Bait up to catch the big one

Heletranz's heli-fishing charters will be on show at the New Zealand Boat Show.

Major prizes on offer in national fishing competition and boat show.

Winter is around the corner but that's no reason for anglers not to remain hooked on fishing. Thousands of anglers will next month take to the waters around New Zealand for the Million Dollar Snapper Challenge, in which one person will go into the draw for a potential $1 million grand prize.

Entry is $99, plus courier costs, and other prizes include a ute and boat package, a bathroom renovation, kayaks and a range of top-end fishing gear.

The competition, which runs from May 22-31, will promote catch and release and registered anglers will enter photos of their biggest daily catch using a special app, or by email, to be in with a chance to win.

The photos must also feature the competition's measuring cloth, which will be provided to every entrant. Fish can be caught in any legal fishing waters around New Zealand, and the winner will be announced at the Mangere Bridge Tavern on May 31.

Fishing, and new technology designed to help snare a big catch, will also be one of the main themes of next week's Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show at Greenlane's ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.

The four-day show, which is celebrating its 60th year, opens on Thursday.

Displays will include Heletranz's heli-fishing charters, which fly anglers to a secret fishing spot in the Hauraki Gulf for approximately four hours' fishing.

"Heli-fishing is the most aspirational thing. If you ask any fisher what they want to do, that is it," said Mike Rose, marketing manager for the Boat Show.

ITM Fishing Show host Matt Watson will hold talks at the show, and other experts will educate the public about new fishing techniques, technology and safety, Rose said.

"We've got one guy, he's called 'The Boat Guy', for newbies.

"We want to encourage people to discover what's out there, but it can be a bit scary for people who didn't grow up in a boating family."

Youthtown will host a fun zone for children, including a heated pool, snorkelling, kayaking, crafts and model boats.

But the toys will be even bigger for two lucky showgoers, with two $60,000 boat packages up for grabs.