Understanding Your Verification Score
3 min read
The Five Factors
Your verification score is calculated from five weighted factors. Each factor contributes a portion of the final 0-100 score.
1. AI Confidence (Weight: High)
How certain is the computer vision model about its analysis? The AI evaluates species match, photo quality, measurement readability, and signs of manipulation. A clear, well-lit photo of a correctly identified species scores high. A blurry shot with ambiguous markings scores low.
2. Submission Standard (Weight: High)
Did you complete the full BHRV sequence? Bump board photo with clear markings. Hero shot with visible fish and angler. Release video showing the fish going back. Each completed step raises your submission standard score. Skipping steps lowers it.
3. Session Link (Weight: Medium)
Is the catch linked to an active Verified Fishing Session? Catches submitted during a live VFS with active GPS tracking score higher than orphaned submissions. The session link confirms you were on the water at the time of the catch.
4. Evidence Quality (Weight: Medium)
Beyond the basic BHRV steps, how strong is your evidence package? Sharp photos, readable measurements, consistent lighting, visible landmarks or water context. The system evaluates the overall evidence quality as a cohesion check.
5. Data Freshness (Weight: Low)
How quickly was the catch submitted after capture? Real-time submissions during an active session score highest. Submissions uploaded hours later receive a small freshness penalty. This discourages stockpiling old photos.
Verification Tiers
Your score maps to a tier:
| Tier | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 85-100 | Airtight evidence. Top-tier submission. |
| Gold | 70-84 | Strong verification. Minor room for improvement. |
| Silver | 50-69 | Acceptable but notable gaps in evidence. |
| Bronze | 30-49 | Minimum viable verification. Significant issues. |
| Unverified | 0-29 | Failed basic checks. Not eligible for competition. |
Why Your Score Matters
Verification scores affect three things:
- Leaderboard tiebreakers -- Two fish of the same length? Higher verification score wins the tiebreak.
- Angler reputation -- Your average verification score is visible on your profile. Consistently high scores signal a reliable, trustworthy angler.
- Derby eligibility -- Some premium derbies set minimum average score thresholds for entry.
How to Improve Your Score
The formula rewards consistency and care, not tricks.
Nail the basics:
- Use good lighting -- natural daylight is best
- Keep the bump board clean and markings visible
- Position the fish mouth-closed against the bump wall
- Hold the fish clearly in the hero shot
- Record the full release, not just the splash
Stay connected:
- Submit catches during an active VFS with GPS enabled
- Don't wait hours to upload -- submit in real-time
- Complete every BHRV step for every catch
Be consistent:
- Your average score matters more than any single catch
- Build a track record of clean, complete submissions
- The system rewards anglers who take verification seriously every time, not just on trophy fish