About The Competition
The 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza is arguably the biggest Snapper Surf Casting Competition in the world, a one species fishing competition which runs for 5 days in March on the famous Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē (90 Mile Beach), Northland New Zealand. The cash prize pool exceeds $88,000.00, of course the biggest cash offering goes to the largest snapper of the week a whopping $30,000.00. However don’t think it’s all about size as $10,000.00 is up for grabs for the angler that catches a snapper closest to the average weight of all the fish caught in the competition. The event will still cater for the unlucky angler that doesn’t catch a fish as the lucky draw spot prizes exceed $150,000.00 which includes a $53,000.00 4x4 Ute (RRP). 2020 and 2021 were sell-out’s which attracted 1000 anglers, it is estimated that at each prize giving there is a total crowd attendance of between 1500 and 3000 people enjoying the entertainment.
Jam-Packed Headquarters Arena – 2025
Darin Maxwell, Te Puke, Heaviest Snapper Record Holder Heaviest snapper record in competition history winner Darin Maxwell from Te Puke with 12.030kg landed Wednesday February 29th, 2012
Merchandise available for purchase on site
A brief history leading up to the creation of the Snapper Bonanza.
In 1982 the Brijevich family started the competition then called the Snapper Classic they were the owners of The Park -a camping ground just down the road from the current prize giving site. The competition evolved over the next 27 years into a community project that benefited the many local businesses supplying services, supplies, equipment etc. to the many contestants and their entourages. The local economy received a much needed boost and everyone was happy. In 2006 the competition was sold, the new owners ran it in much the same way as the previous owner, but ran into financial difficulties after the 2009 event. So in 2010 the competition was cancelled. However the 90 Mile Beach Surf Casting Club ran an event for those hardy souls who came North anyway. In 2011 the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza was born, with local businessmen John Stewart and Dave Collard combining their talents to facilitate this Far North iconic event. The bonanza brand has developed into a very strong marketable label and we hope it’s here to stay however without the support of our sponsors the event is not viable, as organisers we urge our anglers and supporters to climb on board and trade with our sponsors as much as possible. Tight Lines John & Dave
Some Of The Prizes Up For Grabs
$30,000.00
Heaviest Snapper Overall & Champions Trophy
$10,000.00
Average Weight Snapper Overall
Massive Spot Prizes
Including a Mitsubishi Triton, MeloYelo Electric Bike, Early Bird Kontiki and a Super Liquor Seahorse Kontiki
Don't miss out on arguably the largest surf casting event in the world
Registration has never been easier. Register online now!
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Hall of Fame
Rory Collings, Kaitaia
2025 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2025 – 6.635kg.
Zane Kaaka, Te Kao
2024 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2024 – 8.225kg.
Damien Sinclair,
Martinborough
2023 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2023 – 7.485kg.
Dickson Hohaia,
South Taranaki
2021 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2021 – 9.060kg.
Grant Thompson, Auckland
2020 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2020 – 8.285kg.
Dave Rameka, Kaitaia
2019 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2019 – 7.905kg.
Grant Dodunski, Te Puke
2018 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2018 – 8.945kg.
Chris Spurr, Gisborne
2017 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2017 – 6.175kg.
James Benge, Hastings
2016 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2016 – 8.165kg.
Troy Notton, Kamo
2015 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2015 – 8.315kg.
Neil Sides, Kaitaia
2014 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2014 – 9.995kg.
Jeremy Alai, Auckland
2013 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2014 – 9.91kg.
Darin Maxwell, Te Puke
2012 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2012 and new record holder – 12.030kg
Luke Boyes, Christchurch
2011 Winner
Overall Heaviest Snapper Winner 2011 – 8.89kg
Our Sponsors
Without them this event would not happen
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.Comment on Facebook
Carlton Paki into it🤟🤟
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.Comment on Facebook
Well done too you
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What worries me is how the system can’t cope and crashes when you go online to purchase your tickets . Make sure Whanau your pay pal account is updated before you even attempt to book online.
Snapper Bonanza is Saturday the 6th? And Sunday the 7th Or is my Samsung calender wrong 🤔
How much to enter
Awesome Pic These 2 stayed with us @Ngāpae Holiday Park Nick&Detriot Machee from Papamoa Took away some nice winnings bro👌65inch TV & BBQ even got in for chance with the Triton Truck Thanks for the chocolates n Thanku letter See you next year 2026🙌🎣
Sweet baby Jesus can you guys sort your dates Guide said Saturday 1st of June now it is Saturday 7th June, these dates don't exist in 2025 Try Saturday 6th June if you want to stick with first Saturday in June
Will they expand the areas? The number of fishermen in the comp has grown massively, but the areas haven't. Now you have people casting across other lines, braided lines cutting thru other people's nylon lines because they're casting over or drifting across the beach with the current.
I have a feeling it's gonna sell out even quicker this time! 🎣
Going to be at this one might catch a good ole fish for a change lol 🎣🎣🎣
Need one next year
Do you accept the frenchies ? 😁🇨🇵
Houston Lee Deena Taylor Lance Taylor Dan Harding-Martin Paul Martin Ben Kohunui Yerkovich DougandShell Gloria Anderton Kuini Anderton Benjamin Foe Cushla Foe Asoiva Anderton Brad Wilkin couldn't add stan kay n pete can't wait
I wil definitely be bac
Sandra Mei Waaka thank you Sandra!Detroit and I had a awesome stay at Ngāpae Holiday Park,pauas n cream steak burgers and swimming at the pool,wanted to say thank you for all the mahi you do around camp,see you next year!
Tim Matiu should we go back this date? V
Boom! Ika Nui Corey N Sheena Petera Bella Evan Lloyd-Morgan Lock the dates in!
Yvonne Rudolph Sonya Kiwikiwi Wayne Wright that’s us chat 😊
Quaylen Wikitera that's us son. Tight lines💯💪🏿🎣
Leatiogie Faamamafa Laveaina Henry Samuels Junior Laveaina Delia Shane Wilkinson Hobman Jamie Hauraki Dion Ft Netz Reihana Netz Ft Dion Reihana peter fletcher
Shanon Dickson Thomas Sniper Cook 👀👀
Stephen Price
Dan Smith
Stephanie Harris Erepana Waitai Gerry Sionetali-Waitai Samisoni Sionetali
Tulisa Linder
Jony Guillard
Caleb Oakes
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Is it only fishing off the beach ..?
Carrie Putaranui 😂
Scott Jelbert
Cool whnz the nxt 1
Cheers Lou ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks for another great year!!!! Maybe next year we’ll catch a snapper 🤦♀️🥴😂
Awesome well run event. You guys put on a great comp. Congratulations to you all. It was a bloody privilege to be a part of it.🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
Thank you once again for a great week of fishing for my husband Warren Scott & his mate Bruce from down the line. Everyone including our grandaughter enjoy the vibe from the competition 2025 can’t wait until 2026!!!
Great work with the photos and updates Louise! Much appreciated.
👍🏽👍🏿 all the: Snapper Lips and Happy Hookers that braved the elements hoping to hook Tammy the Tamure. The Camel jockeys. & Kai koha that organize the Hullie. 🚗🥧 Enjoyed the updates may move the couch closer to the beach Nek yeah 🔲👁️ @watchfrmafar
Great work thankyou
Loved the updates from home here’s to next year .. awesome work Team 🍻
Thank you for all the photos and updates
Way to go Lou Strong !! You and you're team rock!! Go and enjoy a few beers and a well deserved rest 🥰. Here's to 2026
To good mate awesome comp!! Thanks for all you do mate 🤙 #Taranaki suspects#
Well done team. What a massive week it was for everyone.
Very cool. Keep good work up. Lovely event for locals.
Thanks team! Enjoyed the week, see you next year!
You guys & girls are awesome. Fantastic comp once again. Thank-you for all the hard work. 🍻 🥂
Thanks for another fantastic week team!!
Thanks team! We’ll try again next year lol
Newbies on the block!!!Awesome comp🎣enjoyed by all...Amazing mahi done..enjoy your break...SEE YA ALL NEXT YEAR!!!
The organizers and staff are amazing 👏🏼
Awesome week, thank you everyone who put this event together I'll be back next year
Good work Lou!
Thank you all so much for your hard work and turning it on for us all.... see you again next year COME ON TICKET SALES
Thanks Lou!!! Well deserved 🍺
Well deserved. Thanks Team for the awesome run competition 👊🏽
See ya next year mate
Appreciate all your hard mahi 💕
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