When it comes to catching Kahawai Papamoa resident fisherman Mike Coughey knows a thing or two.

The keen fisherman is one of the 375 registered surfcasters scattered along Papamoa Beach from Harrisons Cut to Karewa Parade today competing in the annual iTM Kahawai World Cup Surfcasting Bonanza.

Mike Coughey surfcasting on Papamoa Beach at the iTM Kahawai World Cup Surfcasting Bonanza. Photo: Daniel Hines.

When SunLive spoke with Mike on the beach at midday he was currently in third place, after falling back from second.

'I was in second place but since then another bigger Kahawai has been caught down the beach. The plan is to get another fish before weigh in and re-gain second or even first.”

At about 7.30am this morning Mike reeled in a 54cm Kahawai using pilchard bait from one of his favourite spots near the Karewa Parade.

'The conditions are better than yesterday, although it is still a bit rough out there.”

'This is a great beach for Kahawai and Snapper as there is a lot of tuatua and crabs which attract the fish.”

Mike has been fishing along Papamoa Beach for the last 30 years and says the trick is to cast just beyond the waves.

'Try to get out just past the waves into settled water so that your hooks are exposed as Kahawai suck the bait right up.”

Anglers scattered along Papamoa Beach, aiming to catch a Kahawai.

On Saturday 23 Kahawai were tagged and caught in the competition, which offers $10,000 to the overall winner with the heaviest fish. Anything under 35cm is not applicable.

Organised by Papamoa Rotary Club and the Western Bay of Plenty Surfcasting Club, this is the second time the event has run and WBOPSCC captain Les Hynds says this year attracted 100 more anglers than last year's event.

'This competition is about getting our name out there. It is a completely non-profit competition with all of the proceeds going to Rotary,” says Les.

'We just really want to let people know that the club is here and anyone interested in surfcasting is welcome to join.”

The WBOPSCC has forty members and has been operating for five years in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Photos by Daniel Hines.

Mike Coughey casts into the surf.

Tony Mayor during the Kahawai fishing competition on Papamoa Beach.