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 $50,000.00 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 – 2023
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
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
Sweet baby Jesus on my birthday. Easy present 🎁 👌 😎
Best surf fishing comp ever. Lives up to its name. Credit to organizers, anglers, bar, food,tackle shop & workers behind the scène.. I managed a few fish. But was a great break too. 😁❤️👌
Warwick Floyd
Kingc Cuhz Akuhata Marshall Howard Pon Pon
James Williamson that's us nek year g
I'm definitely thinking of coming next year with a team 😁
Cullen Beattie Shilou Hona gotta do it. So much fun
This is so awesome wish we had this in fiji . Cheers
🙏🙏
That’s us next year Jeff😁👍
Kai Southon should we do it next year? lol
Mafua Tongotea Suliano Tongotea
Tere Ryder Terewi
Had a great time fishing with friends and catching up with and making new friends long drive home Saturday after comp would like an early weigh in Saturday say 1500 would be great and again bravo Zulu to the organisers and helpers see you next year
Aaliyah Adams , Darwin Pepene 🌊🤙 #Fishgetti
Sharlene Gordon that us kuzn
Hema Weekes that’s us brother
Miles Ngatoa
Chase May John Peeters
That's us Jade Paihere Kaaka Bill Kaaka Pai Kaaka Kaneihana Kaaka
Matiu Te Pukeroa save up cous that’s us 2025
Hey team, can we purchase from overseas? Snapper Bonanza
Yess keen
William Bowden
I’m there next year
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Adrian, John, Glenn 🥰
Now let’s get ready for 2025
Any questions will be answered in 3-5 business days 😂
Cheers Lou 🤍 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Best fishing comp in the world
Rebecca Cosner, I hope you guys had the "drinking chair" there again this year, lol 🤣😂🥂🥃🤪
A massive shout out & thank you for an awesome week! Our Rogers whānau always appreciate the hard mahi you all put in! We are looking forward to next years comp 🎣🙌🏽😎
Awesome contest well done to all the organisers. . Big job for you all.
Thanks to all the staff who make this such a great event.
Thank you guys for another awesome week. We appreciate all the hard mahi that goes on behind the scenes. Looking forward to 2025 🎣
Wish we were there so much fun whether you catch fish or not! Love our Snapper Bonanza whanau ❤See yous all in 2025🙏🙏🙌🙌Thank you for videos/photos updates, thank you Thank you thank you 🙏🙏🙌🙌
Best week ever thank u so much looking forward to 2025 comp let's go
To all my whanau, who's in for 2025 💪🏼 Lisa McCarthy . Comment below:
Thanks for an epic week, as always. ❤️❤️🍻🍻
The thanks surely goes out to all the organisers, the behind the scenes guys and gals, those who pick up rubbish, the security team, the patrol teams, the weigh station team, surf lifesaving teams, the epic sponsors, the food stall holders etc etc. You all contribute to a smoothly run competition that in turn puts lots of $$$ back into our community and if you are lucky, into many individual’s pockets too. 😍🙌🏻👏🏻👍
Dose pack and save sponser anything seam to see a lot of fisher people in there buying food including myself ?
Counting down already!👍
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Awesome footage thank you Bonaza classic. Next year I'll be there
Sooo cool Thinknow Actlater 🥰
Mean win Iven Ah-hong Fuiavailili congratulations mybro
THANK YOU 💪🏼 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Outstanding team
Awesome work team 👏 💪
Massive job thank you guys so much xx appreciate all your efforts.
Thank you all those volunteers who gave their time and effort to make this a great event. Very much appreciated for our community.
Great team - best comp. Can't wait for 2025..bring it on
Awesome work Ladies!! Thanks heaps 🤗
👏👏👏👏
Great team work girls
Good job Mrs Blithe and team
Thanks Team
Awesome work thankyou everyone
Awesome week. The atmosphere at HQ is amazing. Extremely well run Tournament. Thank you. See you next year, if my grandson will take me again. This year i won a spot prize, thanks Mike rider. No fish tho.
Miharo wahine toa!!!
Tautoko te wahine Toa Tino ataahua to mahi for the Snapper Bonanza team. See you's next year comp in March.
I hope after the competition that the organises send people up the beach to clean it after customers rubbish and Manawhenua
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