Wow! Record-breaking angler vie for Gary Parlour title

The first lines hit the water yesterday morning for the 27th annual legendary Gary Parlour ‘Wahoo’ Fishing Tournament, which promises to make history, with 46 boats signed up for the event.

Anglers from Aitutaki and Rarotonga are taking part in the country’s biggest two-day fishing tournament, chasing the heaviest mahi-mahi and heaviest salmon.

The Gary Parlour competition is now in its 27th year^day
The event is held annually between the Aitutaki Angling Club and the Cook Islands Angling Club of Rarotonga (CIGFC), who will host the event this year, continuing a friendly rivalry that began in 1997.

Starting in 2021, Gary Parlour and Goldie Goldy/Ms Ben “Mahimahi” Fishing have joined forces to host a two-day fishing tournament.

Yesterday, due to bad sea conditions, some fishermen failed to catch any fish and had to return home empty-handed.

And then there are the lucky fish, like the Piniata Katoa, which goes out on its own and returns home happily with its heavy catch, hoping no one else has surpassed its catch weight today.

Jeremy Winders, nicknamed “The Great White Hunter” from New Zealand and a member of the CIGFC, caught an impressive yellowfin tuna and a 62.5kg marlin with skipper Nga Katuke and he was “very excited”.

Corey Fisher caught a huge yellowfin tuna aboard his fishing charter boat, Reelaxing Fishing Charters.

On Thursday evening the Cook Islands Fishing Club welcomed members of the Aitutaki Fishing Club, with Steven Kavana preparing ei for each member, a delicious buffet kaikai and music from the club’s string band.

Cook Islands Angling Club president Apii William welcomed the guests from Aitutaki, followed by speeches from Aitutaki Angling Club president Clive Baxter and secretary Teinakore.

In an effort to encourage and support the sport of fishing, Cook Islands Fishing Club members Peter Webb and Alan Anderson paid for flights for two young fishing enthusiasts from Aitutaki, Terence George and John Baxter II, to travel to Rarotonga to attend the event.

The 2024 Gary Parlour “Wahoo” and Goldy Goldie/Ms Ben “Mahi Mahi” Fishing Championships will be held from 5am to 5pm, with the final weigh-in taking place promptly at 6pm at the Cook Islands Fishing Club in Tupapa.

In the heaviest fish section, both mahi-mahi and dolphin must weigh at least 10 kg to be eligible to compete for the heaviest fish award in their respective categories.

If the minimum weight is not achieved, the main prize money will be forfeited and carried forward to the next Gary Parlour and Goldy Goldie Fishing Tournament in Rarotonga in 2026.

All other species, including Mahi Mahi and Mahi Mahi (but not Marlin), are eligible for the ‘Other Species – Overall Section’ draw as long as they meet the minimum weight requirement of 3 kg per fish.

Any marlin weighed must reach a minimum weight of 60 kg to be eligible for a prize in the marlin section.

All fish must be caught using rod and reel and weighed by 6pm. The awards ceremony will begin at 7pm tonight, followed by a live island band performance.