Dawnbreakers Fishing Club Rules and Regulations for the 2025 Snapper Cup

Registration:  Registration is open to all. Participants must register online and pay the registration fee within 3 days of registration. No registrations or payments will be accepted after 2 pm, 12 March 2024.

Competition Rules: Fishing starts 5:00 am Friday 14th March and finishes 15:00 pm Sunday 16th March 2024. Only fish caught during the competition period can be entered. Fishing will be with rods and reels only. No other means of catching fish is permitted. Fishing is restricted to Tasman Bay, drawing a line from the tip of Farewell Spit across to, but not including the entrance of Greville harbour and the sound side of French Pass.

Event Briefing: Event briefing to take place at Hunting and Fishing Nelson at 6pm, Wednesday 12th March. Briefing attendance is compulsory to entrants or at least one entrant from each registration party (i.e. family entry). Please contact us if this is a problem. There will be in store specials on the night for competitors.

Fish Entry: Is by way of photo on an approved competition measure mat. The Daiwa Competition App will be used to enter fish during the fishing period. A list of approved measure mats can be found here: https://www.fishingcomp.co.nz/approved-measures/

Cancelled Fishing:  In the event of poor weather making boating unsafe, fishing will be postponed to an alternate date. Weather does not have to be perfect for all three reserved fishing days, if weather forecast suggests that fishing is possible on any of the three reserved days, to all competitors, fishing may still go ahead.
If postponement is required, fishing will be deferred to the following weekend, 5:00 am Friday 21st March to 12:00 pm Sunday 23rd March 2024 (note time change for close of entries to accommodate prize giving). The DBFC will make the call to transfer the fishing date due to weather on the Wednesday 12th March 2024 by 7pm.

Prizegiving: The prizegiving is scheduled for 3 pm, Sunday 23 March 2024 at the Speights Ale House, Nelson. Unless approved by organisers prior to the prize giving event, entrants must be in attendance to claim their prize. Only those present will be eligible for spot prizes and lucky draws.

Skippers Responsibility:  To ensure the safety of all passengers and to only take the vessel out in conditions that are appropriate to both the type of vessel and your own skill level.

General Conduct:  All contestants agree to observe MPI fishing rules and harbour master rules.

Disclaimer: The organisers reserve the right to change or amend the competition at any stage in the interest of public safety. Neither the competition organizer, nor a director, official, contractors or employee of the competition organize shall have any liability in connection with the competition for any damage caused to any vehicle, boat or other property, or loss of property or personal injury or damage of whatever nature or kind caused.  Refunds will be considered at the organisers discretion. 
A detailed rules and information package will be emailed to all entrants prior to the event and an in-person briefing will provide an opportunity for any questions to be addressed.
By entering the Snapper Cup you will accept the competition rules and disclaimer. Entrants may be disqualified without refund if they are in breach of any competition rules.