Friday 06.03.2026
Fishing Report
Offshore
A really good weather window for the Offshore Classic last week with only one day a bit crappy. Again there were no Marlin caught, but both Broadbill and Yellowfin were caught. It was a great competition and everyone had a good time. The club was pumping on Saturday night for the prize giving where almost $70k was given away. All feedback received has been positive and all are keen to run this tournament again next year. Good luck for the coming week for those fishing in the “Kubota” tournament. We hope the Marlin turn up and the weather is kind. It’s always great seeing the boats from around the Country arrive into Mercury Bay. Expect to see lots of people around town enjoying the various hospitality outlets.
Inshore
Great Snapper fishing is being reported around the Mercs. Stray lining down a burly trail seems to be the most popular. Kingi’s are also being caught via live baits. One person reported catching live baits inside Centre Island and putting one straight back under a balloon and instantly got hit. No reports from the divers or spearo’s.
Good Fishing…
Ladies Blue – ends 30 April 2026
The weather window for this weekend is looking good! You can still participate in this comp as it is running until the end of April, so plenty of time to get the fish/s needed to nab some prize money and the gorgeous trophies on offer for this tournament.
Many Thanks to Stoney Creek all participants who tag and release a fish will receive a T’shirt.
We would also like to thank Steve and Michelle from Besafe Supplies for their generous support of this tournament.
Entries and Rules can be found on our website or pop into the office.
Only $100 per angler! How easy is that!
Hunting & Fishing Junior Tournament – and Youth Nationals
Entries are open!! – Good Friday 3rd April – 18th April, 2026
Thanks to the Team at Hunting & Fishing Whitianga for sponsoring such a great event. There is a gate prizes of $10,000 worth of equipment and goodies for just entering! All anglers will receive a starter pack worth over $40
Different age group categories for prizes and a land base category has also been introduced this year.
Only $40 per angler (this includes entry into the Youth Nationals)
Download the entry Form click on link here and rules click on this link HERE FOR RULES
Or.. pop into the office, bar or Hunting and Fishing Whitianga to get an entry form.
Registration will be at the clubrooms 11am – 6pm Thursday 2nd March.
Nationals Recap
Congratulations to all the boats that fished the NZSFC Nationals for our club! You have done us proud. 3rd place in the Varta Cup, a great achievement.
Forgettable experiences, trips of a lifetime and lots of fun are what we are hearing from the boats.
Boats went far and wide in hunt of some magnificent fish! Smuggler to the West Coast, Kalevu out from the Barrier and Mile Zero, Fyssher, Mad Max, Rustler all went up to the 3 Kings and surrounding areas.
Not to mention the first black marlin weighed in since 2022 caught onboard Kingfisher and the first blue marlin weighed for our season caught onboard Smuggler, as well as three broadbill tagged in our club waters, so they are out there but very hard to find!
How did we do! Well here is a brief summary
CD Rods Top Team Trophy – Closest we got was Rustler sitting at 4th – well done Jason and Tony (they were sitting in 2nd place right up until the second to last day)
The new category introduced Overall Best Team Billfish – Mile Zero and Mad Max were 2nd and 3rd respectively. A great effort for both boats! It really did come down to the wire to get that extra billfish or two.
Our teams Smuggler and Rustler secured 1st and 2nd place for the Most Points Team Blue & Black Marlin, which also saw Smuggler take out the NZSFC Air NZ Trophy, great effort Harris on your 200.5kg Blue Marlin.
Tyler Jenkins is the Champion (individual) NZ Angler Broadbill – 167.7kg and a pending club pin fish
Harris Gemmell is the Champion (individual) NZ Angler Blue & Black Marlin – 200.5kg Blue and Stephen Bremner is 2nd place with his 169.2kgs Black.
NZ Champion Angler Striped Marlin – 1st Nicola Candy with 15 tagged and released Striped Marlin and I hear she lost many more, what an awesome effort Nic.
Glenn Bradley came in 4th with 13 tagged and released Striped Marlin, massive effort.
The Interclub Section – Blue and Black Marlin saw Mercury Bay take the NZSFC Penn Tackle Trophy thanks to teams Smuggler, Kingfisher, Rustler and Kalevu.
We have lots more champions of note so for the full scoreboard to see where all our teams/anglers placed click on this link
https://tournaments.trackmy.fish/tournamentscoreboard/bc6d525134d5c0fe77051672c46d243fcb988464
Offshore Wrap up
Congratulations to the boat Wild Bill who took out at the very last minute before stop fishing the top two winning Tuna and sweepstake totally over $7000
Also, congratulations to Midnight Rider, Cray Z Waka and Seasic on 3rd – 5th placing.
Four broadbill were tagged which saw the prizemoney being split between boats Relief x 2, Recalibrate and Shamrock. Recalibrate was the first marlin/broadbill tagged and Relief the last scoring them $2000 each. Well done to the teams.
As mentioned in the fishing report no marlin, broadbill or mahimahi weighed therefore there were some happy boats who won some money from the lucky draws!
Thanks to all the participants, it was a great comp!
Kubota Billfish Classic
The Kubota Billfish Classic kicks off Wednesday 11th March. Shotgun start is at 7.30am sharp!
Good Luck to all our members participating in the tournament!
For those members that wish to watch any fish being weighed, the weigh station has a grandstand at the reclamation land (by the big tents) and will be open from 3-7.30pm Wed, Thurs, Friday and 2 – 5pm on the Saturday. There may be catches weighed outside of these hours so keep an eye on the Kubota Billfish Classic Facebook for updates.
Clubrooms will be open from 2pm Tuesday – Saturday. Look forward to seeing you.
Friday Cocktail Join us this Friday for an Aperol Spritz or two!
Roast Night Wednesday Roast will be Roast Pork with veges/salad $20.00
Weekend Sport on The Big Screen – Lots of options to choose from and it is always good watching on the big screen!
Come on down for a beverage or two and treat yourself dinner while you are here!
DHL Super Rugby Pacific
Friday 06th March Chiefs V Moana Pasifika 7.05pm
Saturday 07th March Highlanders V Western Force 4.35pm
Blues V Crusaders 7.05pm
NRL – Round 1
Friday 06th March Warriors V Sydney Roosters 8.00pm
Saturday 07th March Sharks V Titans 7.30pm
Sunday 08th March Dolphins V Rabbitohs 6.05pm
Supercars & F1 from Melbourne
Friday 06th March Formula 1 – Practice 1 3pm
Formula 1 – Practice 2 6pm
Supercars – Race 5 Championship 7.30pm
Saturday 07th March Formula 1 – Practice 3 3pm
Formula 1 – Qualifying 6pm
Supercars – Race 6 Championship 7.35pm
Sunday 08th March Formula 1 – Australian Grand Prix 5pm
Club Draw – $900 #2917 Doug Campbell N/C Next week $1000
3 Jug Draws $225.00 Rob, Lisa, Maria
“Chuck a Chook” Guest Chucker: Chris Bell – New Member from the US
#134 Drew Use hands next time Drew
#110 Rue Caught it on the rethrow
#108 Mary First time she’s ever dropped a chook
#142 Drew Easy catch, better than the last
#32 Lisa High ball, low catch
#91 Bones No interference this time
The weather window is looking good out on the water, good luck to everyone out fishing this weekend.
