Gisborne tuna and marlin tourney attracts 60 boats and 200-plus anglers

The big ones are out there ... Gabe Main reeled in this 95.6-kilogram striped marlin off the boat Spear Time on February 12. And more of the same is the aim of the 200-plus anglers competing in the Gisborne Hunting & Fishing Marlin & Tuna Tournament, starting on Thursday. Photo / Gisborne-Tatapouri Fishing-Club Facebook page

More than 200 anglers will have their eyes on a $10,000 prize when they cast lines into the water offshore from here on Thursday in the annual Gisborne Marlin and Tuna Hunt.

Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club’s annual four-day contest, sponsored by Gisborne Hunting & Fishing, has attracted in excess of 60 boats and more are expected.

As usual, the tournament has drawn support from outside the district, with half a dozen boats and crews making the journey from Napier.

They will compete against Gisborne anglers in an annual competition between the two regions.

A briefing was given and the contest rules were spelt out in a gathering at the club last night, which also featured its Wednesday weekly draw – this one for $3000.

“Conditions definitely look fishable for the four days,” Gisborne Tatapouri club captain Kelly Humphries said.

“The wind could come up at times and we will make decisions daily from a safety point of view, given the conditions.

“At this stage it all looks pretty good.”

Fishing-wise, Humphries said they were looking forward to an extensive range of fish being weighed in.

“We’re expecting good numbers of tuna, with the odd marlin and broadbill. Game fishing has been steady here since before Christmas in the small weather windows we have had.

“The fish have definitely been out there.”

Weigh-ins will happen from 2pm to 8pm each day bar Sunday, which has a 4pm cut-off.

“We welcome the public down at the club to watch the fish come in,” Humphries said.

Prizegiving will be held on Sunday night at the fishing club.

The contest has a total prize pool of $60,000.

This includes $10,000 for the heaviest tuna, $10,000 for the heaviest marlin and $10,000 for the heaviest catch-and-release.

At last year’s tournament, Maloni Lauiti won $10,000 for the boat Hahau when he reeled in a 153-kilogram bigeye tuna, while 50 yellowfin tuna, six broadbill and 11 marlin were also caught.

Club president at the time, Roger Faber, described it as “a boomer of a contest” and the club is hoping for similar success this week and hopefully over the full four days.

“We wish everyone taking part a safe few days, and good fishing,” Humphries said.