On Saturday morning, 93 reef fishing enthusiasts dressed in bright and bold garments, took to the sea near the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club in Tupapa for the 2021 Mama’s Reef Fishing Tournament.

Weigh master Julie Tangimetua-Karika said this was an “amazing” record number of registrations for the club’s annual tournament.

“The men who joined in bravely wore women’s attire to be eligible to enter in the Papa’s section, and everyone had a great day,” Tangimetua-Karika said.

“It was such a good day for the reef competition and the highlight for me was seeing the little ones out fishing with their dads then coming back ashore tired and hungry, and enjoying the free sausage sizzle we had provided,” she added.

Paula Paniani won the Mama’s Reef Fishing competition with a wonderfully sized 803-gram Patuki (grouper). He was excited and surprised to win $500 cash for her efforts.

“That was the biggest patuki I have ever caught, ever,” said Paniani, who joined the annual event for the third time.

“I felt the tug on the line and hoped it wouldn’t get away… and it didn’t.”

After putting her “big one” safely away, Paniani kept on fishing. “The fish were still biting so I carried on and got back to shore with nearly 30 fish – definitely a good day fishing,” she laughed.

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible and to the sponsors, I was shocked at my big cash prize and I’m grateful.”

The same evening, the annual Mama’s muu’muu competition took place with a live band for entertainment.

Tau Estall won the best dressed muu’muu for the evening. The judges had difficulty selecting the runner-up, so five women happily shared the second cash prize.

Results

Mama’s Reef Fishing Competition Heaviest Fish 1^st Paula Paniani 803g Patuki $500, 2^nd Aunty Charlie 543g Patuki $250; Mama’s Aggregate Section 1^st Tracey Terei total weight 2981g $300, 2^nd Ashley Chaloner total 2708g $200. Papa’s Reef Fishing Competition Heaviest Fish 1^st Soya 435g $150, 2^nd Junior Windy 306g $100; Papa's Aggregate Section 1^st Junior Windy total weight 4448g 150; 2^nd Teraipa total weight 3145g $10. Kid's Heaviest Fish 1^st Repaio 368g $100, 2^nd Ezra Best 272g $50; Kids Aggregate Section 1^st Ezra Best total weight 1152g $100; 2^nd Kalana Wildin total weight 773g $50. Mama's Most Fish Caught $100 Equal placing – Ashley Chaloner and Paula Paniani, each caught 28 fish and received $50 each. Best Dressed Mama - Mama Aroita $60, Best Dressed Papa John Oaariki $60 cash. Best Dressed Tamariki Veiarii Aroita – $40.

Kalana Wildin with her catch of fish, she placed 2nd in the Kids aggregate section with 773g. 21101811.

Paula Paniani with her winning 803g patuki that won the top prize in the Mama’s Reef Fishing competition on Saturday. She walked away with $500 cash prize. 21101805

Happy Mama’s and Papa’s dressed up for the event. 21101809.

These two young ladies enjoyed their day out fishing. 21101807.

Ashley Chaloner placed second in the fishing aggregate section. 21101806.

Tessa Vaetoru and her colourful fish. 21101808.