Despite the rough weather conditions, fishermen set out to sea early Saturday morning for the last fishing competition of the year, the CITC Liquor Corona fishing competition, held in partnership with the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC).

According to a fisherman, around 11am, the gusts had picked up to about 27 knots and the waves become rougher and higher, however, most fishers who had ventured out had already returned to shore.

Seasoned fisherman Ngu Marsters was the first to return, weighing in his hearty 32.5 kilograms yellowfin tuna around 9am. He claimed first place in the heaviest fish category, and went home with a fancy stainless steel barbeque provided by the sponsors.

Marsters said he was “stoked” to win the competition.

“It was great to end the fishing competition season on a high,” he said.

Marsters said he “almost” cancelled his participation. He had checked the weather conditions the night before (Friday), and they didn’t look good. The wind was strong and the waves were very high, crashing violently.

“But I thought I’d give it a go, and I’m glad I did, because, my one catch (yellowfin tuna) won me first prize.”

Marsters had left Avatiu Harbour at 5am and headed west, hoping for calmer waters. However, he had no luck there.

He attempted to reach The Rarotongan Hotel area in Arorangi, but the weather conditions were too rough, so he turned around and headed home.

Between the Nikao Seawall and the Vaiana Bar and Bistro, his line struck.

“I had a strike and bang, I landed myself a beauty, a 32.5kg yellowfin and luckily I had hauled it in fast because there was a massive shark chasing it,” said Marsters.

“Maybe the tuna thought it’s better to be caught by me than get eaten by the shark…”

Marsters said he was “over the moon” with his one fish and headed home about 8am.

Alfred Story from Raro Fishing Charters won the heaviest aggregate with his haul of three yellowfin tuna and six wahoo, for a total weight of 62kg.

The Poila brothers, Paku and Poe, who went out with deckhand Andrew Tonorio, both weighed in good catches, winning second and third prizes. Paku, the older sibling, claimed the second heaviest fish and Poe taking the third. In the heaviest aggregate section, Poe won second place and Paku third.

At the age of 74, dedicated master fisherman Ina Kaukura, the oldest participant, ventured out in the rough conditions using the Nikao community fishing boat. He was acknowledged and received a special prize of a Ryobi impact drill, ice bucket and bar card.

Kaukura has participated in every fishing competition this year and goes out fishing almost every day.

The prizegiving awards were held later in the evening with the announcements made by weighmaster, Julie Tangimetua Karika, and the awards presented by CITC staff Mindy Berrett and Tara Lee Cumming, followed by a live band performance.

Results

The CITC Liquor in association with Corona fishing competition results for Saturday 9 December are as follows.

Heaviest Fish: 1^st Ngu Marsters onboard ‘Angera’, yellowfin tuna 32.5kg; 2^nd Paku Poila ‘Manakia 3’ yellowfin tuna 23.7kg; 3^rd Poe Poila ‘Manakia 1’ mahimahi 23.35kg.

Heaviest Aggregate: 1^st Alfred Story onboard ‘Vaihere’, total weight 62.0kg (3x yellowfin tuna, 6x wahoo); 2^nd Poe Poila ‘Manakia 1’, total weight 36.25kg (2x mahimahi); 3^rd Paku Poila ‘Manakia 3’, total weight 31.25kg (3x yellowfin tuna, 1x skipjack).

The ‘mystery weight’ of 19kg, went to Tutai William who went out on ‘Yewolea’ landing a 19.05kg wahoo, taking home a strong comfortable fold up chair (which he used for the rest of the evening), a corona ice bucket and a bar card.

Lucky boat draw: Jojo Andaya onboard ‘Mama Mata Pakia’ - fold away table, ice bucket and bar card; Daniel Hatten ‘Reel Irie’ – chilly bin, corona ice bucket and bar card; Aaron Marsters ‘In and Out’ - fuel container, corona ice bucket and bar card; Tepaki Baxter ‘Magken’ beach umbrella, corona ice bucket and bar card; Apii William ‘ HuriHuri Ata’ - beach umbrella, corona ice bucket, chilly bin and bar card. Other Lucky Boat draws - Nga Katuke, Papa Dick Marsters, Iro Maroroa and Tatuava Rouru.