Fishing Reports

 

A larger than expected turnout kept officials busy weighing fish, keeping the punters energy levels up and generally making sure the competition went without a hitch. Friday night saw an eager bunch of fishos arrive early at Huia Base to talk over game plans, have a few liquid refreshments and hopefully get up early enough the next day for the morning rise. As luck would have it, Saturday morning dawned with persistent downpours but on the positive side, the wind was minimal and bar conditions were described as "mint'! So, with that, the competition flotilla of around 32 trailer boats, headed out to their favourite haunts - the warm patches of water and bait schools over the horizon. During the course of the day, many boats called in hook-ups. Sightings of free jumping marlin and comments like "Huia Base, Huia Base!..we have got a horse in our gear!!", but alas, no billfish where taken. Mike Hutchinson on the vessel Madness, confirmed he had landed a respectable yellowfin tuna and would be back at the gantry post haste to weigh his catch. Weigh-in commenced at 4:00pm, where the weigh master was kept plenty busy with fish of all species. Andrew Price brought in a lovely snapper that set the weight to beat at 3.46kg for the inner harbor section. Ron Rudolf, the lone landbased angler, weighed in two prime kahawai and Mike Hutchinson duly arrived at the weigh station with his yellowfin tuna which went 33.18kg. So, all in all, a great day considering most who had braved the wet conditions looked more like drowned rats than your typical 'tough' West Coast fisherman. A sausage sizzle and BBQ'ing of the day's catches kept punters hunger at bay and their thirsts were taken care of with plenty of amber-brown liquid. Prize giving commenced with many ticket holders receiving sponsors' goods and services. It is without doubt that strategies for the next day where revised, weather forecasts acquired and stories of the 'big one' re-told well into the early morning. Although the rain had cleared for Sunday, reports foretold of Sou' westerly winds reaching 30 knots by lunchtime had most skippers wondering if it was worth heading out over the bar. Many considered safety to be paramount and stayed within the confines on the harbour. A few of the 'hardened' West Coast fisher folk headed over without too many problems to speak of, although the vessel Ocean Dream did lose it's prop near the entrance to the unpredictable Manukau bar. But camaraderie being as high as it is within the Manukau Sport Fishing Club, Mark Edmonson, skipper of Pleco came to their rescue and towed her back to the safety of Huia. What does someone who fishes for a living do when they get a few days off?....they go fishing!! Matt Watson, deckie on new game charter vessel, Primetime, based out of Whangaroa did just that in his own 5.8m Stabicraft, Stingray II. Matt called in early to tell base that he had hooked a marlin about 30 minutes later recalled to say that "the tag had gone into a fish estimated at 130kg and was about to be released". Many congratulations followed but this was not the end of Matt and his crews' day. Not long after his gear went back into the water they tagged and released a little mako shark estimated weight 25kgs. It was now Daniel Harding's (first time game fishing and crew member on Stingray II) turn to do the hard yards on their second marlin of the day. The stripped marlin put up a gallant fight, but was subdued and landed within 45mins. VHF radios where buzzing with audible "High fives", "Job well done, lads" and "What bait ya using, Matty?" Back at the gantry a crowd had gathered to watch the final weigh-in, first up was AJ Singh fishing from his own boat Miss Behave, with a very respectable kingfish that tipped the scales at 20.84kg. Next it was Team Stingray's turn with Daniel's marlin which went 98.76kg. The weigh-in continued with a couple of excellent conditioned gurnard caught by Ron McCrory aboard Trevor Swans boat Easy Rider. Cut-off time for weighing fish was 6:00pm, so once all was said and done, prizes (cash and sponsors prizes) were handed out for each section including a lucky ticket draw for a trip for two to Aussie sponsored by House of Travel, New Lynn. Oh behalf of the Manukau Sport Fishing Club, we, the committee would like to thank all those who participated in the competition, our sponsors and volunteers who all made it possible to hold a successful weekend....looking forward to next years event! LANDBASED SECTION Kahawai: 1st Ron Rudolf 2.78kg 2nd Ron Rudolf 1.96kg 3rd Ron Rudolf 1.90kg Trevally: 1st Ron Rudolf .92kg 2nd not claimed 3rd not claimed INNER HARBOUR SECTION Snapper: 1st Andrew Price 3.46kg 2nd Peter Cole 2.74kg 3rd Paul Thompson 1.48kg Kingfish: 1st AJ Singh 20.84kg 2nd Shivan 4.3kg 3rd Aaron Parkes 4.02kg Kahawai: 1st Paul Watson 2.78kg 2nd Jason Christie 2.74kg (weighed in first) 3rd Andrew Price 2.74kg Trevally: 1st Aj Singh 1.66kg 2nd Ross Exler 1.48kg (weighed in first) 3rd Nick Cashman 1.48kg Gurnard: 1st Ron McCrory 1.08kg 2nd Ron McCory 1.04kg 3rd Graeme McIntosh 1.02kg GAME FISH SECTION: Billfish: 1st Daniel Harding (Stingray II) Striped Marlin 98.76kg (on 24kg) 2nd not claimed 3rd not claimed Billfish (tag and release): 1st Matt Watson (Stingray II) Striped Marlin 130kg est. (on 24kg) 2nd not claimed 3rd not claimed Tuna: 1st Mike Hutchinson (Madness) Yellow Finn 33.18kg (on 24kg) 2nd Paul Hurst (Naughty Lass) Albacore 7.1kg (on 6kg)

 

From Manukau Sport Fishing Club Inc

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 21 February 01