The New Zealand Sportfishing Council Youth Nationals started on Easter Friday and, with the weather looking great, our junior anglers hit the ocean locally and in Tauranga.

A run of kingfish, both weighed and tag-and-released, has put us on the scoreboard.

In the T&R High School section for yellowtail kingfish, Corey Munn is currently sitting in first place, with Olliver Pask hard on his heels.

Olliver and Austin Pask out on Nauti Buoys also caught some nice gurnard, which currently has Olliver in second place in the High School Gurnard section.

We are also featuring in the kahawai and snapper sections – a great mix of fish for our junior anglers.

Olliver and Austin have also submitted impressive entries in the National Photo Competition.

Thanks to the weigh masters for being on call during the duration of the Youth Nationals. Your time and skills weighing junior catches is much appreciated.

Cyclone Vaianu has temporarily slowed fishing activity, although Harley Jaram was out land-based fishing in Ōhiwa Harbour on Saturday morning and landed a lovely snapper for the measure section. The competition concludes tomorrow.

Thank you to First Credit Union for sponsoring the Primary School Section of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Interschool Competition.

This tournament is a great chance for young anglers to represent their school, build their skills, and most of all enjoy themselves.

Entries are open now – you can ask at the club or enter through the website. Junior anglers can join at any time during the tournament.

Keelan Dawson and Mia Hyndman, fishing with Aquarius Charters, each landed a tope (shark), both potential New Zealand records. Also, congratulations to Makaia-Reena, She won the Guess the Number of Easter Eggs raffle. There were 55 eggs in the jar.

With Anzac Day fast approaching, it is a time to pause and remember the sacrifices made by our returned servicemen and women, and those who did not return.

Whakatāne Sportfishing Club will be open early following the Dawn Parade, with coffee, tea, and breakfast available. We welcome you to come in for a cuppa, enjoy an early breakfast, and share a few stories.

After nearly four years at the helm, club manager Sarah-Lee is hanging up her rod to pursue a new business venture.

We thank her for her dedication and contribution to the club and wish her all the very best.

The manager’s position is being advertised externally on Seek and Trade Me.

Looking ahead to May, the Haddock Spraypainters and Panelbeaters Trout Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10. Thanks go to Haddock Spraypainters and Panelbeaters and W J Dippie for their sponsorship.

Anglers of all ages will be heading to Lake Rotoiti for a weekend of fishing, fun, and a few hard-luck stories.

The briefing will be held at the club on Thursday, May 7, with prizegiving on Sunday.

Don’t forget you can save on fuel by catching the club van on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4pm. Just phone 0800 CATCH ME (228 2463).