Season's first marlin takes kudos

The Doubtless Bay Sportsfishing Club held its prizegiving for the 2012/13 season on September 7 at the Cooper's Beach Bowling Club.

A well supported evening saw a good spread and a number of prizes award for the achievements of the past season.

The standout was Steve Angus, who caught the first marlin of the 2012/13 national gamefishing season, tagged and released, it was estimated at 92kg and caught off Doubtless Bay.

Other awards were Troy Rhodes - champion male angler (most points, caught the most fish), Sandy Gillespie - champion female angler (106), and Stephen Berridge who took the Heaviest Marlin prize at the Taipa Tavern Marlin Classic with his 138kg specimen.

The past year saw the club finish the year in a sound financial position with good support from sponsors and local businesses.

The club membership increased over the last year to 171 members with the majority living in the Far North area. The number of marlin weighed or tagged and released also saw a significant increase this season over the past few years.

Doubtless Bay Sportfishing Club trophy list 2013:

Archibald Motors Trophy: Angler Heaviest Kingfish, Andrew Potbury

California Trophy: Heaviest Billfish Weighed, Stephen Berridge S/Marlin 135.6 kg

Centry 21 Salver: Most I.G.F.A. Points One Marlin Weighed, Jack Potter S/Marlin 532.50 points

Coopers Beach Cup: Angler Heaviest Snapper Weighed (Private Boat), Chuck Gray 10.78kg

Earl Hassan Memorial Trophy: Heaviest Striped Marlin Angler & Skipper, Stephen Berridge S/Marlin 135.6 kg, Keith Kelly - Terminator

Graham Puckey Trophy: Angler Most Marlin Weighed Mangonui, Peter Graham, Troy Rhodes, Dave Shalders, Stephen Berridge, Jack Potter, Bryce Hills, Phill Raxworthy with 1 fish

Johno Johnston Broadbill Trophy: Heaviest Broadbill Angler & Skipper,, Jason Brown 183.3kg, Jocelyn McCallum - Pippi Too

Junior Sportfishing Trophy: Angler Most Points Single Fish Weighed, kingfish, snapper, kahawai, trevally, Karl Ruzich, 25.80 points

Len Lange Trophy: Heaviest Shark Weighed for the Season, Gary Robertson, Mako, 53.05kg

Mainzeal Shield: Mangonui Marlin Classic Heaviest Marlin, Stephen Berridge S/M 135.6kg

Mangonui Fisheries Cup: Heaviest Gamefish of Season, Jason Brown Broadbill 183.3 kg,

Mangonui Hire Centre Trophy: Most I.G.F.A. Points All Gamefish Private Boat, Steve Angus Kotare 1000pts

McDiarmid Betta Electrical Trophy: Angler Most Tag & Release Marlin, Troy Rhodes 3 fish, Steve Angus 3 fish

Nationals Team Most Points: Team most points during the nationals, Whatuwhiwhi Top 10

Noel & Elaine Hartley Trophy: Angler Heaviest Striped Marlin Weighed Private Boat, Stephen Berridge S/Marlin 135.6 kg

Shell Taipa Trophy: Most T & R Billfish Private Launch, Steve Angus Kotare, Scott McDonald Soprano (2 fish)

Snooks Fuller Trophy: First Tag & Release Marlin of the Season, Steven Angus Est 90kg

The 10kg Snapper Trophy: Snapper 10kg & Over, Chuck Gray 10.78kg, John Buckley 10.03kg

Trev Frear Trophy: First Marlin of the Season Weighed, Peter Graham 94.10kg

Trevor & Diana Hall Shield: Most Marlin Weighed Private Boat, Time Out - Brett Switzer 2 fish and Whakawe - Ian Griggs 2 Fish.

Val Urlich Trophy: Most Meritorious Catch Of Season, Steve Angus

Westpac Junior Trophy: Heaviest Gamefish Weighed by Junior, Karl Ruzich Bass 63.84kg

Male Champion Angler: Committee Prize Angler most IGFA points all gamefish, Troy Rhodes 1505.68 points

Female Champion Angler: Committee Prize Angler most IGFA points all gamefish, Sandy Gillespie 57.38 points

Junior Champion Angler: Committee Prize Angler most IGFA points all gamefish, Karl Ruzich, 198.34 points.