The 26-year-old Te Puke man who died while fishing at Otamarakau Beach on Sunday is Bennett Williams James White.

Police say Benn had travelled by motorcycle to the beach to check on his longlines on Sunday evening when he failed to return.

Bennett Williams James White. Photo: Supplied

Friends went to look for him about 8.30pm and found his bike in the water. His body was found further down the beach about 11.40pm.

The ex Te Puke high School student worked for a global drilling company Webster Drilling and Exploration Limited.

Police are awaiting post mortem results and enquiries are continuing into the cause of Benn's death.

A funeral is expected to be held in Tauranga on Saturday.