9.7kg monster snapper wins Coromandel Inter-Club competition

Steve and Ronda Lowry with their second and third placed fish.

Our annual snapper moochers tournament this year was a huge success.

As Labour Weekend really turned on the weather the conditions were perfect for hunting.

With 66 anglers entered the decision was a big one ... do we head for the clear warmer waters of the Alderman's, or try out wide and head for the every enticing Mayor Island.

With the split of about 50/50 heading each way, it was a gamble. Turns out that good ol' Mayor was the place to be for consistent hits, and with our lines in the water at 7.30am we nearly had our boat limit by 10am, including two moochers nearing on 8kg, that we thought would be hard to beat!

With 68 fish weighed in and many entrants catching their limit it was a great day had by all, but as for our boat Rave and skipper Alan, crewmate Nige and myself, the winners' circle eluded us!

With some absolute monsters weighed in it was Steve and Ronda Lowry taking home second and third with their 8.08kg and 8.8kg fish, and Keith Collins with his absolute moocher of a snapper at 9.7kg taking out the comp and $495 cash for the effort. Funnily enough Keith's fish was caught at the Alderman's, not such a bad decision after all!

For the second year running we also took part in the Coromandel Inter-Club competition, fishing off against Mercury Bay Fishing Club and Tairua-Pauanui Fishing Club for Coromandel dominance.

Mercury Bay had a good day's fishing but could only muster a 5kg fish as their biggest, and Tairua-Pauanui, the current holders of the shield, reeled in their biggest at about 6.7kg, thus making WOSC the new inter-club champions for 2018.

A huge thanks to Allan Proctor of MBGFC and Warren Maher of Tairua-Pauanui Fishing Club for the consistent banter and good sportsmanship.