Now in its 21st year, the Surtees Annual Fishing Competition ran from March 20 to 21, with 230 anglers across 69 boats vying for a share of the $104,000 prize pool.

Though the number of entrants sat below the 300-angler cap, the tournament was still considered a success, with plenty of fish caught and many happy anglers.

Cliff Schick from Surtees Boats was grateful for the strong community support.

“We love supporting local events like this because it’s local anglers and businesses that benefit.

“The motels, bait shops, and cafés it all adds up to a great cash injection for Whakatāne,” he said.

The competition followed a catch-and-release format, with anglers required to measure their catches eliminating the need for weigh-ins.

Notable catches included a 128cm kingfish and a 78cm snapper, among more than 500 fish recorded.

This year’s tournament charity recipient was Coastguard, with representative Jim Williamson expressing gratitude for the $10,400 donation.

“The cheque means a lot to Coastguard and will go directly towards maintenance and running costs. As an annual event, this support is hugely important to us and is likely one of the biggest fishing competitions in town,” said Mr Williamson.

In addition to the tournament, Coastguard’s national lottery remains the organisation’s main fundraiser, with $10 from every ticket sold going to the local unit.

Coastguard also played a key role in the event’s success, providing breakfast for anglers at the boat ramp each morning.

Major sponsors of the competition included Garmin, which donated an $8000 trolling motor, and Yamaha, which provided a generator set. Other key supporters included Honda, Lusty & Blundell, Daiwa, Dometic, and Iceman Whakatāne.

Each boat received a goodie bag, including T-shirts, and the entry fee also covered the prizegiving dinner.

The next instalment of the competition is expected to return in February or March next year, aligning with the Whakatāne Sport Fishing Club’s planned relocation, which is anticipated to be completed by Christmas 2026.