Lockdown was a challenging time for many fishermen and women across New Zealand. Boats, rods and reels could only be cleaned so many times in anticipation for 1pm check in with Ashley Bloomfield who would hopefully be unleashing us onto the briny at any moment!

With the constant anticipation of the eventual release onto level 3 a group of mates in Mairangi Bay Auckland got together (adequately socially distanced or course) and began preparing for the inaugural Level 3 PENN off the Beach Fishing Competition and what would become the slightly politically incorrect COVID Cup!

The competition kicked off from the 28th of April till the 10th of May with only solo off the beach fishing allowed. The pent-up tension of the fishing community was unleased across Auckland with the sounds of surf casters launching baits off beaches and rocky out crops which haven’t been fished for 50+ years!

A Facebook page was booming, and PENN stepped up to the plate with great prizes for the over 1000+ entrants across Auckland. Following the success of the PENN beach competition The Mairangi Bay Fishing Club was formally established and the first club night in June saw over 99 Mairangi Bay locals attend the first ever AGM of the club and PENN sponsored prize giving.

COVID has seen many challenges but the birth of a new fishing club supported by industry is certainly not one of them. Good on ya PENN!

About Mairangi Bay Fishing Club

Established in 2020, A fishing club built on the premise of like-minded Kiwi fisher men and woman, getting together in their local neighbourhood to share tales of fishing and adventure in the Hauraki Gulf

Media Contacts: Shaun Quincey, 022 152 6912, [email protected]