KUBOTA Billfish Classic 2022
All of New Zealand’s top gamefishing boats from Houhora to Nelson were here in Mercury Bay for the biggest tournament this side of the equator the Kubota Billfish Classic 2022…
If you were not here back yourself and make sure you are lining up in 2023 for the absolute pinnacle of gamefishing in NZ
What a fantastic event last week with 71 billfish either weighed or tagged over 3 days and a tagging percentage over 90%. Prize money given out was over $236,000 cash (no, that’s not a misprint!) and when you include the other prizes, the total prize value was over $300,000. Tom Maxwell from Mad Max Sportfishing did a fantastic job organising the event then running the whole thing including operating the VHF for gamebase.
A big thanks to Tom for doing such a good job putting the whole thing together and congratulations to the winning teams.
Winners:
Heaviest Weighed Billfish – Iron Maiden $ 70,000.00
Heaviest Weighed Tuna – Smoking Gun $ 10,000.00 Thanks to Jimmy Buffit Yacht Management
Champion Team on points 1450pts Strike On $108,550.00 ($20,000 + 1st both Jackpots)
2nd Team on Points – 1350pts Marlure $ 12,300.00 (2nd Jackpot $500)
3rd Team on Points – 1124pts Bandit $ 19,150.00 (3rd Jackpot $500 + 2nd Jackpot $1000)
4th Teams on Points – 900pts each $6,500.00 split 4 ways (3rd Jackpot $1000) $1,625.00 Surreel, Piracy, Rumbar, Shamrock
Last Man Standing: Kubota RTV-XG850 Utility Vehicle – Team Bandit
Jackpot Entry Draw: Kubota Ride on Lawn Mower Team Impulse
Last Tagged Billfish: The Gambler $5,000 cash plus 2 days fishing in Vava’u Tonga Thanks to Walker Barrier Hire and Hakula Lodge
Last Man Standing Tagged Fish draw: Aurora II $5,000 cash plus 4 days fishing in Kona, Hawaii Thanks to JC Walker Transport and High Flier Sportfishing Kona
A big thanks to our sponsors: Kubota NZ, JC Walker Transport, Walker Barrier Hire, Jimmy Buffit Yacht Management, High Flier Sportfishing Kona, Hakula Lodge, Central Motors 2001 Ltd, R&R Tractors Ltd and Agrilife who helped put together such a great prize pool.
