A family-friendly fishing competition to fill the coffers of the Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade is on today, February 23, and Saturday, February 24.

“The more people who enter the competition, the better! And this weekend is looking superb, and so prizegiving will be held outdoors,” says organiser Mike Innes.

“Tickets cost $30 per adult and $15 per child aged under 16 – and can be snapped up now – and right up until 2pm Saturday,” says Mike of Fire Up Sports, which is once again hosting the annual Katikati Brigade Fishing Competition at the Katikati Rugby Club.

“We’re hosting a briefing on Thursday night, February 22, from 6pm at Katikati Rugby Club,”

“Then fishing begins 8am Friday, February 23, with the weigh-in from 2pm-5pm Saturday, February 24 at the rugby club.

"Boats can be launched from Waihi Beach to Tauranga.”

This year’s major cash prize is $1000 for the average weight snapper in the combined Adults and Kids’ sections.

One fish per person per category can be entered.

There will be average weight first, second and third prizes for snapper, trevally, kahawai; plus a land-based average weight first prize for snapper, trevally, kahawai; a heaviest prize for both snapper and kingfish; a dive section combined adults and kids’ prize; and a heaviest crayfish prize.

“At prizegiving we’ll have a bouncy castle, lolly scrambles, blind auction raffles, and the rugby club bar is open to order food and beverages form 1pm Saturday.

You can even get your fish filleted for $1 each!”

Mike says all proceeds from the competition will go directly back to the Katikati brigade, to continue their life-saving work in the community. “In the past year the bridge has attended 129 callouts.”

Tickets to the annual Katikati Brigade Fishing Competition can be purchased at Fire Up Sports, 3A Marshall Place, Katikati. Or online at: www.bit.ly/KVFBtickets