SIBFEST 2026 Competition Rules
SIBFEST 2026 is a fun, skill-based national fishing event run across multiple locations on the same day. All entrants compete under the same rules, with prizes awarded according to the official SIBFEST categories.
Entry is only open to anglers who have purchased an official SIBFEST 2026 Event Pack before the closing date. One Event Pack equals one entrant. Each entrant must be registered in their own name and must fish from their chosen approved SIBFEST location.
All entrants must fish from a soft inflatable boat suitable for the event. Each entrant is responsible for their own safety, equipment, insurance, seaworthiness, launch decisions, and compliance with local byelaws, tides, weather conditions, and fishery regulations. Participation is entirely at the entrant’s own risk.
All fish entered into the competition must be caught during the official event hours on the day of the competition. Fish caught before or after the event window will not count.
All competition catches must be photographed on the official IBF measuring chart supplied for SIBFEST 2026. The fish must be laid clearly and fully on the chart so that its length can be seen and verified.
In addition to the official measuring chart, every valid catch photo must also include the official same-day verification image released by IBF on the morning of the event. This verification image may be shown on a mobile phone screen or printed out, but it must be clearly visible in the same photograph as the fish and measuring chart.
Any catch photo that does not clearly show the fish, the full measurement, the official measuring chart, and the same-day verification image will not count.
Only fish submitted in line with the official submission process will be accepted. IBF reserves the right to reject any unclear, incomplete, edited, suspicious, duplicate, late, or non-compliant entry.
Each fish must be submitted as a separate catch. Collages, grouped fish photos, heavily cropped images, screenshots, or edited images will not be accepted.
All submissions must be sent before the official competition cutoff time on the day. Late entries will not count.
Entrants may only submit fish they have personally caught during the event. Any attempt to submit fish caught in advance, caught by another angler, or entered dishonestly will result in disqualification from the competition.
IBF’s decision on catch validity, scoring, prize categories, and final results is final.
By entering SIBFEST 2026, entrants agree that their submitted catch photos, launch photos, boat photos, and event images may be used by IBF for event coverage, social media, website content, and future promotion.
The spirit of SIBFEST is fun, fairness, and community. Any entrant found to be acting dishonestly, aggressively, or in a way that brings the event into disrepute may be removed from the competition.
How to Submit Your Catch
All official catch submissions must be sent directly to the official IBF catch submission number during the event. Catch submissions must not be sent to area WhatsApp groups unless specifically requested for local chat purposes. Only catches sent to the official IBF number will count in the competition.
Each fish must be sent as a separate message.
Every catch submission must include the following details:
Entry number
Area or launch location
Species
Length in centimetres
Then attach the catch photo.
Example:
Entry 014
South Coast / Sussex
Bass
51cm
The attached photo must clearly show the fish laid on the official IBF measuring chart, with the measurement visible and the same-day verification image visible in the same photo.
If any of these details are missing, unclear, or incorrect, the catch may be rejected.
Entrants should not send voice notes, collages, multiple fish in one photo, or follow-up messages with missing information. Each valid catch should be sent in one clean message with one photo.
All catch submissions must be received before the official cutoff time on the day of the event. Any catches sent after the deadline will not be counted.
If an entrant is unsure whether a photo is clear enough, they should retake it before submitting. It is the entrant’s responsibility to provide a clear and valid photo.
Only catches submitted to the official IBF catch number in the correct format will be considered for scoring.