Big snapper could hook $10,000

A SNAPPER LIKE THIS: There is a $10,000 prize for a snapper heavier than 12 kilograms in this weekend’s Enterprise Cars Nicks Head Charity Fishing Tournament. No one has been able to claim this prize for the past five years, but Napier angler Hayden Moffitt caught this 15kg whopper off a boat two weeks ago near the shore off Tait’s Beach in Hawke’s Bay . . . proof that they are out there. Picture by Renee Moffitt

An annual fishing competition that raises money for the Tairawhiti branch of the Child Cancer Foundation has thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs.

The biggest prize in the Enterprise Cars Nicks Head Charity Fishing Tournament is $10,000 for the heaviest snapper over 12 kilograms.

Tournament committee secretary-treasurer Maria Henricksen says it’s not easy to catch a snapper that big and it has not been done for the past five years.

“But someone caught a 15-kilogram snapper in Hawke’s Bay last week, so they are out there.”

The three-day annual competition, which has raised more than $140,000 in the past 11 years, is run by the emergency services — coastguard, police, fire and ambulance.

There is a briefing tomorrow night at Gisborne Tatapouri Fishing Club at 6.30pm. Lines go in the water from midnight tomorrow.

There are plenty of prizes for different fish species, including the heaviest crayfish and a $1000 prize for the heaviest broadbill.

One lucky angler will take home a $3000 spot prize drawn at the prizegiving on Sunday night.

The competition coincides with the Kids Gone Fishing competition organised by police youth aid (see sidebar) and is open to land-based and boat anglers.

Ms Henricksen says at this stage the competition is all go.

“We will review it tonight. It looks like it will be a bit breezy on Saturday and Sunday but it is looking OK. If we have to postpone it, we will hold it next weekend.”

On Sunday, fisherman Barry Welsh will take a group of cancer victims and family out fishing, weather-permitting.

A special fundraising feature will be a fresh fish auction at the club each night.

Auctions start at 5.30pm on Friday, October 2, 5pm Saturday and 5pm Sunday.

The club has a special licence for the weekend allowing non-members to buy food and drinks.

“This really helps add to our fundraising,” said Ms Henricksen. “Last year we gave away $12,000. It has been between $12,000 and $18,000 in recent years.”

Anyone interested in watching the fish being weighed can go to the club at the inner harbour for the daily weigh-in between 3pm and 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday.

Entry forms can be collected from the fishing club.