Pinnacle Charters takes you fishing around the waters of Lake Taupo to sample primer Rainbow and Brown Trout throughout the year. These trips are ideal for families on vacation and anglers who want to unwind and savor the view. But fishing is not all you can do here – go explore Maori Rocks in the Mine Bay or white cliffs of the lake.

You will be fishing aboard a 22’ Ramco boat, powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine that will give you speed but without noise. The vessel is great for couples or families. She can take up to five people, but if you want maximum comfort, it’s best to have 4 adults onboard. The boat is equipped with navigational gear, has a toilet, fully-enclosed canopy suitable for all weather conditions, carries safety gear and life jackets, and has tea and coffee making facilities.

Lake Taupo is the promised land for Trout fishing lovers. The scenery is striking and these waters have a healthy stock of fish. Try jigging for Trout or just unplug on the water cruising down the lake and taking in the beauty of the sight. There are numerous hidden riches scattered around the lake, including bays, beaches, cliff faces, and waterfalls.

When packing for the trip, you should bring your own food and refreshments. The captain will supply rods, reels, and tackle. You may need to purchase a Lake Taupo fishing permit before you board the vessel, so best check with the captain before the trip. Also, pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera.

Get your friends and hop onboard!

Please note that the boat can accommodate up to 3 adults and 2 children, and it’s not suitable for more than 3 adults at the time. Feel free to contact the captain before booking if you have any questions.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $174
    The departure time is flexible. This trip can accommodate 3 adults and 2 children.
  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Mine Bay Maori Rocks
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $249
    Cruise down the lake and go see the legendary Maori Rocks – steep faces carved in the cliffs. It's a comfortable ride for water lovers and a day well spent unwinding in nature. Pack snacks and drinks, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. This trip can accommodate 3 adults and 2 children.
  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – White Cliffs
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $249
    Spend some time on the water relaxing and cruising down Lake Taupo. You will see some hidden gems of the lake, and enjoy the view. This trip is great for couples and families on vacation. Pack snacks and drinks, and bring a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. This trip can accommodate 3 adults and 2 children.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $324
    Come spend the morning around scenic waters of Lake Taupo and fish for Brown and Rainbow Trout. You should prepare your own food and refreshments. Rods, reels, and tackle are waiting for you onboard. You may need to purchase a Lake Taupo fishing permit before you board the vessel, so best check with the captain before the trip. Put on a hat, sunnies, sun protection, and bring a camera. This trip can accommodate 3 adults and 2 children.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 5 persons
    US $434
    This five hour trip we'll give you enough time to fish for Trout around Lake Taupo. Go jigging around some of the best Trout fisheries in NZ. Pack your own food and refreshments. Rods, reels, and tackle are supplied onboard. You may need to purchase a Lake Taupo fishing permit before you board the vessel, so best check with the captain before the trip. Put on a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a camera. This trip can accommodate 3 adults and 2 children.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 38 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (24)
Great time for the kids!
Great time for the kids!
Morning half day trip
+21
Angler rating
34
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 38 reviews
Donna S.
Hamilton, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Super fun morning trout fishing

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on June 10, 2023
We spent two hours with the Skipper Richard who was brilliant.  Very friendly and informative and made the experience one...
Donna S. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Pip M.
Tauranga, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

April fishing trip

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on April 14, 2023
Liam was awesome with lots of date changes due to the cyclone and weather events. My husband and stepson had an absolute blast...
Pip M. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Pip M. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Lindon J.
Montgomery, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family fishing fun

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on January 1, 2022
We went for a 2 hour chartered fish with Liam. Our family of 4 easily fitted on the 6.2m boat and was great to have it to ourselves....
Lindon J. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Lindon J. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Beth T.
Matamata, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on March 9, 2021
Fantastic morning on board Pinnacle, Great kiwi experience. Crew made u feel very welcome and nothing was too much....
Beth T. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Beth T. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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Andrew D.
Tauranga, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Liam

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip on August 19, 2023
Andrew D. recommends Pinnacle Charters
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FAQs about Pinnacle Charters

Pinnacle Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • NZ $300 per group - 2 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing (2 hours)
  • NZ $430 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Mine Bay Maori Rocks (3 hours)
  • NZ $430 per group - 3 Hour Trip – White Cliffs (3 hours)
  • NZ $560 per group - 4 Hour Trip (4 hours)
  • NZ $750 per group - 5 Hour Trip (5 hours)

When you book a trip with Pinnacle Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Radar

Trips booked with Pinnacle Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures

Pinnacle Charters offers the following type of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing (Lake Taupo)

Pinnacle Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Jigging

Top targeted fish species with Pinnacle Charters include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

Your captain

Liam Sparkes
Taupo, New Zealand
38 Customer reviews
Response time 22 hours
Member since October 2017
Capt. Liam loves fishing and will make sure you have a great day on the water. He has been fishing for over 6 years and knows these waters well. He will use his skills to put you on Trout on the scenic waters of Lake Taupo.

The fish you can target

Brown Trout Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Cabin cruisers
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
22 ft
Year built
2007
Boat manufacturer
Ramco
Boat type
Pilothouse

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
22 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Lake Fishing
Lake Taupo

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Jigging

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Radar

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Bank Transfer

What’s biting in Taupo right now

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