Contest expected to draw 200

The tournament carries about $5000 worth of prizes.

A stretch of beach north of Napier usually inaccessible by the public will be the scene of the Waikare Fishing Club's annual surfcasting tournament which is expected to attract up to 200 people on Sunday.

The competition will be held on the beach north of the Waikare River mouth and accessible only through Waikare Station.

Club chairman Dave Maiden said the tournament carries about $5000 worth of prizes, including $1000 for the heaviest snapper and $500 for the heaviest kahawai.

He says it attracts fishers from as far as Tauranga and Whanganui, with usually 150 to 180 entries. Tickets are available at Hunting & Fishing, Napier.

At least 20 are expected to camp-out ahead of the 5am fishing day breakfast, the 7am-2pm contest, and the aftermatch.

"What a way to finish the Christmas holidays. A weekend away, camping and fishing, and a chance to win prizes," he said.

The species in the contest have all been fished in the bay this summer, particularly kahawai, and there is a junior section for competitors up to the age of 15.