The first field day of the new year hosted by the 90 Mile Beach Surfcasting Club attracted a large number of anglers and fish alike.
A report from the Riders Sports/ Rogers Motors Field Day contest on January 12 noted weather conditions were "ideal" with moderate seas and mild winds with the 39 club members and four visitors taking part eventually weighing in a total of 26 snapper, seven trevally and a kahawai.
Most of the fish were caught around the Ngataki area on the low tide in the event which saw the Riders Sports Trophy for mystery weight up for grabs, e.g. a weight and species nominated by sponsor Mike Rider.
Heaviest snapper of the day went to Phil Kake, 4.20kg with the event report noting "when your luck is in, everything goes your way", stating Kake also won the haggle of 2.7kg with a 2.69kg snapper and also the Riders Sports Trophy of 1.75kg with a 1.84kg snapper.
Elsewhere, new member Ron Beans weighed in the best trevally - 2.60kg and Rod Allan the aforementioned sole kahawai at 1.39kg; while other prizes went to Milton Arnold, 3.44kg snapper 4 (e.g. 4th place), Dan Lloyd 2.44kg trevally 5, Steve Maisey 2.58kg snapper 6, Miko Rogers 2.18kg trevally 7, Fred Cassidy 2.40kg snapper 8, Dave Harrison 2.08kg trevally 9, and Ewen Peat 2.24kg snapper 10.
Cruise Cameron won the junior special prize.
One of the two event sponsors provided drawn prizes which enabled all anglers to win a prize without necessary catching a fish.
The day finished with a sheep on a spit lunch complete with camp oven spuds and salad, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The club gave a big thanks to both sponsors of the day.
The next club field day is being held both days this weekend, February 8 and 9, an overnight fish starting Saturday morning at 9am and weighing in on Sunday afternoon at 2pm at the club caravan on Waipapakauri Ramp.
The anglers will be fishing for the Garry Workman Tankard for the heaviest weight of fish weighed in.
Club members are reminded that fish must be weighed in complete, and the maximum was for five scaled fish allowed to be weighed in by each angler.