Rotorua boy wins six New Zealand titles in fishing competition

Cole Gaskill-Walsh, 11, and his father, Kane Walsh, hold up the impressive catch. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A Rotorua boy is "over the moon" after he won six New Zealand titles in a national fishing tournament, catching a whopper on the first day.

This year was the first time Cole Gaskill-Walsh, 11, had taken part in the New Zealand Sport Fishing Nationals, a week-long boat fishing tournament contested by more than 1500 anglers from 28 clubs last month.

Cole, who fishes for Te Kaha Sport Fishing Club, caught a shortbill spearfish weighing 24.4kg early on the first day

His fish was only 400g off beating a New Zealand junior record set back in 2001.

He won two New Zealand Champion Junior Awards by weight and points, and also took out the adult section, securing four shortbill spearfish champion awards for the 24kg line class.

Cole also set a new junior spearfish club record for the Te Kaha Club which had stood since 1999.

He said he was happy as he was not expecting to catch a fish that big.

"It's my favourite sport, something I love doing. It's like an addiction."

Cole said he was surprised and "over the moon" when he won the six national awards, and is planning to display them in his room.

After eight days of competition the Te Kaha Sport Fishing Club was placed second to Houhora.

During the tournament anglers throughout the country tagged and released 142 striped marlin to help marine scientists learn more about the behaviour and migratory habits of this fish species.