New Zealand Topwater Classic 2026
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The New Zealand Topwater Classic is bringing topwater anglers together for 5 days of kingfish fishing across New Zealand.
Fish from the rocks, from a boat, or do both. You can fish anywhere in New Zealand that you can legally access, giving you the freedom to choose your location, conditions and approach.
Event details
Tuesday 17 November to Sunday 22 November 2026
Fishing begins after the online briefing
Entries close at 12:00 pm on Sunday 22 November
Prizegiving from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday 22 November
Prizegiving venue to be confirmed in Tauranga
topwaterclassic.co.nz
How it works
Catch a kingfish using an approved topwater lure and submit your catch through the official event app.
Your highest scoring fish will count towards the competition.
Scoring includes:
• 1 point for every millimetre measured
• 5 bonus points for a qualifying land based catch
• 5 bonus points for a verified release
• 5 bonus points for a qualifying Best Eat strike video
The minimum qualifying length is 750 mm.
Competition categories
• Overall Champion
• Highest Scored Land Based Kingfish
• Highest Scored Boat Kingfish
• Junior Champion for anglers under 16
• Best Release
• Best Eat Strike Video
• Average Kingfish Size
• Spot prizes
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd across the major fishing categories, plus specialist prizes and spot prizes from some of New Zealand’s leading fishing and outdoor brands.
Fishing rules
This is a kingfish only, topwater fishing competition.
Approved methods include:
• Stickbaits
• Poppers
• Surface lures
• Recognised subsurface stickbaits retrieved horizontally within approximately 1 metre of the surface
Bait fishing and vertically retrieved lures are not permitted.
All fish must be measured on the official competition mat, with the mat completely flat and the fish positioned correctly. Release points require clear video evidence.
Full rules, measurement requirements and entry information are available at topwaterclassic.co.nz.
Whether you are an experienced topwater angler or chasing your first kingfish off the surface, this is your opportunity to be part of a growing community of anglers from across New Zealand.
Fish from the rocks, from a boat, or do both. You can fish anywhere in New Zealand that you can legally access, giving you the freedom to choose your location, conditions and approach.
Event details
Tuesday 17 November to Sunday 22 November 2026
Fishing begins after the online briefing
Entries close at 12:00 pm on Sunday 22 November
Prizegiving from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday 22 November
Prizegiving venue to be confirmed in Tauranga
topwaterclassic.co.nz
How it works
Catch a kingfish using an approved topwater lure and submit your catch through the official event app.
Your highest scoring fish will count towards the competition.
Scoring includes:
• 1 point for every millimetre measured
• 5 bonus points for a qualifying land based catch
• 5 bonus points for a verified release
• 5 bonus points for a qualifying Best Eat strike video
The minimum qualifying length is 750 mm.
Competition categories
• Overall Champion
• Highest Scored Land Based Kingfish
• Highest Scored Boat Kingfish
• Junior Champion for anglers under 16
• Best Release
• Best Eat Strike Video
• Average Kingfish Size
• Spot prizes
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd across the major fishing categories, plus specialist prizes and spot prizes from some of New Zealand’s leading fishing and outdoor brands.
Fishing rules
This is a kingfish only, topwater fishing competition.
Approved methods include:
• Stickbaits
• Poppers
• Surface lures
• Recognised subsurface stickbaits retrieved horizontally within approximately 1 metre of the surface
Bait fishing and vertically retrieved lures are not permitted.
All fish must be measured on the official competition mat, with the mat completely flat and the fish positioned correctly. Release points require clear video evidence.
Full rules, measurement requirements and entry information are available at topwaterclassic.co.nz.
Whether you are an experienced topwater angler or chasing your first kingfish off the surface, this is your opportunity to be part of a growing community of anglers from across New Zealand.
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Where is it happening?
New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherNZ Topwater Classic
