FFF Seadogs 2023 brag mat competition
Kicks off on March 1, 2023, but best of six monthly rounds so you can enter until July and have a chance to win. Main change from last year is removal of the length handicap for mackerel, jewfish and threadfin.
RULE UPDATE: Location pics of the captor holding an entered barramundi may be requested for rounds where stocked dam fish are not eligible.
FFF Seadogs is a free, low-stress brag mat competition open to those who fish where barramundi and other northern tropical sportfish are caught.
The comp is judged on pictures of fish on brag mats. Each centimetre of fish gets a point.
Barramundi are the main target species, but some other species of fish can be entered on specified months.
The competition is judged on the best six of 10 monthly rounds.
Fishos can enter at any time throughout the comp but may not enter fish in rounds earlier than their entry date.
TO REGISTER for a chance to win, entrants must post two pix of their boat, one of the outside and one of the inside deck space where the brag mat will be photographed for the duration of the competition. Post the two pictures on this thread.
Pix of entered fish must be visibly on the same boat's deck as that in the registration photo.
Landbased fish can be entered by registered entrants but there are no bonus points.
Unlimited fish entries are allowed but only each competitor's biggest fish from each of their best six rounds are eligible for points.
Entrants will need a branded brag mat, a camera and a newspaper from the month of each round to enter.
Government or branded fish-measuring stickers are also OK to use.
A deckie's fish may be entered by the owner of the registered boat as long as the fish was caught in the registered boat with the owner/skipper, and the boat is recognisable in the photo.
Skippers who have registered their boat in the comp may fish as a deckie on another Seadogs-registered boat and claim their fish as their own entry, as long as both parties are in agreement. Otherwise, the skipper of the registered boat on the water on the day claims any fish caught.
Pictures of fish must be taken on the brag mat with a newspaper or newspaper phone downloaded image screen from the current round month in view.
The newspaper or anything else must not cover the fish in a manner that could hide mutilation of the fish.
Each entry must include a short description about the capture.
Photos must depict live or freshly-caught fish, no necked or obviously dead fish.
In some circumstances competitors may be asked to supply original pix with original exif data/time stamps. Failure to provide means an entry may not be eligible. Any attached gps data will be kept secret.
If there is a draw, the winner will be decided on the quality of photos posted throughout the comp, as decided by the FFF judge.
The comp starts March 1, 2023. The final round ends December 20, 2023.
Barramundi is the main target species. Mackerel, jewfish, longtail tuna and threadfin (king salmon) can be entered only on specified months.
Dam barra (stocked impoundment fish) eligible only in Rounds 8, 9 and 10. Location pics of the captor holding an entered barramundi may be requested for rounds where dam fish are not eligible.
Round 1, Mar - Barramundi & threadfin salmon
Round 2, Apr - Barramundi & threadfin salmon
Round 3, May - Barramundi, threadfin & jewfish
Round 4, June - Barramundi, mackerel, longtail tuna & queenfish
Round 5, July - Barramundi, mackerel, longtail tuna & queenfish
Round 6, Aug - Barramundi (no dam fish)
Round 7, Sep - Barramundi (no dam fish)
Round 8, Oct - Dam & saltwater barramundi & threadfin
Round 9, Nov - Dam & saltwater barramundi & threadfin
Round 10, Dec - Dam & wild barramundi and powertail (c*a*t*f*i*s*h)
All fish to be measured from lip to centre of tail (eg inside fork or outer curve). Fish may have mouths open or closed on the brag mat, the aim being to get the fish measured and photographed as fast as possible.
As there are no stewards on the water to enforce/check that rules are followed, the organiser reserves the right to disallow any entry for any reason, and disqualify any entrant for any reason. The judge's decision on all matters will be final.
Fish caught while competing in other competitions are not eligible. Fish caught with MDF tags are eligible. Professional fishing guides (business owner/skippers) may not enter the comp, part-time guides who do not own a registered guide boat can enter but can not submit fish caught while guiding.
There is no size limit on fish, but please photograph undersize fish quickly for a fast release.
This is a free comp run by volunteers. By entering, entrants agree to be responsible for their own safety, knowledge of the waterways, and to ensure their boats are in good working order. Entrants agree to not hold the organiser or any person/any business associated with the comp liable in any way for administration, prizes, matters arising 'in the field', or anything else.
By registering and posting your entries you agree to be bound by the rules.
Misinformation supplied in an entry may result in disqualification.
New entrants may be asked to supply ID. If ID is not forthcoming the entrant will be disqualified. Nondescript vessels that can't be identified may not be entered, and no entries permitted using other people's email accounts.
No canoe/kayak entries permitted, as canoes are deemed unsafe for use in northern waterways because of crocodiles.
Winners will be announced with a small time period for appeals, once the appeal period is over the winners are set in stone regardless of later findings of cheating, scoring errors, rules broken or any other matters.
Entrants agree that the organiser may publish their pictures elsewhere to promote the comp.
Lastly, this is a social comp run by unpaid volunteers, with prizes courtesy of generous sponsors. Anyone who defies the easygoing spirit of the comp with poor attitude, dishonesty or other knuckleheaded capers will be removed from the comp and forum.
PRIZES FOR 2023
More prizes may be added through the year. New sponsors are welcome at any time throughout the competition, send an email to [email protected] and we will get your brand logo into the comp threads.
FFF Grand Champion prize
Lowrance Elite 7 FS sounder/plotter unit with Active Imaging ... courtesy https://navico.com/
FFF Runner-up prize
GME MT600G Epirb and GME GX625 handheld marine VHF radio ... courtesy https://www.gme.com.au
FFF Third Runner-up prize
Daiwa Zillion TW HD 1520 baitcaster reel ... courtesy https://www.daiwa.com.au
FFF Fourth Runner-up prize
$500 voucher for use at Darwin's In and Outboard Marine ... courtesy https://www.iomarine.com.au/
FFF Fifth Runner-up prize
Shimano Tranx baitcaster reel ... courtesy https://www.shimanofish.com.au
FFF Sixth Runner-up prize
XXXX Gold branded Yeti icebox ... courtesy https://www.xxxx.com.au/xxxx-gold/
Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Runners-up prizes
One set each of quality Tonic Eyewear ... where possible the specific frame and lens model will be supplied as requested but Tonic may not be able to do so in all cases, in which case a substitute model and/or lens will be supplied ... courtesy https://www.toniceyewear.com.au
Quality Classic barramundi lure pack ... courtesy https://jmgillies.com.au/brands/classic-lures/
Quality Daiwa Double Clutch 115 Barra Tune lures ... courtesy https://www.daiwa.com.au
