On to the fishing, we had our annual four day Xmas Comp in Mokau from 27th to the 30th Dec. It Was the  tenth anniversary and our club had record entries for the Comp. The weather gave us a brilliant day on day one and it deteriorated from there on with the last two days pushing two meters and strong winds, no boats out. I did the long hours on day one, around eleven and was swaying a bit when i got back on landand not to the sore back and legs from the little Mac. Not much room for stretching out but i wouldn't swap it for anything. My knowledge of the area and experience Ive  basicially got it down to an art, of knowing when the big Snaps are going to turn up and at wot part of the tide. Dozens of times ive been out fishing for 2-3 hours with nothing and said to who ever Iv'e got on board they will be here in five or ten minutes and bang they arrive. Kito (Craig) has experienced this a few times and many others, but on his last trip it was a bit of a flop, which is rare. Although he still managed a 5 and 6 kg Snap to my Zilch. 

Okay, so on my only day out I had nothing for three hours as I launched an hour before high tide and new i wouldn't get any until the two hour mark of outgoing. On que they turned up and I was ready with big fresh Jack macs and Kahawhai  I caught over the last three Hours. I had Terry  my Stepson on board also entered in Comp. The first Snap on board I caught was a good one!  it was a measure comp and went 84.5 cm. from then on four all around 70cm to 71 cm. Which Terry entered the longest. Next lot that came through three hours into incoming tide we didn't get anything bigger. Came prize giving I managed to take it out easy with a 78cm second. Joined the Club again seven years ago and thats the seventh year in a row Iv'e won. Terry's  got seventh so we were rapt. Couple of pics- Holding Snap & on measure with Terry's best on floor. Bit of a trumpet blow haha but hope you find it a good read.