Rules
The rules are available below or you can download the MAS Club Rules. To download and print you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software).
Rules
1. The breaking of any Society rule will result in disciplinary action, which could include withdrawal of membership by the committee.
2. Members must at all times comply with the Society rules.
3. Members must at all times comply with the Environment Agency bylaws, and hold one valid rod licence to use one or two rods, and two valid rod licences to use three rods (see rule 38).
4. The current close season for coarse fishing is as follows:
Rivers/canals from 15th March – 15th June inclusive
Stillwaters none
5. No member is allowed on Society waters during the close season before 12 noon on the 15th June, other than 5.1.
Note: This rule does not supersede rule 27.
5.1 Members are allowed on Society waters during the applicable closed season for working party duties only, supervised at all times by a committee member. All such work to be subject of authorisation by the Fishery Management Officer.
6. Members and their guests using property owned, leased or otherwise retained by the Society do so entirely at their own risk.
7. Members are responsible for keeping their swim litter free at all times. It shall be the responsibility of each member to respect the private property of the riparian owners at all times, and to maintain a clean and tidy fishery whether on Society or other club waters. Any member found guilty of leaving litter of whatever nature will be liable to withdrawal of membership or expulsion from the Society.
8. Members must carry their membership authority card on Society waters at all times. Persons not in possession of the necessary authority may be asked to leave the water.
9. On waters where swims are already provided no member shall cut down extra reeds or vegetation. On waters where swims are not provided, members shall be allowed to cut down only sufficient reeds and vegetation to form a swim. Trees are not to be cut or otherwise damaged on any Society water at any time except as deemed necessary by the Fishery Management Officer.
10. No member shall be permitted to take away from the Society waters or kill any fish. This rule may be waived or amended by Committee as circumstances warrant.
11. Camping on Society waters is not allowed.
12. No fish is to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours. Any fish showing signs of distress must be released upon demand of a Society bailiff.
13. The use of peanuts as bait is not allowed on any Society water.
14. All members will lock Society gates on entering and leaving the waters.
15. Any member using a KEEPNET when fishing water under the control of or being used by the Society, MUST ENSURE that it conforms to the following minimum standards:
Depth – 1.5 metres
Rings – 35cm diameter or 25cm x 35cm rectangles
Frames – 15cm to 30cm apart
Mesh – 5mm to 15mm and must be knotless
These standards are in accordance with the current Environment Agency bylaws. A Society bailiff or committee member is empowered to inspect any net if doubt arises that these standards are not being satisfied.
The committee recommend that carp friendly nets are used wherever possible.
16. No member is to fish for pike with less than 8lb breaking strain line.
17. Under no circumstances will fires be allowed along the waterside or on any property on which the Society has fishing control.
18. All members are forbidden to take dogs with them on any Society water, except guide dogs, or at the discretion of the committee.
19. The presence of guns is strictly prohibited on all Society waters.
20. The presence of radios, cassette players, televisions etc is strictly prohibited on all Society waters, unless they are used with an ear piece adaptor or headphones.
21. No bait is to be discarded into the water at the end of a fishing session.
22. Fishing for eels is not allowed on any Society water during the close season.
23. The use of groundbait is forbidden at the Railway Pond.
24. Where a match is scheduled for a given water then it will be closed to non competitors from 2 hours before the scheduled time of the match draw to 1 hour after the end of the match.
EXCEPT for club matches where the number of competitors is such that the closing of the water is not in the best interests of other anglers. In this case the water will be open to other anglers 30 minutes after the start of such a match, but a reasonable distance must be given so as not to disturb those taking part in the match.
25. No member is to use a fixed weight of greater than one ounce.
26. The use of live fish baits is not permitted on Society waters.
27. The following waters are closed to members from 10.00pm until 5.00am nightly:
Bog Grove
Howells Lake
Beckingham Hall
Slough House Farm
However, night fishing will be permitted for night syndicate/permit holders only.
Totham Pit is closed to members from 10.00pm until 5.00am nightly but maybe night fished by Totham Pit Night Syndicate members only.
PLEASE NOTE
Maximum of session permitted is four days, three nights followed by a twenty-four hour break from that fishery except Slough House Farm, which is two days, one night followed by a twenty-four hour break.
Bog Grove night fishing is permitted from 1st October until 30th April only.
New Hall Reservoir is closed to members from 10.00pm until 5.00am nightly with no night fishing.
Rook Hall North Reservoir is closed to members from dusk until dawn.
Little Park Lakes are closed to members from midnight until 5.00am.
27.1 All night syndicate/permit members must have a clean record with the Society, any subsequent disciplinary action could result in a withdrawal of the members night syndicate/permit place.
27.2 Members under the age of 16 cannot buy a night syndicate/permit. These must be purchased on their behalf by a current night syndicate/permit member.
27.3 Night syndicate/permit members under 16 years of age must be accompanied by, and fish in the same swim as, a responsible night syndicate/permit member while night fishing.
27.4 Junior members can, if required, request to be upgraded to intermediate membership on reaching the age of 16 at the relevant time during the season.
27.5 Any night syndicate/permit members caught breaking any Society rules will lose their night fishing rights for a maximum of two years at the discretion of the committee.
28. Maximum speed limit all on Maldon Angling Society fishery approach tracks is 5 miles per hour.
29. The Society guest permit system to operate as follows:
(i) A member may apply for one guest ticket at a time for any one period, the ticket to cover both partner and guest as required.
(ii) The cost of the guest ticket shall be announced at the Annual General Meeting prior to the season opening.
Tickets available from the Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Concessionary Member Secretary.
(iii) Members will be responsible for the behaviour of the guest at all times to include:
Arriving/departing at the same time as the guest.
Fishing an adjacent swim to the guest.
Ensure the guest conforms to both Society and Environment Agency bylaws.
Ensure the guest holds a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
(iv) Guests are only allowed on Society waters between 5.00am and 10.00pm and may use a maximum of two rods only.
30. No member to fish their swim over halfway to another angler.
31. All anglers fishing for carp or pike on Society waters must be in possession of an unhooking mat.
32. No pre-baiting allowed on Society waters during the applicable close season.
33. Bog Grove and Little Park Langford; cereal ground bait allowed at a maximum of 1kg dry weight per fishing session.
34. Howells Lake and Beckingham Hall; no member under 14 years of age allowed on these waters unless accompanied by a responsible adult member at all times.
35. Fishing hook/bait to be removed from the water when the swim is vacated for any reason.
36. Carp sacks are banned on all Society waters, and carp over 5lb shall not be retained by any method (including keepnets), except during organised Society matches.
37. Society bailiffs have the authority to visit all Society waters at any time of day or night for the purposes of bailiffing.
38. Night syndicate/permit holders may use a maximum of three rods between 1st October and 31st March only. At all other times and circumstances a maximum of two rods only may be used.
39. No cycling around any Society stillwaters.
40. Whilst fishing all anglers must be in possession of a landing net.
41. Members and guests fish at own risk. The Society will not accept any responsibility or liability for the loss or damage to any tackle, property or personal possessions.
42. No member is to be inconsiderate or abusive towards others whilst on property leased by the Society (includes excessive noise).
43. No driving around any Society waters except to directly access official Society car parks.
44. No boats to be used on Society waters including bait boats and all radio controlled devices.
45. Braided main lines are banned. Leadcore lines are banned for all uses on Society waters.
46. Barbless and microbarb hooks only to be used on Bog Grove fishery.
47. The Society recommends that members are in possession of a fish care product eg Klinik.
48. Anglers fishing for carp at Howells Lake, Slough House Farm and Totham Pit must use a minimum of 10lb breaking strain line due to the extensive weed growth at these waters.