Megafish Hawke's Bay 2026 Rules
MEGAFISH HAWKE’S BAY –4th – 7th February 2026 (Briefing 3rd) Tournament Rules.
1. GENERAL
a)The purpose of this tournament is to make sure that you all have an enjoyable time and have an equal chanceto win excellent prizes.
b) To that purpose we have a set of rules. Please make sure you understand them. If there are any matters thatneed clarification, please ask the Megafish Committee. Any matters not specifically covered by these rules willbe covered by the IGFA rules, NZSFC rules and HBSFC fishing rules and/or at the discretion of the MegafishCommittee.
2. ELIGIBILITY
a) The relevant entry fee must be paid by each angler before leaving port, with a minimum of two persons perboat. A Junior is a person under 16 as at 1st July 2025.
b) If anglers wish to change the vessel they are registered to fish from, they must inform HBSFC Manager inadvance or be disqualified.
c) Every boat must sign a waiver when registering online or at the HBSFC to be able to fish in the competition,and at least one member from each boat must be present at briefing where the rules will be explained. (Forout-of-town boats, please email Neil Price manager@hbsfc.co.nz and he will send you a link to theregistration form.
d) No refunds will be given. Section prizes will be lucky drawn. The $10,000 major prize and the HeliAg earlybird will be drawn as spot prizes if the tournament is cancelled.
3. BREIFING
a) The briefing is at 1900 on Tuesday 3rd February 2026.
4. RADIO
i. Coastguard Channel 01
ii. Boat to Boat Channel 06
iii. Weigh station/Content Channel 62
5. FISHING
a) Boats must leave from Napier inner harbour. No boat can leave before “shotgun” start on the first fishing day (Time to be set at briefing).
b) Fishing must not commence until after the shotgun start on Wednesday 4th and all boats must be in thechannel by 1600 on Saturday 7th February.
c) You may take your boat out of the water within Hawke’s Bay waters for refuelling and accommodationneeds, but all boats MUST leave after the shotgun start and all fish must be presented to the weigh-master from the boat on the water at the HBSFC weigh station.
d) All boats must carry minimum safety equipment as per NZ Coastguard recommendations.e) All fish and fishing must be carried out in Hawke’s Bay waters within club boundaries, i.e., 38°50´50" to thenorth; 40°40´00" to the South.
f) IGFA and NZSFC Rules and Equipment Regulations, and Megafish Regulations apply. Braid can be used.Please ensure traces, rigs, gaffs, tail ropes etc. meet these regulations. (HBSFC have the right to inspect boats and equipment at any time).
g) The following minimum weights/size applies: Billfish 90kg; Spearfish 10kg; Kingfish 1m in length from noseto v of tail; Albacore 5kg; Yellowfin/Big Eye/Bluefin Tuna 15kg. Be conservation-conscious and preserve ourfishing habitat.
h) The Billfish section includes Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Broadbill. Each of these species areconsidered billfish under the major prize formula
i) The Tuna section includes Yellowfin, Big Eye and Bluefin Tuna. Each of these species are considered tunaunder the major prize formula. Albacore and Skipjack Tuna have their own section and are not eligible forthe Tuna Section.
j) No commercial fishing boats allowed unless an application to the HBSFC committee has been made and evidence of de-registration can be produced. All commercial fishing gear is to be removed, and the boatinspected and passed by HBSFC committee prior to tournament. Commercial charter boats are permitted.
6. WEIGH IN
a) All fish must be presented at the Club’s weigh station from the boat on the water to the official Weigh-master or his/her Deputies. (Return through Napier Inner Harbour). The Weigh-master has the right toinspect any fish or boat, and to inspect and/or measure any equipment. It is the angler’s responsibility to ensure their fish are presented, weighed, and recorded correctly. In the event of a tie (i.e., equal in weight),the first fish weighed will be deemed the winning fish.
b) The weigh station is open from 1300 - 1700 from the 4th of February to the 6th of February and 1300 - 1600on the 7th of February. Any extension of these hours is at the discretion of the weigh-masters.
7. TAGGED AND RELEASED
a) Digital videos/photo clearly showing the tag in the fish MUST be shown to the weigh-master when tagcards are presented.
b) Catch Cards and Tag Cards: - ALL sections MUST be filled in BEFORE fish are brought to the weigh station. First and last name must be written in full.
c) Tagged and released fish must NOT be removed from the water during the tagging and releasing process.
d) All presented Tag cards will then go in the draw to win a prize within that section.
8. PRIZE ALLOCATION
a) The Major Prize of $10,000 prize money will be awarded for the highest scoring single fish using thefollowing formula: Billfish x 1, Bigeye/Bluefin Tuna x 1.5, Yellowfin Tuna x 2, Spearfish x 4, Albacore x 5,Skipjack x 14, Kingfish x 4, Snapper x 8. In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed will be deemed the winner.
b) The HeliAg Earlybird Bird Jackpot of $10,000 can only be won by anglers that have an early bird entry.The major prize winner as an early bird will receive a total of $20,000.
c) Juniors will be eligible for junior prizes and the Major Prize. Prizes from Hunting and Fishing.
d) SPOT PRIZES – There will be spot prizes throughout the duration of the competition. If your name getscalled out, you must be there to receive the prize. If you are not at the HBSFC the prize will be redrawn.
e) Junior Section – Same formula as the senior section – Prizes to be confirmed.
f) Senior Section - Senior prizes from 1st - 3rd for each species (Hunting and Fishing products)
First prize for each species will also get the following.
◦ Heaviest Albacore – $650 (Pollet Furniture)
◦ Heaviest Snapper – $800 (Pollet Furniture)
◦ Heaviest Skipjack – $500 (QRF Group)
◦ Heaviest Tuna/Spearfish – $750 (Hawkes Bay Toyota)
◦ Heaviest Billfish – $800 (GEMCO)
◦ Heaviest Kingfish – $800 (Norfolk Lounge)
◦ Tagged Billfish – $650 (Advanced Plumbing)
◦ Tagged Yellowfin – $1,000 (HBSFC)
◦ Overall Junior – $1400 (Auto Tech )
9. TOP BOAT JACKPOT
a) Entries into the top boat jackpot are completed when signing up to the 2026 HB Megafish.
b) $250 per boat.
c) Heaviest combined weight for each species (1 fish per species will count)
d) Same points system as formula
e) Tagged billfish = 100 points (not limited to one)
f) 70% - Top Boat, 20% 2nd, 10% 3rd
g) In the event of a tie, the prize will be shared equally.
10.DISPUTES
a) Any protest or dispute must be lodged with the Tournament Committee within ten minutes after prizegiving.
b) The tournament is held in the spirit of amateur fishing and fair competition. If, in the opinion of the Tournament Committee, competitors have breached the spirit of the competition, the Committeereserves the right to exclude competitors. The Committee’s decision is final.
c) Dispensation to the Rules – Dispensation to the Rules can be given by the Tournament Committee in theinterest of public safety.
• The tournament Committee reserves the right to change or amend the Tournament or its rules at anystage, subject to any advice received, or in the interests of public safety.
• Notification will be via VHF Radio Channel 62, and the Megafish Facebook Page, and TEXT. Once broadcast, this will be deemed to have been given to all teams
• Any rule changes will be sent VHF Radio Channel 62, and the Megafish Facebook Page, and TEXT.
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