Fishermen reel in monster tuna in MegaFish competition

Robbie Wigmore with the winning catch a 18.2kg albacore tuna which he caught off his boat yesterday during the Breakers Restaurants MegaFish 2017 competition. Photo / Warren Buckland

Adam Stoddard was feeling pretty happy when he hooked and landed a 32.2kg tuna off Mahia at the weekend.

However, he was soon overtaken by fellow crew member Aaron Smith who caught a 40.8kg tuna that same day.

These were two of three tuna caught aboard First Edition during the Breakers Restaurants MegaFish 2017.

Paul Worthington soon joined the party on board and landed a 29.4kg tuna.

Meanwhile fisherman Robbie Wigmore worked his magic and reeled in the winning fish a 18.2kg albacore tuna.

His fish added to 109.2kg with its weight timed by six under the new formula, based on fish size.

Robbie Wigmore with his 18.2kg albacore tuna. Photo / Warren Buckland

He walked away with the top prize of $10,000.

Unfortunately for the trio aboard First Edition neither of their fish added up to Mr Wigmore's with Mr Smith's reaching 81.6kg under the new system.

This new "formula" was based on fish size, with a marlin having its weight multiplied by one, a tuna by two, an albacore multiplied by six, a skip jack by 15, a kingfish by four and a snapper by eight. Sharks had the weight divided by 2.5.

The new format got rid of the insured-risk prizes of previous years after a promoter's challenge to the top catch, a 136kg striped marlin boated by club member, long-time competition supporter and former detective Dean Young.

The contest's promoter balked at handing over a $48,000 Isuzu utility to Mr Young after claiming he failed a polygraph test.

He was asked to take the test after reeling in a 136kg striped marlin and the insurance company had sought the test after refusing to pay him the prize.

The issue was eventually resolved after about two months with Mr Young finally being given the keys.

Mr Wigmore's dad Bruce Greathead said his son had been a keen fisherman since he was young.

"It is great seeing him out there as he has been keen for so long. I told him before he could take my boat out he had to learn to fish properly and that is what he did."

Minus the result the trio aboard First Edition said they had a good few days on the water.

The team headed out on Friday to Ritchie Banks off Mahia and with nothing caught on the first day hit the jackpot on day two.

Mr Smith battled his southern bluefin tuna for 10 to 15 minutes before it was on the deck.

"We all caught them at different times and it wasn't exactly a big fight."

Mr Smith said he had caught a 64kg bigeye before but this was the first southern bluefin tuna.

The crew had already tucked in to some of their fresh fish yesterday afternoon and Mr Smith said it tasted beautiful.

"We are pretty lucky we got three as there was five of us on board so there will be enough to divvy it up and share it around."

Napier Fishing Club captain Neil Price was pleased with the turnout and the amount of fish caught.

He said numbers were up this year with 275 entries received and 77 boats out on the water compared to 225 in 2016.

"It has gone really well but I think the competitors all want to catch more."

The competition ran from Friday to Sunday and the total prize money up for grabs was $60,000.