It's hard to believe we're at the end of August already. Looking at the Winter Champs entries there are still a few quality fish around and some very nice bluefin entered as well. Hopefully the weather in September is a bit kinder, and we can get it done before the comp closes off at the end of the month.
Speaking of September put a ring around September 23rd, ( not the date I mistakenly said last news letter!) for our Annual General Meeting and Prize Giving. We're on the cusp of lining up a really iconic guest speaker, so you wont want to miss this one. We'd still love to have your help on the committee.
You'll have seen we turned our attention to Jet ski and Kayak fishing recently and we'd love to see a lot more about the different types of fishing people are enjoying these days.
We'll be advertising a paid Treasurer role in the next week or so, and if you or somebody you know might be keen we'd love to hear from you. Ideally you'll be a parent looking for something to do while the kids are at school or somebody recently retired looking to soften the transition into retirement. Good skills with Xero, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Payment system like Poli and Stripe. There are weekly Hall bonds to be approved for repayment, Monthly bills, Club Subscriptions and Comp entry fees and expenses to be managed, along with Monthly Cash Flow and Profit and Loss reporting. But generally no more than about 5-10 hours per week. Let us know if you're keen and lets have a chat.
Finally if you have any trophies from last years prizes giving can you urgently get them back to Ant at Supreme Sheetmetal's 288 Kahikatea Drive.
That's about it from me for this month. Hope you get some time out on the water soon, and looking forward to seeing you at the September AGM.
Cheers
Bob
"Waikato Sport Fishing Club - sport and recreational fishing for our families, our communities and our future"
WSFC Members receive 10% off Hamilton, Cambridge and 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.
AGM and Prizegiving Evening Agenda
6:30pm: Bar open
6:45pm Burgers
7:00pm: AGM
Welcome
Apologies
Minutes of previous AGM
President’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Financial Report
2025/26 Accounts
Election of Officers
Representative to NZSFC
Hall Manager
General Business
Great Gurnard Hunt, mystery length $150 cash draw
Waikato Hunting & Fishing $250 voucher draw for financial 25/26 member attending AGM & Prizegiving
7:30pm: Junior & Senior Prizegiving
8:00pm: Speaker
8:30pm: Close
Jet Ski Fishing Takes Centre Stage at August Club Night
The seminar brought together a great group of fishing enthusiasts, from people already enjoying jetski fishing to those keen to learn more about getting started.
The evening was all about sharing knowledge, experiences and practical tips from people who spend plenty of time on the water. Topics included jetski setup, fishing gear, safety, finding fish, launching and retrieving, and the advantages of using a jetski as a fishing platform.
There was plenty of discussion around the importance of being prepared before heading offshore, understanding weather and sea conditions, and making sure safety always comes first. Jetski fishing can give anglers access to some incredible fishing spots, but with that comes the responsibility of knowing your limits and being properly equipped.
One of the highlights of the night was hearing real-world stories and experiences from jetski anglers. These gave everyone a great insight into what it is actually like fishing from a jetski and the opportunities it can provide.
The seminar also gave people the chance to ask questions, share their own experiences and have a good chat with other like-minded anglers.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who attended and helped make the night such a success.
A special thank you to the Waikato Sport Fishing Club for providing the venue and supporting the event, and to Castnet – The Fishing Bandit for getting behind the evening and helping bring the jetski fishing community together.
From Robb Adventures, it was awesome to see so much interest in jetski fishing and to be able to share the passion with other anglers.
We hope everyone who attended walked away with some new knowledge, new ideas and, most importantly, an even bigger itch to get out on the water!
Tight lines and safe travels everyone — see you on the water!
— Robb Adventures
WSFC Shelly Beach Family Fishing Competition
The much-loved annual WSFC Shelly Beach Family Fishing Competition returns this year on 7 November. Mark your calendar and get ready for a relaxed day of fishing, family fun, and community connection.
Hosted by WSFC at the Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, the competition is a great opportunity for families and fishing enthusiasts to come together in a friendly, welcoming setting.
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 2026): $5
Junior (ages 11-16 as of 1st July 2026): $10
Entries can also be submitted at the venue on Friday night prior to the event.
Event Schedule
Start Fishing: 5:00 am, 7th 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. These meals are 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.
This month we take a look at Get the Net, the Kiwi fishing podcast where the yarns are as wild as the waters we fish! Hosted by Nick, a self-confessed multiple-time member of the Caught Bugger All Fishing Club*, this show dives into epic stories, top tactics, and must-have gear from NZ’s best anglers. From offshore Marlin to soft baits in the shallows, we’re all about real fishing talk—no gatekeeping, just good banter, expert tips, and the odd fishing fail.
The latest episode interviews Helen Horrocks. Scottish-born sailor turned game fisherman, now chasing records out of the Bay of Islands.
She holds a ratified NZ women's record for broadbill swordfish — landed after a 7-hour stand-up fight that left her legs scarred for life. Her take: swordfish are the ultimate game fish, purely because they refuse to give up. Marlin quit. Tuna quit. Swordfish just keep coming. Have a listen here Get the Net.
Members Catch Gallery
We’d love to see what our members have been catching! Send in your fishing photos, along with a short note about where you were, who was on board, and the story behind the catch, and we’ll feature a selection in our next Members’ Catch Gallery.
On 28th July, Craig MacDonald was invited by his friend Francis, to try their hands at night jigging off Waihau Bay.
It wasn't too long before the new experience provided the goods, with Craig landing a nice Southern Bluefin Tuna at 10:30pm.
The night didn't get any easier for Craig, later being hooked into a battle lasting over an hour. All hopes of what was thought to be an epic tuna were quickly diminished, when a 4-5 meter Thresher shark surfaced with the jig hooked in its tail!
The tuna was weighed the following morning, tipping the scales at 39.4kg gutted and gilled.
26/27 WSFC Club Membership
Renew your Waikato Sport Fishing Club membership for the 2026/27 season to stay connected with club events, tournaments, newsletters, club nights, and member benefits year-round.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another great year of fishing, friendship, and community.
Member Benefits Your annual membership includes a range of great benefits:
Monthly club nights, including guest speakers and the chance to catch up with fellow members
A monthly club newsletter
25% discount on WSFC Hall hire, subject to terms and conditions
Visitor access to affiliated clubs with your membership card
Club tournaments and family fishing weekends away
Opportunities to 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 Hunting & Fishing when you present your WSFC membership card. The discount excludes items already on special, electronics, firearms, ammunition, game, and electric fishing combos.
Free entry to our Winter Challenge
2026/27 Membership Fees As agreed at our AGM, membership fees have increased slightly for the new season:
Adult
$45
Junior (16 years and under as a 1 July)
$15
Family ( 2 adults and up to 4 children 16 years and under at 1 July)
14 October Club Night - Winter Challenge Prizegiving
7 November Shelly Beach Family Fishing Comp
1 December 26 - 28 February 2027 Summer Champs
10-26 April 2027 Big Four
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.
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.
