Current Lines 8th May 2013

The Rolling Stones ‘Paint it Black’ comes to mind as does the term rolling with those large swells on the way to the northern grounds and the Kings Banks.

China Anglers Association Game Fish Challenge – Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers Club reports “Despite the short notice, it was great to see 12 local teams take part in the China Anglers Association Game Fish Challenge on Saturday 27^th April. Our Chinese visitors had three teams, chartering local boats “Outahere”, “Lady Jess” and “Phantom”.  First on the board for the contest, and causing a great deal of excitement, was Chu YongJin fishing on “Lady Jess” with a tagged Mako est 50 kg on 37 kg. This was followed by a Striped Marlin to Mark Goodman fishing on “Flying Start” weighing in at 113.2 kg – 15 years of trying has finally paid off Mark! The last catch of the contest went to junior angler Chris Healey tagging and releasing a Hammerhead Shark estimated at 70 kg on “Le Bateau”.  It was a hugely successful day with our Visitors being treated to the sight of three “non-contest” Marlin being weighed.  During the Prizegiving Mr Yin, President of the China Angling Association, spoke highly of their visit and showed the Association’s appreciation by presenting a crystal trophy and a rod and reel to the Club, and small gifts were presented to all of the Skippers who took part in the challenge.  We were very pleased to have been asked to host visitors from the China Angling Association and are sure that they will be more than happy to visit us again in the future.”

Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club was proud to host for the first time, the Clubs NZ fishing contest and report “We had 8 clubs taking part with 28 boats and 82 anglers. Kamo Club brought up the most anglers with 20, Whangaroa had 19 anglers, Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club had 14, the Quota Club from Te Kuiti had 13, Papakura Club – 8, Oamaru Club – 4, Kaikohe & Districts R.S.A. – 3, and Papanui Club – 1 angler On day 1 they landed or tagged 24 snapper, 9 kahawai, 3 yellowtail kingfish, 2 mako shark and a striped marlin. The fishing on day 2 was just as prodigious with 20 snapper, 10 kahawai, 5 mako tagged and released, another kingfish weighed, and the first trevally. Michael Youngman on Black Pearl fishing for the Quota Club tagged and released a striped marlin estimated at 130 kg. Michael caught his fish with a live kahawai off Cape Karikari. After the Kamo Club’s points tallies from day 1 and a hoard of fish on day 2, they were in an unassailable position for the national club trophy which they easily won with a total of 1375 points. In second place was Whangaroa with 864 points, 3^rd: Manurewa CC – 524 pts, 4^th: Papakura Club – 174 pts, 5^th: Quota Club – 100 pts and 6^th: Oamaru Club: 75 pts.”

King Bank from Pursuit - Continues to be the place to be although fishing there is not red hot.  Marlin are there in reasonable numbers but certainly don’t bite well every day, still suffering from the same inconsistency that has plagued the area all season long.  Without doubt the very best water in the country lives there with some days approaching a heady 22 degrees C, certainly well over 20 all the time. To show you just how good it is there have been mahimahi seen and landed as well as three recent skirmishes with blues – one successful.  Some very nice water here but still not great fishing for stripies.  Some days there’s plenty of bait up high in the water column and things look great.  The next the bank is barren – go figure. John Gregory of “Primetime” is still up there on his solo mission with a successful double strike of stripies to his credit to add to the other accolades!  (It is rumoured that this trip’s solo tally is into the 40’s) Thoughts are still that eventually this bank will explode but, so far, just glimpses and teases.  Kingis biting well with reasonable, but not red hot fishing. Also bottom-fishing is of a similar ilk.  Expect better here on all fronts.

Free Fish Heads (FFH) initiative - Matt Watson is very pleased to have NZSFC and member clubs supporting the FFH initiative. He will be conducting a PR and awareness campaign in spring/summer this year. In the meantime if any member clubs would like to get FFH bumper stickers (would be great to include when sending out newsletters or membership cards) please be in touch with Mandy Kupenga – mandy_kupenga@xtra.co.nz

DISCOUNTED FUEL! - Whether you’ve put your boat on “ice” for the colder months or are a hardened seafarer, Petroleum Logistics are still here to save you $ and help support NZ Sport Fishing with great discounts on your fuel.  You can “SAVE” by using PL Fuel Cards at PL Marinas and Service Stations and Truck Stops.  Whether it’s your boat or your vehicles that require fuel it’s a win/win for you.  With PL Fuel Cards there are no fees and you can save 10c/L incl gst at Mobil Service Stations and 6c/L incl gst at PL Marinas. Other card options are available at a slightly lower discount rate. Reminder! – In addition to fuel, we can also fill your oil and lube requirements! – Gulf products at wholesale rates! – delivered to your door. Reminder! – AA Roadside Support is now available through your PL Account – For a small “one off fee of $45 / year” If you haven’t opened an  account with us yet to order fuel cards for vehicles and marina, please email (Claire) admin@plpl.co.nz,  give us a ring on 0800 42 83 83, or go to our website www.petroleumlogistics.co.nz

From the NZSFC website – latest first and heaviest for the current season, show we have no heaviest black marlin weighed to date, (the song ‘paint it black’) yet the writer is aware of at least 6 that have been weighed on club scales. This is just a reminder about Council Trophies - these need to be applied for and must be in the NZSFC Secretary’s hands prior to 7th July apart from the first marlin which had to be notified within 24 hours: 1: 1st Marlin of the Season Tagged: Steven Angus, Doubtless Bay – 28.12.12 2: 1st Marlin of the Season Weighed: Jamie Lee, Whangamata – 29.12.12 3: Rob Dinsdale Memorial Trophy for the first Marlin of the Season – Steven Angus, Doubtless Bay – 28.12.12 Nominations required for the following by 7th July 2013 - Saul Trophy – most tagged Gamefish, The Old Man & the Sea Cup, Lord Norrie Gold Cup – heaviest Striped Marlin, Fisherman of the Year – heaviest Game Fish, Peter & Noeline Short Memorial Trophy – most tagged billfish,  The Top Junior Angler Trophy, and The Hart Trophy – for the best live marine photograph taken by an amateur photographer. Please remember to get your nominations in..... The NZSFC Secretary advises “each year I seem to get a call from someone who has got a heavier one – or one before the first one I have recorded.  Clubs – please look after your members and get their nominations in, Remember too that Nominations must come from Clubs, not individual members”.

Vacant Position

Are you the next Manager of the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club?

The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club is a well established and well supported club. Reporting to the Committee, the Manager will be responsible for the smooth running of the club to meet members’ needs.

Running the game fishing tournaments and club nights will beimportant aspects of the role. In addition, there will be monthly financial reporting and management, the preparation and distribution of information and newsletters to members, and providing support and advice to the Committee. Leadership and development of six part time staff will be required. As this is a “hands on” and physical role, previous experience working in a bar, restaurant and kitchen environment are important prerequisites. A strong interest in game fishing is highly desirable.

Please direct confidential inquiries to Greg Tims on 021 628 222. For further information and to apply, please visit www.gregtims.co.nz. Also visit www.gamebase.co.nz

Download the .pdf file here