Christmas Tuna comp Rules

WAIHAU BAY SPORTS FISHING CLUB TUNA TOURNAMENT
5AM DECEMBER 27TH UNTIL 4PM JANUARY 2ND
 
$100 Cash Draw every night
*  Heaviest tuna $1000!!
Open entry qualifies only. (yellowfin, bigeye, Bluefin, albacore or skipjack)
 

All Kahawai and Snapper will be measured only incl. land based
You must present a photo of your fish on the approved board clearly showing the length. Or measure it at the weigh shed. The date and time must be displayed on the camera and written on your catch card
 
 
All Species $50: Tuna - yellowfin, bigeye, bluefin (3 prizes),  Albacore (3 prizes) .  Skipjack Tuna (3 prizes)  Marlin (one prize) Plus the five bottom fishing species.
 Marlin may be tagged or weighed. The Nationals rules will be used to formulate points. In the case of a tie the angler accumulating their points last will win. 
One daily prize for tuna which includes albacore and skipjack as well as the tuna species listed above.
Bottom Fishing $30
First, second and average weight/length. Kahawai (measured), snapper (measured), tarakihi, gurnard and trevally weighed.
Juniors $10
(Under 17 years) Three prizes each for gurnard, tuna (including albacore), trevally, snapper, tarakihi and kahawai. (snapper and kahawai measured only)
Land Based $20
Measured snapper, measured kahawai and heaviest miscellaneous fish
Jetty Fishing - free
5 prizes.  Fishing on all the days of the competition. (weigh times below)
  
Photo                         There will be a photo competition for the best
                                    marine/fishing photo.  The photos       
Competition              will be displayed on the final night. Photos taken using drones will not qualify.  Only three photos per entry please and these must be submitted by the end of the Jan 1st.
 
Weigh Times             Daily 4pm until 5pm.  Final Day 3pm to 4pm. 
                                 Game fish may be weighed at any time by requesting a                                          weigh master via vhf.
 
Club Open                  From 6 pm daily. Please be very careful about drinking                                           and driving and make
                                      arrangements for a sober driver if necessary.
  
  Meals                          Meals will be available each evening.  

  The buffet nights           will be the 29th and 3rd
 
Spots and Raffles    Spot prizes will be drawn each evening at 7.30pm plus the $100 CASH DRAW.
There will be quick fire raffles on the 29th and 3 rd.
 
Ladies Day                29th December (weather permitting).  There will be some special prizes that evening for ladies who have caught fish that day. Blokes may fish as per usual or take out a boat load of ladies!  Entries the night before please. Cost is $10 if you are not already entered in the comp. A $10 fee will not qualify fish for overall tournament prizes.  Species are trevally, tarakihi, gurnard, snapper, albacore and kahawai. 
 
Prize Giving              Prizes will be presented on Jan 3rd at 6pm.  The Club will be open from 5pm.  A  delicious roast meal will be served after the prize giving.
Hazards etc
It is the skippers/boat owners responsibility to ensure they are competent in operating their boat in a
safe manner and have all necessary safety equipment on board.
 
There is a large hole at the bottom of the concrete boat ramp. Avoid this area at low tide. If you are not familiar with the Waihau Bay haven please study the map at the top of the ramp before proceeding. There are rocks in the channel and to the sides.
 
Launching and retrieving – please take care on the ramp and show consideration to other users.
 
Poor weather – check the weather before leaving and be sure you have the skill to safely handle your boat in the conditions.
 
Observe the 5 knot speed restriction within 200m from shore.
 
A disclaimer must be signed by all skippers who have boats entered into a competition prior to leaving
shore.  If the disclaimer is not signed by the skipper / owner before leaving shore the competition entry will not be
valid.
 
Make a trip report on CH65 to local Coastguard. Coastguard Radio monitors Waihau Bay between 5.45 pm and 9 am.  Waihau Bay does one sched. at 9.15 am. Please call at any time. 
 
Equipment all boats must carry
Sufficient life jackets for all on board. A VHF radio and preferably a mobile phone and epirb as well.
 
FISHING RULES
 
Non-offset circle hooks must be used when using live or dead natural baits when targeting any billfish. This rule has been made by the NZ Sport Fishing Council as it is seen to be the responsibility of all recreational anglers to ensure the long term conservation of billfish.
 
Each fish will only be eligible for one prize.  There will be one prize only per angler per species.
 
Only one fish of each species per angler per day will be accepted for weigh-in.  The following are the species and sizes eligible for the tournament;
Kingfish 1m,      Snapper       35cm,      Tarakihi 30cm,       Tuna 10kg.   

All anglers must present their own catch at the weigh station as soon as possible after capture. The fish must be in a fresh condition     

For bottom fishing the boundaries of the fishing area are Waikawa Point and Lottin Point out to the twelve nautical mile limit.  There are no boundaries for game fishing. All boats must launch and retrieve at Waihau Bay and return overnight.
 
In the event of two or more fish having equal weight, the last fish weighed in will be deemed the first for recognition in all prize categories.
 
In the event that the tournament is shortened or postponed there is no refund of entries paid.
 
The committee reserves the right to: delay the start of the tournament, cancel, postpone, shorten or extend the duration of the tournament.  Entrants will be notified of any changes.
 
To collect any spot prizes the winner must be present.  If not present the prizes will be redrawn until struck.
 
Any protests relating to the weight of, or manner of, weighing a fish must be made to the official weigh master before the fish is removed from the weigh station.  The decision of the weigh master shall be final.
 
Any disputes must be reported to the disputes committee in writing before 9pm of the day of the catch.  The decision of the disputes committee shall be final.
 
The committee reserves the right to inspect or test the line, rods and reels used.  The maximum line weight to be used is 60kg.
 
Radio communication shall be on VHF Channel 65.  There will be one sked only at 9.15am. Trip reports will be taken throughout the day as required. Between the hours of 5.45 pm and 9 am CH 65 will be monitored by Coastguard Radio and you may call them at any time during these hours.
 
Any breaches of these rules will result in immediate disqualification.
 
To qualify for the daily tuna prize, catch or tag cards must be in the weigh masters hands by 6pm.  Fish weighed after 6pm will qualify for the next day’s daily prize.  Any tagged tuna will go into a draw for the daily prize in the event that no fish are weighed.  Albacore will qualify if no tuna are caught.
 
This is a one base tournament and all boats must be launched and retrieved at Waihau Bay, which for these purposes includes Whanarua Bay and Whangaparaoa River Mouth.
 
Electric reels are not to be used in competitions. (This complies with IGFA regulations.) Their presence on the boat will mean all fish on that day will be disqualified.  A disabled angler may apply to the committee for a dispensation.