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From delicious Snappers to majestic Marlin, north New Zealand has it all. Come and get your hands on this range of exciting fish with Major Tom Adventures. Whether you’re a family looking to try out a new hobby, or an avid angler going for that trophy catch, Captain Hamish Paterson has you covered.

An avid angler since childhood, Capt. Hamish has always been passionate about fishing. He fished commercially before dedicating his life to running charters, and so knows exactly what it takes to attract and land the biggest fish out there. Along with his first mate, he promises to use all his skills and expertise to make sure you get what you want out of your trip with him.

The monster 40’ Don Senior offshore sport fishing vessel has space for up to 12 guests, and 8 of you can fish at the same time on the spacious deck. The boat also comes fitted with a comfortable cabin, boasting bunks, a bathroom, and a kitchen, featuring an oven, microwave, and barbecue. Make yourself at home on board, and live the life of luxury on the open waters!

No stone is left unturned when it comes to fishing. Capt. Hamish provides the latest rods and reels, and you’ll have plenty of live bait to attract the bite of your target fish. Meanwhile, the trolling lines will do their job from the outriggers, and you’ll have a fighting chair at your disposal to give you the edge over whatever’s biting.

You’ll need all the help you can get as you battle it out with Snappers, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Marlin, Tuna, Spearfish, and even Sharks. Get ready for a serious workout to hook any of these beauties aboard as you go after the catch of a lifetime. At the end of your trip, the first mate will even clean and fillet your catch for you to take back to shore.

From start to finish, you’ll have nothing to worry about as the dedicated crew takes care of you throughout. Major Tom Adventures promises the full fishing experience, so come and discover in some of the world’s most underrated waters in style!



FAQs about Major Tom Adventures

Major Tom Adventures offers the following trips to customers:
  • NZ $270 per group, additional NZ $135 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • NZ $270 per group, additional NZ $135 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • NZ $285 per person - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • NZ $855 per group - 6 Hour Kingfish Adventure (6 hours)
  • NZ $1,800 per group - Full Day Trip (MAX 6) (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Major Tom Adventures, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS Large detailed screen
  • Fishfinder times 2
  • Bed Sleeping for 6
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen Oven, microwave, bbq
  • Refrigerator
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna Tubes
  • Ice Box Fast freeze freezer
  • Radar

Trips booked with Major Tom Adventures include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn)
  • Live Bait (May be caught during the trip)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Water and soft drinks on full day trips)
  • First Mate
  • Lunch (Light lunch on full day trips)

Major Tom Adventures offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Bay fishing)
  • Offshore Fishing (For game fish)

Major Tom Adventures offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Major Tom Adventures include:
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • John Dory
  • Marlin (Black)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (Striped)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Snapper (Pink)
  • Spearfish (Longbill)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna (Skipjack)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)
  • Yellowtail Amberjack

Meet the Captain

Hamish Paterson
Russell, New Zealand
47 Customer reviews
Member since August 2014
Hamish has worked on charter fishing boats in Milford Sound, dive boats in Wellington, and jet boats in Queenstown. An experienced skipper and fisherman. Recently taken over Major Tom II he is plying his skills in the Bay of Islands. He has already notched up some impressive fish and his customers receive an adventure of a life time.

About this listing

Targeted species

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
John Dory John Dory
Marlin (Black) Black Marlin
Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin

Boat specs

Don Senior (Sportfishing) originally built in 1987, and restored in 1996. Powered by 2 315HP Cummins engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 20 knots.

Length
40 ft
Capacity
12 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Bay fishing
Offshore Fishing
For game fish

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Large detailed screen
Fishfinder
times 2
Bed
Sleeping for 6
Flybridge

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn
Live Bait
May be caught during the trip
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Water and soft drinks on full day trips
First Mate
Lunch
Light lunch on full day trips

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Life jackets included for children over 5
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
To protect the fishery
Disabled Accessible

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Checks
Bank Transfer

Russell Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.3 / 5
out of 5 stars from 47 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.1 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
December fishing trip
Great Trip!
Half day trip
+25
Angler rating
34
6
1
2
4
Anglers claimed
Good experience
82%
Friendly captain
85%
Recommend this charter
87%
Appropriate for children
79%
Satisfied with the boat
79%
Caught fish
64%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 47 reviews
Mike F.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon trip with Major Tom

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on January 6, 2021
We had a really good afternoon out on the water with Hamish the skipper on Major Tom.  Even though the boat was not fully...
Mike F. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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Mike F. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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Debbie W.
Wellington, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half a day fishing with Hamish

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 5, 2021
I only booked the trip but the 7 people who went on this fishing trip absolutely raved about the experience.  They told me...
Debbie W. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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Debbie W. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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Lexi H.
Whangarei, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on January 24, 2021
Absolutely recommend taking a trip with Hamish on his boat. We had a great time! Hamish was very knowledgeable about fishing...
Lexi H. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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  Hamish Paterson Captain replied

Richard M.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

The Perfect Morning with Captain Geoff and Paul

VERIFIED   5 hour snapper/kingfish on January 23, 2019
Without question, the best fishing charter I’ve ever been on! I’ve been fishing for 40 years, but chose to leave my own...
Richard M. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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  Hamish Paterson Captain replied

Angela R.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on February 11, 2021
We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon fishing. Hamish and his brother, James who was helping out that day, could not have made...
Angela R. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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Angela R. recommends Major Tom Adventures
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