Two happy days for kids’ fishing
Happy day for kids’ fishing at Tairua
By Pam Ferla
Pilchards and patience are the secret to catching fish, according to six-year-old Wolf Walbaekken, who took part in annual Coromandel Hobbies Kids Day at the Wharf held by Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club on December 28.
Lukas Robinson (11), reckoned using bait helps, plus much patience. Fresh bait as well as jerking the rod up and down and wearing a ‘fishy’ t-shirt were other tips gratefully received by enquiring adults. Some of the youngest anglers switched to eating chips as the warm and windy morning progressed.
There were 106 entrants to the popular summer competition which has been running over 20 years. A total of 35 fish were caught and there was a sausage sizzle plus plenty of prizes at the clubrooms at Tairua Marina. Warren Maher is in his tenth year as President and the club is thriving, with 1499 members. Next event on the club’s calendar is the new Family Boats Tournament on January 5. The Shimano Stand Up Competition is January 28 and 29.
Kids on the Whitianga Wharf - Fishing Competition it was a huge turnout in good weather and with 177 anglers, each one requiring the supervision of an adult, there was little room and a lot of competition on the wharf.for the annual Kids Wharf Fishing Competition organised by the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, Wednesday, 28 December from 10.00am to 11.0am
“it was fabulous,” says Convenor of the event, Suzy hardy. “After having it cancelled due to Ovid the past two years, just seeing the joy on the kids faces and pride on catching whatever it was they could catch, made it so very worthwhile. There were heaps of prizes as well as spot prizes. Fish City Hamilton donated the fishing rods and with the money donated by sponsors, we purchased the tackle boxes with tackle gear for the kids inside. Countdown provided iceblocks for everyone. It was an hour full of sheer enjoyment and everyone helped each other.”
One crazy aside was that the MC, Mark, selected an adult at random on the pier. This unsuspecting person was offered a free Kubota chilly bin if he could eat a piece of live bait – a Spratt. “He did just that and he munched on the middle bit too. Hard to imagine my doing that,” says Suzy, but everyone loved the entertainment. “Congratulations to all winners and a big thanks to all the sponsors and the helpers,” says Suzy. I was thinking it’s such a busy time and maybe could not do it again but after this wonderful competition, I am in for next year.”
It was just $2 to register, and no club membership was required. Other sponsors not mentioned were: New World, Wild Wood Miniputt, Espy café, Kubota NZ, Peter Bull, The Stunned Mullet, Owen Alloway, Nena ii, Whitecliff Developments, Bruce Andrews, Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas,