$40,000 to be won by lucky angler in fish-less Gisborne Bay Bonanza contest

The fishing in the Bay Bonanza contest has been cancelled but the $40,000 Lucky Angler and other prize draws and giveaways are going ahead.

No fish will be weighed but “the big one” will still be caught in the 42nd edition of the Bay Bonanza, which was supposed to have started on Friday.

Organisers made the decision on Thursday afternoon to call off the fishing in the popular Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club-run and Enterprise Cars/Autosure Insurance-sponsored contest.

“Due to state of emergency and sea conditions we are cancelling the fishing of the Bay Bonanza,” the club posted on its Facebook page.

But it has continued to be all go at the fishing club’s inner harbour base as the climactic Lucky Angler draw for $40,000 is going ahead, and all other prizes from a total pool of $80,000 will be presented as prize draws and giveaways.

The club is open over the duration of the contest, there is live music on Saturday and Sunday, and a special licence means members of the public are welcome on Sunday.

A club spokeswoman told the Gisborne Herald that despite there being no fishing, the place would be buzzing with plenty of locals and some out-of-towners hoping to get their hands on the $40k loot from the Lucky Angler draw.

Five names were drawn for it on Thursday night. There were no redraws as all five people were present.

Another 10 were drawn last night, 10 will be drawn on Saturday and 15 on Sunday to make it 40 finalists.

On Sunday night after the main prizegiving, those 40 will be reduced one by one to decide the $40,000 winner.

The spokeswoman said while it was disappointing not to have lines in the water, the club was looking forward to its other major tournament of the summer - the Hunting & Fishing Marlin & Tuna Tournament from February 19-22.