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Mashonaland Angling League Rules
1 Name, Commencement and Application.
1 These Rules are cited as the Mashonaland Angling League Rules, 2008
1 These Rules shall come into force on the 1st February 2008
1 These Rules apply to the Mashonaland Angling League
2 Interpretation of Terms
2 In these rules -
"calendar year"  means the period from the 1st January to the 31st December in any one year;
"committee"   means the duly elected or co-opted members of the Nauzmash committee;
"junior"    means any person under the age of 19 years on the 1st January and who is a 
paid-up member in good standing with Nauz;
"ladies"   means any adult person of female gender being a duly paid-up member in good
standing with Nauz;
"LTB" means Light Tackle Boat;
"MAL"    means the Mashonaland Angling League;
"men"  means any adult person of male gender being a duly paid up member in good
standing with Nauz;
"Nauz"   means the National Anglers Union of Zimbabwe;
"Nauzmash"   means the Mashonaland Province of the National Anglers Union of
Zimbabwe; and
"rank"  means the order or position attained by any angler in order of overall descending points
3 Arrangement of Sections
1 Name, Commencement and Application.
2 Interpretation of Terms.
3 Arrangement of Sections.
4 The Committee.
5 League Structure
6 General
7 Annual Prize Giving
8 International duty
9 League Entry
10 General Angling Regulations
11 Equipment Regulations
12 Safety
13 Baiting and Chumming
14 Weigh-in
15 Discipline
16 Prohibited Activities
1st Schedule
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2nd Schedule
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4 The Committee
1 The committee shall ;-
1 make such rules and amendments as are necessary to ensure the smooth operation
of the league;
provided that such amendments shall be implemented as they occur,  then ratified
at the next Nauzmash Annual General Meeting by those members present;
2 set and control the scale of charges, fees and levies as are necessary to administer
the league;
3 appoint a member of the committee to control the affairs of the league;
4 be the sole arbitrators of any infringements or disputes arising from the league;
their decision shall be final and binding on all affected parties; and
5 hold in safe custody, any assets belonging to the league
5 League Structure
1 Preliminary
1 These rules are formulated to promote ethical and sporting angling practices and 
guidelines for use in this league.
2 MAL League
1 The league shall :-
2 be an all species LTB Team competition; comprising two anglers per team,
for clarification purposes, the team composition may include any angler from any of the
men, ladies or junior leagues;
3  be competed simultaneously by three separate individual competitions comprising men, ladies
and junior leagues who shall use the same scores applicable to the team competition;
4 be fished over five legs at venues, days and dates to be decided by the committee,
provided that at least one leg shall be a Kariba leg, which shall conform to the 
Interprovincial boundaries, as amended from time to time.
5 commence on a date subsequent to the Nauzmash Annual General Meeting but before or
during the second weekend of February
3 Interprovincial Competition
1 Anglers who have fished one or more provincial competitions may qualify for provincial
colours at the discretion of the committee.
2 Anglers who have fished the Interprovincial competition shall be eligible to fish the National
League
4 Grand Prix
1 The Grand Prix shall incorporate a scoring system based on team and individual results
over the four best ranked leg results in the calendar year;
2 the ranking shall be based on the rank attained by each angler over each leg
3 the ranking shall be used as a basis for selecting Interprovincial team members
5 Team Selection
1 Any angler may withdraw his selection from the team at any time;
provided that sufficient notice of such withdrawal is given to the committee.
in writing.
2 Men's Team
The six highest ranked anglers shall qualify for automatic team selection;
the remaining four team anglers shall be selected on merit at the discretion of the
 committee in consultation with the team captain;
3 Ladies Team
The three highest ranked anglers shall qualify for automatic team selection;
the remaining three team anglers shall be selected on merit at the discretion of the
 committee in consultation with the team captain;
4 Junior Team
The two highest ranked anglers shall qualify for automatic team selection;
the remaining two team anglers shall be selected on merit at the discretion of the
 committee in consultation with the team captain;
provided that the angler is over the age of thirteen years, or one of the parents are
present
6 General
1 Bream Identification
1 Where there is doubt regarding the identification of a precise bream species, the angler
may request the weigh master to determine and verify the species;
provided that, this verification process shall take place in a location which does not form
part of the weigh-in area.
2 Practice
1 Practice on the venue to be fished is permitted
provided that :-
the venue shall be closed for a period of 12 hours before the start of the leg; and
2 practice shall not be permitted at any other time during the duration of the leg
3 National Parks Fees
1 Payment of any fees or levies levied by National Parks shall be the responsibility of 
the participating anglers.
4 Scoring System
1 Official score sheets shall be used to record the individual anglers catch for that day;
2 the team and individual scores shall be calculated by dividing the total species weight
by the scoring factor for that species, together with the addition of one bonus point 
per fish weighed-in;
3 one, worst or non fished league shall be discarded;
4 the angler with the most overall points shall be ranked in first position,
provided that if two or more anglers have equal points, the angler with the most
number of fish shall take precedence; and
in the event that two or more anglers tie, then the angler with the most recorded weight
shall take precedence.
7 Annual Prize Giving
1 1 An annual prize giving function shall be held annually at a date set between the end
of the league but prior to the Annual General Meeting of Nauzmash.
2 Certificates
1 The league shall issue certificates at the annual prize giving as listed on the 1st schedule.
3 Trophies
1 The league shall issue trophies at the annual prize giving as listed on the 2nd schedule,
provided that such trophies may be held by the winner thereof for the next calendar year; and
2 the angler winning such trophy shall be responsible at own cost for the safe keeping
and maintenance thereof.
8 International Duty
1 1 Any Angler who participates in this league and who is concurrently required to fish
on International duty shall not be jeopardized by virtue of that fact and shall be awarded
a score equal to that attained by :-
2 Mens League
the fourth placed angler;
3 Ladies League
the second placed angler;
4 Junior League
the second placed angler;
9 League Entry
1 1 Anglers affiliated to Nauzmash shall be eligible to participate in the league;
2 all participating anglers shall :-
3 be paid-up members in good standing with Nauz;
4 enter the league by entry form, duly completed and signed, together with the payment
of any fees, dues or levies payable; and
4 complete and return a copy of the official indemnity form prior to participation in the league .
10 General Angling Rules
1 Approaching Distance
1 Anglers may not park their boat or fish within a distance of two casts from an anchored
competitors boat unless the decision to fish closer is agreed by mutual agreement,
provided that, when fishing for carp, the minimum parking or fishing distance shall be 50
meters;
2 competitors requiring to proceed beyond an anchored boat shall request permission from the
occupants to proceed;
3 where passing is impossible under this rule, the boat fishing the area shall have right
of way;
4 if permission is granted, the passing boat shall idle past with the maximum distance
possible for safe travel; and
5 competitors are reminded to abide by the code of sportsmanship, courtesy and safety.
2 Boat Rules
1 Any person piloting any boat in the league shall hold a valid launch master class two
or higher certificate of competency;
2 in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Water Boating Regulations, boat 
owners competing in this league are to ensure that their boats are registered by the
relevant authority;
3 all boats shall be equipped with an operational ignition kill switch which shall be attached
to the pilot, whenever the boat is travelling faster than trolling speed;
4 all occupants of the boat shall wear correctly secured life jackets whenever the 
boat is travelling faster than trolling speed;
5 two team members shall be required to be in a boat at any one time,
provided that if any team member is absent for any reason, another person may accompany
such member on the boat on condition that the officials have been advised in advance;
6 league officials may at their discretion inspect any boat, equipment, safety equipment
and live wells or chains at any time for compliancy; and
7 all angling shall be carried out from inside or from the deck of a boat
provided that parking a boat against a bank whilst angling shall be permitted.
3 Behaviour
1 All competitors shall follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety
and conservation; and
2 shall react to any distress signal and render whatever assistance possible to any
boat in distress.
4 Starting Time
1 All competitors shall depart from the official designated start line at such time
as has been set by the league officials;
2 any competitor may not prevent access to any fishing area behind the start line; and
3 the official starting method shall be at the discretion of the league officials
5 Wet Lines
1 The angler shall fight and land any fish on his line without the aid or assistance of any
other person except as elsewhere provided in these rules;
2 only two lines per angler may be wetted at any one time,
provided that two or more rods may be carried in the boat;
3 stuck lines are considered wet and shall be broken or cut off by the angler himself
before using another rod; and
4 any snags, grass, weed etc, fouling the line in its passage through the rod eyes
shall be cleared by the angler himself.
11 Equipment Regulations
1 Down Riggers
1 Down riggers are permitted,
provided that the fishing line is attached to a snap or some other release device
which will enable the line to be released from the down rigger without undue
pressure.
2 Floats
1 Convential floats are permitted,
provided that they shall not hinder the fighting ability of a fish in any manner.
3 Gaffs
1 A gaff shall not exceed 2.44 metres in length;
2 when a fish has been subdued and brought to the side of the boat, a gaff
may be used by another person to boat the fish; and
3 a gaff shall be restricted to a single hook only.
4 Hooks
1 Bait fishing
2 A maximum of two single hooks may be used;
3 the hooks shall be firmly embedded or securely attached to the bait;
4 the eyes of the hook shall be no less than the length of the largest hook in use,
provided that the point of one hook may be passed through the eye of another hook;
5 hooks shall not be free swinging or dangle from the line;
6 a two hook bottom fishing rig is permitted,
provided that it consists of two hooks on separate leaders or drops;
7 both hooks shall be embedded in the respective baits and be sufficiently separated
so that a fish caught on one hook cannot be fouled by the other.
provided that this separation rule shall not be applied to a carp rig; and
8 triple or gang hooks are prohibited
5 Hooks for Lures
1 Double or triple hooks may be used when attached to plugs, spinners and other
artificial lures that are specifically designed for this use;
2 gang hooks shall be free swinging and be limited to a maximum of three hooks
either single, double or treble or in a combination of the three).
6 Landing Nets
1 A landing net shall not exceed 2.44 metres in length; and
2 when a fish has been subdued and brought to the side of the boat, a landing
net may be used by any another person to boat the fish.
7 Leader
1 Leaders may be used but shall be limited to a maximum length of 1.8 meters
the leader shall be connected to the line with a snap, knot, swivel or any other device;
2 any strength of leader material may be used; and
3 when the leader is wound to the tip of the rod, more that one person is permitted
to hold or handle the leader.
8 Line
1 Any fishing line conforming to a maximum breaking strain of 10 kg are permitted.
9 Line Backing
1 Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible with no restrictions
as to size strength or material; and
2 if the fishing line is attached to the backing, the backing shall not exceed 10kg
breaking strain.
10 Reel
1 Reels shall comply with sporting ethics and customs;
2 power driven reels of any kind are prohibited.; and
3 ratchet handled reels and reels designed for cranking with both hands at the
same time, are prohibited.
11 Rod
1 Rods shall comply with sporting ethics and customs;
2 unconvential rods are not permitted;
3 rod tips shall be a minimum of 1,01 metres in length measured from the tip of the
rod to the top most base of the butt;
4 the rod butt shall not exceed 0,68 metres in length when measured from a
point directly below the centre of the reel to the butt; and
5 a safety line may be attached to the rod, provided that it does not assist the angler
in fighting the fish.
12 Rod Holders
1 When a strike has been detected, the angler shall remove the rod from the rod holder; and
2 resting the rod in a rod holder or on the gun whale of the boat or any other object
while playing a fish is prohibited.
12 Safety
1 Equipment
1 All competitors shall carry the following safety items in their boats :-
2 Such equipment shall be in good working order;
3 bailer, bucket or bilge pump;
4 mirror. 10 square centimetres in size;
5 life jacket for each person aboard the vessel;
6 fire extinguisher;
7 torch;
8 paddle, auxiliary or trolling motor; and
9 yellow cloth 1 square metre in size.
13 Ground Baiting and Chumming
1 General
1 Ground baiting and chumming are permitted during the league :-
provided that no baiting or chumming shall take place for a period within twelve hours
before the start of any day's competition; and
2 this is defined as the introduction of any grain, bait or fish on to or beneath the surface
for the purpose of attracting fish;
2 Prohibited Activities
1 The following acts are prohibited :-
2 chumming with or using bait consisting of or derived from the flesh, blood or skin
of any mammal other than hair or pork rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting;
3 using bait deemed to be illegal by the National Parks regulations; and
4 using as live bait any exotic species, or species not indigenous to the competition venue
14 Weigh-in
1 Bag Limit
1 A maximum bag limit of five fish per species per day per angler shall be allowed into
the weigh-in area.
2 Finishing Time
1 All anglers shall have their day's catch in the designated weigh bay area by such time as
set by the league officials
provided that in the event of a breakdown or assisting another angler under the safety
rule, the league officials may at their discretion investigate and subsequently overturn this rule.
3 Bag Labels
1 All anglers shall bring their fish to the weigh-in area in separate bags or cooler
boxes clearly marked or labelled with the name of the angler as recorded on the MAL
entry form.
4 Score Confirmation
1 All team members weighing-in fish shall ensure the correctness of their individual fish
and weights as recorded on the score sheet at the time of their weigh-in;
2 the weigh-master and a team member shall countersign the score sheet in confirmation
of the recorded weights prior to the angler leaving the weigh-in area.
5 Fish Spines
1 The spines on all Silver, Butter Barbel and Squeaker shall be removed completely
flush with the body before the fish are presented into the weigh-in area; and
2 the spines shall not form part of the weighing-in process in any manner whatsoever.
15 Discipline
1 Disputes
1 Any objections or disputes shall be lodged with the league officials before the close of the 
day's weigh-in;
provided that any angler who leaves the weigh-in area after his catch has been recorded
in accordance with these rules shall have no foundation for any objection or dispute.
16 Prohibited activities
1 1 The following acts are prohibited and if substantiated shall constitute an offence
liable to the following penalty :-
2 Disqualification from the Leg
1 Attempting or weighing in fish taken from venues other than that designated for the competition;
2 attempting or weighing in fish which show signs of having been caught on a previous day (s)
or show signs of having been stored under refridgeration conditions for future use; and
3 failure to knowingly comply with any safety rule.
3 Disqualification of the days catch
1 Failure to comply with any of the provisions of sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15;
2 setting night lines;
3 shooting or harpooning any fish whilst being played;
4 using a boat or device to beach or chase a fish into shallow water in order to deprive
a fish of its ability to swim;
5 using a hand line or rope attached to the line or leader for the purpose of holding
or lifting a fish in to a boat;
6 changing the rod or reel while playing the fish;
7 adding to or removing line from the reel while a fish is being played; and
8 intentionally foul hooking a fish.
4 Exceeding the bag limit
1 If more than five fish of a species are presented at the weigh-in, the largest
fish (s) of that species shall be disqualified for each infraction.