Comp catch 624.8kg

The Don Beer Senior Memorial Trophy for the heaviest tuna is run annually over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Fifteen boats registered and expectations amongst anglers for some excellent catches were high as fishing conditions could not have been better.

The ”fish of the day“ was undoubtedly the magnificent 262.4kg blue marlin caught by visiting New Zealand angler Murray Broughton on board the charter vessel Akura.

This fish secured the heaviest ”other“ species but not the Don Beer Memorial Trophy which was won by club president Ina Kaikura on board Raumati with a 21.2kg yellow fin.

Altogether 42 fish were weighed in over the two days with a total combined weight of 624.8kg, which was quite an improvement on earlier competitions.

George Koteka and the Akura crew took out the heaviest other fish with their monster blue marlin as well as third place for a 16.4kg mahimahi.

Dick Marsters on Black Beauty took out second place with a 21.2kg wahoo.

In the aggregate weight division – Steven Kavana on Tangaroa weighed in a total haul of 73.2kg while Kevin Reichardt on Seafari brought in a total fish haul of 66.6kg.

Third place went to Akura with a total catch weight of 47.8kg.

The club’s acting weighmaster Robert Coote officiated at the prize giving that followed, with many visitors staying to witness the occasion.

The club wishes to once again acknowledge the generous sponsorship from the Beer family for this tournament together with the all the fishermen who registered – even those who were unfortunate not to land a fish. The club also wishes to acknowledge the support and sponsorship from Gerrard of Cafe Salsa who continues to sponsor the club’s annual Easter competition.