Question 1

What counts as verified?

Accepted Answer

Catches are verified through our BHRV (Bump, Hero, Release, Verify) process, which requires photos showing the fish on a measurement device, a hero shot, and a release video. All submissions are verified using AI and blockchain technology to ensure authenticity.

Question 2

How does BHRV verification work?

Accepted Answer

BHRV stands for Bump, Hero, Release, Verify. You submit a bump board photo showing the fish on a measurement board (Bump), a hero shot with visible measurement device (Hero), a release video (Release), and our AI + blockchain system verifies authenticity (Verify). This creates immutable proof of your catch.

Question 3

Can I hide my location?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Locations are protected by default and can be obfuscated or kept completely private. You control what location information is shared with other users.

Question 4

Do likes affect rankings?

Accepted Answer

No. Rankings are based solely on verified catch data and derby rules. Popularity and social engagement do not affect competitive outcomes.

Question 5

How do Seasons work?

Accepted Answer

Seasons are time-bound competition cycles that tie together various derbies. An annual membership (Compete Badge or Captain Badge) is required to participate. Seasons provide a natural marketing cadence and foster ongoing engagement, with season rewards and leaderboards.

Question 6

What's the difference between Compete and Captain?

Accepted Answer

Compete Badge ($20/yr) includes competition features -- leagues, seasons, prize eligibility, and 5 BAIT/month. Captain Badge ($60/yr) adds derby hosting with custom branding, promotion tools, and expanded BAIT.

Question 7

Can clubs enforce their own rules?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Captains can create derbies with custom rules, as long as they comply with local fishing regulations. The platform provides tools for rule enforcement and verification.

Question 8

What happens if someone cheats?

Accepted Answer

Our verification system uses AI and blockchain technology to detect fraudulent submissions. Disputes are resolved through evidence review and our verification process. Cheaters are removed from rankings and may face platform bans.

Question 9

Is DerbyFish environmentally friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We reward catch-and-release practices through our scoring system. Proper release behavior can affect outcomes, encouraging sustainable fishing practices. Our platform promotes "mastery, not depletion" -- rewarding skill and conservation over volume.

Question 10

What is BAIT?

Accepted Answer

BAIT is DerbyFish's in-app currency. 1 BAIT = $1 = 1 hour of Verified Fishing time. You spend BAIT to run Verified Fishing Sessions (VFS), which is how your catches get verified by AI and human reviewers so they can enter derbies and competitions. You also use BAIT for derby entry fees, Fish Card minting, and shop purchases. Every new account gets 3 free BAIT on signup. Compete Badge members get 5 BAIT/month and Captain Badge members get 10 BAIT/month. BAIT is a non-redeemable in-app credit -- it cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to other users.

Question 11

What is a Verified Fishing Session (VFS)?

Accepted Answer

A Verified Fishing Session (VFS) is a Go Fish outing where DerbyFish actively verifies everything you do. The app records your GPS location, timestamps, and sensor data. Every catch you submit goes through the full BHRV verification pipeline -- AI analysis, cryptographic evidence hashing, and human review. Only VFS catches can enter derby leaderboards, earn verification score tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), and be minted as Fish Cards. VFS costs 1 BAIT per hour, billed per second and rounded up to the nearest 15-minute block. Your BAIT balance must be zero or positive to start a VFS.

Question 12

What is a Free Session (FS)?

Accepted Answer

A Free Session lets you fish without BAIT. Your catches are recorded but won't be fully verified and can't enter competitions or derbies.

Question 13

What's the difference between VFS and Free Sessions?

Accepted Answer

Verified Fishing Sessions (VFS) cost BAIT and give you full verification -- GPS tracking, AI analysis, cryptographic evidence hashing, and human review. VFS catches can enter derby leaderboards, earn verification score tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), count toward the DerbyFish Index, and be minted as Fish Cards. Free Sessions (FS) are completely free but catches are not verified. FS catches are logged to your profile and you still get GPS tracking, but they cannot enter any derby or competition and do not receive a verification score. VFS is toggled on by default when you tap Go Fish. To start an FS, switch the toggle off -- you will see a confirmation dialog reminding you that catches will not be verified.

Question 14

How much does VFS cost?

Accepted Answer

VFS costs 1 BAIT per hour ($1/hr). You are billed per second of active fishing time, rounded up to the nearest 15-minute block when the session ends. A 45-minute session costs 1 BAIT. A 2-hour session costs 2 BAIT. The cost is calculated when you end the session, not upfront. Every new account gets 3 free BAIT on signup, and membership holders receive monthly credits (Compete Badge: 5 BAIT/month, Captain Badge: 10 BAIT/month).

Question 15

What happens if I run out of BAIT?

Accepted Answer

Your session keeps going -- DerbyFish will not cut you off mid-session. When the session ends, your balance may go negative (up to -$1 maximum overage). While your balance is negative, you cannot start a new VFS, but you can still start Free Sessions and use the rest of the app normally. Your next BAIT purchase pays off the debt first. For example, if your balance is -1 BAIT and you buy 5 BAIT, your new balance is 4 BAIT. The minimum purchase is 5 BAIT ($5).

Question 16

How do I buy BAIT?

Accepted Answer

Open your Wallet in the app and tap Buy BAIT, or visit derby.fish/bait on the web. The minimum purchase is 5 BAIT ($5). Payment is handled securely through Stripe -- credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are all accepted. BAIT is credited to your wallet immediately after purchase. If your balance is negative, the debt is paid off first before the rest is added to your available balance.

Question 17

What are verification tiers?

Accepted Answer

Each VFS catch gets a verification score from 0 to 100, calculated from five factors: AI confidence (35%), submission standard (25%), outing link (20%), evidence hash (10%), and staleness (10%). The score determines the catch's tier: Platinum (85+) is exceptional quality, Gold (70-84) is strong and confident, Silver (50-69) is acceptable with possible minor notes, and Bronze (30-49) is borderline and likely flagged for additional review. Catches scoring below 30 are typically rejected. Higher scores come from clear media, active VFS sessions with good GPS signal, and prompt submission after the catch.

Question 18

Do I need BAIT to participate in derbies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, derbies require Verified Fishing Sessions. However, derby organizers sponsor VFS for all participants, so the BAIT cost is covered by the derby.

Question 19

What's included with my Compete Badge?

Accepted Answer

5 BAIT/month included, verified fishing, derby entry, leaderboard rankings, season progression.

Question 20

What's included with my Captain Badge?

Accepted Answer

10 BAIT/month included, all Compete features plus create and host derbies, captain review tools, and derby sponsorship.

Question 21

Can I use Free Session catches in derbies?

Accepted Answer

No. Derbies require catches from Verified Fishing Sessions (VFS). Free Session (FS) catches are logged to your profile but are not verified and cannot be entered into any derby or competition. If you start a Free Session by mistake and want your catches to count, end the FS and start a VFS before submitting. VFS is toggled on by default when you tap Go Fish, so if you leave the toggle alone, you are in verified mode.

Question 22

How do I get free BAIT?

Accepted Answer

Every new DerbyFish account receives 3 free BAIT on signup -- that is 3 hours of verified fishing at no cost. Beyond that, membership holders receive monthly credits automatically: Compete Badge ($20/year) gets 5 BAIT per month, and Captain Badge ($60/year) gets 10 BAIT per month. You can also earn BAIT by winning derbies (prize payouts go directly to your wallet) and through referral programs when they are active.

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