At Waiuku Cossie Club
Meeting starts at 7.30pm
Guest Speaker Luke Davis
See details on page 6
You do not need to be a Cossie Club member to attend.
All CSFC members and guests welcome.
Why not come early and take advantage of the great food on offer at the Cossie Club.
Important Note: if you intend to have a meal before the meeting it would pay to book to avoid disappointment as the restaurant is very popular and often full.
ShuntersRestaurantPhone 092359131ext5
Counties Sport Fishing Club
We are a family friendly West coast club based in Waiuku, just south of Auckland. With around 1000 members, trailer boats make up the majority of our fleet. Celebrating fishing of all kinds, from the humble Gurnard to the mighty Broadbill. Club waters span from Raglan north head to Kaipara south head and include the Manukau harbour and Waikato river.
To
join the club click HERE
COUNTIES
Bits & Bobs
Youth IGFA Representative
Brock Johnston has been appointed as a New Zealand youth representative to the IGFA. We wish him the best of luck in this position. This is a huge honour for Brock, and the club, congratulations Brock.
AGM 2025
This years AGM will be held on the 27th of August at the Cossie club. More details closer to the day, but put the date in your diary.
Daiwa Team Competition Winner
Congratulations to Stephen Harper for being one of the five winners in this competition, which was run by NZSFC alongside the Youth Nationals 2025. You can see his winning entry HERE
Newsletter Editor
I’ve been doing the newsletters for nearly 8 years now, so it’s probably time for a change and to give someone else a go. I’m planning to stand down at the AGM in August. So if you would like to give it a try just contact anyone on the committee. It doesn’t need to look like it does now, you can do whatever you want to put your own look to it. All the online publishing is done automatically, all you have to do is produce a pdf file of the newsletter and ISSUU takes care of everything else. You can use whatever software you are comfortable with as long as it can create a pdf file.
Previous Newsletters
Newsletters, back to January 2018, are available online here. They have been uploaded in higher resolution then the old pdf versions were emailed out in, so the pictures especially should be better quality.
Something for the Newsletter?
We’re always looking for items to include, so if you have a fishing report, some photos, or just a good story to tell please drop me an email on kevin@nzsteele.com
Watercare Work
As you may be aware, we're building a new outfall pipe that will carry treated wastewater from the existing Clarks Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant to around 100 metres off the coast in the Waiuku Channel. Our micro tunnel boring machine (mTBM) will begin its journey on Monday 12 May.
To prepare for the mTBM reaching the end of the outfall, marine construction works will begin this month and are expected to finish in January 2026.
The marine works will include:
Dredging.
Marine retrieval of the mTBM.
Towing the mTBM to Onehunga Wharf.
Piling works.
Marine pipeline installation.
During this time, we ask all mariners to maintain a safe distance from the worksite as there will be machinery, submerged hazards and divers working in this area. Please note, there will be deck lighting on the work vessels and any piles driven, and not protected by the jack-up barge, will have flashing lights, a top and reflective tape.
Our general marine working hours will be Monday to Friday, 7am- 6pm, with occasion works outside of these hours.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we complete this essential mahi.
Family Day
The wind had dropped nicely, but there was quite a bit of rain this year for the Family Day Competition. This did not deter lots of families from heading out into the harbour though, with a great turnout. As you can see from the results below there was also a great days fishing had by everyone. Thanks to our sponsors Burnsco, FMG, Shimano and Otaua Boating Club. Without them we couldn’t run this event and wouldn’t have the amazing range of prizes that we were able to give out this year.
Adults
Gurnard
1st Craig Thomson – 0.73kg
2nd Tracey Burns – 0.65kg
3rd Laura Kerwin – 0.63kg
Kahawai
1st Aimee Harper – 0.84kg
Snapper
1st Gary Starnes – 3.77kg
2nd Dylan Marjoriebanks – 3.57kg
3rd Paul Hyland – 3.29kg
Juniors
Kahawai
1st Beau Turoa – 1.19kg
Snapper
1st Ariah West – 3.93kg
2nd Tamati Hyland – 2.48kg
3rd Beau Turoa – 1.91kg
Trevally
1st Alexis – 1.24kg
2nd Ariah West – 1.08kg
3rd Beau Turoa – 0.68kg
Small Fry
Gurnard
1st George Starnes – 0.78kg
2nd Blake Kerwin – 0.71kg
3rd Indi Allison – 0.58kg
Kahawai
1st Jenna Hyland – 1.44kg
2nd Sophie Thomson – 1.39kg
3rd Jake Harper – 1.37kg
Kingfish:
1st Nate Little – 6.99kg
Snapper
1st Indi Harper – 3.45kg
2nd Beau Allison – 3.40kg
3rd Dylan Hull – 2.84kg
Trevally
1st Asha Kerwin – 1.59kg
2nd Cody Turoa – 0.91kg
Southern Bluefin Tuna Pre-Season Seminar
Series - Hamilton
Wed, 18 Jun, 6:30pm - 10pm
NZST
Waikato Sport Fishing Club Inc
Event description
In response to the tragic 2024 season, where too many of our mates lost their lives on the water, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and Coastguard have teamed up with some bluefin legends to run pre-season seminars across the North Island and beyond.
The goal is simple: support our fishing community to prepare for the Southern Bluefin Tuna season by sharing knowledge, improving safety, and helping everyone get home safe.
Seminar Topics
Setting up your boat and gear
Spreads, lures, and rigging tips
Vessel preparation
Safety equipment and planning
Maps, charts, and navigation for SBT hotspots
Techniques: trolling, jigging, topwater
Insights from local experts
How to work around commercial fleets
Tips for how to cross a bar
Sharing knowledge to help us all come home safe
Gamefish Tagging
2025 Update
Striped marlin were plentiful for a time this summer, particularly off the west coast of the North
Island and record numbers were seen or caught around the South Island.
Tagged Billfish Recaptures
There have been seven tagged striped marlin recaptured so far this season and six of these were caught out west. This included a striped marlin tagged off Mercury Islands in February 2024 which returned to New Zealand this season and headed down the west coast. It was recaptured in February 2025 off Gannet Is, Kawhia, after 355 days at liberty.
Two striped marlin tagged off Raglan in February were both recaptured within a few days, an 80 kg fish was caught 5 days later in the same area and a 70 kg fish was recaptured 4 days later off Waitara, 74 nmiles south.
A 90 kg striped marlin tagged on 24 January off Kawhia moved 40 nmiles north to Muriwai in 10 days, while another tagged off Muriwai on 12 February went the other way and was recaptured off Raglan, 13 days later. This fish was estimated to be 100 kg and was released again with a new tag.
Another striped marlin tagged off Kawhia was recaptured in March, 155 nmiles north, out from Hokianga after 32 days at liberty. This 90 kg fish was re-released.
The sole recapture from the east coast was tagged in January off Lottin Point and recaptured 260 nmiles north-west off Whangaroa 36 days later. This 80 kg fish was retagged and released.
A broadbill swordfish tagged on 6 April 2023 at the 400-metre hole, east of the Poor Knights Islands, was recaptured at the same location on the 22 March 2025. Caught and tagged after a 60-minute fight this fish was estimated at 100kg on release and weighed 120kg on recapture. This is the third occasion a tagged swordfish has been recaptured in a subsequent season, back at its release location. Generally, swordfish of this size travel to subtropical breeding grounds in spring.
Tagged Yellowfin Recaptures
There were good numbers of yellowfin tuna caught this season with many small fish tagged and released. There have been five tagged yellowfin recaptured so far this season all on the North Island east coast.
Two yellowfin tuna tagged in December 2024 and January 2025 off the Bay of Islands were both recaptured in the Bay of Plenty, 37 and 39 days later, respectively. One measured 116 cm and weighed 24 kg, while the other was 125 cm long and estimated to weigh between 25 and 30 kg.
A yellowfin tagged off Great Mercury Island in December moved south and was recaptured north of White Island 23 days later. It was also estimated to weight 25 to 30 kg.
There was a quick turn around for one small yellowfin tagged near Lottin Point and recaptured nearby, 9 days later.
Another small yellowfin was reported recaptured off Gisborne on 27 March 2025. The tag was sold by the Gisborne Tatapouri Sport Fishing Club a few years ago but no release details are available at this time.
Tagged Kingfish Recaptures
Two yellowtail kingfish tagged from the vessel Pursuit have been recaptured in the White Island area. The first in November 2024 had been at liberty for almost 6 years, measuring 114 cm on release, and 125 cm and about 24 kg on recapture. The second, a 15 kg kingfish had been at liberty for 6 years 5 months. It measured 104 cm on release and was estimated at 110 cm on recapture.
A spear fisherman caught a tagged kingfish at the end of December 2024 off Helena Bay, Northland. It measured 90 cm and weighed 11 kg but no release details are available at this time.
Youth Nationals
Another great year for Counties in the NZSFC Youth Nationals. Overall we were third place, with lots of great results from many of our anglers. Congratulations to everyone who took part this year.
SECTION A - CHAMPION NEW ZEALAND YOUTH ANGLERS PRIMARY
Snapper
4th JAKE HARPER. 275p 2.750 1KG line
6th DYLAN HULL 263p 5.260 2KG line
9th INDI HARPER 212p 2.120 1KG line
17th JAXON BURNS 96p 1.920 2KG line
23 LYLA WILLIAMS 73p 2.190 3KG line
27 ALAYNA ANDREWS 57p 2.280 4KG line
Gurnard
6th DYLAN HULL 31.5p 0.630kg 2KG line
9th. JAXON BURNS. 17.33p 0.5203KG line
19th INDI HARPER 5.5p 0.550 10KG line
Kahawai
12th DYLAN HULL 83.5p 1.670. 2KG line
Kingfish
3rd GORDON CLOTHWORTHY 85.93p 12.890 15KG line
SECTION A - CHAMPION NEW ZEALAND YOUTH ANGLERS HIGH SCHOOL
Gurnard
2nd BROCK JOHNSTON 57p .570 1KG line
Kahawai
2nd BROCK JOHNSTON 187p 1.870 1KG line
Skipjack
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 195.75 3.915 2KG line
Snapper
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 506p 5.060 1KG line
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 127p 1.270 1KG line
SECTION B - NZ CHAMPION ALL TACKLE YOUTH ANGLER PRIMARY
GURNARD
10th DYLAN HULL 0.63kg
13th INDI HARPER 0.55kg
15th JAXON BURNS.52kg
Kahawai
4th JAKE HARPER 2.26kg
Kingfish
2nd GORDON CLOTHWORTHY 12.89kg
Snapper
9th DYLAN HULL 15.26kg
SECTION D - LONGEST PRIMARY
KAHAWAI
6thJAKE HARPER 51cm
7th DYLAN HULL 51cm
SECTION D - LONGEST HIGH SCHOOL GURNARD
2nd BROCK JOHNSTON 39cm KAHAWAI
5thBROCK JOHNSTON 53cm SNAPPER
2nd BROCK JOHNSTON 63cm
SKIPJACK
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 57cm TREVALLY
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 42cm
SECTION E - T&R HIGH SCHOOL SHARK
1st BROCK JOHNSTON 5 x tagged
SECTION C - OVERALL CHAMPION ANGLER PRIMARY
7th DYLAN HULL 378 points
8th JAKE HARPER. 297.6 points
12th INDI HARPER 236.2 points
26th JAXON BURNS 113.33 points
37th GORDON CLOTHWORTHY 85.93 points
39th LYLA WILLIAMS 73.00 points
48th ALAYNA ANDREWS 57.00 points
SECTION C - OVERALL CHAMPION ANGLER HIGH SCHOOL
2nd BROCK JOHNSTON 1,172.75
IGFA Rules
Counties Sport Fishing Club are affiliated to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and they are affiliated to the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA). The IGFA are an international body who set the rules for gamefishing around the world, and any fish has to be caught under these rules to be eligible for a world record. We also fish all our major competitions under IGFA rules, so you must abide by these rules for any fish you catch to be eligible in our competitions. We’ll be highlighting some of these rules each month in the newsletter and on our social media.
This month we are looking at assist hooks fitted to jigs. Assist hooks or other such single hooks that are attached to a lure with a lead constructed of monofilament, multifilament, wire or other such material must conform to the following: When using assist hooks on any artificial lure, other than a skirted lure, the lead cannot be more than 1 ½ hook’s length and the bend of the hook may not be more than 101 millimeters (4 inches), whichever is less, from the closest point of attachment on the lure. A maximum of three assist hooks can be used. Double and treble hooks may not be used as assist hooks.
BE AWARE, not all commercially available jigs are IGFA legal. Make sure that you check any tackle you use conforms to the rules to avoid any risk of getting a fish disqualified.
All the information about IGFA rules can be found in the Sport Fishing Yearbook.
Click on the photo to view it online.
NZSFC Podcast
HERE to listen to the podcasts
Pod and Reel: The NZSFC Podcast
Welcome to the Pod and Reel podcast, presented by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, a national body with over 50 affiliated clubs across New Zealand, and over 37,000 members. Since 1957, NZSFC has focussed on setting standards for responsible fishing practices, collating records, organising events like the Nationals, and supporting its affiliated fishing clubs. This podcast dives deep into the history, the people, and the clubs that make up our fishing community. We’ll explore the highs and lows of fishing and learn from mistakes made, striving to be better, safer, and smarter when we interact with the water. With 15,000 kilometres of coastline, New Zealand’s fishing history is rich with stories of the tussle between us and the sea.
Join us as we delve into these topics and more on the Pod and Reel podcast, your gateway to the world of all things fishing in New Zealand.
President Matthew Douglas
Secretary Barbara Prescott
027 5757411 fishdougie@hotmail.com
027 6938431 15bjpre@gmail.com
Treasurer Nick King 021 02887606 csfcoffice@gmail.com
Vice President Stephen Harper 021 373334 sharperuku@gmail.com
Committee Bob Hilton 027 4880563 Bob.hilton9@gmail.com
Mike Oldfield
020 41079843 biffnmell@gmail.com
Patrick Egan 021 2710533 patrick@eganbricklayers.co.nz
Shane Johnston 027 4889073 shanej@envirowater.co.nz
Bruce Sloane 2357729 027 4061581 bruzasloane@yahoo.co.nz
Phil Nicklin 027 2207775 philandces@gmail.com
Nick Murdoch 02102696635 Nick@apscivil.co.nz
Social Media Polly Eyre 0210 527 604 maizienz@hotmail.com
Fish ‘n Chicks Claire Hull
027 2043151 clairehull1316@gmail.com
Newsletters Kevin Steele 021 2301917 kevin@nzsteele.com
Head Weighmaster Stephen Watts 2352002 021 0335145 teressawatts@slingshot.co.nz
Non Committee
Weighmasters Scott Warrender
021 626076
Pete Sellers 0210 412 943 phsellers@outlook.com
Sarah Parkinson 2356494 021 669944 Sparks.s@xtra.co.nz
Charlie Norton
021 1640300
Michael Parker 021654741
Colin Marriner 0274523991
NZFC Reps Stephen Harper 021 373334 sharperuku@gmail.com
Darin Burns 2356456 027 2224538 Darin.laura@hotmail.com
Merchandise Alvin Pacey 021 544276 allynpace@hotmail.com
Leader Board
Leader Board
LENGTH RECORDS we need a clear photo of the fish on the approved measure, which are available for $25. The photo must be of the whole fish lying on its side with the mouth touching the head of the measure. We will need details of where it was caught and the name of the angler.
