Good fish caught but no big ones yet

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THERE were excellent conditions yesterday, but no big fish were landed on the first day of the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club Enterprise Cars Motor Group Autosure Bay Bonanza.

Club president Roger Faber said 126 boats and 465 anglers took part.

“It's great getting those record numbers but all in all fishing has been a bit difficult. There have been some good fish caught but not the size we have come to expect in the Bay Bonanza.”

No marlin or tuna had yet been hooked or caught but entries were weighed in all other contest classes.

“The leaderboard is full but it really is still quite open,” said Mr Faber. “I would expect that over the next few days most of the fish on the leaderboard will be overtaken.

“Yesterday was an excellent day, with beautiful fishing conditions and everyone stayed out as long as they could.

“The forecast changed overnight and today there is a 15-knot southerly. It is supposed to drop but it’s a bit sloppy out here."

Tomorrow is the last day of the three-day competition that has $65,000 worth of prizes, one of them a $20,000 cash lucky angler prize.

Anyone wanting to see fish getting weighed in should head down to the club in the inner harbour from about 3pm.