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!
Keep up to date with us on Facebook
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
from John & Dave, the girls in the rego tent (the real heros) Rach, Alex, Katherine & Laura, weigh station, Brian, Lou, Toni, Mataina, Trish. The 💪🏼 boys Ed, Jody, Bev, Toss, Radar, Ronny, Paul. Merch container Glenda. DJ Derek. Denny and his crew, the awaz rugby crew. Eileen, @brydiebowls & Pam keeping you fed with the caravans. @sports.riders.kaitaia team keeping you in tack all week. @icey_camel keeping you stocked with bait & ice. And the wahine who look after you the most 🍺 Treen, Dayna & Kailee.
The biggest thanks goes to @gallagherinsurancenz_ and our sponsors. What this event does for our community is HUGE!
And there are many more! Thank you 🙏🏼
Congrats to allllllll the winners!
Details of next year’s date, ticket sales, left over merch to come. Sunday was pack up day and have a beer at the pub.
See you all in 2027 🙌🏼
Cheers Lou 🫶🏻 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you all for such an epic event! Appreciate everyone that helps make this happen and putting in the work for us to compete. Congratulations to all winners 🏆 Will definitely see you next year! Wooooh!
Thank you team for another fantastic event!
Well done team 🙌
Fantastic time once again thanks team. Big ups to all involved, see you again next year 🍻
Solid effort team! Made the effort from the Bay of Plenty all the worth while. Until next time, Hei kona rā 🤗
Well done team!! Always appreciate all your hardwork and dedication!!! See you next year!!
What a fantastic week, To your entire team hats off!
Well done team what a fantastic week see you next year
View more comments
Comment on Facebook
Where was she from
Tena te mihi atu kia koe Sarah...congratulations from one fisho to another..💯%
Congratulations Sarah.slayed it .
Way to go congratez👍
Awesome! Congrats Lady
Congratulations 👏👏👏 woohoo
Congrats Sarah Well worth your long journey
Congrats
Oh congratulations,,
Good on ya congrats
Congratulations Sarah!
Beautiful Sarah💖
Well done congratulations
Congratulations
Wahine toa... 🎊💪
Ka rawe wahine toa!!! 👏😊
🔥🔥🔥
Congratulations 🎊
Grwat ride Sarah. Winner yeah
Congratulations
Congratulations
Congratulations 🎊 👏
Awesome
Well done
View more comments
Comment on Facebook
No comments, useless how big was the fish, caught when, where wad he from?????
Mean Kuzz 💯🤣🤣🤣!! The man Harley Ra ,from the Far far Norf to Shifnal Drive and back again..Tooo much 🙌
Mean bro! Good on you.
Chur bro
Big Congratulations to you Harley. Enjoy the moment !!🥃🥃🥃 Cheers! Les Martin. previous classic winner
Ka pai brother 👍
Chur Cool Bro Congratulations
Congratulations 🎉🎊🎉 Harley....Yay yarr. Mean effort
The man mah kuzzie Harley Ra che churr
What a great pic! Congrats bro 💪 we love this for you!!
Shot… Congrats 🍾 Fantastic comp, see ya next year
congrats 💯🙌
Harley Ra Ayyy.. Come back from Perth to show em you still harty-NAUGHTY NORFA!! 😁 Mean Cuuuzzz!!!! 🐟🎣
Fuark can't wait to hear this story. Mean my cuz!
Whuuu!!! Mean as neff!! Harley Ra Whoop Whoop🙌
Congrarz brother Harley Ra ❤️ mean one alright 🤙🤙🤙
How good...congratz bro👌🍻🥳
Congratulations 🙌
Well done!!
Congratulations mate
Haere. Ra
Congratulations, that's awesome.
Banaza bro nga mihi
That smile says it all , good on you!
Awesome Catches bro
View more comments
Comment on Facebook
Shot John n Lu. You guys do a great job 👏
How many teams entered?
4 up Koro 🫱🏻🫲🏼
Great effort team “Reel Ambitious “ proud of you guys 🥇
Is that combined weight?
View more comments
Comment on Facebook
Ngaz WickliffeTai this the page I been following sis
Yeah shot Harley Ra FFN does it again 👏
Farken wicked my bro Harley Ra too good alryt💯💪
736 fish weighed, that's nearly a fish for every second rod.
Congratulations to the winners 🏆. Another great week thanks Snapper Bonanza team 👏 👍
Congratulations to everyone who entered. You all did the Mahi, some got the treats, but thats what its all about. Hope too see you all there in the years to come. Massive sponsors, massive competition, massive rewards, bucket list for me. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏
Congrats Sharlene Lloyd
Yeah Papa Keith neat alright Karter Jo 2nd time on the podium with your dad Corey Williams awesome 👌
Nice one Sharlene Lloyd
Great results for the locals 👍👍
Congratulations to all the winners
So awesome congratulations Harley Ra
Way to go Sharlene Lloyd 👏👏
Solid win cuzzie
Congrats Sharlene Lloyd woohoo 🎉 👏👏
Wooohoooo!!! cracked ittttt whanauuu 😍😍😍
Awesome 👍😎
Congrats 🎉🐟🎣
Bloody hell ae, way to go mr Ra.
Mean Keithy
Woohoo Sharlene Lloyd
Up the Big Bent Rods Waikato
Fuk well done for the 30k paki paki 🤩
View more comments