Catching snapper in anglers’ DNA
The snapper were as big as ever, but not everyone was catching a big bounty at the Dawnbreakers Fishing Club inaugural DNA Snapper Cup.
Competition master Chris Jobe said as well as a good reason to get out in the boat, the competition aimed to attract new members to the club.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, Jobe said a weather call made on Thursday to postpone the event to yesterday proved fortuitous.
‘‘The initial forecast was showing a bit of chop and rain, and because it was a family event we wanted to have the conditions as good as possible,’’ she said.
‘‘It was like glass all day and everybody just couldn’t get over it.’’
Free entry to the competition was offered to those who joined the club on the day. Twenty five new Dawnbreakers signed up on the day bringing the club’s overall membership to 150 people.
Jobe said most boats ended up around Pepin Island in the hope of hooking a prize-winner.
‘‘Some boats were hauling them in and others were having no luck, so it was really right place, right time yesterday.’’
Competitors returned to event headquarters at the City Club at Kinzett Tce, Nelson for the weigh in. The heaviest snapper of the day was awarded to Mark Cotton for landing an impressive 8.03kg fish, well ahead of second-placed Doug McKay with a 5.71kg catch.
The average weight recorded at 3.28kg.
Junior fishermen got in on the action as well, with new club member Hayden Rutherford catching a 4.96kg whopper.
The average junior catching was 3.164kg, won by Rhys Curtis. Sue Hawkins won the prize for heaviest ladies’ catch, 4.64kg.
Jobe said the day had ticked all the boxes in terms of creating a friendly family atmosphere.
‘‘Nothing was too serious and everyone had a joke and a beer and talked about the ones that they lost, as you do,’’ she said. was