The New Zealand Sportfishing Council Nationals were held in the last week of February and, with a week of settled weather, boats headed out in pursuit of national honours while representing the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club.

Team Pescatore, with young angler Cohen Snell on board, landed an impressive 92.6-kilogram broadbill swordfish while fishing out of Gisborne.

The catch secured Cohen first place as New Zealand Champion Junior Angler – Broadbill, as well as third place in the New Zealand Champion Line Weight Anglers – Broadbill open section.

Team Aquarius, led by skipper Joshua Yorke, also impressed on the national stage. Crew member Sam Jackson landed what is believed to be New Zealand’s first yellowfin tuna caught on a 10-to-1 weight-to-line class ratio – a remarkable feat in ultra-light tackle angling.

Jackson’s 21.4kg yellowfin tuna was landed on just a 2kg line, an achievement requiring precision targeting, exceptional patience and expert boat handling.

More than just a notable catch, the fish represents a milestone in New Zealand light-line angling and highlights the high level of skill involved.

Tony Hill, skipper of Annjakana, made another appearance, having competed in most New Zealand Sportfishing Council national tournaments over the past 41 years. His team finished sixth in Section 6 – T&R Tuna.

Thanks go to the weighmasters and the many volunteers behind the scenes who contributed to another successful tournament. For a full list of results, visit the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club website at whakatanesportfishingclub.co.nz.

On March 3, the club, in conjunction with Paper Plus, hosted the book launch of Kelsey Waghorn’s new book, Surviving White Island and Everything That Came After. Thank you to everyone who came along to support Kelsey at the launch. Seeing the community gather in such strength and aroha meant so much.

Meanwhile, our historical team is compiling a book on the history of the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club as the club prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The commemorative publication will record the stories, milestones, and achievements that have shaped the club over the past six decades.

As part of the project, we are gathering and reviewing past yearbooks to ensure the historical record is as complete as possible. We have identified several gaps in our collection and are seeking copies of the following fishing yearbooks: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1990 and 1991.

If you have a copy of any of these yearbooks, the club would greatly appreciate the opportunity to borrow it. Arrangements will be made to collect and safely return the material.

Anyone able to assist is encouraged to contact the club by phone or email.

Contributors will be acknowledged in the commemorative book unless they prefer to remain anonymous.

Coming up in the April school holidays is the New Zealand Sportfishing Council Youth Nationals.

The club is thrilled to again host the event from Friday, April 3 to Saturday, April 18 when young anglers from around the country will be hitting the water for two weeks of fishing action.

As part of the Eastern Bay competition, the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club will also be running an inter-school challenge.

First Credit Union has generously donated $500 for the top-scoring primary school team, with an additional $500 going to the top-scoring angler within that team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young anglers to represent their school, earn points, develop their fishing skills, and most importantly have fun.

A high school inter-school challenge will also be running, with sponsorship being finalised.

Entries are open now — ask at the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club or enter online via our website.