It might be just me, but even though it's March already it also feels like I can take a bit of a breather between Comps. Hectic isn't the word for it!

The Summer Champs certainly surpassed our expectations the points competition went really well with some super impressive scores and competition amongst the keenest of anglers. All species except gamefish were well contested with the leaderbords all changing in the final week. What Looked like dominations of species categories by certain parties leading to the final week got turned on its head. We ended up with 64 Anglers and 361 fish entered overall. The Prize Giving on Wednesday March 11th at 7:00pm is going to be a hoot! We're not emailing the winners ahead of time this year since you're all going to be there anyway for the Last Man/Woman/Junior standing draw.

We're also keen to hear your feedback on how the comp went from your perspective, I reckon this comp is a keeper, but it can definitely get better! Tell us how!

You'll see further down in this edition, that the Hunting and Fishing (Waikato) Big Four registration page is now live. Its the same format as previous years and we're going back to using the app we have previously used, Sporty was way to much admin, and more than a bit of a struggle to get accurate weekly updates! The comp runs from Good Friday to mid night of the Monday-ised Anzac Day, so plenty of time to wrack up that Big Four Bag!

Don't forget if you have been smart and getting your fish weighed for end of year trophies as well as measuring them, to get those catch cards filled out, signed by a weigh master, and submitted to Catchcards@waikatosportfishing.co.nz within 3 months of capturing the fish.

That's about it from me this month, see you all next Wednesday and don't forget to get your Big Entries submitted!

Cheers

Bob

Hunting & Fishing Big Four Measuring Competition

3rd-27th April 2026

~PRIZE POOL $15,000~

Open Competition Format - Non-Members Welcome!

Entry Fees:
Adults $50, Juniors $20 (under 16 as of 30 June 2025)

Registrations close 11.59pm Thursday 2nd April 2026

Our old app is back complete with real time scoreboard!

Prize Categories:
Big Four Bag – Longest bag of all four species, only your longest fish of each species included.


Four Big Four Bag divisions:
o Men Prize Value $500
o Women Prize Value $500
o Junior Prize Value $300
o Overall $1,000 cash

Prizes for 1st to 3rd longest fish in each division and each species.

NB One major prize per Angler for their largest fish per species.
In the event of a tie the first fish caught with be awarded the prize, and the second fish caught will be the next prize down.

Cash Prizes for Snapper - closest to average length per division.
Any anglers entered snapper will be averaged so they have one overall entry in the average length and mystery length prizes.

All drawn prizes (fish not caught) including, 5 X $200 mystery length draws, spot prizes and not won fish prizes will be redrawn if the angler drawn is not present at the prize giving at WSFC clubrooms 7.00pm Wednesday 13th May.

Hunting & Fishing Big Four Registration Form

Big Four 2026 Tournament Rules

SIMRAD Summer Champs

Prizegiving Wednesday 11th March 7.00pm at the clubrooms.

Aaaaaand that's a wrap on the 2025/2026 SIMRAD Summer Champs.

By crikey that last week of fishing was manic with some serious moving and shaking going on. Just when you thought we had some clear leaders, we had more than our fair share of come from behind challengers!

Don't forget to put a ring around Next Wednesday March 11th at 7:00 pm to find out just what happened. We won't be emailing winners ahead of time this time, you'll just have to come along and find out!

Thanks to our Mates at Burnsco for supplying all our prizes.

Aaaaand of course we also have our original Last Man/Woman/Junior Standing draw for the Fabulous SIMRAD NSX drawn prize.

So be there or be square, we'll serving our usual range of sumptuous pizza, chips and ice cold drinks.

A HUGE thank you to our Gold sponsor Chill-Rite Refrigeration

Chill-Rite Refrigeration – 30 Years Strong

This year, Chill-Rite Refrigeration proudly celebrates 30 years in business. Founded by Richard as a one-man operation, the company has grown into a trusted, family-run business known for reliable service and quality workmanship. Glenn has been a key part of the team for over 20 years, helping to build the strong reputation we’re proud of today.

With three decades of experience behind us, we continue to deliver dependable refrigeration solutions backed by local knowledge and genuine care. Thank you to our loyal customers for your ongoing support — we look forward to serving our community for many more years to come.

Contact Us Today for a FREE QUOTE

Receive a free quote or book your service appointment here FREE PHONE 027 446 0361 or send a message by clicking Enquire Here

Safety First

What to do in an emergency

If your boat is sinking, someone is injured or life is in danger, immediately call VHF Channel 16 (the international maritime distress channel) or another local VHF channel you know is being monitored, or call 111 from your mobile phone and ask for Police.

For non-urgent assistance such as an electrical problem or mechanical issue, call our Operations Centre on *500 from your mobile phone. If you are a Coastguard member, you'll receive free assistance* (instead of $350 per hour for non-members).

Note: By law you are required to have a Marine VHF radio certificate to use your radio to transmit in any situation that is not deemed an emergency where there is a threat to life or your vessel. You can do a Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate course with our Education team.

Making a MAYDAY call

A distress/Mayday call is used to indicate that a boat or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance - for example, a boat taking on water, a vessel on fire, a person overboard or a serious medical emergency such as a heart attack.

You can either call 111 and Police will task Coastguard with responding, or you can use Channel 16 (the international maritime distress channel) to contact Coastguard directly. Other boaties nearby will also hear your distress call if they're listening to channel 16 at the time.

It’s a great idea to have a Maritime NZ Mayday message format sticker close to where your Marine VHF radio is situated.

Example of a MAYDAY call on VHF:

Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.
This is Achiever, Achiever, Achiever ZMW3545.
Mayday, Achiever ZMW3545.
We are at (state your general geographical position) in position (latitude & longitude).
We have (state what is wrong, the nature of your distress).
We require immediate assistance.
We have (state how many people on-board).
Any other helpful information.
Over.

Wait for a response from either Coastguard Radio or Maritime Radio (or a nearby vessel). They will then ask for more information and confirm assistance is being sent to you as soon as possible. In addition, relay calls will be issued to alert any nearby vessels to your position - this is the benefit of making your Mayday call on the VHF.

If you're sinking, make sure everyone is wearing lifejackets and you've raised the alarm (MAYDAY), then:

Locate the source of the leak if it’s safe to do so, try to plug it
Bail the water as best as you can with a bailer

If the boat submerges and you have to go in the water, stay with the vessel – your chances of being found are much higher this way.

If you're on fire

An onboard fire can be a boaties worst nightmare. Control it if you can by

Putting on lifejackets if you’re not already wearing them

Raising the alarm (MAYDAY)

Controlling the fire if you can do so safely by removing either:

Fuel – Shut down the engine and fuel supply if it is an engine fire; Turn off the power supply if it is an electrical fire.
Note: This may affect communication, so make sure you’ve raised the alarm first.

Heat – applying cold water

Oxygen – smothering the fire with a fire blanket or extinguisher

Preparing to abandon ship

Person overboard

There are four steps to remember if someone goes overboard:

Shout loudly, to make sure everyone knows that someone’s gone overboard

Throw a life buoy, line or lifejacket as close as you can to the person, not only to help them stay afloat but also to mark their position

Watch the person carefully – it’s easy to lose sight of someone in the water, so don’t take your eyes off them!

Stop the boat and turn back as soon as you’re able.

Remember that the prop is always a danger to anyone in the water, so take care as you approach them.