Fishing Reports

Easter this year came with the full moon, which meant the fishing was good for day one of the Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club One Base Comp, however, day two, the second day after the full moon, saw many struggle to catch a fish worth weighing in. Despite this, some nice fish as well as a few good crays were weighed in over both days.

The auction this year was held with the proceeds going towards the pontoon for the boat ramp. The club is hoping to have it installed by Easter next year.

The Snapper section of the 2009 Maverix 6kg One Base fishing competition, held on 3rd and 4th of April out of Gulf Harbour Marina was won outright by none other than Mangawhai's Team RnR!

RnR has been a regular boat entrant in the competition since it began, with Wayne only missing one competition over ten years. During that time, RnR has had the winning and a record holding Kingfish and a couple of places, but this year, the team managed an amazing result, on day one winning Heaviest Snapper (7.840kg) and fifth heaviest & ladies heaviest Snapper (5.819kg), then on day two taking out the first (8.423 kg), second (8.225 kg) and third and ladies (8.004 kg) heaviest Snapper.

Overall first, second and third and ladies heaviest Snapper went to Team RnR who also accrued the heaviest overall team collective weight, winning the pool of just over $2000.00.

Jeremy Troup of team RnR also guessed the weight of the heaviest Kingi caught and Wayne caught the mystery weight Snapper. To top it off, as early-bird entries, the team also qualified for that giveaway prize as well.

Other winners included Rex and Lynette Smiths son Zac, who weighed in the heaviest Kingfish (15.066 kg), Bruce Longmore second with his 13.924kg Kingi and Tony Gale with his Kingi weighing in at 11.554kg.

Jason Ward who caught the average catch over two days was the winner of the 5 night’s trip for two to Vanuatu at the Moorings Hotel courtesy of Air Vanuatu & Moorings Hotel, Vanuatu.

Prize winning fish weights were down this year, at 8.423kg Wayne’s winning Snapper is the smallest winning Snapper for the tournament to date, so there was every chance for someone else to win. It was just our time to win, no doubt about that!

Rex and Lynette at Maverix Rods do a wonderful job organising the tournament and with a great prize pool to share out, anglers who enjoy the challenge of fishing 6kg should definitely consider putting this on their ‘must do’ Tournament list. With sit down meals and all food supplied and free spool-up of Moimoi line, the ticket price is good value. Rex and Lynette expected less entries this year due to the economic situation, but the tournament was again well patronised.

We'll see you there next year and win or not, we'll have a good time.

Photos and results will be up soon on www.maverixrods.com, be sure to check it out.

Another Comp coming up is the Pure Fishing Soft Bait tourney out of Sandspit on 9-5-09 Call Brett or Cristobel Rathe of Assassin Charters or Warkworth Boating and Fishing on 09 425-8490. We hear Brett is offering a place on the boat for two people who are keen to learn about soft baiting. All they need to pay is the entry fee. Of course, if they don't have the gear, they may need to buy a nice rig and some plastic stuff to go with it off Brett at the shop. The Snapper are biting again, another 20lber boated on RnR last Friday and we have news of a 1000lb (plus) Blue Marlin caught up north last week, a possible record fish.

My contacts in Auckland tell me a small marlin took a soft-bait in the Tiri Channel last week too. The guys were at anchor and saw what they thought was a shark, so just flicked the soft-bait out at it and next thing, they are staring at a lit up Marlin! Needless to say, it busted them off, but certainly the high-light of their day.

Today Wayne is out at the Mokes with a group from Wellington and Ive just got off the phone to him and he tells me they have a few nice snappies on board, one at least is over 20lb and the others up round the 15 to 18 lb mark and the day is not over yet.

The weather hasn't been kind to us all lately but at least it's warm and the water tank is full. Call Stef on 09 423 7642 if you have any newsy bits about boating or fishing from the Bream Bay or Mokes/Barrier areas or email us at rnr@rnrcharters.co.nz.

Cheers for now, Wayne & Stef, RnR Charters Ltd