Fishing club summer awards

The Mōkau Fishing Club presented its Summer Competition Awards at the Awakino Hotel on April 29.

Main prizes for the competition, held between December 31 and Easter Monday, included the Taranaki Hunting and Fishing Trophy for biggest snapper, which was won by Murray Reed and Junior (under 16 years) Angler of the Year, won by Lana Roach.

Club secretary-treasurer Wal Death said the club was in good heart with about 140 members, drawn from across Waitomo and Taranaki “and even a few from further afield.”

“Our membership is made up of people who own baches in the Mōkau area and also people wanting to be involved in a really good club.

“We have a great committee and a supportive membership who help to make our fishing events successful, not to mention excellent support from sponsors, who provided prizes worth about $14000 just for the summer competition,” Wal said.  

Wal said Mōkau was renowned for its good fishing and the fact that its fishing grounds were not always accessible seemed to help preserve its fishing stocks to some degree.

“Those of us with boats have the Mōkau Bar to cross, though this kind of competition is not just for people with boats; it is open to surf casters, drone fishermen and long line fishermen on the beach as well.”

Wal said the club was in growth mode thanks to its newly developed website, which was tipped to transform and expand membership.

Main results: Snapper, Murray Reed, 1; Hayden Ballantyne, 2; Maryanne Rose, 3. Gurnard: Laurel Reed, 1; Stuart Rose, 2; Jodie Death,3.