Club Rules - updated 2nd August 2023

1. Monthly club competitions -  

Will generally be held over the weekend following the monthly meeting (see club calendar), although at times there may be exceptions to this. Should the monthly competition be postponed due to bad weather, it may be rescheduled to the following weekend or one weekend within the month. The decision regarding the weather will be made by the club committee and all members will be notified via email and text message.

The prizes for monthly competitions will be awarded only when a minimum of five (5) boats take to the water to fish the competition for at least one day of the weekend. The weigh master must also be notified by 8pm Friday if you intend to fish at least one day of that weekend, to be recorded as eligible to win the monthly comp prizes if the minimum number of boats (as above mentioned) is reached.

If the monthly competition has less than five (5) boats choosing to fish, then club points will be awarded but prizes will not be awarded. 

NOTE:In the case of HIGH WIND WARNINGS, the Skipper is solely responsible for the safety of his vessel and passengers and should check the weather forecast prior to leaving port. It is entirely the skippers decision whether to go to sea, however safety is utmost at all times and TGFC promote safe boating. 

2. Fishing Away - 

Anglers may nominate a QGFA/GFAA affiliated

club’s tournament fishing away from home as a substitute for that month's TGFC competition provided it coincides with the weekend of the monthly comp. Anglers wishing to 'fish away' must notify the Weigh master prior to the TGFC monthly comp weekend. In this case the angler will accumulate full club points for those fish tagged or weighed but will not be eligible for prizes from the TGFC monthly competition. The Activity Book must be signed by the host club’s weigh master and submitted to the TGFC weighmaster prior to the recording cut off date as mentioned in RULE 3.

3. Tag Points & Boat Activity Books -

All billfish tagged during the weekend nominated for the TGFC monthly comp will be awarded 1000 points. All Billfish tagged on days other than the TGFC nominated monthly comp weekend will be awarded 500 points. (see also RULE 15) 

All other gamefish tagged during the weekend nominated for the TGFC monthly comp will be eligible for their full points (as per RULE 16). All other game fish tagged on days other that the TGFC nominated monthly comp weekend will be awarded half points. (see also RULE 16)

All anglers when fishing must complete Boat Activity Books for all trips. This information is sent to QGFA and statistics are compiled from it so it is important that our club lodge all records of activity promptly. 

Anglers Point Scoring will occur only when Tag Cards along with Boat Activity Sheets are correctly completed in full and presented to the TGFC Weighmaster at either the designated weigh in times or no later than the first THURSDAY of the month following the activity record. Where tag cards and activity sheets are surrendered after the cut off, they will be recorded but will not be eligible for point scoring. 

4. Tag & Weighed Fish Numbers (non billfish species)

A maximum of three fish of any one fish species can be weighed for monthly comps and a maximum of five fish of any one fish species can be tagged per angler at TGFC monthly comps. 

5. GFAA Rules -  

Will apply at all times unless specifically amended in writing by the TGFC. This includes line class rules pertaining to Heavy Tackle and Light Tackle limits

6. Fishing Times - 

Start fishing at 6am Saturday and cease fishing in time to attend the weigh in or as otherwise designated.

7. Weigh-in's – 

Are held from 5.00pm to 7.00pm Sunday at the designated venue. Strict Ruling - late arrivals will not be considered for points or prizes, except as rule 8.

Monthly comp presentations of results & prizes will immediately follow the weigh-in or at the next monthly meeting.

8. Attendance at Weigh-In - 

To be eligible for points & prizes in monthly competitions, at least one member from the team (as was on the water) must attend the designated weigh-in by the designated time, except in the case of a team assisting another boat in distress. Half points will be awarded if at least one member from a team does not attend the weigh-in by the designated time, with a completed activity book but shall not be eligible for any prizes. 

9. Non-TGFC Members -  

Only financial members of the Townsville Game Fishing Club will be eligible to fish monthly competitions and be eligible for points and prizes. However, an Introductory (one weekend only) Membership of $40 is available to prospective club members or visitors who wish to fish in the monthly competition. Temporary Memberships must be nominated and paid prior to the monthly comp. If the club treasurer is unavailable to accept payment prior to the weekend, then a verbal or text message to the secretary mobile 0429 043 660 notification may be accepted by the weigh master and at least one other member of the Management Committee. The onus is on the skipper to ensure the Temporary Membership is accepted prior to the weekend. Where payment was not able to be made prior to the weekend, all funds owing shall be paid preferably at the weigh in. The skipper will be deemed responsible for all outstanding funds. Anglers who have paid a Temporary Membership fee may join the club as a full member but are required to pay the difference within one month of the Temporary Membership. Monthly Comp prizes can be won while a Temporary Member, however any points accumulated while fishing as a Temporary Member only, count towards the boat score and not to their future individual score unless the Temporary Member decides to become a full financial member of the TGFC in which case all points accumulated during the Temporary Membership shall count towards that angler’s individual score. 

10. Non-TGFC Members tagged billfish –  

All billfish tagged by non-TGFC members may be counted in club billfish scores only for GFAA & QGFA purposes. The tag must not have occurred on a commercial charter trip.

11. Weighed fish - 

Must be equal to or better than line class Juniors are an exception to this and they may weigh fish provided the weight is equal to half line class or higher. In both cases a maximum of three fish of the same species may be weighed by any one angler (see rule 4).

12. Circle hooks must be used-  

When live bait fishing for Billfish in TGFC competitions, monthly comps or on any other weekend. Only tournament approved circle hooks are permitted to be used.

13. Fish must be Gilled & Gutted - 

All fish presented to the Weigh master for weighing should be gilled & gutted

(excluding sharks). If presenting a fish for record purposes the fish may be presented whole, then gilled and gutted if appropriate. No mutilated fish will be eligible for prizes or points.

14. Scoring of weighed fish -  

Eligible only during TGFC nominated monthly comp weekends or otherwise stated. 

Points for all other game fish species (when weighing) have an equal multiplication factor of 100 divided by line class (see example below).               Note Rule 11 for junior anglers. 

Formula for calculating points

            (Fish Weight (kg) + 10%) X 100 =

                 Line Class (kg)

15. Tag Points for Billfish - 

1,000 points will be awarded to all Billfish tagged during monthly competitions regardless of line class. There is no limit on number of tag poles that can be used. 500 points will be awarded to tagged Billfish on other weekends and weekdays not pertaining to monthly club competitions. Will occur only when Tag Cards along with Boat Activity Sheets are correctly completed in full and presented to the TGFC Weighmaster at either the designated weigh in times or no later than the first THURSDAY of the month following the activity record. Where tag cards and activity sheets are surrendered after the cut off, they will be recorded but will not be eligible for point scoring. 

16. Tag Points for Other Gamefish -

The following points will be allocated for the tagging of 'Other Gamefish' during a monthly comp weekend. Half points will be awarded for other weekends and weekdays. Tag Cards along with Boat Activity Sheets are correctly completed in full and presented to the TGFC Weighmaster at either the designated weigh in times or no later than the first THURSDAY of the month following the activity record. Where tag cards and activity sheets are surrendered after the cut off, they will be recorded but will not be eligible for point scoring.

While all game fish are able to be tagged, the ‘preferred ’species list is based on the NSW fisheries tagging program and tagging of unlisted species is to be kept to a minimum where practical.

Points for Other Gamefish Tagged 

(Minimum Length 40cm Angler/Skipper discretion prevails Survival of fish of most importance).

Please ensure tag cards are handed in with score sheet and filled in completely, legibly and accurately. 

Prizes and Trophy List 

Additional Prizes - In competitions where additional prizes are to be awarded, anglers will be advised prior to fishing. 

Prize Categories for Monthly Comps - 

1st Billfish Tagged Saturday.......... $50 Voucher 

1st Billfish Tagged Sunday.......... $50 Voucher 

Champion Team Saturday.......... $100 Voucher 

Champion Team Sunday............. $100 Voucher 

Trophy List - Perpetuals: 

1. CLUB CHAMPION MALE - Awarded to the male angler who has accumulated the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
2. CLUB CHAMPION FEMALE - Awarded to the female angler who has accumulated the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
3. JUNIOR CHAMPION - Awarded to the Junior angler (either male or female) who has accumulated the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
4. SMALL FRY CHAMPION - Awarded to the Small Fry angler (either male or female) who has accumulated the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
5. CHAMPION BOAT - Awarded to the boat that tallies the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
6. CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR - Awarded to the member who has made the most effort for the club throughout the fishing year and as voted by club members.
   
   
7. MOST MERITORIOUS CAPTURE
   
   
8. BALLS UP AWARD

Trophy List - Other Trophies: 

9. CHAMPION SKIPPER - Awarded to the skipper that tallies the most points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
   
   
10. CHAMPION ANGLER (Bill Fish Only) - Awarded to the angler who captures or tags and releases the most Bill Fish through our Financial Club Year.
    
    
11. CHAMPION OF OTHER GAME FISH - Awarded to the angler who accumulates the most points from tagging other GameFish as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
    
    
12. HIGHEST POINT SCORING OTHER GAME FISH - Awarded to the angler who weighs the highest point scoring OTHER GAME FISH captured during designated monthly competitions. The fish must be line class to be eligible to weigh. 
    
    
13. RUNNER UP JUNIOR CHAMPION - Awarded to the Junior angler (either male or female) who has accumulated the second highest points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system. 
    
    
14. RUNNER UP SMALL FRY CHAMPION - Awarded to the Small Fry angler (either male or female) who has accumulated the second highest points as per TGFC annual club point scoring system.
    
    
15. FIRST BILL FISH TAGGED FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - Awarded to the angler who tagged

    the first Bill Fish for the Financial year. The fish must have been caught in waters local to Townsville.

16. LAST BILL FISH TAGGED FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - Awarded to the angler who tagged

    the last Bill Fish for the Financial year. The fish must have been caught in waters local to Townsville.