“Easter is funny. Really, it should be bad fishing, but every year we’ve had big fish caught. The biggest snapper we’ve had in this competition is around 10.9 kilograms.”
Allan Wood (in orange) keeps a close eye on the scales as his blue cod is weighed. Photo / Mike Tweed
Boats weren’t allowed to head out over the sand bar until 7am.
“There were around 20 boats sitting out waiting, some with barbecues on them for a bit of breakfast,” Bailey said.
“At 6am, I could start to see daylight. Everything was in our favour, so away they went.
“They’ve got to get back here by 3.30pm, unless the Ministry for Primary Industries is checking the boat or they’ve broken down. There is a special dispensation for that.”
Saturday’s fishing was cancelled due to wind.
Brendon Davies caught the only kingfish of the day. Photo / Mike Tweed
“A lot of people only like the one day anyway, and it’s good to have a day up your sleeve,” Bailey said.
“We run things properly, and we look after the smallest boat as well as the biggest boat.
“There was a little orange boat here this morning, and the poor buggers were all keen but they just couldn’t get it going. It wouldn’t idle.
“They’re out there now, though. It’s people like those, who start out with bad luck - they normally end up coming back saying, ‘Look what we’ve got’.”
The Chronicle checked back in later on Sunday afternoon to see Nick Guilford bring in a 9.15kg snapper and Brendon Davies present the only kingfish of the day, which weighed in at 10.97kg.
After the fish had been weighed, contestants worked side by side to gut their catches before heading to Club Metro for the prize-giving ceremony.
Contestants gut their fish after weighing in. Photo / Mike Tweed
Results
Snapper: First – 9.150 Nick Guilford (Whanganui), second – 8.864 Gordon Brewer (Whanganui), third – 8.708 Warren Marr (Whanganui).
