SOMEWHERE in Bream Bay this week there will be a snapper with a $100,000 price tag on its head.
And tomorrow or Saturday, one lucky fisher will hopefully haul in that catch.
The Fish Hunt is one of the new attractions at this year's Lion Red Beach and Boat Fishing Competition, based
at Ruakaka Racecourse. The competition kicks off the Endless Summer Festival, a string of outdoor-related events in Whangarei in March.
Beach and Boat organiser Leesa Quann is thrilled that 1600 tickets have been sold already, more than the total for last year.
"I'm really looking forward to it, it's a lot bigger this year, with heaps of new things," Mrs Quann said.
There's a new section for kayak fishers, a full restaurant operating on site and several "mini-competitions" throughout the weekend.
"We've got a fish-filleting competition, and the Nintendo Wii set up for people to have a go at the fishing game."
But the big new event is the Fish Hunt, which involves television personality Graeme Sinclair catching a fish ahead of the competition and tagging and releasing it, while filming it for a segment for his TV show Gone Fishin'.
The fisher who catches the tagged snapper will win $100,000.
Contestants this year have come from as far away as Wales, Canada and Australia, and Mrs Quann said the event had taken on a life of its own.
"We now get men bringing their families up and camping for the weekend, which is great. And there's more beach tickets sold than last year."
With so much to organise, the one thing Mrs Quann is trying not to think about is the weather.
"I don't even want to know. Whatever happens, happens. Anyway, you just carry on - that's fishing."
Last year the event raised $32,000, which was donated to various organisations in the Bream Bay and Whangarei communities
Entertainment over the weekend includes the Hauraki band, comedian Michele A'Court and blues singer Midge Marsden.
" Competition briefing for entrants begins this evening. For more information visit www.beachandboat.co.nz
