Fishing Rules

Season July 1st-June 30th
Winter Season July 1st -September 30th
Fishing Area NZ 200 mile EEZ
Weigh Station Whitianga Wharf
Catch Cards
Must be completed fully and correctly with FULL name (not initials) before fish are presented to the weighmaster. Catch List
All fish weighed at the MBOSC weigh station. All tag and/or release cards handed in to the MBOSC office. Courtesy Weighing
Members of other NZ Clubs and overseas anglers affiliated to the IGFA may have their fish courtesy weighed at the MBOSC weigh station. A catch card will be given to the angler and a copy retained for inclusion in the MBOSC catch list. Club Records
All financial members of the MBOSC are eligible to break existing or set new club records for gamefish providing IGFA rules are observed. Fish can be weighed at the MBOSC weigh-station or elsewhere in NZ providing a courtesy weigh is carried out and the angler forwards a copy of the weigh sheet to the secretary. Fish DO NOT have to exceed the breaking strain of the line. Pins
(Silver miniatures of the species caught). All financial members of the MBOSC are eligible to be awarded pins providing IGFA rules are observed and the fish is weighed at the MBOSC weigh-station. Fish must not weigh less than the breaking strain of the line used. Pins are awarded as follows: Light Tackle
Includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10kg line classes.
1. First fish of each species (all line classes combined).
2. Heaviest fish of each species for season in each line class.
Heavy Tackle
Includes 15, 24, 37, 60kg line classes.
As well as fish having to make line weight minimum weights, of 90kg for marlin and 40kg for sharks apply.
1. First fish of each species (all line classes combined).
2. Fish increasing by 10kg (billfish & sharks) and 3kg (tuna and kingfish) throughout season.
Trophies
All financial members of the MBOSC are eligible to be awarded trophies providing IGFA rules are observed and the fish is included in the MBOSC catch list.
Weighed fish must not weigh less than the breaking strain of the line. On heavy tackle minimum weights of 90kg for marlin and 40kg for sharks apply.
Points Formula
(Fish Weight x 100) divided by Breaking strain of line.
e.g. 60kg fish on 24kg line
(60 x 100)/24 Bleeding of Fish
Bleeding of fish to improve food quality is encouraged. However, possible World or NZ Record fish must NOT be bled or a claim will be ineligible. Tag & Release of Fish
Billfish, makos, blue sharks over 5kg and kingfish over 65cm are subject to a MoF scientific tagging programme and will gain points towards season tallies for individual and boat trophies. A photo clearly showing the tag in place must accompany the MoF tag card and the MBOSC catch card. Release of Fish
All fish not specifically nominated by the MoF for tagging will gain points when released by anglers providing the catch card is accompanied by a photo clearly showing that the fish is being held by the leader at the boat. Points for Tagged-Released Fish
Marlin & Broadbill 300
Yellowfin & Bigeye 100
Spearfish 100
Hammerhead 100
Mako & Thresher 75
Blue Shark 50
Mahimahi 50
Kingfish 50
Albacore & Skipjack 25
Kahawai & Snapper 25
Junior Anglers
Junior members cease to be junior anglers when they turn seventeen. Day Membership
A $10 daily fee entitles an angler to join the club for a calendar day (from midnight to midnight). To be eligible for day membership an angler must either:-
Fill in a day membership form or if unavailable the back of an envelope or piece of paper with the following information: date(s) fishing, full name, address, birth date (if 16 or under), signature. This with the appropriate fee must be put into the slot in the weighmaster's office or given to the secretary PRIOR to leaving the wharf to go fishing. Or:
Fill in a day membership form available on a licensed charter vessel which has been pre-paid by the skipper. The skipper will in turn radio Gamebase with the appropriate name, membership number and date before leaving the wharf or if overnighting elsewhere prior to 7am or starting fishing whichever is sooner. Fish Caught Elsewhere by Members
Fish weighed at weigh-stations in NZ other than the Whitianga Wharf are not eligible to be included in the MBOSC catch list but will be included in a separate list if catch cards are handed in signed by an official of the weighing club. Such fish are not eligible for MBOSC pins or trophies but will be eligible for club records. Commercial Vessels
Gamefish caught from commercial vessels are not eligible to count towards individual angler pins or trophies, or launch trophies, other than those designated for commercial vessels. They are eligible for club records however. Commercial vessels are boats that are registered for the purpose of catching fish for sale.
Commercial vessels that de-register are deemed to be non-commercial for that time provided a copy of the de-registration is filed with the Secretary prior to leaving the wharf to go fishing. IGFA Rules
Where not specifically covered by these rules all fish must be caught under IGFA rules. It is the responsibility of every angler to have a full understanding of these rules and to fish by them. Disputes
Any disputes regarding fish caught and the awarding of pins and trophies must be made in writing to the Committee of the MBOSC. Disputes will be dealt with by a sub committee appointed for that purpose and their decision will be final. Gamefish species recognised by NZBGFC
Broadbill Swordfish
Black Marlin
Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
Shortbilled Spearfish
Bluefin Tuna
Big Eye Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
Slender Tuna
Skipjack Tuna
Albacore
White Shark
Tiger Shark
Mako
Hammerhead
Blue Shark
Bronzewhaler Shark
Thresher Shark
Porbeagle Shark
Dusky Shark
Tope
Wahoo
Mahimahi
Kingfish
Kahawai
Trevally
Snapper
Giant Sea Bass
and other species of saltwater fish caught in South Pacific waters that are recognised by IGFA rules.