Conservation Theme to Reel Legends Event

Recognising big tournaments’ impact on local fish resources, the Century Batteries Reel Legends Fishing Tournament (February 16-18) is one of several significant events that determines its winners by measuring rather than weighing entries. Brent and Jody Wilson, the tournament’s hosts, says this was a strong driver behind going to a measure-based contest.

“With the anglers measuring and then photographing their catch, it gives them the option of returning the fish while still being eligible for some fantastic rewards,” they say. “It also saves anglers standing in long queues waiting to weigh their fish at the end of the day.”
Snapper, trevally, john dory, kahawai and kingfish are the five tournament species being targeted, with anglers able to submit one entry per species on each of the two competition days.

“We use a proven system courtesy of NZ Fishing Media that is easy to use, with entries uploaded to tournament headquarters via anglers’ mobile devices.” Every angler is a winner before the first bait is soaked. As part of their entry, they will receive a starter pack including a tournament teeshirt and hat, along with a measure, instructions on how to handle fish for release, rules including a map showing the tournament boundaries, the entry ticket and a lanyard.

“To receive a prize, anglers must wear their tee-shirt, cap and entry ticket. No ticket, no entry to the marquee.” Headquarters for the contest is the Marsden Cove events marquee, a hundred metres from the boat ramp. This is an ideal venue.

The marina is close to the Whangarei harbour entrance through which the wider Bream bay and beyond competition area can be accessed. “Should the weather not be ideal for the smaller vessels, the harbour provides some excellent fishing at this time of the year where there are good numbers of kingfish, snapper and kahawai chasing the baitfish schools – find the birds, and you will find the action.

Big snapper are regularly caught up in the shallows and around the mangroves for those prepared to put in the effort.” The marina precinct offers everything competitors need – a three-lane all-tide ramp with plenty of adjacent parking, fuel on the water and land-based bowsers, ice, food and drink and a café and hot bread shop for those early coffees and pies! Fishing kicks off at 6.00am, with all catches having to be uploaded by stop fishing at 4.00pm Saturday.

A great list of prizes is up for grabs, including two Ramco boats. The contest’s promotional Ford Ranger will be auctioned off with a $1 reserve, so it must be sold on the night.

Entries are available online. Go to www.reellegends.co.nz 

– Grant Dixon