Over the years I have attended many ladies’ fishing tournaments and there are a couple of common themes – the ladies are fiercely competitive and they enjoy a good time.

Some Ladies events have attracted up to 1,000 anglers and once the fishing is over, they like nothing better than to dress up and party.

The Tauranga Game Fishing club’s ladies’ event – the Stabicraft Fish’n Chicks Tournament is no exception. This year the contest will be fished over two days, Friday-Saturday February 11-12 with the popular band Blaze providing the entertainment on the final night after prizegiving. There will be no cancellation due to poor weather – if the  girls can’t get out wide, they can fish in the harbour.

Stabicraft are the major sponsors and there will be a prize pool in excess of $70,000 up for grabs.

Early bird tickets went on sale at the start of December and all tickets purchased ($55) before or on January 31 will go into a draw for an Evo Cycle Cruiser, worth $400. After that date tickets go up to $65. The first 60 teams entered get a free team goodie bag.

The ladies like nothing more than a little ‘fashion in the field’ – or in this case on the water. Teams are invited to dress up for the prizegiving, the theme will be ‘Your early Childhood Idol.’ You can guarantee this aspect of the event will be as hotly contested by some of the teams as the actual fishing!

While Fish’n Chicks is all about having fun, there is also a serious side.

Funds raised from the event will go to the charity Tauranga Homes of Hope. This organisation assists young people requiring support to live away from family in a foster care setting.

The organisation’s core values is their aim to keep siblings together, reduce the number of moves a child may have to make; and create a consistent, trusted network. Each child receives consistent wrap-around care to assist with their recovery, giving them the best opportunity to flourish. Support is tailored to each child’s needs and may include provision of clothing, nutritious meals and recreational activities.

So, ladies, put a ring around February 11-12 on your calendars, round up your skippers and deckies, and set your sights for a fun time at the 2022 Fish’n Chicks tournament in the Bay of Plenty.

The fine print

Tournament species includes both game fish - broadbill, blue and striped marlin, tuna (including skipjack and albacore, mahimahi and shortbill spearfish; and ‘bottom fish’ – snapper, kingfish, kahawai and trevally. Anglers can only weigh in one fish per species per day.

There will be prizes for both caught fish and those tagged and released, average weight fish, the best release images, hard luck stories, best skipper/deck hand; top junior fisher chick, and lots of spot prizes via the radio on the day.

Each team must be represented at Thursday night’s briefing with fishing commencing at its conclusion, with the weigh station open on Friday 3.00-5.00pm and Saturday 2.30-4.30pm. All catch cards and fish must be presented to the weighmaster by 4.30pm on Saturday to count for the contest – no exceptions.

Any female angler over the age of 12 years old may fish, including from a kayak or a PWC but must have VHF comms on board. The entry fee is $55.00 (early bird) from the 14^th of December and will increase to $65.00 after the 1^st Feb 2022.

For the full list of Tournament Rules, go to https://www.tsfc.co.nz/event/stabicraft-fish-n-chicks-tournament-2021/