Brighton's annual hunt for the big one

Kevin  Priston (left) and Brian Lungley with some of the fish caught during last year's Brighton...
Kevin Priston (left) and Brian Lungley with some of the fish caught during last year's Brighton Fishing Competition. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
The Brighton Club's 23rd annual fishing competition will be held on Friday.

Club president Geoff Bright is expecting a strong turnout, particularly if the weather is good.

''We can handle the rain. It's the wind that causes problems. We really need a flat day.''

Last year, 106 people took part in the competition and about 40 boats were at sea, despite cold conditions.

The 891 fish weighed in were about 200 more than at the previous year's event.

The largest crayfish weighed 3.2kg and the largest groper was more than 12kg.

Club members will fillet the caught fish, which will be auctioned at 5pm.

Proceeds will go to local community groups.

The event begins with a breakfast cooked by the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, available from 5am.

Fish have to be in for weighing by 4pm.

There will be beach events for children from 11am, including a big dig for prizes.

The competition is open to the whole family.

If conditions are bad on Friday, the contest will be held on Saturday, Sunday, or the following weekend.

In the 23 years since the competition started, the club has raised more than $100,000 for the community.

''It's a really community effort. Everybody does a bit.''

''It started because the club wanted to do something for the community and it's grown from there.''

Mr Bright said the event traditionally attracted people from Oamaru and Balclutha.

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