Submitting a Catch

Submitting a catch is the core action in DerbyFish. When you land a fish during a Go Fish session, here is exactly how to get it recorded, verified, and onto the leaderboard.

Before You Start

Make sure you have these things ready before you hook up:

• An active Go Fish session -- You must have a session running to submit catches. Tap "Go Fish" from the home screen to start one.
• A bump board -- A measuring board with a lip (bump) at one end. You can buy one at most tackle shops or through the DerbyFish shop.
• Good lighting -- Natural daylight is best. If you are fishing at dawn or dusk, use your phone's flash but try to avoid harsh shadows.

Step-by-Step Submission

Step 1: Tap the Catch Button

When you land a fish, open DerbyFish and tap the catch button (the fish icon at the bottom of your active session screen). This starts the submission flow.

Step 2: Bump Photo

The app will prompt you to take the bump photo first. Place your fish on the bump board with its mouth pressed against the lip. Line up the camera so the entire board and fish are visible, then snap the photo. You will see a preview -- retake it if anything looks blurry or the fish is not positioned well.

Step 3: Hero Photo

Next, pick up the fish and take your hero shot. This is a photo of you holding the fish. The app uses your front-facing or rear camera -- position yourself so both your face and the fish are clearly visible. Tap to capture.

Step 4: Release Video

Now record a short video of yourself releasing the fish. Tap the record button, lower the fish into the water, and keep recording until it swims away. Tap stop when you are done. The video does not need to be long -- a few seconds of the fish swimming off is plenty.

Step 5: Enter Catch Details

After your media is captured, you will be asked to provide:

• Species -- Select the fish species from the list. Start typing and the app will suggest matches. If you are not sure, pick your best guess and the reviewers will help confirm.
• Length -- Enter the measured length in inches (from the bump photo). Be as accurate as you can.

Step 6: Review and Submit

You will see a summary screen showing your bump photo, hero photo, release video, species, and length. Look everything over. If something does not look right, tap on it to retake or edit. When you are satisfied, tap Submit.

Your catch is now in the verification pipeline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to start a Go Fish session -- Catches can only be submitted during an active session. If you forgot to start one, start it now and submit your catch before ending the session.
• Blurry bump photos -- Take an extra second to hold your phone steady. A blurry measurement cannot be verified.
• Fish not touching the bump -- The fish's mouth needs to be pressed against the lip of the board for an accurate reading.
• Hero shot too dark -- Avoid backlit situations where your face or the fish is in shadow.
• Release video too short -- Make sure you actually show the fish entering the water and swimming away, not just your hand reaching toward the surface.
• Wrong species -- If you are unsure, it is better to leave it as your best guess than to pick something random. Reviewers can correct the species.

What Happens After Submission

Your catch enters the BHRV verification pipeline. AI reviews it first for consistency and quality, then a human reviewer makes the final call. You can track the status in your Verify Fish Hub. Once approved, the catch counts toward any active derbies you are in and appears on your profile.