Counties Sport Fishing Club
Newsletter February 2021
www.csfc.co.nz
Contents Cover Photo : Jake Harper, with his sister Indi. This gurnard scored him 3rd place in the Cossie Club fishing comp.
Club Details
03
Bits ‘n Bobs
04
Recaptured Marlin
10
Fish n’ Chicks
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P.O Box 83, Waiuku 2123
Awhitu Returns
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csfc@hotmail.co.nz
Counties Classic
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Marlin Money Competition
14
The Price of Fish
15
What’s on at the Cossie
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Diary
17
Committee
18
Leader Board
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Counties Sportfishing Club Inc.
0800 482 248 www.acslgroup.nz
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Next Meeting Wednesday 31st March At Waiuku Cossie Club Meeting starts 7.30pm You do not need to be a Cossie Club member to attend All CSFC members and guests welcome
Nationals Debrief With draw for teams that took part offshore and inshore categories *** $300 + $200 Cossie Club Vouchers *** Why not come early and take advantage of the great food on offer at the Cossie Club Important Note: if you intend to have a meal before the meeting it would pay to book to avoid disappointment as the restaurant is very popular and often full. Shunters Restaurant Phone 09 2359131 ext 5
Counties Sport Fishing Club We are a family friendly West coast club based in Waiuku, just south of Auckland. With around 1000 members, trailer boats make up the majority of our fleet. Celebrating fishing of all kinds, from the humble Gurnard to the mighty Broadbill. Club waters span from Raglan north head to Kaipara south head and include the Manukau harbour and Waikato river.
To join the club click New and Used Boats, Motors, Accessories, Servicing They have a reputation for good quality workmanship, honesty and reliability. The onsite technicians are experts in Mercury, Etech, Evinrude & Johnson servicing and repairs as well as Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda. They can also fit new or used outboard engines and do trailer repairs, springs, winches and rollers.
9 Crosbie Road Pukekohe 09 2389180 3
HERE
Bits & Bobs New Signs Our weighmaster, Steve Watts, has been busy getting some new signs for us. There is one on the weighstation at Te Toro giving details of courtesy weighs and a new catch board for use at Hoods Landing. Both looking good, nice work Steve.
We have QR posters for the big green shed, which will be prominently displayed whenever there are competitions or meetings there. Please use the Covid Tracer app to sign in when you are there.
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NZSFC recommended guidelines for tagging marlin • Bring the billfish alongside the boat. • Idle the boat forward and maintain this position to allow the billfish to calm down and allow for easier tagging. Never attempt to tag a jumping or thrashing fish. This can be not only dangerous for the health of the billfish but for you too! • NEVER remove the fish from the water. This can result in fatal damage to the fish for two reasons. Excess rubbing and drying can result in the loss of the protective slime coat found on the surface of the fish. Without this protective covering, the fish becomes susceptible to bacterial infections and parasites. Additionally, the skeleton of a billfish is designed for the buoyant conditions of the ocean. Removing the fish from the water, even onto the gunnel, causes the skeleton to come under the full strain of gravity, which can damage the skeleton and internal organs. • It is vitally important that the tag be placed in the proper area: in the dorsal muscle well behind the head and gill plates, above the lateral line, and away from all vital organs (see Figure 1). It is not necessary to use a great deal of force to insert the tag. A firm, well-aimed stroke is best. Place the applicator against the fish’s flank and push, inserting the tag until the stopper assembly is pressed against the fish. Improper tag placement or tagging too hard can result in serious injury or death to the fish. Speed tagging often results in injury.
Did you know marlin have been recreational only species in NZ for 34 years and counting? The Billfish Moratorium lasted 6 years and was followed by regulations under the Fisheries Act, which enshrined marlin as a recreational only species. Since 1997, the NZSFC has strongly resisted attempts to allow the commercial landing of striped marlin or bringing marlin into the QMS. Landed catch and tag records play a vital role in monitoring how the NZ marlin fishery is performing, with accurate records kept by some clubs since the 1920s. By being a member of an NZSFC affiliated club and reporting landed catch and tagged marlin. You play a crucial role in gauging the performance of the NZ marlin fishery.
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Tag Cards A very important reminder from our weighmaster. If you have tagged and released a fish you must get the tag card to him. Until you do this the catch will not be officially recorded. With so many fish being caught and tagged at the moment it is very easy in the excitement of the moment to fill in the tag card and just throw it somewhere meaning to hand it in later and then completely forget about it. Steve commented that there are several catches he is aware of because he has seen them on social media, but he has not received any tag cards for them.
With so many marlin being caught at the moment it’s difficult to stand out. But hooking three fish, then landing two of them, fishing solo in a 4.3m tinny is a good way. Congratulations to Colin Marriner.
Wayne Piggott decided that fishing with a rod and reel for marlin was just too easy, so he opted to catch his by jumping in and spear fishing for it. You might think that wouldn’t be too successful, but the photo proves otherwise. Well done Wayne.
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See boards for details.
Above Kayden Blundell on board Argyll in the Marlin Money competition.
Left and Right Bryan Pipe catches his first marlin. He seems quite happy about that.
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The team from Escort II with their Marlin Money winning fish and Mack Peach on board Phleigh. Warpath Tagging and Releasing two stripeys. Anglers Braden Olson and Declan Moran, Skipper Christoph Burch
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Just to prove it hasn’t all been about marlin this month, here is Brock Johnston with a 6.9kg albie that he caught off the West Coast and Julie Steele with a 5.2kg snapper from the harbour.
Something for the Newsletter? We’re always looking for items to include, so if you have a fishing report, some photos, or just a good story to tell please drop me an email on kevin@nzsteele.com
Recaptured Marlin During the Marlin Money competition Courtenay Lightfoot, fishing on board Hook and Bullet with skipper Mark Wyatt, weighed in this striped Marlin. While it was being prepared for the smoker a tag was found, buried quite deep in the fish and not visible from the outside at all.
Although the part of the tag that had been outside the fish was completely worn away, the tag number was still clearly visible. The tag number was reported to NZSFC who were able to provide details of where and when the fish had been previously tagged and released. The fish was tagged on the 4th of September 2019. It was tagged at “Jim’s Mountain” This is offshore from the Gold Coast 27.45S, 153.57E Estimated Lower Jaw Fork Length: 260cm Estimated Weight: 120kg
This means it spent 17 months at liberty during which time it travelled 1190 nautical miles from its original capture point. When recaptured it weighed 102.8kg and the Lower Jaw to Fork Length was 245cm
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Saturday 6th March 2021
$80 per ticket Entries Now Closed -No Door Sales ONE PERSON ON THE BOAT MUST BE A COUNTIES SPORT FISHING CLUB MEMBER OR SPONSOR OR A MEMBER AFFILIATED TO THE NZSFC (IT CAN BE THE SKIPPER)
Lucky Draws
Complimentary Gift
FRIDAY 5thMarch Only one entry required per team
(The Big Green Shed, Te Toro) Starter Pack Collection: 6.30 pm to 7 pm NO LATER
Enter at WWW.CSFC.CO.NZ or on the Sporty app
Briefing: 7.30 pm SHARP
For more information contact:
SATURDAY 6thMarch
Claire 027 204 3151
(The Big Green Shed, Te Toro)
Brony 027 430 7640
Fishing:
Email: csfc_fishnchicks@hotmail.com
6 am to 4 pm West Coast, River & Manukau Harbour Weigh In: 3.30 pm to 5 pm Prizegiving: 7.30pm
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Awhitu Returns Arriving recently to Waiuku was the boat originally named “Awhitu”. This boat previously served the manukau harbour from 1925 onwards. She delivered groceries, carried passengers to Onehunga, towed barges and called at all the old wharves on the peninsula. Unfortunately in recent years she was left, unloved, in Thames. But Terry Short and his team of helpers heard about her and set about rescuing her. There is a lot of work to do to get her back to seaworthy condition, but it would be great to see her back on the Manukau one day.
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Marlin Money Competition Conditions were near perfect for this years Marlin Money Competition, which lead to 73 boats entering. With the marlin fishing some of the best it has been for years this was always going to be a keenly fought competition, especially with a prize pool of $7300 up for grabs -with 50% going to the heaviest marlin and 50% going to the boat or boats with most tagged. The dynamic changed throughout the day, with Gillian getting in 1st tagging a Stripey and successive fish splitting the pool. Bounty Hunter, Dog box, Chas'n tail and Snap attack were all on the board by 11am meaning the pool was already split 5 ways. Argyll & Freedom got a T&R before the 1st qualifying fish was boated by Chas'n tail at lunchtime. Barney had earlier landed a Marlin that had been injured in the fight, even though they knew it would be underweight and not eligible for the comp, that was exactly the right thing to do. Bucket list, Warpath and Fish Whisperer got a T&R each with the tagged pool now split 10 ways. Hook'n Bullet & Ace landed a Marlin each and Snowdrop decided to keep the 50th caught from their boat. There was a quiet patch for a couple of hours then the afternoon bite kicked in and we were away again. Get Reel, Undertaker and White Knuckle had tagged a fish each within a few minutes of each other. Gday mate and Animal also in with a tagged fish each. Then Snowdrop hooked up a double dropping one early in the piece and landing the other. Escort II landed a nice Striped Marlin late in the day, they would need to hustle to get back to the weigh station in time. With the tagged section now split 15 ways, Undertaker got their hands on the entire pool with their second tagged Marlin at 4.20pm and that's the way it stayed, Escort II made the weigh station with 4 minutes to spare! What a way to round off the day, there were 16 tagged fish reported but only 12 handed in by weigh station close and 8 weighed. Results:
Weighed section: Escort II 140.4kg
Tagged Section: Undertaker 2 tagged
Hynds pipe systems Pukekohe quiz: 1st Undertaker 23, 2nd Bounty Hunter 16, 3rd Out west 14
The winning teams from Escort II (left) and Undertaker (right)
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The Price of Fish If you didn’t see this documentary when it was on TV recently then please do catch it now it is available on youtube for free viewing. Click HERE to watch it.
Every Kiwi needs to see this.. An amazing eye opener. A very well researched and presented doco! thanks to all for making it.....it is well beyond time that the QMS was taken out the back and shot and from those ashes build an actual "world leading" example of fisheries management. The formula for a better future is already available...check out... RESCUE FISH Great doco guys. I encourage everyone to watch fully. Excellent eye opening doco. Im fully in support of an overhaul of the quota management system, as a kiwi im not sure where to go from here. Im sure 95% of kiwis are also in support... what do we need to do to help?
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What’s on at the Cossie FRIDAY 12TH MARCH 2021 Winner of the 2015 NZ Comedy Guild Award for Best Male Comedian. With an arm's length list of awards, he has entertained sold-out crowds for well over a decade within New Zealand, Australia, Asia and UK.
Kicking off the evening with live music 6.30pm – 8pm Then introducing one of NZ’s Top Stand Up Comedians
BRENDHAN LOVEGROVE at 8pm…followed by more live music!! Tickets: Meal/Show $35pp Show only $15pp
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Diary Be sure to put these events in your diary or phone
Nationals
20th - 27th February 2021
Fish ‘N Chicks
6th March
Counties Classic
12th,13th & 14th March
Club Meeting
31st March 2021
Club Meeting
26th May 2021
Grunter Hunter
6th June 2021
Ice Breaker
2nd, 3rd & 4th July 2021
Club Meeting
28th July 2021
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Committee Position President Secretary Treasurer Vice President Committee
Name Matthew Douglas Barbara Prescott Nick King Clint Hunt Bob Hilton Michael Parker Patrick Egan Carey Walter Bruce Sloane Phil Nicklin Shane Johnston Merchandise Alvin Pacey Mike Oldfield Bert Duncan Fish ‘n Chicks Claire Hull Newsletters Kevin Steele NZFC Reps Stephen Harper Darin Burns Head Weighmaster Stephen Watts Non Committee Scott Warrender Weighmasters Pete Sellers Sarah Parkinson Charlie Norton
Phone
Mobile 027 5757411 027 6938431 021 02887606 021 08097284 027 4880563 021 654741 021 2710533 027 3922831 027 4061581 027 2207775 027 4889073 021 544276 020 41079843 021 421713 027 2043151 021 2301917 021 373334 027 2224538 021 0335145 021 626076 0210 412 943 021 669944 021 1640300
2357359 2352663 2352173 2357729
2357336 2356456 2352002
2356494
Email fishdougie@hotmail.com The.Prescotts@slingshot.co.nz csfcoffice@gmail.com clintonhunteng@gmail.com Bob.hilton9@gmail.com smudgethefisherman@gmail.com patrick@eganbricklayers.co.nz c_walter146@msn.com Bron.sloane@xtra.co.nz philandces@gmail.com shanej@envirowater.co.nz biff_mel@ps.gen.nz bertoduncan@gmail.com underway11sc@gmail.com kevin@nzsteele.com sharperuku@gmail.com Darin.laura@hotmail.com teressawatts@slingshot.co.nz
Sparks.s@xtra.co.nz
0800 482 248 www.acslgroup.nz 18
Leader Board
LENGTH RECORDS we need a clear photo of the fish on the approved measure, which are available for $25. The photo must be of the whole fish lying on its side with the mouth touching the head of the measure. We will need details of where it was caught and the name of the angler.
Weighmaster contacts Steve Watts 021 0335145 09235002 Scott Warrender 021 626076
Clint Hunt 021 08097284
DKM Fishing & Marine 235 2777 (shop hrs)
Pete Sellers 0210 412 943
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Sarah Parkinson 021 669944