Te Atatu Boating Club presents the inaugural
Marine Deals Commodore's Snapper Classic
6 to 8 November 2026
A three-day measure tournament for snapper and kingfish on the Hauraki Gulf, with daily prizes, two social nights, and the weigh-in and prize-giving at the club. Open to the public, all experience levels welcome.
$25k
In prizes, approx.
$70
Per angler
25 Oct
Early-bird draw closes
1 Nov
Entries close, 5pm
How the weekend runs
Thu 5 Nov, 6pm
Skippers' briefing
Compulsory, at the club. Team captains or individual anglers sign the rules acknowledgement, each boat collects its starter pack, and the early-bird prize draw is made.
Fri 6 Nov, 6am
Lines in
Fishing opens across the tournament area. Leave from any ramp or marina inside the boundaries and tell us where you are departing from.
Every day, 1pm
Check-in
Every boat checks in through the WhatsApp group, or by text to 021 31 99 00, with its boat name, largest fish per category and grid location.
Fri 6 and Sat 7 Nov, 6pm
Social catch-ups
Optional get-togethers with daily prizes and spot prizes. Which bay is shared in the WhatsApp group on the day.
Sun 8 Nov, 2pm to 4pm
Weigh-in
Fishing closes at 3pm and the weigh station closes at 4pm sharp, at the club, 32 Bridge Ave. One fish per species per angler.
Sun 8 Nov, about 6pm
Prize-giving
The overall winners are announced at Te Atatu Boating Club.
How it works
Measure and release
Snapper and kingfish are measured on the official SnapCatch mat (one per skipper, supplied) and entered by photo in the SnapCatch app, free for this tournament. Releasing the big ones is encouraged, but keeping your fish is your call.
Daily cut-offs
Friday's measured entries run from 6am to 7pm and Saturday's from 7:01pm Friday to 7pm. Sunday closes at 3pm sharp, and no entries are accepted after that.
Weigh-in
Sunday only, 2pm to 4pm sharp. Rod and reel or handline, fish whole, fresh and within NZ legal limits, weighed from the boat they were caught on. One fish per species per angler.
Skippers' pot
An optional $50 buy-in per vessel, taken at the briefing. The overall winner of the competition takes 80% of the pot and second place takes 20%.
The She'll Be Right Award
Given out daily for the best story, mishap or moment. Dob in your crew by private WhatsApp message to the committee or at clubcaptain@teatatuboatclub.co.nz.
Fair play
Stay inside the boundaries and check in every day: missing a check-in without good reason can cost you that day. In a tie, the first fish weighed or recorded wins.
Where you can fish
Anywhere in the Hauraki Gulf inside the boundaries on the official chart. HPAs and marine reserves are out of bounds.
Mainland to Little Barrier: Cape Rodney Lighthouse to Te Titoki Point. Little Barrier to Great Barrier: the Hauruia Stream outlet on Little Barrier (36°13.213S, 175°6.542E) to False Head, continuing to Great Barrier Island. Coromandel: Square Top Island to Ruahine Rock (36°20.816S, 175°30.361E).
Boats normally kept outside the area can ask for an exception to travel to and from port. No fishing outside the area.
Approx $25,000 in prizes
Daily prizes every day of the tournament, then the overall prizes at Sunday night’s prize-giving.
Daily prizes
- Longest Snapper, Overall1st
- Longest Snapper, Ladies1st
- Longest Snapper, Junior1st
- Longest Kingfish, Overall1st
- Longest Kingfish, Ladies1st
- Longest Kingfish, Junior1st
Plus spot prizes drawn at each gathering (the named angler must be there to claim), and other species: John Dory, kahawai, trevally and gurnard.
Overall prizes
- Heaviest Snapper, Overall1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest Snapper, Ladies1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest Snapper, Junior (U16)1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Snapper, Overall1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Snapper, Ladies1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Snapper, Junior1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest Kingfish, Overall1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest Kingfish, Ladies1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest Kingfish, Junior (U16)1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Kingfish, Overall1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Kingfish, Ladies1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Longest Kingfish, Junior1st, 2nd, 3rd, AVG
- Heaviest John Dory1st, AVG
- Heaviest Trevally1st, AVG
- Heaviest Kahawai1st, AVG
- Heaviest Gurnard1st, AVG
- Heaviest Other1st, AVG
Sharks, stingrays and eels are not accepted. A category with no winner is drawn among the anglers present. The committee may increase prizes if entries are well above expectations.
Get your tickets
Entry is $70 per angler. Send this through and the club will be in touch to confirm your entry and payment.
Questions? Call 09 834 4006 or email office@teatatuboatclub.co.nz.
Snapper Classic tickets
Marine Deals bonus draw
Registered anglers who shop at Marine Deals between 16 October and 2 November go in an extra prize draw. Email your receipt to clubcaptain@teatatuboatclub.co.nz.
Our generous sponsors
With thanks to the businesses helping make the inaugural tournament possible.
Good to know
Late entries and refunds
Registrations close at 5pm on Sunday 1 November. There are no refunds after 2 November without the committee’s approval: send requests in writing to clubcaptain@teatatuboatclub.co.nz.
Weather
If bad weather hits the weekend, the committee may move the tournament to another date. Registered anglers will hear by email.
Protests
A protest about a catch or a rule must be in writing, signed, and handed to the tournament convenor before the weigh station closes at 4pm on Sunday. The committee’s decision is final.
Safety
Everyone takes part at their own risk. Skippers are responsible for a seaworthy vessel that meets Maritime NZ safety requirements.