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Home / The Country

Annual family fishing contest hooks another Bay generation

Roger Moroney
Hawkes Bay Today·
14 Mar, 2017 07:00 PM3 mins to read

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Napier Port communications advisor Breanna Cullen (left), event coordinator Scott Arnold and culture and capability manager Viv Bull get in some early practice. Photo/Paul Taylor

Napier Port communications advisor Breanna Cullen (left), event coordinator Scott Arnold and culture and capability manager Viv Bull get in some early practice. Photo/Paul Taylor

Napier man Scott Arnold has been part of the annual Hawke's Bay Sport Fishing Club-driven family fishing event for pretty well as long as he has been throwing a baited hook and line into the water.

"It's been going for 30 or more years now and I've been involved since I was a little kid around 10," Mr Arnold said.

And he will be involved again this weekend as the newly titled Napier Port Family Fishing Classic (as the port company has taken on the sponsorship) in two capacities.

He will be casting a line as he has always done, in search of a winning catch, and he will enjoy seeing the many families taking part in the event he has been involved with as an event co-ordinator with the Hawke's Bay Sport Fishing Club.

How did he get on in his first competition outing as a lad?

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"I can't remember if I caught anything or not," he said with a laugh.

The whole family focus of the event, and its popular longevity, is reflected in the fact that it has now spanned angling generations - his 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old nephew will be on board his boat with him this weekend.

"We'll head off up to the Ridgemount area [near Waipatiki]," Mr Arnold said, adding that there were plenty of location options for anglers given the competition parameters which stretch from Mahia Beach down to Porangahau Beach.

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And anglers could take the option of fishing from a boat or surfcasting from the shore as there were fish variety categories which covered both options.

From traditional snapper, tarakihi, gurnard, trevally, groper and blue cod to closer-to-shore species like kahawai and lemonfish.

"It's all about getting the whole family out there - out on a boat or together on the beach - get the kids away from the game machines for the day."

Last year he said about 160 people took part and with good weather forecast for the Saturday and Sunday fishing days he expected the registrations this year to equal that - especially as every entrant (whether they catch anything or not) is in to win a trip for four to Rarotonga.

There were also spots prizes like voyages on the port tugs and pilot vessels, aquarium passes and cash.

Mr Arnold, who works as a pilot at the port, said despite the recent bouts of often heavy rain the rivers had not clouded the seas up too severely and fishing would not be affected.

"There's been a bit of dirty weather but we've come through okay - it's not too bad at all."

Napier Port Culture and Capability manager Viv Bull said the port had a long association with the fishing club and many staff, Mr Arnold included, were passionate anglers.

"We're proud to support a range of events that promote stronger, healthier communities here in the Bay and the opportunity to sponsor a family event was a great fit for us."

The port and the fishing club were working closely with the harbourmaster and coastguard to also use the event as an opportunity to talk with the community about safe boating practices and the importance of always wearing life jackets.

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The competition is open to one and all although there is an additional charge for non-club and associate members and people can register to take part at the Hawke's Bay Sport Fishing Club on Friday evening.

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