MSFC Pro-Am Tournament

Tournament Dates:

  • Starts: November 6, 2025

  • Ends: March 31, 2026 OR when 3 teams have successfully completed the challenge (whichever comes first).

  • Prizes awarded: April club meeting or the first club night following the completion of 3 successful teams.

  • Location: All New Zealand waters.

  • Expresions of interest to be emailed to club@msfc.org.nz

Objective

The first three teams to successfully catch one qualifying marlin each will win $1000 per team ($500 each)

A qualifying marlin is:

  • Tagged or weighs over 90kg

  • Any species of marlin is accepted

Entry & Team Formation

  • Teams will consist of one Pro skipper and one Amateur skipper.

  • Team members will be randomly drawn from a bucket at the November club meeting.

  • Once drawn, teams are final – no swapping allowed.

  • Both Pros and Amateurs must be current annual financial members of MSFC.

Amateur Skipper Eligibility

To qualify as an amateur skipper for the MSFC Pro-Am Tournament, participants must:

  1. No Prior Marlin Catch – Have never been involved in catching a marlin as an angler, skipper, or leader on any boat THEY own or have previously owned.

    • If a marlin has ever been caught on their boat, regardless of their role in the catch, they are not eligible to participate as an amateur.

  2. Ready to Fish – Own, or have access to, some level of game fishing equipment suitable for targeting marlin.

  3. Committed to the Hunt – Demonstrate the drive and commitment to dedicate time and effort to landing a marlin this season, on either coast.

Catch & Verification Requirements

To verify a qualifying marlin, you must send:

  • Completed & signed weigh sheet

  • Completed tag card (if tagged)

  • Photo of the fish

📧 Email entries to: records@msfc.org.nz

Fishing Rules

  • The Amateurs fish must be caught on their own boat, with them onboard as skipper, leader, or angler.

  • The Pro’s fish must be caught on their own boat, with them onboard as skipper, leader, or angler.

  • Team members can fish together on the same boat if invited, but catches must still meet the above rule.

  • Team mates can share their fishing gear. e.g Loan rods, lures, gafs

  • All fishing must follow NZSFC rules.

Prizes

  • 1st Team to complete the challenge – $1000 ($500 each)

  • 2nd Team to complete the challenge – $1000 ($500 each)

  • 3rd Team to complete the challenge – $1000 ($500 each)

  • Winners must be present at club night to claim their prize.

Disqualification & Cheating

  • Any form of cheating will result in immediate disqualification at the discretion of the committee and organizers.

  • Confirmed cases will result in:

    • Membership revocation

    • Possible report to NZ Police for fraud

The committee reserves the right to decline any entries where photos or paperwork are unclear or incomplete.

Important Contacts

First season gamefishing?

Maybe been trying for a while with no success?

Always wanted some quality 1 on 1 advice from the top club boats?

Well... Now you have the chance, and to collect some $$$ along the way!!