Bridgwater Angling Association
Terms & Conditions



RULES 2022/2023

Any amendment to these rules must be approved by the next Annual General Meeting

of the Company following the temporary amendment. Notice of Motion regarding any

amendment or addition to the Company's rules shall be furnished in writing to the

Minute Secretary 14 days before the holding of the A.G.M.

 

1)     The Council of Management shall have the authority to expel a Member whose conduct it considers to be injurious to the Company, but before taking such action must inquire into the member's conduct. The Member will be given reasonable opportunity of defending himself in writing or appealing before the Council. Any member or Bailiff of the Company on production of their permit/warrant may demand to examine the right to fish documents of any person found fishing in Company owned or rented waters. Permits to fish waters controlled by the BAA Limited must be purchased in advance and are not transferable. Any person not able to produce documentary evidence of their right to fish the aforementioned waters will be asked to leave the water immediately and BAA Limited reserve the right to prosecute. If the same person is found using BAA Limited controlled waters in the future without the proper documentation they will forfeit their right to apply for membership for a period of 12 months. BAA Limited shall deem that person a trespasser.

2)     The payment of a subscription to fish in Company controlled waters shall be deemed a contract to abide by the Rules of the Company as in force at that time.

3)     Contravention of any of the rules may result in a Council of Management hearing which could remove the Members right to fish for whatever period the Council of Management may decide.

4)     All persons intending to fish must also be in possession of a current licence issued by the Environmental Agency.

5)     Members are required to produce their (Permit/Ticket) when requested to do so by the keepers, Officers, Servants or any other member of the association. Failure to do so will result in that person being asked to leave the waters immediately.

6)     Any person intending to fish a swim must clear all litter in the immediate area before fishing and any person found fishing at a spot containing litter shall be held responsible for same.

7)     Night Fishing is only allowed with a Night Fishing Permit and must not exceed seven consecutive nights. Thereafter a minimum of 24 hours off the water. Junior Members are not allowed to fish during the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, unless accompanied by an adult with a Night Fishing Permit and junior must be fishing in the same swim as the accompanying adult. (Excludes Walrow Ponds).

8)     Junior Members are only permitted to fish the Huntspill River, South Drain, North Drain, Dunwear Large Pond if accompanied by an adult, who shall be responsible in the event of any accident or emergency involving the Junior Member, and for his/her behaviour on the bank.

9)     The accompanying Adult responsible for Junior's up to the age of 16 with a licence and must be within 30 meters of the Junior at all times.

10)  Fishing is not allowed during the annual close season from March 15th to June 15th, both dates inclusive with the exception of Newtown Lock Bridgwater Canal to Maunsell Lock, Dunwear, Combwich and Walrow Ponds where fishing is permitted.

11)  With the exception of Pike, Carp and Trout all fish may be retained in a keep net during period of fishing and returned to the water prior to leaving the bank, except during a Bona Fide Competition when all fish except Trout may be kept. Carp must not be kept in a Carp Sack.

12)  The use of Carp Sacks is prohibited on any Company controlled waters.

13)  No fish must be removed permanently from any water unless there is risk of disease from that fish. Fish must not be transferred from one water to a different water.

14)  The possession of Gaffs is prohibited. Gaffs must not be used.

15)  Members must not fish from swims reserved for a competition.

16)  Members' dogs are not permitted on any Company controlled waters. If caught, this will incur a ban.

17)  Members are not allowed to bring or use guns or any other offensive weapons on land owned or controlled by the company. All members must report any incident involving such to a bailiff, the police or a council member immediately. Failure to do so will be construed as aiding and abetting in the offence. Please Note: In certain circumstances council organised shooting parties may be organised for vermin control resulting in the waters being temporarily closed for safety reasons.

18)  The possession of person carrying boats is forbidden on all Company controlled waters. With the exception of the Bridgwater - Taunton Canal where British Waterways Board licensed boats are permitted. However NO fishing is allowed from the boats.

19)  Bathing is forbidden on all Company controlled waters.

20)  Members must not cause damage to the banks of any Company owned or controlled waters and must not cause damage to any other land, building, fence, hedge, crop, gate or any other structure belonging to or in the control of the Company or any third party landowner on or adjoining the banks of such owned or controlled waters, and must pay full compensation for any damage caused.

21)  Camping or lighting of fires on any land controlled by the Company is not permitted.

22)  Coaches, cars or motor cycles must not be parked on Environmental Agency property except in the car parks provided, nor in a manner likely to cause inconvenience to other road users or land owners.

23)  Fishing is not permitted within 30 meters in any direction of any overhead power cables.

24)  Fishing is only allowed by fair rod and line.

25)  A maximum of 4 rods are permitted on the purchase of the appropriate B.A.A Ltd permit and Environment Agency Rod Licence.

26)  Members are not allowed to fish from any property not owned or leased by the Company. Including British Waterways Board licensed boats on the Bridgwater - Taunton Canal.

27)  Members are requested not to fish directly outside any residence along the towpath of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Fishing is only permitted on the towpath side of the Canal. Fishing is not permitted within 25 meters of the approaches to a lock, moveable bridge, from landing stages or dock pontoons or British Waterways Board licensed boats.

28)  Any member or group of members MUST NOT obstruct any other swim than the one they are fishing.

29)  Fishing on North Drain, South Drain and Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is restricted to the period one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.

30)  The use of chest waders on any water is forbidden.

31)  No swim is to be constructed without prior written approval of the Council of Management.

32)  No keepnet is to be used which is less than 8ft long or with a diameter less than 18 inches.

33)  Bait coloured with aniline dyes is prohibited.

34)  Anglers are not permitted on the banks at Walrow Ponds between the hours 10.30 pm and 5.30 am. unless having purchased a night fishing permit. These tickets are available from Veals Fishing Tackle, Church Street, Highbridge. Tel 01278 786934. Full Adult Permit Holders Only.

35)  No angler is to leave their rod unattended with a baited hook in the water at any time.

36)  No fishing is allowed within 20ft of the rear boundary fences of the properties on the north bank of Combwich between the hours 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

37)  The use of Bloodworm and Joker as a bait or groundbait is not permitted on any Company controlled water.

38)  The closed season for pike fishing with dead bait on Company Waters is March 15th to September 30th, both dates inclusive. The use of artificial lures is permitted providing that all lures are fitted with barbless hooks. (see Rules 10).

39)  The use of treble hooks is only permitted when fishing for Pike or Perch.

40)  The use of live fish as hookbait is prohibited on all Company controlled waters.

41)  All anglers fishing for carp on Company Waters must use line of not less than 10lbs B.S.; must be in possession of an unhooking mat, and must be in possession of a landing net of not less than 42 inch arm length for a triangular net, or an equivalent size round net.

42)  All anglers fishing for pike on Company Waters must use line of not less than 10lbs B.S.; a wire trace of not less than 18 inches in length for deadbaiting and 12 inches if using lures. They must also be in possession of a pair of forceps of not less than 8 inches in length, unhooking mat and a large, knotless landing net with arms length of at least 36 inches or a round frame of at least 30 inches is to be used.

43)  Gag or mechanical jaw spreaders are strictly prohibited. A unhooking Mat minimum size 36" x 24" is required.

44)  All gates at Combwich and Dunwear are to be kept shut and locked at all times.

45)  No Bikes (Motor or Cycle) are to be ridden on Company Owned or Controlled Waters.

46)  No threating or acts of violence to anyone on Company Owned or Controlled waters.

47)  Any sort of equipment left unattended in a swim for more than 2 hours shall be removed by the Council of Management without notification or payment of compensation for same. Lost property will be taken to the police.

48)  No vehicles are allowed in or out of Combwich Village entrance between the hours of 10.00pm and 07.00am. Non complying members face automatic 12 Month Ban from All Bridgwater Angling Association Waters.

Where no rule exists and a decision is required the Council of Management will make the ruling which will be ratified at the next AGM.

 

The Authority to fish is valid for one person only. Failure to be in possession of a current Environmental Agency Rod License will render this authority invalid. Minimum bans of 12 weeks will be enforced for breaking rules on litter and use of boats.

 


 

MINIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR BREAKING OF RULES

Rule No.

6 Junior Six Week's Ban Adult Three Month's Ban

7 6 Week Ban

8 Juniors under 12 years - ????

 14 1 Year Ban

16 First offence - One Year Ban Second offence - Life Ban (10 Years)

 19 First offence - Five Year Ban Second offence - Life Ban (10 Years)

20 Six Month's Ban

39 Three Month's Ban (All fish must be returned!)

43 First offence - Three Month's Ban Second offence - Six Month's Ban

47 Twelve Month's Ban

48 Pedal Juniors - Six Week's Ban Adults - Three Month's Ban Motor - Twelve Month's Ban

49 Threatening of violence to anyone - Five Year Ban Act of violence to anyone - Ten Year Ban

 

 

All fish must be returned!

Złap i puść! Bсе рыбы должны быть возвращены! Visas zivis ir jāatdod atpakaļ! Toți peștii trebuie să fie returnate! Alle fische müssen zurückgegeben werden