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19 March, 2024 | Proudly locally owned and operated Issue 1097 Circulation 9000
theinformer.co.nz
PE YOU HAD A HAP O H E PY
@theinformernz
SEE PAGE 21 (07) 866 2090 info@theinformer.co.nz
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
WORLD CLASS TOURNAMENT FROM MB GAME FISHING CLUB
Photo credit Dmitri Kotelevski – www.fernvision.co.nz
BY PAULINE STEWART
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The champion team was 'The Godfather' with outright win of 1278 points awarding them $462,350.
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ow do you fully describe 420 boats cruising out of the estuary of Whitianga from 5.00am all ready for a gunshot start at 7.30am to spend three days aiming to be the first to catch that big billfish or, if not, catch the biggest one of any species? The stakes are high; the prize money for the biggest fish is $350,000 and the champion team will claim $462,650 for first prize. The total prize pool is valued at $1.8m. It’s the annual Kubota Billfish Classic, and in 2024, for Whitianga, the biggest ever and the largest billfish tournament in the world. It was a very exciting weekend for everyone involved, from Wednesday
night briefing to shotgun start at 7.30am Thursday, then fishing for three days with prizegiving 7.00pm Saturday night. Kubota as the lead sponsor has the naming rights and this is facilitated for the Tournament by Ian Massicks, Kubota Marketing Manager. Tom Maxwell, resident of Whitianga, and business owner of Mad Max Sport Fishing is the inspiration, key organiser and Director. The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club (MBGFC) is the host, providing the framework and the organisation and the huge team of people on the ground through Club Manager, John East and Club President and Vice President, Gordon McIvor and Anne Smal – an efficient and friendly team. Continued on page 2
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whitianga@thinkwater.co.nz The Coromandel Informer – 19 March 2024 | 1