2007 AMFA Match Rules:

1. Anglers will draw for their pegs (fishing spots) before the competition. No angler may have two "end pegs" in a 2-heat event. Anglers may go to their pegs after the draw and pre-match meeting are completed.
2. Anglers will have 2 hours preparation time. During this time anglers may set up their gear, test their rigs, and plumb the depth. No feeding/chumming is allowed during this time. Hooks must not be baited. All electronic devices like fish finders are banned from use before or during the event on the match day.
3. Anglers must be positioned not farther than 1 yard to either side from their peg. Anglers may not move their peg. An angler may fish as far as half the distance between their peg and the pegs on either side.
4. Wading is not permitted. Seats or platforms must be positioned out of the water. This rule may be altered on venues with shallow shorelines. See 'Additional rules'***
5. Competitors can start chumming and fishing at the ALL-IN signal (horn or whistle).
6. Groundbait (chum) may be thrown in by hand, catapult, or pole cups. No bait shall be introduced with a pole cup attached to an extra rod or pole while continuing to fish.
7. Any natural bait can be used except live or dead fish. Artificial baits, lures and jigs are not allowed.
8. Anglers will be restricted to the use of one rod or pole, one line, and a single plain hook at one time. An angler may have spare rods and poles assembled on the bank. Pole length limit is 13 meters maximum.
9. A float or bobber must be used. Overshooting of the float is forbidden (sinkers must not exceed the capacity of the float used). Float ledgering is forbidden (no more then 10% of the sinkers may lie on the bottom at any time).
10. A competitor must strike, play and land his/her own fish. No physical help is allowed.
11. An angler under the age of 13 needs adult supervision.
12. Anglers are not permitted to leave their pegs except for emergencies or calls of nature.
13. Cell phones may be used in emergencies only. Anglers are prohibited from talking to each other on cell phones during the match.
14. Unintentionally foul hooked fish will count. Deliberate snagging of fish is forbidden.
15. If a big fish is hooked and swims into another angler�s peg � the other angler shell remove his/her line and allow for the fish to be caught. However, the angler playing the fish should bring it into his/her own peg as quickly as possible.
16. Competitors must stop fishing when the end of the match ALL-OUT is signaled (10 sec. long horn or whistle). At this time all lines must be immediately removed from the water. Fish must be totally out of the water or inside landing net also out of the water at the end of the final signal. Any fish landed after the final signal will not count and must be released immediately.
17. Anglers are responsible to keep their catch alive for the duration of the match. A keepnet or a carp sack may be used. Any species of fish may be weighed. Any undersized or out of season fish must be released immediately and must not be placed in a keepnet. The Weigh-in will be conducted by the match officials. All fish must be released after the weigh-in.
18. Anglers will not discard their left over groundbait in the water after the completion of the 1st round. It is the responsibility of all anglers to remove all garbage from their pegs.
19. In case of any violation of the above rules, a complaint must be launched during or after the competition but not later then 1 hour after the final whistle. Any complaints will not be heard or dealt with after that time. The match officials will determine appropriate penalty if necessary. Their decision will be final.
20. Anglers shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner not prejudicial to the sport of match fishing

*** Any additional rules must be announced at least one month before the competition.