b'DESTINATION In 2017, we returned to Cooks with the new shiny trophy and Iains picture on top, then the next two years we shifted it to Mangawhai to base ourselves and then in 2020 we went out west on the Kaipara to surfcast off Pouto.With Auckland moving into the long lockdown in 2021, we couldnt meet up to contest the trophy and with such a big gap between our annual catch-up, it was decided to head up to the Far North this year and make it an adventure with such top fishing on offer.Rangiputa Beach is a magical place above Doubtless Bay that is almost tropical, with its tree lined, pure white sand and crystal-clear waters.We had booked four units at Reef Lodge which looks out over the water, with great facilities including ample parking for trailer boats, convenient barbies to cook on, a spa to soak the bones and even a fish smoker, and best of all you can launch the boat straight out in front on the sand.Rangiputa Beach is a magical place above Doubtless Bay that is almost tropical, with Matt scored a 68cm fish offits tree lined, pure white sand Hendersons using the ever lethal 100gm Super Orange Slider. and crystal-clear waters.Upon our return to Godzones shores,Josh and Webs (on right) crank the barbie we reconnected and went on manyon the first night back at Reef Lodge.missions that included fishing off the Coromandel rocks, beach launching off Northlands west coast and diving or fishing on the east coast around Whangarei.We both loved catching fish and the trips always turned into an adventure, especially out on the rugged west side.At his funeral, many of his oldest mates and myself made a pact to keep in better contact and from this discussion we decided on an annual get together every November with fishing high on the agenda.TROPHY BACKGROUNDThe first one was at Cooks Beach in 2016 on the Coromandel and after a successful weekend reconnecting with our crew of around a dozen mates, I decided to get a memorial trophy made to compete for each year with the longest snapper the target species.54FISHING IN GODZONE JAN/FEB 2023'