One week in and the shape of this competition is starting to come through, with fish being caught right around the country and a few anglers already separating themselves through how they have built their cards rather than just what they have caught.


Three of the top high school snapper are all on 1 kg line.That is where this event is being won and lost right now.

What an incredible achievement! 🎣

Our junior angler, Van Talmage, is making waves at the Youth Nationals- landing an impressive 7.5kg snapper on just 6kg line aboard Harvester 2.0.

Van is currently leading Section B for the heaviest snapper  (10 April 26) - an outstanding effort!

We’ll be watching closely as the competition continues. Go Van! 💪

UPDATED: 10 April 2026

Due to the exceptional performances on ultra-light tackle, Kāwhia has slipped out of the current top three standings. However, with a full week of fishing still ahead, there is plenty of opportunity for the leaderboard to change.

We’re not done yet—watch this space.

For full results and updates, visit the NZSFC website https://www.nzsportfishing.co.nz/nzfsc-youth-nationals-2026/.

High School Overall Standings

  1. Christian Stone – New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club – 1,400.50 points
  2. Ryan Steele – New Plymouth Sportfishing and Underwater Club – 1,358.67 points
  3. Tyler Speed – Mount Maunganui Sport Fishing Club – 948.60 points

High School Snapper Leaders

  • Christian Stone – 8.725 kg
  • Tyler Speed – 7.266 kg
  • Ryan Steele – 6.310 kg

An extraordinary highlight of this competition is that all three leading snapper were caught on just 1 kg line—a true test of skill and precision, and a defining factor in this year’s results.

Even more impressively, each of these catches has surpassed existing New Zealand and world age group records. Christian Stone has gone a step further, exceeding the current men’s world 1 kg record (pending confirmation).

UPDATED: 10 April 2026

1. Indy La Franchie – Kawhia Boating and Angling Club – 564.50 points

2. Taj Chapple – Tairua Pauanui Sports Fishing Club – 548.96 points

​​​​​​​3. Lachlan Rigby – Hawkes Bay Sports Fishing Club – 471.00 points

The Primary division has a slightly different feel at this stage, with no one getting away and the board still moving as fish come in. Indy La Franchie from Kawhia Boating and Angling Club, Taj Chapple from Tairua Pauanui Sports Fishing Club, and Lachlan Rigby from Hawkes Bay Sports Fishing Club are all right there, which means it will not take much to change the order over the next week.