Rules are needed so that the fun isn't spoiled
For whom the races are intended
The competitions are intended for the broadest fishing public. They aim to continue to popularize the fishing technique called trolling as such and at the same time to develop a positive awareness of a relatively young fishing discipline called Trout Area, which originated in Japan and quickly spread around the world. Trout Area can be explained to the lay angler as the fishing technique of trolling, where salmonids are caught on still waters (lakes, ponds). The Trout Area is further specified by some well-defined rules and the actual system of organizing the competitions. Of these, it is essential that the race consists of several timed rounds, with each competitor catching (and measuring their results) in each successive round against a different competitor, and the race system guarantees that two of the same competitors do not meet twice in the same race. It is a fairly contact sport in the sense that, by angling standards, the competitors communicate a lot with each other. It is a lot of fun and at the same time the angler can learn a lot. In any case, it is worthwhile for any angler who likes active fishing techniques to try these competitions sometime.
Who can participate in the TAT series
The competitions are intended for the general fishing public. Participation is not technically limited. In practice, even children can participate, whose motor skills of mastering the fishing technique (as well as adults) include at least working with a reel, a landing net, mastering the fish and recognizing the basic three species of salmonids that are usually caught during the race. We are happy to train even beginners, but there is usually no time for that during the races. For children under 15 years of age, the presence of a legal guardian is required, at least in the area where the races take place. Younger children are allowed to help in catching fish and adjusting tackle. It should be remembered that these are races where one competitor is racing against another competitor in a timed period of time, and the other competitor must not be restricted in any way by the person providing support.
One of the basic rules of these races, also, is that the fish in the landing net must not touch the ground… which should also be a measure to determine whether or not I can participate in these races. Due to the profitability of the rather difficult economics of the race, we do not offer a discount for children to enter.
For less mobile anglers, it could be limiting to fish in relatively confined conditions. However, for example, we do not restrict the use of the chair during fishing. Most of the time, fishing is done on areas where there are flat, well-maintained and dry banks (depending on the current weather conditions).
Female fishermen often appear in the starting field. So it is not a purely male affair and we are happy to welcome every girl, young lady, lady, lady to our races. We can offer consideration and gentlemanly behavior. Our reward will be the lighting up of our events. 🙂
Ideological anchoring of the races
We do races for enthusiasts like ourselves. We believe that everyone will find a good time at our races, expand their fishing skills and experience a few moments that they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. Our races are always organized in the spirit of Fari play, with an emphasis on the competitors’ respect for each other and, last but not least, for the fish and the environment.
Moto: relaxed fishing for everyone
Prizes for the winners of individual TAT rounds
To give you a good reason to really race, our races are topped with the highest cash payout ever. Since the 2025 edition, this amount has been supplemented by an additional amount paid out thanks to the cooperation with the Czech company Moonky Lures.
1st place 7,000 CZK + cup
2nd place 5,000 CZK + cup
3rd place 3,000 CZK + cup
4th to 10th place coupon for goods www.PRSO.me
3 last competitors coupon for goods www.PRSO.me
The results of the TAT round will be announced after the Grand Final is caught. All prizes will be given only to the competitors present during the final announcement.
Entry fee
The entry fee for the 2025 edition is set as follows and is always paid by transfer to the TAT account based on the QR code created and sent. The entry fee must always be paid by the deadline specified for each round. In case of non-payment by the deadline, the competitor cannot be included in the Start List of the respective TAT round.
Separately paid individual round of TAT 2025 – €55
Discounted entry fee for spring/autumn 3rd round of TAT 2025 – €135
Discounted entry fee for the complete year of TAT 2025 (all 6 rounds) – €240
Compulsory equipment for every competitor
A rubber (knotless) filled scoop and a pean are mandatory for every competitor. We recommend an underhandle on a longer handle.
All lures must be fitted with barbless hooks. It is fished with one spinning rod with one lure equipped with max. two barbless single hooks. All types of lures are allowed. Rubber lures, wobblers and glitter. There is no limit to the number of rods prepared by each competitor.
Handling the fish
In each round, the competitor who overcomes the largest number of fish stuck in the head section (bounded by the gill arch) wins. To be recognized and counted, the fish must be picked up by the under-scoop. After the fish is picked up, it will be reported to the opponent who will verbally acknowledge the fish. It is not allowed to touch the fish even through the net of the landing net and its release must be done as soon as possible after release by dipping the landing net into the water. If these conditions are not met, the fish will not be counted in the scoring. The scoop with the fish must not touch the ground. (these rules are controlled and the offence is reported to the organisers by the opponent).
In case of a difficult hooking of the fish and the need for further manipulation during the release of the hook, this manipulation must be authorized by one of the race organizers. In this case the fish may be counted. Obviously injured or sick fish must not be released after the fight. Catching such a fish does not necessarily mean that it will not be counted in the race. An opponent may accept the capture of such a fish. In case of doubt, the TAT representative will decide.
Method of hunting
Fishing technique is trolling using artificial lures. The lure must be actively kept in motion during fishing.
In the Trout Area regulations you will find three restrictions according to the use of lures.
Hardbaits – fish only on hard baits. These are minnows, wobblers or spinners with a single hook without a barb
Softbaits – fished on soft rubber lures only, presented on jig heads equipped with hooks without counter points.
Universal (sometimes Mix) – fished using both previous lure groups. The use of lures belonging to both of the above groups is not restricted in any way.
Prohibited hunting methods:
– the use of super-lightening materials and floats (sbirolino) etc.
– fishing with live or dead bait or parts of it
– dropshot and all types of side leaders
The use of the “cheeburger” type ballast is permitted.
Wading
Fishing from the shore only – no wading allowed!
Race system
The number of competitors is always limited by the capacity of the specific area where the competition is held. During each round of the race, a pair of competitors will always fish in one fishing spot, which will be formed according to a predetermined key by one competitor who draws “left” and the other who draws “right”. At the end of the round, each competitor will be given a score according to his/her result in that round and will advance to a new fishing spot in the next round. This will ensure a change of pairs for each round of competition. Each fishing spot will have its own number and the competitor will see the numbers of all his fishing spots listed on the scorecard. Each registered competitor will receive a scorecard at the morning presentation.
In each round, the competitor competes against a fellow competitor in his hunting position (“left” vs. “right”). The correctness of the result and compliance with the rules of overcoming is confirmed by each competitor at the end of the round by handing in a scorecard.
In each round, the competitor who can overcome the greatest number of salmonids stuck in the head section (bounded by the gill arch) wins. To be recognized and counted, the fish must be picked up by the under-scoop.
A competitor from the “left” group will always stand on the left in the racing position. A competitor from the “right” group will always stand on the right when he/she arrives at the racing place. In the middle of the competition round, at least one of the competitors may, if he/she so wishes, change sides. An audible announcement will be made.
If a situation arises that a competitor does not have an opponent from the opposite group (left” vs. “right”) on the fishing spot during a particular round, his result of fish caught is measured against the result of the competitor “on the right” on the nearest fishing spot on the right.
Scoring of individual race laps
Only salmonids caught are entered on the scorecard and are relevant to the race results. Fish are not measured. A fish hooked but not landed before the end of the round does not count towards the round result.
win – 3p; loss – 0p; draw without fish caught- 1p; draw with fish caught 2p
Spider of the BIG FINALE
The basic part of the race will take place in ten twenty-minute rounds. The break between each round is fifteen minutes. After the seventh round, there is usually a one-hour break for lunch. After lunch, the race continues with three afternoon rounds of the basic part. After the basic part, there is preparation for the GRAND FINALE, which is attended by the four best competitors of the basic part.
There are two rounds of the GRAND FINALE (semi-finals, final for 1st and 3rd place) and each lasts twenty minutes. The break between rounds of the GRAND FINALE lasts ten minutes. In the event of a tie during the GRAND FINALE, a five-minute overtime period will follow without delay at the same fishing spot, with mandatory rotation at the beginning of the overtime period (no rotation during the overtime period). If the tie persists after the overtime period, the result will be determined according to the results list of the regular season (i.e. the winner is the one who was higher in the standings after the regular season). The time schedule is suspended during the overtime period and will only resume after the conclusion of the relevant overtime period.
The GRAND FINALE draw is as follows: semi-finals – 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd; final – semi-final winners together for 1st place; losers together for 3rd place.
Evaluation of the whole race
In the overall evaluation of the main part of the race, the points for all eight rounds will be simply added up. In the event of a tie, the higher total number of fish caught will be the tiebreaker. Then the lower number of ties.
The final standings of the top eight places in the race will be determined by the GRAND FINALE, which these competitors will participate in after the main part of the race. The announcement of the results of the whole race will take place after the Grand Final. Prizes will be awarded only to the competitors present.
Competitors’ points in the overall ranking of the TAT2025 series
Points for the overall evaluation can be obtained as follows. The overall position in the individual rounds of the series generates a score for the competitors, which is added up consecutively for all six rounds. A competitor in 1st through 15th place receives points according to a given key. 1st place = 60 pts., 2nd place = 56 pts., etc. through 15th place receives 4 pts. The 9th through 15th place finishers in each round are determined by the regular season standings and placings. Placement in 1st through 8th place is then determined by order in the GRAND FINAL of each round.
Final ranking bonus in the TAT2025 series
A competitor who participates in at least five of the six rounds of TAT2025 and places 1st to 15th in the overall ranking receives a cash prize of CZK 1,000. If a situation arises where a competitor is ranked 15th but does not take part in at least five races, the cash bonus and the position 16th, 17th etc.
The competitor who finishes in 1st place on the 2024 Trout Area Tour leaderboard at the conclusion of the final sixth round receives a traveling trophy and the title of “2025 Trout Area Tour Champion” regardless of how many of the six events he or she participated in.
The final Trout Area Tout 2025 standings will also be used to nominate a team to represent the Trout Area Tour in overseas competition in 2026. A minimum of five rounds in TAT2025 is required for nomination to the TAT representative team.
General rules
Registration, cancellation and cancellation fees, etc.
Registration for the race
Registration is almost always activated at least one month before the race date. Registration is always done on this website using the appropriate form. The registration procedure is always guided by the appropriate form, which is up to the registrant to choose and is always prepared either for a specific race or for races connected in a certain way (e.g. races of the spring part of the TAT, 1st round of the TAT, etc.). The registration form also includes a link to a QR code for payment of the entry fee in the race or selected group of races. As such, the registration is completed by the acceptance of the respective entry fee payment into the TAT account and a subsequent confirmation email from the TAT. Unless otherwise stated in the regulations of the respective race, registration will always be closed three days before the race for organisational reasons. (Example: if it is a Saturday race, registration will close the previous Wednesday at 23:59hrs)
Cancellation of race registration
Cancellation of registration is generally possible. There is no point in setting any fixed rules in this respect. We rely on you to be responsible and to be aware of the fact that this is a very demanding undertaking in organisational, human and financial terms. Its success depends solely on you and your free will and willingness to come to the event and your desire to experience new fishing experiences with like-minded friends. We therefore believe that the reasons for your eventual cancellation of your registration will be quite fatal and serious. Even in such a case, we would be very happy if you could notify us of the fact that you will not be attending the event by any appropriate means (e.g. phone, email, whatsapp, etc.). If the competitor who wants to cancel his/her registration can find a replacement, we will solve this problem by re-registering.
Cancellation fees
As already mentioned, the preparation of the race is very demanding for a number of capacity reasons. The system in which the races are run is very dependent on the exact number of competitors taking part. Even the absence of one competitor creates a disproportion and in the absence of three, it is ideal to adjust the race system to a new number. Also, the reservation of the race area and the stocking cannot be changed “two days” before the race.
That is why a decision has been made that we believe will not be too bothersome and that you will accept. The paid entry fee, minus the cancellation fees, will always be sent to the bank account of the competitor with the cancelled registration. Cancellation fees for paid entry fees are as follows:
15 days (or more) before the race date 0% cancellation fee
14 to 8 days before the race date 50% cancellation fee
7 days (or less) before the race date 100% cancellation fee
Cancellation of the race by the organizer
Cancellation before the start of the race can only occur for two reasons.
- if at least 20 competitors do not register for the announced race three days before the date of the race, the race will be cancelled by TAT (example: race Saturday 16.1., cancellation notice arrives by Wednesday 13.1. 23:59h) This fact will be notified to registered competitors by email and duly marked in the calendar on this website. The paid entry fee (in case of multiple races, its adequate part) will be 100% refunded to the accounts of the competitors.
- due to unforeseen circumstances. In the event of extreme drought, freezing of the water surface, damage to the competition area, or other unforeseeable circumstances, the race director shall announce before the start of the event ( i.e. until the beginning of the 1st round) TAT plant representative. In this case, the entry fee will be refunded again in full 100% to the competitor’s account. Unfortunately, accommodation and travel costs in this case are borne by each of the participants and the organizers themselves.
Interruption of an ongoing race
It may happen that a storm or other natural event occurs during the race that is not of a permanent nature. In this case, the TAT organizers will suspend the race for the safety of the participants. At the same time, a sensitive and reasonable adjustment of the timetable will be made so that the race can be completed under restored objective conditions.
Early termination of the ongoing race
This may occur in completely unique, extreme, serious circumstances that cannot even be codified at the time. In all cases, such early termination will be announced by a TAT representative, if the circumstances allow, with an appropriate explanation. A general example of this situation could be a sudden extreme change in the weather, sudden medical indisposition of anyone involved, etc. Generally, in such a case, the right to a refund of the entry fee will cease. TAT representatives will always handle the situation sensitively, with an emphasis on safety and the general satisfaction of all competitors.
