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For the second year in succession, the annual Mangawhai Fish and Dive hosted kids fishing contest has raised $8000 for the Mangawhai Activity Zone.
Fished the last three weekdays of the recent schools’ spring break, the event again attracted over 400 entries which saw MAZ’s Ken Rayward attend Saturday’s prizegiving held at the Mangawhai Tavern to receive the donation.
Once again there was some great fish caught. The best snapper, caught by Coby Bridings, weighed a tournament heaviest entry of 3.495kgs. Hawke Reilly was the star of the kahawai section, heading the field with an impressive 2.845kg entry. There were more kahawai than any other species weighed in, these fish being in the estuary in big numbers feeding primarily on whitebait.
It was trevally that stole the show last year, and while the numbers were down this year, there were some impressive catches with Te Awanui Matthews the winner with a 3.200kg fish – that’s a lot of sashimi!
Heath Lineham recorded a .281kg yelloweye mullet (sprat) to win that section, while in the piper Noah Mabin’s .115kg took out first prize.
One of the biggest winners of the event was 11-year-old Lily-Mae Holtzhausen whose name was drawn to win $5000 for a family holiday to Fiji. The Mangawhai Beach School student, when interviewed the next day, said her win still felt “unreal” and that it was exciting looking online at some of the options. She will be taking parents Riaan and Caragh and perhaps a friend or two.
Riaan said the family was still in shock and expressed their thanks to the sponsors and organisers for putting together a great event. Everyone who entered had their name in the draw and did not have to have weighed a fish to win the holiday.
Tournament host Dave Gurr says he was once again “blown away” by the generosity of the community, especially the businesses at a time when trading is tough.
“While I appreciate all support we receive, I have to mention Nick Smith, of Smith Construction. When I called on Nick seeking sponsorship he had money set aside for us already, which went towards the main draw prize, the travel voucher,” Dave says.
Dave turned the donated cash into a magnificent prize pool. Each of the five species winners walked away with an electric bike valued at just under $1000 while there was another six electric bike draws, entry for which was determined by a spin of the prize wheel. All entrants had a daily spin, which saw all of them win either a spot prize, cash or a chance in the bike draws done at prizegiving.
The species runners up won electric scooters, with third placed anglers taking away new rods and reels and a tacklebox of fishing goodies.
It was not just the entrants who were eligible for draw prizes. New local charter operator Johnny Madden, of Eco Adventures, put up a day’s trip for four which was drawn from among the sponsors.
“Many of these (sponsors) have supported the event since its beginnings four years ago, so it was nice to be able to recognise them in this way,” Dave says.
You Tube content creator Ryan Hampton of Muddy Feet fame was at the event, helping with a bit of fishing coaching, as well handing over the goodies at Saturday’s prizegiving.
Fishing results
Piper: Noah Mabin .115kg, Zac Poole .110, Hunter Carderer .98; Sprats: Heath Lineham .281, Cooper Buckley .253, Ruben Sweetman .220; Trevally: Te Awanui Matthews 3.200, Shaka Kimani 2.600, Francesco Gallo 2.160; Kahawai: Hawke Reily 2.845kg, Eddie Hase 2.705, Dane Poole 2.55 (on a countback with Bn Bridson); Snapper: Coby Bridings 3.495, Lochie Canton, James Ford 2.395.
