hooks - When using treble or double hooks, only semi-barbed hooks may be used, the flattening of barbs is permitted. The maximum size of treble or double hook is size 4 - the maximum size of a single barbless hook is size 2/0. NO HOOK pattern may be used if they are made of stainless steel or any other 'rust proof' material or have a 'rust proof' coating. No barbed hooks specifically designed or intended for Sea Fishing are permitted. A maximum of 2 hooks may be used at any one time on either a single lure or trace - only 1 trace may be used at any one time.

4)  Landing Nets - a suitable sized landing net made of a synthetic knotless material must always be used. For Pike fishing, Net Heads with a minimum arm length or span of 28 inches (70 cm) should be used. The use of Gaff Hooking is illegal and prohibited under UK Law.

5)  Unhooking Mats - suitably sized unhooking mats should be carried when fishing all Club & RFA Waters and must be used when unhooking all specimen fish, mats should be wetted before use and be kept in the shade to avoid them heating up.

6)  Unhooking - The use of Pike Gags is strictly prohibited. Anglers fishing for Pike should have suitable forceps, long reach pliers and wire cutters to enable and aid hook removal. If a fish is deep hooked and the hooks cannot be removed, please cut the hook or trace as close as possible to the point of hook entry - do not 'dig deep'!

7)  General Fish Welfare - PLEASE STRIKE EARLY TO LESSEN THE RISK OF DEEP HOOKING. All Fish should be played, landed and unhooked as safely and as quickly as possible. All specimen fish, especially Pike, should be given time to fully recover before being released - please cradle the fish in an upright position with its head facing into the direction of flow and once the fish is able to maintain its position, hold by the wrist of the tail until the fish wants to swim away. If a specimen Pike needs to be retained in order for it to be weighed or photographed, please do not use a standard keep net, at worst please retain in an attended large landing net or preferably use a dedicated pike tube or a fish retainer designed for the purpose - fish sacks may be used but are not ideal for Pike as they do not support or secure the fish in an upright position. All fish should be retained for the shortest period of time possible. We would like to ask all members to carry and use a suitable Fish Antiseptic which should be used to treat any open wounds or sores. Please keep fish wet at all times and shaded from direct strong sunlight.

8)  NO LONG or LAY LINING IS PERMITTED.

9)  A Maximum of 2 Rods may be used together at any one time. Rods must be attended at all times and be set up no more than 4 metres apart - lines must be reeled in if the Rods are going to be left unattended.

10)  Bait - The use of using ANY FISH as Live Bait is strictly prohibited and therefore its use is not allowed on any Club Waters. Fish may NOT be caught from a Club Water and used as fresh or future frozen dead baits. To avoid the risk of spreading disease and parasites, only vacuum packed shop brought FROZEN Coarse Fish Dead Baits may be used on Club Waters. Sea Fish Dead Baits may be used without prior freezing.

Please be aware that polite Spot Checks will be made to ensure that the correct tackle and methods are being used, please work with us to help us protect the welfare of the fish in our waters which will enable you to catch more specimen fish for years to come!

Please contact one of the Committee Members via our Facebook Page if you have any questions or want any advice, some of our members have fished our waters for 50 years so their knowledge, and angling tales, are a valuable source of knowledge!

Finally, please remember to let us know of any specimen fish caught - we are happy to keep the location, tactics and bait used private, all we would like is a photo of the fish caught, a note of its weight and the water it was caught from. We may make a note of your catch on the Clubs website or social media but only if you want us to!

Best wishes and Tight Lines!