Labour Weekend Information
Hazards
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 form 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 the competition entry will not be valid.
Make a trip report on CH65 to local Coastguard.
Equipment all boats must carry
Sufficient life jackets for all on board.
A VHF radio.
Preferably an epirb and/or mobile phone 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 angler must present their own fish for weigh-in, and produce their catch card when presenting their fish to be weighed.
- 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 Kahawai n/a Snapper 35cm Tarakihi 30cm
- Catch Cards are to be in the weigh masters hands by the specified time.
- The boundaries of the fishing area are Waikawa Point and Lottin Point out to the twelve nautical mile limit. All boats must return overnight.
- All fish presented for the weigh-in must be in a fresh condition, i.e. green and ungutted. Frozen fish will not be accepted.
- In the event of two or more fish having equal weight, the first fish weighed in will be deemed the first for recognition in all prize categories.
- No longlines, nets or craypots to be used. No electric reels to be allowed on a competing boat. Kingfish may be bled and still qualify for prizes and club records however they will NOT qualify for NZ or world records so this is done at the anglers discretion.
- In the event that the tournament is shortened or postponed there is no refund of entries paid.
- In the interests of safety, the committee reserves the right to delay, shorten, cancel or postpone 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 weighmaster before the fish is removed from the weighstation. The decision of the weighmaster 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 is now one sked at 9.15 only. Waihau Bay cover the channel from 9.15 am until 6 pm. Outside those hours please respond to ‘Coastguard Radio’.
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I have made my crew aware of these conditions and have authority to sign on their behalf.