BDCA Rules

Rules may at any time be changed at the dicriation of the committee to benefit the members chances of catching more fish, improve matches, to enable is to follow the lake rules, equality to our members or other reasons beyond our control. 

Matches

1. The Executive Committee (EC) is responsible for organising all matches of British Deaf Carp Angling (BDCA). Matches organised by members, without EC approval or outside organisations will not be recognised and EC will have no direct involvement.
2. There will be 3 matches a year plus possibly 1 social event. 
3. Matches will either be singles or doubles which committee will decide beforehand. Matches are usually from April to October. No winter matches. 
4. Other matches can be arranged by committee if necessary.
5. EC will agree date, venue, time and rules for each match.
6. Match organiser to be main person responsible with support from all committee. 
7. Only paid up members may enter the matches. 
8. Total cost per match is £70.00. This breaks down as deposit £40.00, Final payment £30.00 or you can pay the full £70.00. However we may have to increase cost depending on price of lake. Prize fund is £20.00 which is paid on the day. 
9. Deposits are non-refundable. However, members can appeal with genuine reasons for pulling out of match
10. Announcement of match will be made at least 2 months prior the match when deposits (£40.00) are requested. Members can pay full £70 if they wish. They must pay a deposit (£40.00) by closing date even if they wish to pay the full amount before the match. Rest of payment (£30.00) to be paid 2 weeks before the match. Prize fund (£20.00) to be paid before the match starts ie on the morning before the match. Members not paying the Prize money cannot start the match until paid. All entry fee monies to be paid into the BDCA account. Prize money to be paid to Treasurer.
11. Any shortfall of entry money will be made up by BDCA funds. Likewise any profits made will go into BDCA funds.
12.  Prize fund (£20 per person) is divided by 6. Winner gets 3/6 2nd 2/6 and 3rd 1/6 rounded up to the nearest £10. So example £300 in fund, winner £150 2nd £100 3rd £50.  
13. If no fish are caught during the match then all prize monies go into BDCA funds. If one fish is caught then only 1st prize is paid out, 2nd & 3rd prize monies to funds. 
14.  Matches postponed by Lake venue management means that all payments will be refunded by them not by BDCA.

Singles Match Rules

1. Over age 18 to fish
2. You must also follow the lake rules.
3. No heavy drinking, drugs or unruly behaviour.
4. Must arrive, register and draw two hours before start. Due to travelling distances if you are going to be late inform member of committee who will draw for you and you start as soon as you arrive.
5. Draw. There are two kinds of draw. A) pick out of bag and B) Watercraft. The committee will decide before the match, either in advance or on the day, which draw to use. The decision of DRAWMASTER is FINAL.
   1. If pick out of bag draw, 2 draw bags, first one with name of angler and second bag with draw swim. No swapping swims once drawn. 
   2. Watercraft draw. Members will walk around lake or google. Names drawn out or bag and member will pick the peg swim of their choice.
6. No cheating of any kind or you may be disqualified 
7. No baiting up or casting of any line before start of match. This includes marker floats, plumbing of depths and spods. Anyone casting lines before start may be disqualified.
8. No bait boats, drones, fish finders or any other electrical devices are allowed. However baiting poles are but must not go into next persons swim.
9. Marker and spod rods allowed. However, neither must be cast out before start of match
10. You must have environment agency rod licence (3 rods) with you. If you do not have an up to date licence, you will be excluded from the competition 
11. No refund once paid for match apart from genuine reason.
12. There must be a witness, usually the next and closest person fishing next to you present when a carp is weighted, photographed and signed.
13. No helping others to net a fish. If someone with Ushers or other disability that needs support, please inform committee before start of match.
14. Wading to bait swims or casting is allowed if overhanging trees or other object prevents you from casting cleanly, however wading up to up to 3 meters is permitted to land fish should water be too swallow at peg.
15. Surface fishing is allowed but must not cast into others swims or allow over excessive baiting that will float into other swims. Zigs are allowed should fishery allow them.
16. Competitors will be permitted to use a maximum of 3 rods. 2 rods will be used due to lack of space at the fishery or due to fishery rule. It may also be the case that one rod must be in the margins. Full explanation will be given before the match by the committee.
17. Each rod and line must only have one hook attached.
18. Competitors must not cast outside the limit of their swims.
19. Only carp hooked in the mouth can count in the competition. Any foul hooked fish to be put back without being weight.
20. If you catch fish at night-time. You can use secured net and leave in the water or put in retainer or sack, depending on lake rules, then you can go ask your next peg or volunteer to witness your carp weight.
21. Scale and weigh sling need to be checked before use
22. All fish caught must be photographed. Unphotographed fish may not count.
23. Only leather, common, ghost, grass and mirror carp over 5lbs in weight will count in the competition
24. Any fish hooked before time out must be landed within 20 minutes of the end of the competition or it will be excluded from the final results. 
25. Total of carp weighs to win the match.
26. If two top competitors have the same total of carp weight, the one who got the most carp will be the winner, if two competitors have the same number of carp, the biggest carp will be the winner.
27. Prize fund (£20 per person) is divided by 6. Winner gets 3/6 2nd 2/6 and 3rd 1/6 rounded up to the nearest £10. So example £300 in fund, winner £150 2nd £100 3rd £50. 

Doubles Match Rules

Follow same rules for Singles apart from below.

1. There must be two members to enter the pairs match. Entering yourself as a single entrance is not allowed.
2. Your partner must be an angler and must set up, cast and play their own rods.
3. You can net your partner’s fish.
4. You can play and land your partners other rod if he/she is already playing fish on one rod of their rods.
5. You may start fishing before your partner arrives if he/she is going to be late, as long as one is at the draw. If both are going to arrive late inform member of committee. 
6. Prize fund (£20 per person) is divided by 6. Winner gets 3/6 2nd 2/6 and 3rd 1/6 rounded up to the nearest £10. So example £300 in fund, winner £150 2nd £100 3rd £50. 

Any questions about the rules please speak to committee.

Last Updated:-  21/2/2025