Welcome to the Christmas Edition of our new newsletter. 

The high notes are that the fishing, no matter what tickles your fancy, is hot hot hot all around the country. The major headline is that Yellowfin Tuna are here in Numbers not seen for over 20 years, even in the good old days I don't remember them being spread out along the north east coast and now the west coast in the numbers they are this year. Marlin are here already as well as other exotic species like Mahi Mahi.

The low note is the loss of long time Club Member Mark Dingle, who sadly passed away on December 8th. We presented a Eulogy of sorts on behalf of the club at his funeral, and that's copied below. Needless to say he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.. 

Summer Champs entries are now closed, and fishing is oooooon! So here's to a great Christmas holidays and plenty of fish for the summer champs. We'll see you at our first club night for the new year in February. 

Cheers

Bob

Mark Dingle

Mark has been a long-time member of the Waikato Sportfishing Club and loved fishing.  Mark was very active in our club and knew a lot of members, many of which became life long friends. 

On behalf of everyone within our club I have been asked to say a few words, remembering some of his adventures and the close association he had with so many people.

In the early 2000's his name was prominent at Prizegiving’s and is on multiple Trophies over the years.

Mark teamed up with friend Stuart Ross on Fish Play and with his light tackle skills cleaned up the competition taking out Top Team multiple years at the Raglan One Base comp. Friendly competition with his good mate Brian Cornish also saw them endeavouring to pull bluenose out of 400M plus depths of water on light tackle. Mark still holds the club record for bluenose caught on light tackle.  Other notable catches include a solo marlin caught off Kawhia in 2024 and numerous bluefin tuna out of Waihou Bay.

He was always well prepared.

For several years he took full opportunity to load up on koi carp from the catch programme at Lake Waikare.  Here you could load up your trailer with carp and Mark used all sorts of experimental and messy processes to turn them into oily berley.

Turning up at the One base fishing competition one year with 200 litres of this berley he had concocted, Mark was on a mission to catch the biggest shark - only to find out sharks were off the competition menu.

He was a bit peeved but berlied up and caught big snapper instead.

He was a committee member for several years and took on the laborious task of securing much needed funding for the club.

Mark always had a get out there attitude and caught fish we all dream of.

Mark fished the Whakatane Tuna Tournament with Mark Olsen and Tony Brinkworth. 

After a long days fishing they were steering back up the Whakatane river with people waving them past.

Mark O then realised Mark D was standing on the gunnel waving to the crowd wearing a rubber Osama Bin Laden mask and robe. 

Those that have been to any of Mark and Michelles “special occasion” parties will remember the enjoyment Mark got when a little fancy dress was part of the theme.  During Tony B's 40th he made 3 costume changes with the grand finale being a full body black leotard with a very clever L E D light stickman attached.

He proceeded to dance on the boat engine box his practiced routine.

He wasn't a bad dancer either. 

At Long Bay 2008 , 2009 Mark went through a pyrotechnic stage letting off home made fireworks and his signature dry ice bombs.

At the Clubs Karapiro Christmas Barbeque event he would load coke bottles with hot water and dry ice,  then float them down the river for a delayed explosion echoing for miles.

The Police turned up as we were leaving and sticking to unofficial Club code, everyone knew nothing.

Mark worked hard ,played hard and loved his family and made the most of the time he had .He will be sadly missed by everyone. 

Maybe a few relieved fish out there too.

WSFC Members receive 10% off Hamilton and Cambridge Hunting & Fishing

10% off at Hamilton and Cambridge Hunting & Fishing when you present your WSFC Membership. The discount applies to all items in store but excludes items already on special, electronics, firearms, ammunition, game and electric fishing combos.

Summer Champs Update

To date we have had 1 Brown Trout, 3 Gurnard, 2 Kahawai, 2 Rainbow Trout, 3 Trevally, 15 Snapper and 2 Kingfish entered.

To view the Summer Champs Scoreboard on you NZSF App open your app and go to INFORMATION - SCOREBOARD - ALL OPEN EVENTS - 24/25 WSFC MEASURE CHAMPS

Winter Challenge Review – Preston Impresses

The Winter Challenge ran from August 1st through to October 31st with entries coming in from far and wide. Geoff Preston impressed early with a 90cm Snapper in the first week of August. Thereafter he set about trying his luck in the other species.  Phil Winter chimed in with 83.5cm and David Hunt rounded out the division with 77.5cm. The top five snapper covered the wide arc from Mokau to Bay of Plenty, Hauraki Gulf , and Raglan.

Geoff put the time in, and in the last week managed a whopping 61cm Kahawai, 46cm Trevally and even a 89cm Barracouta. The Mokau man collected 1st prize in each and attended prizegiving collecting a clutch of Hunting & Fishing vouchers for his efforts. The Barracouta shield went home with Geoff after a couple years in the cabinet.

There were another six +50cm Kahawai with Simon Richards claiming 2nd place with 54.5cm, and Ben Cullen 3rd - 54cm. Juniors Corban & Braxton Allen would have had a fight on their hands with  a couple of nice entries at 48cm. Trevally prizes were completed by Brian Cornish with 46cm and Ben Cullen 41.5cm.

Junior Mason Allan was well pleased with his 95cm Kingfish collecting 1st prize, possibly more pleased pipping Father Gary with 93cm. Prizegiving had everyone’s full attention as 3rd place was drawn, long-time member and sponsor Tony Brinkworth collecting the spoils.

Once again a big thankyou to Scott at Hunting & Fishing TeRapa for supporting the competition.

Ant

Congratulations to our 2024 Winter Challenge winners

Snapper

1st Geoff Preston 90cm

2nd Phil Winter 83.5cm

3rd David Hunt 77.5cm

Kahawai

1st Geoff Preston 61cm

2nd Simon Richards 54.5cm

3rd Ben Cullen 54cm

Trevally

1st Geoff Preston 46cm

2nd Brian Cornish 43cm

3rd Ben Cullen 41.5cm

Kingfish

1st Mason Allan 95cm

2nd Gary Allan 93cm

Barracoutta

1st Geoff Preston 89cm

This summer, the hero water safety initiative, Old4New is again travelling across the country, visiting 74 boating spots between 30 November 2024 and 2 February 2025. All details are available on www.old4new.nz. 

At each location, people can exchange their old, worn-out lifejackets for discounted brand-new Hutchwilco lifejackets. Our Old4New team will also provide lifejacket advice, including fitting and servicing, along with local boating safety tips and information about education courses - making it a one-stop shop for preparing for a fun summer on the water. 

For those who can't make it to the van, there are 19 Boating and Outdoors stores offering the same discounts. Check out store locations here.  

Over the past decade, more than 22,000 old lifejackets have been traded in through Old4New, meaning 22,000 Kiwis are now safer on the water. This year, we're taking water safety a step further with our Just Wear It campaign, urging everyone - jet skiers, paddle boarders, rock fishers and kayakers - to wear fit-for-purpose lifejackets. Read more about the campaign with our press release here.

The full schedule is attached, along with the Old4New brochure available here.

Upcoming event details around Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō and Tūrangi:

Upcoming Events

Club Night 12th February 25

Summer Champs 1st November 24-28th Feb 25

Simrad Raglan One Base 8th-15th March 25

One Base Registration/Briefing 7th March 25

One Base Mid Week Prizegiving 12th March 25

Big Four 14th-30th April 25

Club Night/Big Four Prizegiving 14th May 25

Membership Renewal 1 July 25

2024/2025 Membership Renewal

You can join our club at any time during the season. Memberships are valid for the current season starting 1st July and will expire on the 30th of June. For further details including membership benefits and fees visit our website https://www.waikatosportfishing.co.nz/

WSFC Coromandel Weigh Stations

We now have two weigh stations available with calibrated scales in the Coromandel. Oamaru Bay Tourist Park at Oamaru Bay and Camp & Tackle at Waiomu. Weighing available during opening hours .

Oamaru Bay - Baz 021 02379833 

Waiomu Bay - Blue 027 5986345

Remember to take along you catch card. You can download a copy here.

Send you completed catch card to Katelyn at catchcards@waikatosportfishing.co.nz

Spotlight on Sponsors

We wish to acknowledge and thank Driving Creek Railway for their ongoing support of our club for over five years now. They recently celebrated  the very significant milestone of achieving 50 years in business. In that time they have received many awards as one of the top tourist attractions on the Coromandel.

Embark on a truly unique 1 hour 15 minute railway tour on New Zealand’s only mountain railway. Journey across ten impressive bridges and through three tunnels in a hand-planted regenerating native forest and haven for rare native species, to arrive at EyeFull Tower and take in the spectacular views across the Hauraki Gulf and its islands.

They are also the home of Coromandel Zipline Tours. Glide through the trees on this unique New Zealand zipline canopy tour. You will experience Coromandel’s breathtaking native forest from all levels, as you journey to the start by railway then fly above trees and walk beneath ferns.

Pottery classes. Hop on the wheel for a creative 1.5 hour pottery class and learn wheel throwing from a professional potter, in a place thriving with inspiration, innovation and rampant creativity! 

If you have any queries about what goes on at the end of Rings Road then please contact Casey Marshall 027 2614249 or visit their website

https://drivingcreek.nz/