The Snooks and Lola Fuller Conservation Trophy, awarded to the angler from the Northern clubs who tags and releases the most marlin and sharks in a season, had never been to Ahipara before last weekend. First presented in 1988, it made its inaugural appearance at Ahipara Gamefish Club’s annual prizegiving ceremony on Saturday 23 August, after club member Helen Horrocks tagged a total of four marlin last season.

Other highlights from the night included a strong showing by the Wigley family in the juniors section. Jake Wigley (11) took out the junior and small fry heaviest snapper trophies with a 9.29kg fish that also earned him a place on the 20lb snapper trophy. Older brother Max Wigley (13) claimed heaviest gamefish for a junior with his 63.9kg bigeye tuna, which was also a first fish of the season for NZ. Ben Wigley (15) won most tagged marlin by a junior.

Senior member Glen Etherington cleaned up a number of trophies in the open section, including heaviest tuna for his impressive 131.5kg bluefin tuna, caught off the West Coast during the Best of the West tournament. The same fish won him the heaviest gamefish of the season, February trophy, and the most meritorious catch.

In another first for the club, Ahipara’s top skipper award - the Kerrod Neho Trophy - was claimed by a female skipper this year. Helen Horrocks picked up this award, with a total of six striped marlin tagged, one bluefin tuna and two yellowfin tuna weighed.

The club’s AGM was also held on the night, with the committee surprising long-serving committee member Robbie Matthews by making him an honorary life member - one of only three people to have received the privilege. Robbie was thanked for his 19 years of service to the club, having been involved since its inception in 2006.

The club has just launched a new snapper competition - the Icey Camel Snapper Jackpot - which runs until 30 September and is open to both members and non-members. Entries are also open for the Best of the West tournament, which will be held in February 2026, with big cash and spot prizes to be won. More information and entry forms for both competitions can be found at ahiparagamefishclub.co.nz.

Full winners list from the 2024-25 season prizegiving:

Linda & Darryl Bradly Trophy - Small Fry Junior Heaviest Snapper

Jake Wigley - 9.29kg

Robbie & Lynda Matthews Trophy - Junior Heaviest Snapper

Jake Wigley - 9.29kg

Yvette & Leo Lloyd Trophy - Junior Heaviest Hapuka

Cooper Matthews - 20.5kg

Ados Addicted To Fishing Trophy - Junior Heaviest Other Scale Fish

Alana Morrogh - John Dory - 2kg

Colin Seddon Trophy - Junior Most T/R Marlin

Ben Wigley - 1 Tagged Marlin

Dave & Mandy Morrogh Trophy - Junior Heaviest Gamefish

Max Wigley - 63.9kg Bigeye Tuna

Wildcat & Karizma 20lb Snapper Trophy

Jake Wigley - 9.29kg

Ginty Morrogh - 9.40kg

Jolene Gravatt - 9.91kg

Logan Morrogh - 12.60kg

Kerry Rolleston Trophy - Heaviest Kingfish

William Lomas - 30.36kg

Gallagher Insurance Kingfish Classic - Heaviest Kingfish Trophy

Robbie Matthews - 21.7kg

Allan & Karen Robinson Trophy - Heaviest Tuna

Glen Etherington - Bluefin Tuna - 131.5kg

Trevor Irving Trophy - Heaviest Broadbill Of The Season

Helen Horrocks - 92.5kg

Wildcat Charters Trophy - Heaviest Striped Marlin

Amy Gray - 100.4kg

Dave Stewart Trophy - Heaviest Gamefish Of The Season

Glen Etherington - Bluefin Tuna - 131.5kg

Phil & Diane Laurenson - February Trophy

Glen Etherington - 526 Points

Fingers First Billfish Of The Season Trophy

Helen Horrocks - Striped Marlin T/R on 7 December 2024

Kevin Griffiths Trophy - Most Tag & Release

Helen Horrocks - 4 Tagged Marlin

Lynda & Robbie Matthews Trophy - Angler Most Points

Karl (Magic) Daniel - 1,950.88 Points

Kerrod Neho Trophy - Top Skipper Most Gamefish Points

Helen Horrocks - 782.2 Points

Printing.com Trophy - Most Meritorious Catch

Glen Etherington - Bluefin Tuna - 131.5kg

Article added: Monday 25 August 2025