The Angling Trust CAST Awards
The CAST Awards, developed by the Angling Trust with funding from the Environment Agency and support from Sport England, are a series of progressive skills awards for anglers in England. They are designed to support, reward and recognise angling achievement, starting at CAST Starter and progressing through successive levels as an angler’s skills and confidence grow.
As participants move through the pathway, they build core knowledge and practical competence. For example, they may learn to target specific species using appropriate tactics, select and prepare bait, tie knots and rigs, understand fish habitats, choose productive swims, and demonstrate a range of fishing methods safely and responsibly.
Purpose
To support, reward and recognise the developing standards of anglers across England by providing clear, achievable milestones in angling knowledge, skills and safe practice.
Progression
The CAST Awards are made up of progressive steps that help anglers develop and evidence skills within their chosen discipline. Each level builds on the last, moving from introductory participation and awareness to confident, competent angling techniques and decision-making.
Levels
CAST Starter: Recognises early engagement and basic awareness in new anglers. Typical achievements include attending a fishing activity, helping to land or net a fish, naming common fish species and types of bait, and demonstrating how to stay safe by the water.
CAST Level One: Focuses on the essential skills needed to become a competent angler. This can include assembling and using equipment correctly, identifying suitable places to fish, recognising bites, playing and landing fish, and unhooking fish safely.
CAST Level Two: Highlights competence in a broader range of core angling skills. Examples include selecting appropriate line, attaching terminal tackle, choosing suitable methods and equipment, casting with accuracy, tying key knots, and adapting to weather, water conditions and fish location.
CAST Level Three: Encourages anglers to challenge themselves and consolidate skills for ongoing participation. At this level, anglers may target specific species using specific tactics, select and prepare bait, tie rigs, understand fish habitats and holding areas, make informed swim choices, and demonstrate multiple fishing methods.
Delivery
The CAST Awards can be delivered by licensed angling coaches. They are intended to provide a clear development pathway from initial participation through to more advanced, independent angling skills, helping anglers build confidence, competence and good practice over time.
If you are a coach and would like to deliver the CAST awards then you can request a CAST delivery pack by emailing [email protected] and stating your coach licence number. Certificates can be purchased form the coaching centre at a cost of £10 for 20 certificates thereafter.