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SNAPPER GALORE AT MARINE NORTH FISHING TOURNAMENT |
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Loads of snapper, great weather and lots of anglers proved the perfect formula for the opening of the Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers Clubs 2007/08 fishing calendar on November 10th and 11th at Tutukaka. The opening tournament sponsored by Marine North, Yamaha and Fyran boats attracted a huge turnout with a Fyran boat and Yamaha outboard going off to one of the many anglers by way of a lucky draw. Saturday – Day one of the contest dawned fine and sunny with anglers scattered from Home Point in the North through to the Hen and Chicks in the south. By 3 o'clock the weigh station was warming up and by the 5pm close, a huge number of snapper had been weighed along with four kingfish. The Tutukaka Coast Lions were rushed off their feet filleting snapper and kingfish for Hospice. A big thank you to all anglers who kindly donated their catch! Third in the Kingfish section on day one was Dean Musgrove with a kingi weighing 11.1kg, Andrew Keene was a close second with an 11.82kg specimen, while Maurie Biller fishing on “Harpoon” took away the Kingfish section with a kingi tipping the scales at 14.42kg. Two junior anglers weighed in snapper for the day with Bevan Johnson landing the second heaviest with a 1.24kg snapper and Zane Rawson the heaviest with a nice 2.1 kg snapper. Land based fisher Jamie White bringing a 7.62kg snapper to the weigh station recorded the 3rd heaviest of the day, while the two top spots were tightly contested with Justin Mackinnon’s snapper coming in at 10.2kg for 2nd and Mike Smith’s fish on “Springbokkie” tipping the scales at 10.28kg to take away top honours for day one’s snapper section. There was little time to celebrate with all the fishers planning another very early start for day two. Sunday and thankfully the wind did not get up to the weather guru’s previous predictions. While the fishing could not reach the heights of day one, the weigh station warmed up about 3 o’clock with plenty of snapper and two more Kingfish. Dean Musgrove fishing on “Sayonara” brought in a 10.16kg fish to take out 2nd place in the day two Kingfish section with 1st going to Andrew Keene on “Bitchin” with a 10.22kg specimen. Third place in the snapper section once again went to land based fisher Jamie White with a 6.56kg snapper while lady angler Ashlee Farrow weighed in a respectable 8.32kg snapper for second slot. It was Murray Hayward fishing on ‘Springbokkie’ that took 1st place for day two with a lovely 8.52kg snapper. Fishing on Evan Daysh’ “Harpoon” again this year was Maurie Biller who took out both first and fourth places in the overall Kingfish section receiving a load of prizes including a Daiwa Rod & Reel and heaps of Tui products. Overall second went to Andrew Keene closely followed by Dean Musgrove in third. In the Junior section Zane Rawson fishing with Dad on “Nag Free” took away the overall Junior section with Bevan Johnson on “Eagle Rock” in second. Mike Smith’s 10.28kg snapper, landed on “Springbokkie”, couldn't be beaten and took overall honours in the Snapper section and the Lions share of the prizes that included a Sea Anchor courtesy of Kamo Canvas and a Daiwa Rod and Reel from Daiwa and Wilkinsons Sports. Justin Mackinnon on “Jimmy Green” came in a close second with his 10.2kg catch. The only Lady Angler to feature in the top prizes was Ashlee Farrow fishing on “Phantom” who landed fourth place in the overall snapper section and Murray Hayward rounded out a great weekend for “Springbokkie” taking away 3rd place honours. However, the biggest smile of the day (and the loudest scream) had to be from Brad Pulham when Marine North’s owner Paul Dunn drew Brad’s name out of the bucket for the Fyran Boat and Yamaha outboard.
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