Ladies Tournament – Saturday 31^st January 2026 – Registration and Briefing Friday 30^th January.   (Revised date)

To all the anglers entered into the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Ladies Tournament.

Updated Information

Due to the recent extreme weather event, and navigational safety issues this has created, the Tournament Committee and Tournament Conveners have decided to postpone the event until next Saturday 31^st January.  For everyone’s safety and the unknown on the roads and the water we had little choice.

Unfortunately, as per the tournament rules, (A copy of the rules were attached to the tournament information email I sent last Friday), the rule states that there are no refunds.

21. REFUNDS:

No refunds are available for this tournament - once you have entered the tournament, refunds will only be available if you can find someone to replace you.

MBGFC have already committed to allocation of all funds from entries.

 Any monies received for the competition has all been allocated and prizes have been purchased in good faith with the intention that the tournament was to be this weekend.

What we are proposing is that all anglers whether at briefing next Friday or not WILL be eligible for the last girl standing draw (5 draws) for the MG3 car.

In regard to lucky angler and fish not caught prizes you must be present to claim these.

Thanks for your understanding. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 REGISTRATION & BRIEFING:

Registration/Starter Packs will be held in the Blue Lagoon (back of the clubrooms) on Friday 30 January from 1100am

Briefing for the tournament is Friday 30^th January at 1830 in the Blue Lagoon.

*Anglers must be wearing their wristbands to be eligible for drawn prizes.

*Anglers must be present to be eligible.  (see below change)

All five draws for prospective winners of the car will be made on briefing night. Anglers must be present to be eligible.  All anglers whether present or not will be eligible for the last girl standing.

Lucky angler and fish not caught prizes you must be present to claim these.

 There will be no “fishing in” in this tournament.

All rules and/or clarifications as well as additional instructions given at briefing are deemed to be known and accepted by all participants whether present or not.

Fishing Time:   Lines in 5am and out 4pm

Weighstation:   Open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm  - Caravan will be on the wharf.

Channel 61:      Donutt has kindly offered to ‘man’ the VHF radio for the day

PRIZEGIVING:  

Will be held in the Blue Lagoon starting at 1900 (7 p.m.)  Saturday 31^st January

Anglers must be present and wristbands must be worn for eligibility for drawn prizes.

PRIZE ALLOCATION:          

 SPECIES (By weight)

In the event of a tie the winner will be the first recorded caught as per the catch card.

TAG & RELEASE

All marlin tagged and released will participate in a draw for one of three prizes.

ELIGIBLE SPECIES  -  One of each species per angler

Marlin, Tuna, Kingfish, Albacore, Skipjack, Snapper , Kahawai, Trevally

Ensure your read the ‘Rules’  – and a copy will be in your tournament pack at registration.

Best Dressed Prize:  This year’s theme is Rods, Rodeos and Rhinestones – get your team costume together and present them at prizegiving. May the best dressed team win!

Entertainment  -  Get your dancing shoes on!

Dinner -   Saturday Night -  There will be $10 buns available to purchase (choice of meat, salads and a bun)

Burley  -   Trophy Hunter have sponsored 4 x prize packs which can be won by purchasing a trophy hunter burley bomb. These can be purchased at $10 each for a 3kg burley bomb

These can be purchased at The Bait Box, 24 Bryce Street, Whitianga.  Open Friday 5am to 9am and then 3pm till 7pm and Saturday 5am – 9am.

If you are one of the lucky ones to get a lucky disc, please bring it to prizegiving and redeem it for one of 4 prize packs.

Also at The Bait Box, there will be a collection of bait and salt ice for purchase.

Fuel 2U

Fuel 2U or uber fuel as they are known around town offer competitive pricing for petrol and diesel.  They will pop around to your home, bach/accommodation or the wharf to fuel your boat. No delivery fee for the Whitianga/Wharekaho delivery area or at the wharf. Payment is via Eftpos at time of delivery.  You can book online https://www.fuel2u.co.nz/  or phone 0278799176

No need to take the boat amongst the traffic rush!

Ladies Blue Tournament – If you are heading out wide for this tournament, have you thought about entering the Ladies Blue

This comp is current and finishes on the 30 APRIL 2026 so plenty of time to get that big fish!

Yellowfin and albacore tuna are being weighed last weekend.  A broadbill was weighed this week, so a drop if you are keen could be on the cards next time you are out. Don’t forget if you tag and release billfish fish during the comp, you will get a tag and release t’shirt thanks to sponsors Stoney Creek and Besafe Safety Supplies.

Entry is $100 per angler – However, you will be fishing as part of a team/boat for cash prizes - no limit on number of anglers in the team?

The prize money will be shared, so the more anglers the bigger the prize:

40% for Heaviest Billfish weighed (+ Trophy )  /   35% for Most Tag & Release on points (+ Trophy )  /  20% for Heaviest Tuna weighed (+ Trophy) / 5% for Admin

AND a trophy for the Champion Team (on points)

All you have to do is contact the office for an entry form and rules! And send it back with payment and you’re in.