What a month! Our Winter Champs Prizegiving may have been small in numbers, but it was big on fun. A huge thanks to everyone who came along and helped make it a great night.

Now… about the pizza. Apologies to those who turned up hungry and left even hungrier! We had a full order in with Domino’s, but after a wild runaround and no delivery, we’ve officially lodged a complaint. The silver lining? We might just have sparked a sponsorship opportunity out of it — so watch this space!

Looking ahead, the Shelly Beach Competition is coming up fast — mark your calendars for November 8th! We’ve got a $4000 prize pool this year, so it’s shaping up to be a cracker. See the poster and full details later in this edition. In the meantime, give  Coromandel Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park a call to book your spot, then head to our website or the Sporty App to get your entry sorted. 

Note that the coast road to Coromandel is closed for Bridge repairs the next week or two and scheduled to be open for the weekend of our comp. We'll be watching this activity very closely and will let you know closer to the time if their plan has changed to the point of impacting our plans.

We’re also proud to announce our new enhanced format SIMRAD Summer Champs! We’re sticking with the popular measurement-based entry for inshore species like Snapper, Kahawai, Trevally, Gurnard, and Kingfish. But new this year — we’re introducing weighed pelagic species including Billfish, Bigeye, Yellowfin, Bluefin, Albacore, and Skipjack Tuna, plus a new category for Wreckfish (Bass, Bluenose, and Hapuka). Full details are in the article later in this edition, and we’ll be talking more about it at our November Club Night.

And finally — put a ring around December 10th! We’re finishing the year with a bang at another Coastguard-supported Club Night, where we’ll dive into bar crossing safety and summer game fishing tips. Our good mate Ben Brown — Mr Built to Fish himself — will be back to share how he landed 60 marlin off the west coast last season! We’ll also cover tackle rigging and do a quick review of tackle rules to get everyone summer-ready.

As always, thanks for your support and enthusiasm. Tight lines and good vibes ahead!
 

Cheers

Bob

"Waikato Sport Fishing Club - sport and recreational fishing for our families, our communities and our future"

Shelly Beach 2025

The much-loved annual WSFC Shelly Beach Family Fishing Tournament is returning this year and will be held on Saturday 8th November. Hosted by WSFC at the Shelly Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, the competition offers a wonderful opportunity for families and fishing enthusiasts to spend a weekend together in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Once again we have our much loved spot prize of 2 nights’ accommodation in an Air BnB beach front property at Oamaru Bay valued at $1200 thanks to Shane Mellow at Stainless Solutions. This year's Driving Creek Railways spot prize is a voucher for four participants to attend a pottery class which promises plenty of fun, offering an enjoyable and creative activity that groups can share together.

Prize Categories

• Snapper
• Kahawai
• Heaviest Other Sports Fish

In addition to individual species categories, there will be an Overall Average Snapper prize awarded.

Entry Categories and Fees

• Adult Member: $25
• Adult Non-Member: $35
• Small Fry (up to age 10 as of 1st July 2025): $5
• Junior (ages 11-16 as of 1st July 2025): $10

Entries can be submitted via the button below or at the venue on Friday night prior to the event.

Event Schedule

• Start Fishing: 5:00 am, 8th November
• Weigh-In: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm (must be in line by 5:00 pm)
• Prize Giving: 6:30 pm

Following the prize giving, participants are invited to enjoy a BBQ dinner featuring homemade burgers, with ice cream served for dessert. This meal is included in the entry fee, and non-entrants are welcome to join for $5.

We look forward to welcoming you to an enjoyable and memorable family fishing competition at Shelly Beach.

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

10% off at Hamilton, Cambridge and Matamata 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.

Winter Champs 2025 Results

Aaand that's wrap for the 2025 Winter Champs! Congrats to our Winners listed below, First, Second and Third Longest were rewarded with Vouchers from our Mates at Hunting and Fishing Waikato. A couple of the usual culprits took out First and Third Prizes in the Snapper category, the rest of us have some work to do if we're ever going to knock them off their perches! 

Get Ready for the SIMRAD Summer Champs 2025-26!

 $20,000 prize pool

The wait is over—summer’s biggest fishing adventure is here! The Waikato Sport Fishing Club proudly presents the SIMRAD Summer Champs 2025-26, running from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just love the thrill of the catch, this tournament is your chance to shine on the water and compete for fantastic prizes!

Why join the Summer Champs?

• Open to All: Members of the Waikato Sport Fishing Club or any NZSFC-affiliated club are welcome. There are entry prize categories, Men Women & Juniors —everyone can get involved!
• Epic Prizes: With categories for heaviest and longest fish, overall points, and special lucky draws, there are heaps of ways to win. Prizes are up for grabs in Men’s, Women’s, and Junior divisions for snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trevally, gurnard, and more.
• Fish Anywhere, Anytime: The entire NZ coastline is your playground, with fishing open from midnight December 1st (yeah we know that's a Monday)   2025 through to Midnight Saturday February 28th 2026.
• Fun & Fair: All the action wraps up with a lively prizegiving on Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 pm at the Club Rooms—be there to claim your prize and celebrate with your fellow anglers!

So grab your gear, rally your mates, and get ready for a summer of unforgettable fishing, friendly competition, and awesome memories. Let’s make this the biggest and best SIMRAD Summer Champs yet!

For more info or to enter, contact:

• Club President: Bob Gutsell 021 750 562
• Email: president@waikatosportfishing.co.nz
• Club Rooms: 499 Grantham Street, Hamilton

Don’t miss out—entries open very soon and close midnight, January 31, 2026!

New Marine Protection Sites announced for New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf

The Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act came into force on 25 October 2025.

The Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill, recently accepted by the New Zealand Government, aims at protecting and restoring the marine environment of the gulf situated off Auckland on North Island.  A network of 19 new marine protection sites within the gulf includes two new marine reserves and 12 “high protection areas” (HPAs) to protect and restore marine habitats and ecosystems.

Read more details on the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection here.

Safety First 

Bar Safety

Some of the best fishing can be found outside the confines of a harbour. But crossing any harbour or river bar – whether it’s at the Kaipara, Bowentown, Mana or Greymouth - can be a dangerous experience. Many experienced boaties have got into difficulty crossing a bar and each year, boats are damaged and people are killed or injured when attempts to navigate bar crossings go wrong.

Join Coastguard on the Bar Awareness Roadshow as they conduct over 30 free seminars from the far north to the deep south of Aotearoa New Zealand. Their mission is to equip boaties with the essential knowledge and skills they need before they cross a bar. They  tap into the expertise of local legends, experienced Coastguard volunteers, and supportive community groups. 

Check out our schedule here to find a seminar near you!

Why it matters:

In 2024, 23% of craft-related drownings happened during bar crossings.

5 lives were lost due to capsizing while crossing a bar.

Older blokes are still the most at-risk – but everyone can make safer choices with the right knowledge (and a lifejacket on).

Bring your mates too – whether they’re brand new to boating or have been around since the days of paper charts and handheld compasses, there’s something in here that could save a trip… or a life.

Note: The Raglan Bar Safety Day includes a trip out on the Coastguard vessel Gallagher Rescue (subject to weather). There is a cost to this and the local crew request that you please email raglancoastguard@gmail.com to secure your spot on the vessel .

December Club Night An Evening with Ben Brown from Built to Fish

Make sure you mark Wednesday 10th December’s club night on your calendar as its going to be a good one. We have Ben Brown from Built to Fish speaking. Ben runs the Instagram page Built to Fish and YouTube channel Built to Fish TV, which has 30.7K subscribers.

Filmmaker, angler and storyteller Ben Brown has spent a lifetime chasing adventure on New Zealand’s wild coastlines. As the creator of Built to Fish, Ben has become one of the country’s most recognisable voices in the sport fishing community, documenting epic marlin seasons, chasing bluefin in the deep south and celebrating the people and places that make our fishery special.

Join Ben at the Waikato Sport Fishing Club this December as he shares insights on the upcoming game fishing season, what to expect on the water, and how to make the most of the months ahead. From lure spreads and tactics to weather patterns and West Coast conditions, it’s a night of stories, strategy and stoke for anyone keen to get amongst it this summer.

Here's the links to Ben's pages

WSFC Event Calendar

8th November - Shelly Beach Family Fishing Competition

12th November 7pm - Club Night

10th December - Club Night/Christmas BBQ/Bar Safety Crossing/Summer Game Fishing Tips/Ben Brown

1 Dec 25 to 28 Feb 26 - Summer Comp

11 Feb 26   7pm - Club Night

11 March 26  7pm - Summer Comp Prizegiving

3-27 April 26 - Big 4 

Our clubrooms are located at 499 Grantham Street, Hamilton.

Limited Edition WSFC T-Shirts

We have a limited edition Waikato Sport Fishing Club T-shirt available for purchase. It's the perfect way to show your support and affiliation with Waikato Sport Fishing Club. The T-shirt is produced by the very popular AS Colour brand.

See our design below: Left is the front, right is the back.

Mens T-shirts $50 Size S, M, L, XL, XXL(SOLD OUT), XXXL(SOLD OUT)

Womans T-shirts $50 Size S, M, L, XL

Kids T-shirts $45 Size 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14

Please follow this link to our online order form. WSFC T-Shirt Online Order . Please note that postage costs will be added if required. You can also opt to pick up your order from our next club night.

WSFC 25/26 Membership Registration

Renewing your WSFC membership keeps you part of a network of passionate fishing individuals. Enjoy exclusive discounts, newsletters, fishing competitions and stay updated on events and news. 

Membership Benefits

• We hold monthly club nights which include guest speakers, demonstrations, fun games and the opportunity for a good old chat with fellow club members
• Receive a monthly newsletter
• 25% discount off WSFC Hall Hire (terms and conditions apply)
• Membership card will provide you with visitor access to affiliated clubs
• Club Tournaments and Family Fishing Weekends away
• Free entry to our Winter Challenge
• Enter affiliated clubs fishing tournaments
• Affiliation to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and International Game Fishing association.
• 10% off at Hamilton, Cambridge and Matamata (opening soon) 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.

Memberships are valid 1 July 2025 to 30th of June 2026.

MEMBERSHIP FEE'S

Adult:   $40

Family:   $90
(2 adults and up to 4 children 16 years and under as at 1 July 2025)

Junior:   $10
(16 Yrs and under as at 1st July 2025)

Student & Transitional: $20
(any one 16 to 21 years old).

Our membership cards are now issued digitally . Upon completing your registration, you will receive immediate access to your digital membership card. This card can be accessed through the Sporty App, which should be downloaded to your mobile device.

The Sporty App allows multiple cards to be added therefore Junior membership cards can be added to their caregivers app. Once you have installed your PhotoCard it will also work when the phone doesn’t have a data plan or isn't connected to the internet.

To register for the WSFC 25/26 season complete our membership form below

After completing your registration, download the Sporty NZ App and install your card on the app. Detailed instructions are available on our website.