With 120 Anglers converging on Gulf Harbour Marina to compete in the Maverix 6kilo International Fishing Tournament on the weekend, the atmosphere was electric as competitors spooled their reels with Mo moi Hi Catch 6kg Monofilament line. After dinner and briefing the competitors departed for their secret fishing locations hoping to hook into the big one.
The event proved to be one of dramas and excitement, with one vessel sending a distress message in the early hours of Thursday morning as their stern leg seized close to the rocks off Gt Barrier Island, all were rescued and the boat recovered.
Friday's weather forecast wasn't the best but good enough for competitors to venture out. It wasn't long before it became apparent that the forecast was terribly wrong , as crews started to report high seas and winds up to 50knots battering the field. With a time deadline on returning of 17.30hrs at the weigh station problems were eminent. Some crews could not make the return trip for safety reasons, whilst the majority did meet the shut off time and weigh in with some big snapper and kingfish.
Saturday turned on the weather and much happier competitors were able to fish their chosen regions producing excellent catches of kingfish and snapper. With no area limits anglers can travel to any destination they choose. Big snapper from Kawau, Simpson Rock, Gt Barrier, whilst the kingfish came from Waiheke Island, Kawau Island, and Whangaparaoa.
In the Snapper section Wayne Radford of Mangawhai, current tournament trophy holder managed an excellent 11.651kg Snapper, to take out the trophy for another year, hard on his heels was Mark Kitteridge of Auckland with 10.699kg fish.
In The Kingfish section Shawn Eberley weighed in a superb 15.345kg fish caught at Whangaparaoa, whilst Dave Mc Culloch turned in a 13.319kg from the Waiheke region.
Popular winner Jock Mc Kenzie from Clevedon took out the Overall average catch prize, winning the trip for two to Vanuatu staying at the Moorings hotel in Port Vila
Jason Ward of Manly got lucky winning the early bird draw from Bunnings Warehouse.
With good numbers of snapper and kingfish landed. The Tournament has proved yet again to be the main event on the fishing calendar for serious anglers fishing against some of the best in the country.
The prize pool and support from sponsors of the event was excellent. With Majors Sponsors NSK, Brother, Gourocks,Air Vanuatu, Moorings Hotel,Raymarine, Bluebird , Serious Fishing Company, all pleased with the results and looking forward to 2011
