Lord of the Snapper

Watch This Before You Fish

This short video walks you through exactly how to record a valid entry. Two minutes now saves a knocked-back entry later.

How It Works — 3 Steps

Photo vs Video — Read This

Every entry needs both a photo and a video. They do different jobs:

What a Valid Entry Looks Like

• Whole fish in frame, nose to tail
• Nose lined up at 0 cm on the mat
• Code word placed on top of the fish, clear and readable
• Measurement read at the fork of the tail
• Fish laying flat and natural — not stretched

🎣 How to Enter a Fish

1. Lay your fish on the brag mat with the nose at 0 cm.
2. Place the code word on top of the fish, clearly visible.
3. Take a clear photo showing the whole fish, the measurement, and the code word.
4. Take a short video showing the fish is alive and freshly caught, with the code word on the mat.
5. In the video, zoom out on your sounder or GPS so we can confirm you're fishing within Port Phillip Bay or Western Port.
6. Text your photo and video to the official entry number — given to all entrants just before the competition begins.

🧼 The Brag Mat

We prefer you use a Reedy's Rigs brag mat. A previous year's Reedy's mat is fine — no need to buy a new one. Don't have one? Grab the entry + 125 cm mat combo ($69). Whatever mat you use, your photo must clearly show the whole fish, the measurement, and the code word.

📲 Code Word & How You Submit

• Use that night's code word for your next day on the water.
• It must sit on top of the fish and be clearly readable in your photo.
• Old or wrong code words won't be accepted — the code word pins your catch to the right day.
• Fishing the early morning before that evening's text? Use the previous night's code word for that session.

📏 Measurement Rules

• All fish are measured by fork length — both Snapper and King George Whiting.
• Minimum entry size — Snapper 40 cm, King George Whiting 30 cm (fork length). Anything shorter won't be accepted, so leave the small ones alone.
• Line the nose up at 0 cm, then read at the fork of the tail — the central V-notch, not the outer tail tips.
• The fish must lay flat and natural — not stretched or manipulated.
• Clear photos make verification much faster.

🧠 Key Rules

• Two divisions, judged separately: Snapper and King George Whiting. Longest fish by fork length wins each.
• Multiple entries allowed — only your longest fish counts for placement.
• Suspicious or tampered photos/video will void the entry.
• All entrants must comply with current Victorian fishing regulations.

⚖️ Countback

In a tie, the fish submitted first wins. This matters most in the Whiting division, where equal-length fish are common — so if you land a good one, get your entry in fast.

🧍 Land-Based Welcome

Piers, beaches, kayaks or boats — this competition is open to everyone fishing within the bays.

⚠️ Safety

• Entrants participate at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety and conduct.
• Marine safety, including weather, is each entrant's responsibility.
• The event proceeds in all weather.

📋 Rules & Conditions