Rarotonga fisherman Nga Katuke took home $1000 for his whopping 70-kilogram yellowfin tuna.

His catch was the heaviest fish at the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club (CIGFC) Weighmaster fishing tournament held on Saturday.

Club president Apii William came in second in the heaviest fish category with his 44.4kg yellowfin, and Tutai William claimed third prize for his 28.6kg yellowfin tuna.

Initially, the fishing tournament was scheduled to run last Saturday, however, due to the unfavourable weather conditions the event was held over the weekend.

CIGFC weighmaster Julie Tangimetua-Karika said although the fish catch was pretty dismal due to “the lack of fish”, the competition “was a successful one.”

The last weigh in for the registered 27 boats was at 6pm, followed by the prizegiving at 7pm and live band entertainment.

Results

Heaviest Fish section: 1^st ‘Jnr Boy’ $1000 Nga Katuke, yellowfin tuna 70kg; 2^nd ‘Hurihuri Ata’ $500 Apii William, yellowfin tuna 44.4kg; 3^rd ‘Yewolea’ $250 Tutai William, yellowfin tuna 28.0kg. Aggregate Fish section: 1^st ‘Ruby’ $1000 Kirikava, total 43.3kg; 2^nd ‘Akura’ $500 Boof Mare, total 34.2kg; 3^rd ‘Yelowea’ $250 Tutai William, total 28.6kg. In the Marlin section - Kirikava with a 70.2kg blue marlin claimed $200, the weighmaster mystery weight prize went to seasoned fisherman Papa Dick Marsters –  4.6kg, taking home $100.