Joe’s 40.9kg hapuka reels in the big prize

TROPHY CATCH: Joe Chaffey won the Francis Collins Memorial Trophy for the heaviest hapuka — a 40.9kg catch — at the Te Puka Hunting and Fishing Club Hapuka Hunt. He is pictured with Margaret Collins (holding the trophy), the daughter of life member Francis Collins, who died last year, with Kairangi Chaffey in front. Picture supplied

With just over 30 boats in the water and 80 people on the beach, the Te Puka Hunting and Fishing Hapuka Hunt was a big success, organisers said.

Held earlier in the month, the second day was a challenging one for the boats as conditions deteriorated, but that didn’t stop anglers from having fun.

Joe Chaffey won the main prize for the heaviest hapuka with a 40.9kg fish.

Everyone has heard about the one that got away, but what about the three that didn’t only to get lost.

Story goes that a couple of competitors fishing from the beach buried their three fish in the sand out of the sun . . . and lost them.

People were wondering why the perplexed pair were poking around and digging in the sand.

The family section of the sandcastle competition was won by an entry called Lava City while the individual prize went to the Mr and Mrs Potato Head creation.

Te puka hunting and fishing hapuka hunt results —

Beach Fishing — Snapper: Ruben Gibson-Park 1.1kg 1; Lila Martin 2; Daniel Fogarty 3.

Kahawai: Tarquinn Collins 2.57kg, 1; Rendall McDonald 2; Amohaere Te Purei 3.

Gurnard: Lila Martin 0.46kg, 1.

Non-scale: Warren Martin 14.2kg, 1; Ruben Gibson-Park 2; Wayne Baty 3.

Trevally: Stainton Chaffey 0.37kg 1; Warren Martin 2; Wayne Baty 3.

Boat fishing competition — Under-12 years, snapper: Nyan Dewes 3kg, 1; Nyan Dewes 2; Ahi Chaffey 3.

Kahawai: James McKay 2.6kg, 1; Isiah Dewes 2; James McKay 3.

Tarakihi: Tyran Blackbee 2.1kg, 1; James McKay 2; James McKay 3.

Youngest boat angler: Ahi Chaffey.

Boat fishing, open — Barracuda: Clive Collins 5.4kg 1; Caleb Fawcett 2.

Gemfish: Malone Lauiti 9.4kg 1; Rocky Pardoe 2.

Kingfish: Hami Ngati 16.7kg 1; Malone Lauiti 2.

Trevally: Genesis Dewes 1.3kg 1.

Gurnard: Clive Collins 0.5kg 1; Dave Jane 2.

Game fish: Joe Sheridan 3.9kg 1; Mahe Lauiti 2.

Snapper: Mawhai Chaffey 2.3kg 1; Henry Rasmussen 2.

Kahawai: Alex McKay 2.9kg 1; Henry Rasmussen 2.

Trumpeter: Heke Blackbee 5.9kg 1.Henry Blackbee 2.

Tarakihi: Dave Coleman 2.9kg 1; Hona Touapa 2.

Bluenose: Ruth Veall 23.6kg 1; Ruth Veall 2; Warren Veall 3.

Hapuka: Joe Chaffey 40.9kg 1; Dave Martin 2; Dave Martin 3.