with Whakatāne Sportfishing Club

The Hubbard Contracting Winter Tuna Tournament concludes tomorrow at 3pm – and what an awesome tournament it has been.

A bevy of southern bluefin tuna has come over the scales at the weigh station, with just as many – or perhaps more – being caught and released to fight another day.

With reports of whales and seals hanging around the fishing grounds, Waihau Bay was the place to be during the tournament’s 22 days.

Many reports have come back from anglers of seals helping themselves to a free feed, with some even following hooked fish right to the boat.

On more than one occasion, hooks have straightened under the pressure of these unexpected monsters on the line. The weather has also behaved itself for the most part, with some fantastic fishing conditions reported throughout the tournament.

Congratulations to all our skippers and anglers. We’ll see you at the club on Saturday night when all will be revealed and our winners announced. Prizegiving starts at 7pm sharp, with Skippers Restaurant opening early at 5pm.

The club would like to acknowledge the generous support of our tournament sponsors without whom these events would not happen: Hubbard Contracting, Allied Petroleum, Alpha Pipelines, Bait and Bullets – Ōpōtiki, Bay Group Solutions, Beau Thompson, Coastline Autos, Coromandel Cold, Diverse Graphics, East Coast Heavy Diesel, Hirepool, Ice Man, ITM, K2 Auto Glass, Larsen Machinery, La Vita Magazine, Mathis Electrical, Moon Drainage, New World Whakatāne, NZ Cobb Grill, Pepper & Me, Rafting Adventure, Red Gill Lures, Robinson Earthmovers, Seymour Contracting, Spark Business Hub – Whakatāne, STR Logging, Super Liquor, Superior Excavation, The Salt Wash Company, TradeZone, Truck Fix, Whakatāne Precast and Whale Plumbing.

For anglers not out hunting the monsters of the sea, Gurnard Month is well underway, with a steady stream of entries being received. This free members-only competition runs throughout July, with prizes for the longest gurnard, average gurnard, and the mystery length snapper draw.

Prizegiving for Gurnard Month will be held in the club on Friday, July 31, following club night. August’s featured species will be kahawai – with the mystery length snapper competition continuing.

Simply measure your fish on an official Whakatāne Sportfishing Club measure board, take a photo, and email it to [email protected]. Open and junior sections are available, with two entries per angler each week. Measure boards are available from the club bar or upstairs office for $25.

Away from the tournaments, there’s plenty happening around the club.

Membership subscriptions are due for renewal from August 1.

Renew on or before July 31 to beat the price rise and go in the draw to win your annual membership back. Renew online at www.whakatanesportfishingclub.co.nz, through our Facebook page, or at the club.

Heading towards the annual general meeting at the end of August, the club is inviting members to consider joining the committee to help shape another fantastic season.

You don’t need previous committee experience, just a passion for the club and a willingness to contribute.

Whether your strengths are organising tournaments, supporting club events, assisting with communications, or simply bringing fresh ideas to the table, your contribution can make a real difference.

Being part of the committee is a rewarding way to:

• Help shape the future of our club.
• Meet new people and build lasting friendships.
• Share your ideas and make a positive impact.
• Give back to a club that has given so much to so many.

Feel free to speak with any current committee member before the AGM. They will be happy to answer any questions and tell you what being on the committee is all about.

The buildings adjacent to the Whakatāne Sportfishing Club are now gone, and progress on the redevelopment is moving along nicely.

For the club, everything is operating as normal within the clubrooms and at Skippers Restaurant. Access remains via the eastern car park entrance, with full access to the boat ramp and wharf.

Don’t forget our regular club nights every Wednesday and Friday, with Happy Hour from 5pm to 6.30pm. This Friday’s Members’ Draw is up to $1500; simply scan your membership card as you enter the club to be in to win. Raffles kick off at 6pm sharp.

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