Some trolled or para-vaned spinners across the water from more than 40 boats, while most dangled pilchards from a float, fishing from the upper harbour wharves.
Otago Salmon Anglers president Colin William said there had "been very low returns" of salmon the length of the East Coast, including the Waitaki River and Dunedin, which he described as "dismal".
First place went to Niua Hakai, 4.16kg; second Peter Takens, 3.56kg; and third Geoff Cole, 3.39kg. All three fishermen were local, and all their winning fish were caught from the wharf.
Just five were caught from boats. As with most fish tales, it is pure speculation as to why returns are low. Mr Williams noted that the salmon trust had been putting about 30,000 smolt into the harbour annually since 1987, at a cost of $24,000.
Numbers were down on last year’s 328 entrants, when 18 fish were caught, largely because of the wind and less than ideal, "very choppy" harbour conditions, he said. However, more than 200 competitors turned out for the weigh-in and distribution of about $10,000 of prizes.
