Seasoned fisherman Buckley Buckley Jr, the champion of last year’s Gordon Murray Memorial Fishing Competition, has done it again, taking out this year’s trophy as well.

Buckley reeled in the first and second heaviest fish, both yellowfin tuna that weighed 30 kilograms and 29.5kg, respectively, in the annual competition held on Saturday.

He walked away with $1000 cash and a trophy for landing the heaviest fish.

The first fishing competition of the year, organised by the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club, had a great turnout with 35 boats registered for the event.

Troy Henderson on Laddy Puss Puss took out the heaviest aggregate section with a total of 70kg, followed by Ngu Marsters and Nga Katuke.

The popular annual event is the only fishing contest that allows several fishing techniques including poito and spearing.

The successful fishing competition was sponsored by the Gordon Murray family and Vonnia’s.

Prizegiving was held in the evening followed by live island music at the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club deck.

Alas, a day after the competition on Sunday, Soko William and Tereipa William hauled in a whopper of a marlin that weighed in at 243.5kg.

Results

The 2024 Gordon Murray Memorial results are as follows:

Heaviest Fish: 1^st Buckley Jr ‘Moeroa’ – Yellowfin tuna 30kg, 2^nd Buckley Jr ‘Moeroa’ – Yellowfin tuna 29.5kg, 3^rd Jojo Andyana ‘Mama Matapakia’ –Yellowfin tuna 29.4kg.

Heaviest Aggregate: 1^st Troy Henderson ‘Lady Puss Puss’ – 70.0kg (Yellowfin tuna 21.5,24.5, 24.0), 2^nd Ngu Marsters ‘4 Brothers’ – 38.5kg (Yellowfin tuna 26.0, 9.5, 3.0), 3^rd Nga Katuke ‘3 Sons’ – 31.5kg(1 x Yellowfin tuna 27.0, 4.5).

Sponsors Mystery Weight ‘9kg’ went to Tutai William ‘Yewolea’ for his 8.5kg Yellowfin tuna.

Sponsors best photo special prize: 1^st Paul-luiz Van Eijk and runner up Cameron Thorp.