How to Enter Your First Fishing Derby
Your First Derby in Six Steps
Fishing derbies sound intimidating if you've never done one. They're not. Here's the whole process, start to finish.
Step 1: Download the App
Grab DerbyFish from the App Store or Google Play. It's free to download. Create your account with an email address. Takes about two minutes.
Step 2: Set Up Your Profile
Add a photo. Pick a username. Set your home region. This helps us show you derbies near your water.
Step 3: Browse Derbies
Tap the Derbies tab. You'll see a list of upcoming tournaments. Each listing shows the species, dates, entry fee (many are free), and prize pool.
Filter by species, location, or date. Find something that fits your schedule and the water you fish.
Step 4: Join a Derby
Tap a derby. Read the rules. Hit "Join." If there's an entry fee, you'll pay with BAIT or a card. Free derbies just need a tap.
Some derbies require a Compete Badge ($20/year). If you don't have one yet, you'll be prompted to grab it.
Step 5: Go Fishing
When the derby is live, open the app and start a Verified Fishing Session. The app tracks your location and guides you through each catch submission using the BHRV process — bump board measurement, hero photo, release video, verification.
Fish the way you normally fish. Just submit your catches through the app instead of keeping them in a cooler.
Step 6: Check the Leaderboard
Your verified catches automatically appear on the derby leaderboard. Watch your ranking update in real time as other anglers submit their fish.
When the derby ends, final results are posted. Prizes are distributed to your account.
Tips for Your First Time
Practice BHRV before the derby. Do a casual Fishing Session first. Get comfortable with the bump board and the submission flow. You don't want to learn the process while your personal-best bass is flopping on the deck.
Read the rules. Every derby has specific rules — species, minimum length, catch limits per day. Know them before you launch.
Charge your phone. VFS uses GPS and camera. Bring a portable charger.
Have fun with it. Your first derby isn't about winning. It's about experiencing competitive fishing in a new way. The leaderboard will be there next time too.
What If I Don't Catch Anything?
That's fishing. Every angler has zero-fish days. You still participated. You still learned the process. And the next derby is already on the calendar.