A whopping 8.2 kilogram fish caught by local Zane Kaaka took out the annual 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza surf casting competition at the weekend.
Kaaka's local knowledge paid off. He caught the fish on Tuesday, the first day of the competition, and had to "sweat it out" untill Saturday to see if it would be the winning fish.
The sellout event saw 1200 fishers from around New Zealand and some from overseas fish off 90 Mile Beach last week, all trying to catch the biggest snapper.
More than 1100 fish were weighed in with most anglers donating their non-winning fish to the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade, which auctioned them off at the Saturday Markets, raising over $17,000.
Snapper Bonanza organiser John Stewart said the event was a success.
"We have record of 12.03 kilos brought in off the sand, I can't see that getting beaten for a long long long time, but (most) were normally around the eight to nine kilo mark is winning the competition,” Stewart said.
Darin Maxwell from Te Puke holds the record for heaviest snapper from 2012.
The event is in its 42nd year and brings around $2 million into the local economy in accommodation, meals and supplies.
“We could sell 1200 tickets in a few hours come June for next year and we could have a waiting list of 5 to 700 people as well but we do need the waiting list because a lot do decide not to come.”
This year saw more cancellations and resales than usual and organisers say the majority were from afar.
“It could be cost of living, the fact part of the state highway is closed, who knows, but the tickets got picked up by those on the waiting list,” said Stewart.
The winner, Kaaka, from Te Kau, walked away with a $30,000 cheque.
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