Fishing Reports

 

Who would have believed that the weekend weather was going to be so fantastic? We must have had lots of fingers crossed. So the folks out west had two of the best, though only one boat managed to venture across the bar over the two days. Adrian Barlow of Whakatane, son of local identity Harry, cleaned up the snapper section with a nice fish of 4.29kg. He also took out the mystery weight $1500.00 cash prize that was shared by the crew. Crew-members included mountain-man, Milton Parker of Waimatenui and Dougie Wright of Whakatane. Another family to feature were the Harnetts of Waimamaku. Ivan won the Saturday snapper with a harbour fish of 1.64kg while crew ended up with 2nd and 3rd prizes as well as first and second for trevally. Nice Trevally were a feature of the inaugural comp’ with David Harnett winning on Saturday with a 3.12kg fish and Trevor Boggs of Rawene winning on Sunday with one of 2.615kg. Over in the sunshine, the ten best Homestead Club snapper weighed 81.4kg while Browns Bay’s best ten only managed 57.22kg. Clearly, Browns Bay deserves to retain the Horses Arse Trophy. But they did manage to win the snapper section with Jay Spooner landing a 10.995kg monster for best snapper with another Jaffa, Glen Christensen claiming men’s second prize with a noddy of 8.96kg. Once again, teams featured in this contest with Aaron Simpson winning second men’s snapper with a fish of 9.36kg while fishing buddy, Philip Civil landed the second prize kingfish of 11.88kg. Taheke Reef was the spot so I’m told. Julian Peters of Moerewa won the kingfish prize with a fish of 16.68kg while fishing companion Steve Radich landed the 3rd place men’s snapper with a fish of 8.25kg. Cone Island was the place, and I know. Homestead club stalwart, Tina Edgecombe took out the ladies section with a 6.62kg noddy while daughter Jade took out the toddler’s section with a snapper of 5.715kg. They were fishing on board Richard Civil’s Waiata. Fish of the Day at the Whangaroa Light Tackle Tournament was the 20kg kingfish caught on 6kg line by local junior angler, Bryce Foley. Earned the Kingfish Lodge Trophy too. Winkie Bannister of Kaeo, with a kingfish of 15.4kg on 4kg won most IGFA merit points. Snapper of the tournament went to land-based fisho, Otis Johnson of Kerikeri with a noddy of 8.36kg taken on 10kg line. Wouldn’t say where he caught it, so I’m told. Local identity, Pony More took out the novelty section with a 58.8kg ray on 10kg. Dragged him and his dingy around for and hour and a half. Wont say were he caught this one either! A pretty good weekend dontcha reckon. Weather certainly helped. “Best light tournament yet” says Whangaroa’s Cheryl Gavin Young. “Fantastic” reckons Hokianga’s Harry Barlow. But Homestead’s Will Sullivan and Malcolm Warwick had nothing to say. Had so much fun; they can’t remember much about it. Tight Lines!

 

From Steven Radich

Report type: Saltwater

Report date: 11 June 01