2018-2019 Snapper World Cup holder

Fishing aboard Fishing News with crewmates Grant Blair and Grant Dixon, Steve landed, measured and released an 80.5cm snapper during the recent Stabicraft Trailerboat Tournament, hosted by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club.

Steve was soft-baiting over foul ground east of Great Mercury Island on the first day of the three-day event when he caught the fish. He had started the day livebaiting for snapper and kingfish but after changing to soft-baiting, he landed the winning fish almost immediately.

He then had to wait out the two more days of the Whitianga event, as well as the whole Mangonui ITM hosted contest two weeks later (fished out of Whangaroa), before his win could be confirmed. The best fish to come out of the Whangaroa event was around the 71cm mark, so he was a comfortable winner in the end.

Steve, who with wife Stephanie owns and operates Voyager Trailers, thinks using the measure concept for such a prestigious trophy is the right thing to do.

“Apart from getting my name on the Furuno Snapper World Cup, one of the most rewarding aspects was to see that beautiful fish swim away so strongly straight to the bottom where it will hopefully get to breed again.”

“Thanks to Electronic Navigation Ltd for continuing to put up such a magnificent trophy and I will be putting the prize electronics to good use. Thanks to the Fishing News boys for helping set up the gear and putting me onto the fish – a genuine team effort.”

For the record, Steve was using one of the new Z-Man Atomic Sunrise 7” jerk shad soft-baits rigged on a one-ounce long-shanked Lightbulb jig head, with Shimano Ocea 25lb trace, a custom built Offshore 7’ soft-bait rod and Shimano Twin Power reel spooled with Sufix braid. T

here are plans to extend the Furuno Snapper World Cup event eligibility which will be announced soon.