Whakatāne Sportfishing Club’s representative team of Kiana Skead, Mia Hyndman, Taj Leeder and Malakai Ogle enjoyed a hugely successful trip to the Bay of Islands earlier this month, claiming first prize in the McDonald’s Northland International Yellowtail Tournament.

The tournament was held from June 12 to 14 and fishing aboard Opportunity II, the team had a fantastic time targeting elusive yellowtail kingfish on light line. All team members landed fish, while a few were lost to the rocks.

The Hubbard Contracting Winter Tuna Tournament runs from Saturday, July 4 to July 25.

With southern bluefin tuna already being seen and landed around the coast, this tournament is shaping up to be a red-hot winter fishery with excellent opportunities on offer for anglers.

Prizes have been released, with $10,000 up for grabs for the heaviest southern bluefin tuna, $10,000 for the average weight southern bluefin tuna over the 22 days of the tournament and weekly prizes for average weight southern bluefin tuna.

Enter now and be in to win – check out https://whakatanesportfishingclub.co.nz and our Facebook page for details.

This tournament would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors.

On behalf of the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club and all participating anglers, we sincerely thank you for your generosity.

There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, so enter now and be in to win.

The tournament briefing will be held at the club on Friday, July 3, and will incorporate the New Zealand Sportfishing Council and Coastguard safety seminar, Every Catch Deserves a Safe Return.

You’ll hear from people who know the fishery and understand what it takes to target southern bluefin tuna in winter, along with valuable safety advice from Coastguard. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the fishery before lines go in at 6am on July 4.

Matt Watson will be making an appearance at the club on Friday, July 10, after spending a day fishing for southern bluefin tuna.

Members’ month-long tournaments begin on July 1. These free members-only competitions start at 6am on the first day of the month and finish at 5pm on the last day.

July is gurnard month. Measure your gurnard and submit a photo of your fish on an official Whakatāne Sportfishing Club measure board to be in to win. Send photos to [email protected]

Open and junior sections are available, with two entries per angler per week. Entries and rules are online now. Need a new measure board? Ask at the bar or upstairs office – they’re available for $25.

With the 2025/26 fishing year finishing on June 30, all eyes will be on the Greg Grey Plate for the last gamefish of the season.

Will a broadbill swordfish be landed in the closing days to claim the Tarawera Farm Trophy for the last weighed billfish of the season?

The new season begins on July 1. Who will take out the Grant Mills Trophy for the first gamefish of the season? These awards are for members only and will be presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony in late August.

Keep an eye on Facebook and our newsletter for further details.

Tuesday, July 7, will see another drop-in session and fishing committee meet-and-greet.

If you’ve ever thought about joining the committee, this is a great opportunity to find out more and have your say on the future direction of club tournaments.

Despite ongoing construction to the west, the club remains open and operating as normal.

Access is unchanged via the eastern car park entrance, with full access to the ramp and wharf area. Skippers Restaurant and the clubrooms are open, providing a welcoming space to relax overlooking the river.

Regular club nights are held Wednesdays and Fridays, with happy hour from 5pm to 6.30pm.

The courtesy van operates Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm and can be booked on 0800 CATCH ME (228 2463).