Fishing Report
Tairua-Pauanui Sportfishing Club (TPSFC)
Our AGM was held on Saturday, 3 September and was well attended, and our overall club membership for the year was only three less than the previous year’s record. Financially, the committee was able to report a solid trading result that, given the prevailing conditions during the past twelve months, was very pleasing news. Our President Warren Maher was awarded New Zealand Sportfishing Council Volunteer of the year, and member Frank Watkins won NZFC’s best fishing photo. During the past 12 month season, the club weighed only 370 fish, this in contrast to 640 the previous season and 1670 immediately prior to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Fishing is improving markedly with local legend Peter Topham and crew landing some very nice snapper drifting the sand between Ruamahuiti and Hongiora at The Aldermen Islands. Not to be outdone by ‘Toppo’, Andrew and Ritchie McNabb landed limit bags of fat snapper and trevally fishing in 80 meters north of Sugarloaf. There are also plenty of good-sized gurnard on the sand between Paku and Shoe Island. If you are keen to know just where, and the best way to catch these delicious fish, have a chat to Chris at Dutchy’s. He’ll put you right.
Whitebait have been slow to start running this season and the westerly winds have made fishing difficult, but a few schools have begun to make their way up our river in the past few days. Alas, thieves have also made their way up the river with nets and other associated gear being stolen from the stands. Come on guys this is not the Tairua way!
Our annual prizegiving will be held on Saturday, 1 October. This year it will be a double event, given last year we were forced to cancel this event due to social distancing rules. Unfortunately, due to the large number of prizes being awarded, attendance will be by invitation only.
Our next competition, the Tairua Gull Classic, is scheduled for Saturday, 8 October. Prizes will be awarded to top three kahawai, snapper and yellowtail kingfish, there will also be a prize for top lady angler and top Junior angler, and the overall winner will be presented with the Baden Williams Memorial Trophy. Check out our TPSFC club website for more information about this popular competition. Registration and briefing for this competition will be held on the afternoon of Friday 7th and will be followed that evening by the drawing of this year’s fish grid.
Fish of the month for August was blue cod and the winning fish of 1.025 kg was caught by Che Bartle, who wins a one liter of Black Heart Rum sponsored by Asahi Beverages. Fish of the month for October is gurnard.
Tight lines.
Wayne Barnes