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
Comment on Facebook
Way to go congratez👍
Awesome! Congrats Lady
Congrats Sarah Well worth your long journey
Tena te mihi atu kia koe Sarah...congratulations from one fisho to another..💯%
Congrats
Oh congratulations,,
Good on ya congrats
Congratulations Sarah!
Beautiful Sarah💖
Well done congratulations
Congratulations
🔥🔥🔥
Nice
Fkn mean
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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
Whuuu!!! Mean as neff!! Harley Ra Whoop Whoop🙌
Chur Cool Bro Congratulations
Banaza bro nga mihi
Happy to see you got the big one Harley!
Big Congratulations to you Harley. Enjoy the moment !!🥃🥃🥃 Cheers! Les Martin. previous classic winner
The man mah kuzzie Harley Ra che churr
What a great pic! Congrats bro 💪 we love this for you!!
congrats 💯🙌
Congrarz brother Harley Ra ❤️ mean one alright 🤙🤙🤙
How good...congratz bro👌🍻🥳
Congratulations 🙌
Well done!!
Shot… Congrats 🍾 Fantastic comp, see ya next year
Haere. Ra
Harley Ra Ayyy.. Come back from Perth to show em you still harty-NAUGHTY NORFA!! 😁 Mean Cuuuzzz!!!! 🐟🎣
Congratulations, that's awesome.
Awesome Catches bro
Congratulations Harley!
Way to go brada
Wtg Harley Ra congrats
You had to be there to no its was the best congratulations Harley Ra. Woop Woop
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How many teams entered?
Great effort team “Reel Ambitious “ proud of you guys 🥇
Is that combined weight?
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Farken wicked my bro Harley Ra too good alryt💯💪
Ngaz WickliffeTai this the page I been following sis
Yeah shot Harley Ra FFN does it again 👏
736 fish weighed, that's nearly a fish for every second rod.
Congratulations to the winners 🏆. Another great week thanks Snapper Bonanza team 👏 👍
Congrats Sharlene Lloyd
Nice one Sharlene Lloyd
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. 🤞🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏
Great results for the locals 👍👍
Yeah Papa Keith neat alright Karter Jo 2nd time on the podium with your dad Corey Williams awesome 👌
Congratulations to all the winners
So awesome congratulations Harley Ra
Way to go Sharlene Lloyd 👏👏
Solid win cuzzie
Congrats Sharlene Lloyd woohoo 🎉 👏👏
Awesome 👍😎
Yeeeahhh uncle Corey Williams yeah karts
Congrats 🎉🐟🎣
Woohoo Sharlene Lloyd
Up the Big Bent Rods Waikato
Sharlene Lloyd tin ass lol xx shot aunty barls x
Fuk well done for the 30k paki paki 🤩
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Honda Man Stephanie Te Amo Wikitoria-Mei Te Amo .. Ladies heaviest snapper...woop woop