24-hour UK Species hunt

Join the Ultimate Angling Challenge!

Get ready for an exciting 24-hour sea fishing adventure this August! The inaugural 24-Hour Sea Species Hunt is a nationwide event challenging anglers to catch the most diverse range of sea species, all while raising vital funds for Free Spirit a not for profit community out reach initiative helping those with chronic long term illness, mental challenges and disadvantaged children access the ocean and its wellbeing benefits.

Event Dates: Midday Saturday, August 23rd to Midday Sunday, August 24th, 2025.

Location: Anywhere in UK sea waters.

Categories for boats (including Charter boats) and shore Anglers

Open to all anglers competing on an individual basis

Simple Rules

• Catch Photograph and release event
• Catch up to 3 of each of the listed species
• 1 point will be awarded per fish per species up to a maximum of 3 (so if you catch 6 bass you will be awarded a maximum of 3 points)
• No size limits
• All fish must be submitted via the Angling Hive app
• All photographs of catches must include the catch card clearly showing competitors name and registration number ( this will be sent via e-mail before the event starts)
• The winner will be the individual angler with the highest number of points at the end of the event.
• If there are anglers with the same number of points the winner will be decided by the time of the first fish submitted then the second fish then the third fish etc

Prizes:

We’ve got fantastic awards for both the boat and shore categories as follows

BOAT anglers (charter boat anglers included)

• First to Third places for the most points for species caught

SHORE anglers

• First to Third places for the most points for species caught

Eligible for all

• 10 prizes drawn live with competitors registration numbers
• The top individual overall fundraiser

Prize winners will be directly contacted after the event and their prizes will be delivered to anywhere in the UK.

Why You Should Cast Your Line!

•  Test Your Skills: Can you identify and catch the most species from the selected list in 24 hours?
• Support a Great Cause: Every single penny you raise directly empowers FreeSpirit’s work in maritime education, well-being support, and environmental initiatives.
• Connect & Celebrate: Share your passion with fellow anglers, make new memories, and join our virtual celebration on Zoom and Facebook for the live prize-giving!

How to Enter

Ready to make a splash for charity? Here’s how to secure your spot:

• Individual Entry Fee: A non-refundable £10 per person is required to participate
• Fundraising Commitment: Each participant pledges to raise a minimum of £50 for FreeSpirit
• You can fish from beach , boat** or even both!
• Team Up: For safety reasons you’ll need at least two anglers per boat – you’ll still be competing individually
• Confirm & Pay: Complete the registration form and proceed to payment

Competition Rules: Fair Play on the Water

To ensure a fair and fun event for everyone, please stick to these rules:

• **A minimum of two people per boat
• Rods: Maximum of 2 rods per person
• Hooks: Maximum of 3 hooks per rod.
• Bait: Any bait is allowed.
• Location: Fish anywhere in UK tidal waters

Logging Your Catches with the Angling Hive App

• Download the Angling Hive App: Find “Angling Hive” in your device’s app store (available on iOS and Android).
• Event Login: You’ll receive specific event login details via email closer to the event date
• Uploading Fish: During the 24-hour hunt, you must upload a clear photo of every different species you catch with your ID card and fish species to the Angling Hive app. Make sure the fish is clearly identifiable for verification.
• All species must be caught fairly and ethically.
• The app will guide you through the photo upload.
• Ensure you have mobile data signal to upload your catches – it is your responsibility for your catches to be submitted before the end of the 24 hours.
• There will be a phone number for you to contact if you have any issues submitting your fish

Prizes & Virtual Celebration!

After 24 hours on the water, we’ll all come together virtually to celebrate your achievements, announce the winners, and present the prizes!

• Date: Sunday, August 24th, 2025
• Time: Approximately 1800hrs (This allows three hours after fishing ends for final data compilation and a short break).
• Platform: Zoom (Login details will be sent to all registered participants via email on the morning of Sunday, August 24th) or follow on Facebook
• What to Expect on Zoom:
  • A lively recap of the event and highlights of your amazing catches!
  • The exciting reveal of the “Most Species Caught” prize winner.
  • The announcement of the “Top Fundraiser” and a moment to celebrate their incredible impact for Free Spirit
  • A big thank you to every single participant for making a difference!

• Feel free to get together with other local anglers and celebrate together!

Important Reminders

• Safety First: Your safety is paramount. Ensure your boat is seaworthy, you have all necessary safety equipment, and you comply with all maritime regulations. Always check weather forecasts before heading out.
• Responsible Angling: Please practice catch and release where appropriate and handle all fish with the utmost care.
• Stay Hydrated & Fuelled: 24 hours is a long time! Pack plenty of food and drink to keep your energy up.
• Keep Your Phone Charged: Essential for the Angling Hive app and for any emergencies.

 

The Target Species

1 point per species with a maximum of 3 points (so if you catch 6 bass you will be awarded a maximum of 3 points)

 * Bass

 * Black Bream

 * Blonde Ray

 * Blue Ray

 * Brill

 * Bull Huss

 * Coalfish

 * Cod

 * Common Skate

 * Courch’s Bream

 * Conger Eel

 * Dab

 * Dogfish (Blackmouth)

 * Dogfish (Lesser Spotted Dogfish)

 * Dover Sole

 * Eel silver

 * Flounder

 * Garfish

 * Gilthead Bream

 * Grey Gurnard

 * Haddock

 * Hake

 * Halibut (Atlantic Halibut)

 * Herring

 * Horse Mackerel (or Scad)

 * John Dory

 * Lemon Sole

 * Ling

 * Mackerel

 * Megrim

 * Plaice

 * Pollock

 * Poor Cod

 * Pouting

 * Red Bream

 * Red Gurnard

 * Red Mullet

 * Sardine (Pilchard)

 * Shark Blue

 * Shark Mako

 * Shark Porbeagle

 * Shark Thrasher

Skate

 * Small Eyed Ray

 * Smoothhound

 * Spotted Ray

 * Sprat

 * Stingray

 * Thornback Ray

 * Tope

 * Trigger Fish

 * Tub Gurnard

 * Tuna

 * Turbot

 * Undulate Ray

 * Whiting

 * Wrasse Ballan

 * Wrasse Cuckoo

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us moc.t1753012282irips1753012282gnilg1753012282na@ai1753012282dem1753012282

Tight lines, and thank you again for supporting Free Spirit! We can’t wait to see your catch