Mike hauls in the big one

BIG WIN: Mike Grylls (right) accpets the $1000 cheque as average weight prize winner from Rob Wells.

Fifty seniors and 52 juniors enjoyed perfect conditions on both land and sea during the Houhora Big Game & Sports Fishing Club's annual Easter Sports Fishing Contest.

A report from the event noted angler numbers were, pleasingly, up compared with last year with all dead keen to claim the main average weight prize of $1000. There could be only one winner, however, and that proved to be an "ecstatic" local, Mike Grylls.

Other highlights included Marcus Cowan with the heaviest snapper at 8.15kg closely followed by Tave Barker, runnerup for the second year in a row, with 8.14kg, Hine Lelievre again taking out first place in the kingfish section with 20.52kg; and Herb Adams weighing in the heaviest trevally at 4.85kg.

The juniors also caught some very good fish with Kara Baker wining the snapper section with 8.18kg, followed by brother David with a 7.58kg fish.

The event wrapped up with a hugely successful public fish auction on Sunday afternoon with club president and local store owner Mark Cramond carrying out auctioneer duties to the letter and raising $2434 for various emergency services including Houhora Fire Service, St John and Coastguard Houhora. Organiser Debbie Bunn thanked the sponsors, the volunteers, the participating anglers and the public who supported the fish auction.

Results from the 2015 Easter Tournament were as follows:

Seniors, snapper: M Cowen 8.15kg, T Barker 8.14kg, M Grylls 6.4kg, Josh Bates 5.96kg; kahawai: Todd Nattrass 2.7kg, Tony Paton 2.6kg, Angela Paton 2.56kg; trevally: H Adams 4.85kg, Kannihana Kaaka 4.15kg, John Readon 2.78kg; kingfish: H Lelievre 20.52kg, Josh Bates 14.74kg, T Barker 12.26kg 3. Far North Avocados & Omanu Orchards average weight($1,000): M Grylls 2.22kg kahawai.

Juniors, snapper: K Barker 8.18kg, D Barker 7.58kg, Sean Blair 6.65kg; kahawai: K Barker 2.52kg, Ethan Harrison 2.5kg, Cohen Harrison 2.4kg; trevally: Luke Kaaka 3.15kg, Maya Daniels 3.05kg, Briton Adams 2.12kg; Wagener Engineering average weight: Jake Weston 1.98kg kahawai.