First gamefish in Ahipara landed for the 2018 season

Renee Rameka and the 96kg striped marlin she caught off Ahipara last Friday.

Renee Rameka has made an awesome impact for women's fishing in the new year by weighing in the first striped marlin of the season at the Ahipara Gamefish Club last Friday.

Rameka caught the 96kg stripey while out fishing on Logan King's boat Allure — skippered at the time by Kerrod Neho — off the Ahipara coast. The Houhora angler, who works in the dental department at the local hospital, said she was thrilled with the catch — which was made while battling sea sickness.

"I had an awesome day out on the water, forgot my Sea Legs so it was a multi-task of reeling and chucking up at the same time," she laughed.

As one of the Ahipara Gamefish Club's newest members, Rameka gave big thanks to the "amazing" crew aboard Alure at the time by noting she couldn't have done it without them.

Club members gathered to welcome Renee back to dry land later that day and congratulated her on her effort and a fitting celebration ensued to mark her first ever marlin.

The 2017/18 summer has only just begun at Ahipara, which has recorded a tag and release. A club spokesman noted a number of blue marlin have been caught in the Bay of Islands vicinity.

In other news, the club's Junior Addicted to Fishing Competition is set to to run until Friday, January 26.

All junior members are welcome to enter, with cash prizes for the heaviest fish caught on land or boat, along with numerous spot prizes which will be put up for grabs at the prizegiving dinner to be held at the end of the competition.

Elsewhere, local anglers are looking forward to several upcoming competitions including the week-long New Zealand Sport Fishing Council nationals in February, the Houhora One Base in March, and a women- only tournament in February being organised by world record holder Nicky Sinden.

Anyone interested in joining the family-friendly Ahipara Gamefish Club, founded by Kevin Griffiths in 2006, was invited to contact Lynda Matthews on (021) 132-5352.