The chase is on for the heaviest pa’ara (wahoo) and mahimahi fish (10 kilogram and over) in the country’s biggest two-day fishing competition.

Last year the Gary Parlour and Goldie mahimahi fishing events joined together for the first time and continues today.

The Gary Parlour Wahoo Game Fishing Competition now in its 25th year is the longest running fishing tournament in the Cook Islands. It alternates between Aitutaki and Rarotonga which continues its friendly rivalry since its inception in 1997.

Goldie Goldie, who passed away in 2016, was a long serving member of the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club of Rarotonga and his memorial tournament is now in its fifth year.

Rarotonga is hosting the events this year and have 38 boats registered. The record so far is 42 boats in 2019.

Yesterday, it all kicked off at 6am, boats (not all) departed from the harbours of Avatiu and Avana in their quest for the grand prize of $1000 cash for the heaviest pa’ara, and another $1000 cash for the heaviest mahimahi.

This morning the anglers will head out again at 6am with the last weigh in at 6pm.

The sounds of the talented string band Te Merio O Te Moana will entertain the audience early this evening at the Game Fishing Club in Tupapa with the prizegiving awards starting at 7pm. The live island band will start shortly after.

Meanwhile on the island of Aitutaki, fisherman James Nolan caught a whopping 40kg wahoo on Thursday – unfortunately on the wrong day and on the wrong island.

The Aitutaki Game Fishing Club and the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club would like to acknowledge Air Rarotonga for their continued support for the fishing tournament between the islands.