Friday 13.02.2026
Volunteer Spotlight – Club Life Members – Scott & Debbie Farrell
You will often see Scott and Debbie at the back of the clubrooms, putting up tents, cleaning the blue lagoon ready for tournaments, but not only that for years Scott has been on the clubs committee and both Scott and Debbie have been looking after the club property, mowing lawns, bottle/cardboard runs to the refuse and general all round maintenance. You will often see them pottering around outside.
We would like to congratulate Scott and Debbie on their 51st wedding anniversary this Sunday and to also wish Debbie a very happy birthday for this coming Tuesday.
Thank you for all you do to support our club.
Thanks
We would like to mention a huge ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers that offered their help during the Ladies and Garmin Trailer Boat Tournaments. We cannot run such successful tournaments without you! The work you do behind the scenes is not unnoticed.
If you would like to offer your help with club events etc please see Caro in the office and we will add you to our volunteers list.
FISHING REPORT:
Offshore
One Marlin caught in The Garmin Trailer boat Tournament that unfortunately did not go the required 90kg. A Black Marlin hooked and lost after a decent fight was also reported during the tournament. There were Yellowfin Tuna weighed in the same weight range we have been getting all Summer 15 – 25kg. The warm water and plenty of bait keeps anglers hoping the Marlin will turn up in numbers soon.
Inshore
All species were caught during the Garmin Tournament with some nice fish coming to the scales. Most were caught around the Merc’s or down towards Hot Water Beach. Stray lining down a burley trail seemed to be the most used technique, however sliders were also effective. Evening and early mornings still working well at this time of year, as well as the deeper reefs.
Good Fishing…
Upcoming Tournaments/Events
Entries are open for the following tournaments, please contact the office for an entry form (078664121 or office@mbgfc.co.nz)
NZSFC Nationals: 21st February – 28th February 2026
Rules for the nationals are in their year book. NZSFC_10_Yearbook_2026_fv2_web-corrected.pdf (See the orange section page 57 onwards) hard copies of the yearbook are in the office
Attached is an entry form click on entry form here download, complete and email back with payment into the club’s account 03 1578 0038675 00 or pop into the office to enter.
NEW CATEGORY – introduced this year, ‘Billfish Team Trophy’, this is for the top team in the Billfish Category (based on points this trophy is for total points of all billfish weighed and tagged) – sponsored by CD Rods.
For all information visit their website
NZSFC Nationals 2026 – New Zealand Sport Fishing Council
Offshore Classic: 25th – 28th February 2026
Team Captains have received an email yesterday regarding information on sweepstakes/nationals and day memberships. Please make sure if you are in the Offshore comp to check that you have received it.
As there is no briefing for this tournament, Mark will provide a ‘briefing; email for tournament prior to the 24th.
The Clubrooms are open from 3pm on Tuesday 24th, so pop down and enjoy a beverage and something to eat!
The offshore classic is running on the back end of the Nationals (you don’t have to be in this tournament to join the Nationals!)
Hunting & Fishing Junior Tournament
Save the date! Good Friday 3rd April – 18th April, 2026
Thanks to our local Hunting and Fishing Team Alex, Ash and Cody, the junior comp is all geared up for 2026.
Gate Prize valued at $10,000 worth of gear sponsored by Hunting and Fishing Whitianga.
Age category and spot prizes. Open to all juniors 17 and under – Entries will open in due course.
Garmin Trailer Boat
A massive thank you to our naming right sponsors Garmin for getting behind this tournament for another year. We had 76 teams get out there in trying conditions targeting all species sections! There were a few tales of heartbreak and adjusted gameplans over the 3 days of fishing, with fierce competition & teams fishing right till the buzzer…
Congratulations to all our prize winners, taking home a combined cash and prize pool worth over $70,000!
A huge thank you to our epic category and spot prize sponsors for backing this tournament…make sure to get behind these legends!
Social Media: Do you follow our club Facebook or Instagram page? Make sure you check out the awesome footage put together by Tiana summing up the Garmin Trailer Boat tournament last weekend
Kilwell Promotion
Kilwell, a sponsor of the Garmin Trailer Boat Touranment are running a promotion over the summer until the 31st March around their NZ made Kilwell rods and giving a purchaser the chance to win the price of their purchase back.
Not only do you win the price of your purchase back, our (if you nominate us) club will also win product to the same value.
Here is a link to the promotion on their website. https://www.kilwell.co.nz/win-rod-price/
Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade are hosting the Auckland Provincial Hose running competitions this year here in Whitianga on February 21st. If anyone has any surplus smoked marlin or tuna that they would like to give to the Fire Brigade for the event they would be super stoked to share it with the 100 odd fire fighters from all over the North Island. You can drop off to Derek at Whitianga Sports. Thanks in advance, Derek!
Friday Cocktail Join us this Friday for a ‘pina colada’
Roast Night Wednesday Roast will be Roast Lamb with veges/salad $17.50
Club Draw – $600 #229 Ken Peters next week $700
3 Jug Draws $225.00 Malcolm, Robbie, Paul
“Chuck a Chook” Guest Chucker: ‘Chuck’ from Philadelphia USA
#6 Mick A nice tight spiral on that one!
#133 Doug Far too easy
#29 Robbie Straight down the guts.. good catch
#140 Andy An even tighter spiral! Must be slippery
#1 Mick Redemption attempt.. there is no helping this guy
#86 Karen Shredded chook for tea at the O’Meara house
#46 Margy Never looked like missing
Have a great weekend everyone
Caro
Office
