It was a standout day for Great Barrier’s land-based anglers as the Heaviest Snapper Rock fishing competition took over the coast. With all 50 tickets snapped up, the pressure was on from the first cast. Organiser Cory called it “an epic day,” noting that the “weather put it on” for the sell-out crowd.
Barney Scott walked away with the lion’s share of the prize pool, banking $700 for a massive 18lb snapper. The leaderboard was tight at the top, with Tony taking second place and $100 for a 17lb fish, while Jacob rounded out the top three with a 16lb snapper worth $50.
The competition also delivered across the board for other species. Zane secured $50 with a 26lb Kingfish, Lewis took home the Kahawai title with a 7.5lb entry, and Rachel topped the Trevally category with a 4lb catch.
Beyond the cash prizes, the day served a vital community purpose. The event ensures the island’s bounty reaches those who can no longer make the trek to the rocks. “From the snapper weighed in we feed over 30 people that are unfortunately not able to get out on the water anymore,” Cory said.
Anglers are already looking to the horizon as the next major challenge looms. The high-stakes “24 Hours 6 Species” strategy competition is confirmed for May 8-9. This unique event swaps brute weight for a points-based system, rewarding variety and clever tactics across six different species.
Tickets for the May event will be available soon. Teams of up to three will battle it out over a 24-hour window, with $150 from every boat entry going into a winner-takes-all main prize pool. “Watch this space for up and coming comps,” Cory said.
