Fisherman nets himself prizes

James Maxwell kept on fishing after netting two prizes at the Waipipi Beach fishing contest yesterday. Photo / Bevan Conley

The inaugural Waipipi Fishing Contest was a well-attended occasion yesterday with competitors coming from as far as New Plymouth to compete on the beach near Waverley.

The Dickie family opened their gated property to host the competition and Will Dickie said it was a spectacular day.

"I think everyone has really enjoyed themselves and the sponsors have been incredibly generous.

"We have given out $8000 in cash prizes and another $2000 in goods."

The two main sponsors were Open Country Wanganui and Farmlands and the top prize of $1500 went to the competitor who caught a 7.24kg snapper in the boat fishing category.

James Maxwell of Waverley was still fishing after the competition was over although he came first in the kahawai surf casting contest winning $750 and placed second in snapper surfcasting winning another $500.

"I'm an on-call mechanic and I got called away to a job earlier so I wanted to keep going.

"I think I'm addicted to fishing and this is such a great spot," he said.

There were five prizes in each of the three categories and a special entry-free eel fishing contest for children with three age categories from preschool to 15-year-olds with a top prize of $140.

There were 82 contestants in the surfcasting competition, 20 in boats and 10 children entered the eeling competition.

Each entrant had their number placed in the draw for a range of spot prizes, and Mr Dickie said he believed a "good day was had by all" and he thinks it will be even better next year.