Chalmers Recreational Sports Fishing Club

Contact: Maurice Davis
Address: PO Box 35
Suburb: Port Chalmers
City: Dunedin
Phone: 03 455 7672
Fax: 03 455 7672
email: rm.be.davis@actrix.co.nz

 

Our club is based in Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand, with an emphasis on gamefishing in Otago waters

We are fortunate to have close access to one of the most prolific shark fisheries in New Zealand (...and perhaps the world!!!) with an abundance of species such as Blues, Porbeagles, Threshers, Makos, and even regular sightings of the famed Great White Shark

We cater for all interests in salt water fishing, and host regular contests that range from "landlubbers days" through to serious "blue water" game fishing events

Our Club is based on the edge the Otago Harbour, in the settlement of Port Chalmers. Beyond the Otago Peninsula and Taiaroa Head is the Pacific Ocean, and members can be fishing oceanic canyons from 100 meters to over 1000 metres in depth in less than 40 minutes from the launching ramp!

A little bit about our club...
In mid 1999, several anglers sought a meeting of interested persons to assess the viability of forming a new fishing club based on the Otago Harbour in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Considerable interest was shown, with over forty people attending the first meeting which formed the "Chalmers Recreational Sports Fishing Club"

The first steps after formation were to become an incorporated society, and make application to become a member of the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council. After these steps were accomplished,we affilliated with the Otago Recreational Marine Fishers Association and the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council.

Since formation, our club has attracted members from far and wide, and caters for all types of recreational anglers, from novices through to experienced "big game" anglers. In the 2001 Nationals, several anglers achieved honours by winning the Stuart Morrison team award, and the NZI Insurance trophy, along with six national individual titles in the New Zealand National Game Fishing Contest.In 2002, 2003 and 2004 these trophies were successfully defended, along with the addition of the Varta cup!

Game fishing is a strong point of our club,with many members holding numerous New Zealand records in various line classes, and several pending world record claims. "Tag and release" fishing is promoted to conserve resources, and return cards completed by our members prove that over 90% of gamefish caught by members of our club are released after capture.

Our club is represented in the community in the following ways:
* Member club of the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council
* Member of the Otago Recreational Marine Fishers Association
* Representation on the board of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council
* Delegates to Search and Rescue and the Dunedin Search and Rescue Advisory Committee
* Members on the South East Zone Advisory Committee (Recreational Fishing) to MOF
* Members on the Port Environment Committee
* Members on the Back Beach Ramp and Facilities Committee
* Hosts of the annual "Great Spotty Hunt" kids fishing competition at Port Chalmers

Over the last four years,our club has enjoyed brilliant success with its kids fishing contest. Held locally, in the clubs base area of Back Beach, some 80-100 kids and family members have enjoyed a wonderful day of fishing and entertainment. Strong support from McDonalds and other companies has ensured that along with prizes based on age, all entrants have been presented with gifts of food and drink.

To encourage kids to participate in fishing as a recreation, our club owns over $1,100 worth of fishing rod and reel sets, for loaning to kids and junior members.

The club has also purchased a set of the latest electronic scales with a printout facility, to ensure that catches are accurately recorded to satisfy the requirements of NZBGFA and IGFA, and are capable of weighing anything from a "Spotty" of a few grams, right up to a monster shark of over 600 kilograms. These scales are also available for use by members of other clubs that may be fishing in Otago waters under the "Courtesy weigh" scheme.
(Please contact our weighmaster for further details...Refer to the "Contact" page)

Fishing areas and Species:
The club is located about the centre of the Otago Harbour, the waters of which can provide a wide range of fishing, including salmon, Cod, Flounder and other species. All can be caught in the area.

A short trip down the harbour and one has access to the offshore waters. Here you can choose from a wide variety of fishing types. To the North, there are large areas of excellent bottom fishing to be had. Blue Cod and Groper can be caught by the bottom fisher. Offshore further, there is plenty of exciting fishing spots, including a number of deep canyons.

Also offshore, some of the best big game fishing for shark in New Zealand is to be had. Mako, Thresher, Porbeagle and Blue Shark can all be caught a short distance from the harbour. This is a seasonable fishery, with the best months being December to March.

Club Membership:
Application to becoming a member of our club is open to all. Family, Adult, Junior and Day memberships are available by writing to us:

The Secretary,Chalmers Recreational Sports Fishing Club
P.O Box 35, Port Chalmers
Dunedin