The snapper classic fishing contest on Ninety Mile Beach has been more than financially kind to Far North resident Rob Parker.
The 38-year-old from Houhora, 45km north of Kaitaia, took his winnings in the biggest open beach event of its kind in Australasia to $114,000 after clinching victory in the
2005 event on Saturday.
Amid competition from 950 other anglers casting off the beach during the five-day Lion Red-sponsored contest, Mr Parker created surf fishing history in becoming the first person to win the 24-year-old event twice and the first to win both the overall heaviest snapper and teams' section in the same year.
He landed the winning 7.570kg snapper soon after midday on day two, collecting the $3000 daily winner's cheque, and had to wait three days before his claim on the overall $50,000 prize for the heaviest fish was confirmed.
The team of Mr Parker, his brother John of Mangawhai, Greg Cameron of Warkworth and Adrian Damsteegt of Maramarua also claimed the teams' title with a 7kg average weight of snapper caught over the five days.
Mr Parker, a baker and part-time fishing guide, has competed in the event for 12 years.
He also won the $50,000 overall winner's cheque in 2000 with an 8.04kg snapper.
The winning snapper this year was landed during big ocean sweeps on the beach.
"The fish got into a rip and he used it to his advantage," Mr Parker said. "It was a bit of a struggle. I thought I had a shark at first until it got close up. I spent 20 minutes on it on 5kg nylon."
He said there was no point worrying whether someone else might catch a bigger fish during the next three days.
"You've got no control over what's going to happen. Besides, I already got $3000."
He will disperse his latest winnings among several mates, buy a new inflatable for rock hopping and update his vehicle.
"It's a really good bonus. It will help my fishing."
