Snapper Bonanza may be sold out

Every woman and her dog will be at next week's Snapper Bonanza, and organisers are warning that some latecomers might be disappointed. NB: Dogs are not allowed at the weigh-in. Photo / Peter de Graaf

For the first time in its seven-year history, next week's Durapanel 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza could be a sell-out.

Spokesman John Stewart said the five-day tournament was limited to 800 contestants, plus sponsors, and tickets were selling like hot cakes.

"We're up about 200 (tickets) on this time last year, and anyone who wants to be there but doesn't have their ticket yet might be disappointed," he said.

"There's a much stronger vibe around this year and we've got heaps of new contestants, including one from England and about 30 from Australia."

The format had been tweaked a little this year, most notably in that Thursday's weigh-in would close at 10.30am, with the prize-giving at 3pm, as opposed to 5pm every other day.

Contestants would be free to fish throughout Wednesday night, from any beach (not rocks) from Ahipara to Tokerau Beach.

All fish weighed in on Thursday and Friday would be donated to the Kaitaia Fire Brigade, for auctioning at Saturday morning's market in Kaitaia.

Contestants would be encouraged to add kahawai and trevally to the collection.

"It's just something more we can do for the community," Mr Stewart said. He hoped the auction would raise a tidy sum for the brigade.