PGFA Rules

Definitions:

IGFA: International Game Fish Association

One Day: A period of 24 hours, from commencement of fishing trip.

Trolling: Fishing by towing or dragging line(s) with artificial lure(s) or dead or live bait using a sail, surf or motor-powered vessel.

Casting: Fishing from shore or a stationary vessel using a pole and line, typically with a spinning or casting reel. Including various techniques such as whipping with lures or bait, jigging, dunking, slide baiting; fly fishing or any technique by using a pole and line.

Bottom: Fishing from a vessel using a vertical mainline with single/multiple lures or baited hooks and weight, lowered near the bottom to include drifting. Line can be retrieved manually or by any other powered method.

Inshore: All waters of less that 50-mtr depth.

Offshore: All waters on greater than 50-mtr depths

Landed: A fish that is boated with the intention of consumption

Association Charter

The following angling charter have been formulated by the Pakistan Game Fish Association to promote ethical and sporting angling practices, and thereby, with the aim of becoming ambassadors for Pakistan’s Sport Fishing Community

1. The Association and its members shall practice ethical angling in accordance with IGFA standards and local laws/regulations applicable to game fishing/angling as implemented from time to time by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Regulations by Government of Pakistan.
2. Member of the Association shall practice the safe release of fish which
   i. Are not for consumption
   ii. Are over the below-mentioned bag limits
   iii. Are not a potential Personal or PGFA/Pakistan/International Record
3. The Association and its members shall endeavor to encourage and help new anglers and guide them towards ethical angling practices and PGFA rules
4. The Association shall aid in the monitoring, maintaining and sharing of Sport Fishing records. These records shall be categorized as follows:
   i. Personal Records
   ii. Pakistan Game Fish Association Records
   iii. All Pakistan Records
   iv. World Records
   These records shall highlight, where available, Species, Weight, Dimensions, Lure, Method of hook-up, time of hook-up, weather conditions and GPS coordinates of catch location
5. The Association shall, from time to time, organize and conduct events for Charity Fund Raising, specifically within the rules and regulations of this Charter
6. The Association may add to or modify the below-mentioned rules with the approval of at least three members’ of the Executive Committee.
7. The Association shall strive to increase research of game fish and marine environment of Pakistan for the greater good of sport fishing in Pakistan
   

By-Laws for Members

1. Members of this Association shall adhere to the following BAG LIMITS:

   i. Trolling
   The members shall restrict his /her landed catches to no more than five qualifying fish of each or any specie within one day. Qualifying fish for Trolling shall be defined as a fish weighing at least 3 KG for inshore fishing and 8 KG for offshore fishing.
   ii. Casting
   An angler may land no more than fifteen fish of each or any species in one day. The angler shall use his/her own discretion to decide minimum acceptable weight of bagged fish. This restriction of bag limits does not apply to Queen Fish (Aal) due to the poisonous nature of its spinal fin; however, anglers are urged to make efforts to limit landing of Queen Fish.
   Note:
   - Any fish dead in fight will be counted bag
   - If the fish dies before releasing back will become your bag

2. From the time that a fish strikes or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight, and bring the fish to gaff or net unaided by any other person. No other person may touch any part of the tackle during the playing of the fish or give aid other than taking the leader for gaffing or netting purposes.
3. To apply for a record, the angler must submit a completed PGFA application form, the line class, tackle used to catch the fish, and acceptable photographs showing the full length of the fish, the rod and reel used to make the catch, and the scale used to weigh the fish must accompany each record application, a photograph of the angler with the fish is also required, in all cases; photographs should be taken of the fish in a hanging position, with the fish attached to a scale.
   b. Where possible, members are urged to register/weigh their fish at an Association certified weighing station, with at least one Association certified witness present at time of weigh in.
4. Any protest/complaint of possible violation of the Rules and Regulations by a member must be registered with a member of the Executive Committee of The PGFA within 24 hours after the weight of the fish is recorded. Such protest must be filed in writing via online website forms or emailed at protest@pgfa.org.pk
5. The Club asks all anglers and rowers to encourage good sportsmanship and to be courteous to all anglers