Doubtless Bay anglers reel in the prizes

Veteran angler Gary Nears claimed the Dive Shed Trophy with an 8.10kg snapper at the Doubtless Bay Light Line and Rod Club's annual two-day weekend contest earlier this month.

Anglers enjoyed ideal conditions at the Doubtless Bay Light Line and Rod Fishing Club's annual weekend competition at Matai Bay earlier this month.

Standout on day one of the event on Saturday, March 18, was club stalwart Liz Virgo who claimed the Richard Fox Memorial trophy by weighing in the heaviest snapper overall, and heaviest women's snapper, at a respectable 6.98kg.

Other top placegetters in the Mangonui Concrete event saw Darryl Parker and Gary Nears with 4.10kg and 3.76kg fish respectively top the men's snapper pool, Jean Nears claim the runner-up prize in the women's snapper section with a 6.74kg specimen, Ricky Stacey weigh in the heaviest kahawai at 2.59kg, and lucky draw prizes for Murray Pope and Dave Pickering.

Ben Wigley weighs in a kahawai in the junior section of the same event. Photo / Supplied

Day two on the Sunday was another fine day, perhaps even a tad hotter, with fishing wrapped up two hours earlier to allow everyone to get home ready for the coming week. The main prize up for grabs in the Pak'nSave event was the Dive Shed Trophy, this eventually won by Gary Nears with his impressive 8.10kg snapper.

Gary's wife Jean again featured on the prizelist weighing in the heaviest ladies' snapper at 4.71kg, Murray Pope was runner-up in the men's section with a 1.27kg snapper, while heaviest kahawai went to Darrell Parker for his 2.13kg fish. As club spokeswoman, Liz Virgo noted the Nears' experience came to the fore once again.

"Jean and Gary obviously fed the fish well on Saturday and left some to return to," said Liz of the second day's fishing.

Also notable were, heaviest other species: Karen Wigley for her 3.07kg scorpion fish (aka granddaddy hapuka), whilst in the juniors, brothers Max, Ben and Jake weighed in kahawai at 2.03kg, 1.85kg, and 1.68kg respectively.

Those able stayed on for the meal on Saturday night and enjoyed a social get-together thanks to Alan and Jan Parker, who set up the awning area of their trailer camper as a base/ shade from sun thus providing a social spot.

Liz noted the Parkers also did an excellent job cooking bangers and chops on the barbecue as well as taking raffles around the camp. Also acknowledged were Jill for organising everything despite being unable to make it due to another commitment, and Fiona for making up a ladies' pack to raffle along with the usual fishing gear.

Liz concluded her round-up by noting some of the non-campers travelled back and returned the following day to fish while some stayed overnight.

"I was very impressed with Murray [Pope]. Given the lovely evening, he vowed he was sleeping under the stars, so made up a camp bed beside his car under the trees, complete with sleeping bag and socks (odd ones). Reckoned he was warm as toast, and [there were] no mozzies. He also wanted to get the drop on those travelling in to fish I reckon," she said.

¦The weigh-in for the club's next monthly competition from April 22-23 will be held at Cooper's Beach Bowling Club.