Big Fish Bay Of Islands 

4.9/5 (127 reviews)
 Paihia, Northland, New Zealand, Paihia, New Zealand

Big Fish Bay Of Islands 

4.9/5 (127 reviews)
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Paihia, Northland, New Zealand
Paihia, New Zealand

Big Fish Bay Of Islands takes you fishing around the rich fisheries of New Zealand. These waters are home to a variety of species, whether it’s reef fish or big game. Year-round, Capt. Derek takes you on his boat to help make your day one to remember. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a family looking for an enjoyable fishing trip, here you will find a trip to suit you.

The Bay of Islands boasts some of the most stunning fishing worldwide. Add to that an experienced captain, a long fishing season, and breath-taking views, and you got it. That’s what anglers find aboard ‘Game Fisher’. She is a 21’ Surtees 650 aluminium fishing boat with top-notch Furuno electronics. The boat is powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. There is a small electronic flush toilet onboard, as well as two live bait tanks, and comfortable seating.

Capt. Derek has a vast fishing experience. He has been working as a charter operator for the past 30 years, but his fishing experience goes way back, to his school days. Already back then he got his first Marlin. This turned into a long streak of successful fishing trips that have taken him from Hawaii to the Great Barrier Reef.

As for the fishing, here you will find Yellowtail Kingfish, Trevally, Snapper, John Dory, available throughout the year. From June to April you can get Striped Marlin. The crew is specialized in live baiting, mechanical jigging, soft baits, cut baits, and IGFA record fishing.

The fishing grounds are not far from the dock, and you’ll be fishing within 30 minutes of the departure, depending on the weather conditions. The trips will take you between 8 to 10 miles, or even closer. No need to fare far offshore with all the game fish swimming nearby.

When you come fishing with Big Fish Bay Of Islands, it’s all about enjoyment and nice time on the water, plus learning. You need to pack a camera, and a jacket. Quality Shimano gear is waiting for you onboard.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 127 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (114)

Delivered the Big Snapper
Great 2 days fishing
Awesome kingfish
+111

Angler rating

119
5
2
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

99%

Appropriate for children

87%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

94%

Showing 1 - 5 of 127 reviews
Showing: 5 of 127 reviews
Alan I.
Alan I.
5.0/5

Mar 19, 2025

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)

GREAT trip!

VERIFIED

Let me start by saying Capt.Derek is the hardest working captain I've seen. He's always changing baits, always "hunting" to get what the customer wants, in this case, kingies. He won't anchor and sit like some, he HUNTS! I had chances at 6 in my 6hr charter today, and finally got my keeper in the final hour. The 5 lost weren't because of the captain, but because of sharks (there goes my 22kg+ trophy!) and reef break offs. Enough snapper for a couple meals as well, but we would've easily limited if that was a priority. The boat was fast, comfortable and very seaworthy. Capt. Derek had a ton of funny anecdotes to pass the time in between fishing spots (ask him about his shark stories), and has been all over the world fishing. No BS, unfiltered. If you want to catch fish, Capt Derek and Big Fish Bay of Islands is your ONLY choice! Thanks Captain!

Let me start by saying Capt.Derek is the hardest working captain I've seen. He's always changing baits, always "hunting" to get...  

 Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
1 person finds this review helpful
 Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
1 person finds this review helpful

Terry M.
Terry M.
5.0/5

Nov 30, 2024

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)

Fishing with Derek out of Russell Wharf.

VERIFIED

Derek obviously knows his stuff having been boat fishing for most of his life. Good friendly bloke. Did his best to find the fish and although we had a few red snapper and other bits, the fish were playing with the bait. With the tide running we had a few runs but we couldn't hit them. That's fishing. Great day out on the water. Would thoroughly recommend him.

Derek obviously knows his stuff having been boat fishing for most of his life. Good friendly bloke. Did his best to find the fish...  

 Terry M. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
 Terry M. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Andrew C.
Andrew C.
5.0/5

Jun 22, 2025

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)

Great day fishing

VERIFIED

Experienced captain on a new boat with good equipment. Highly recommend this charter company. Our snapper were filleted for us to eat at home. Thanks Derek

Experienced captain on a new boat with good equipment. Highly recommend this charter company. Our snapper were filleted for us...  

 Andrew C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
 Andrew C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Jeff H.
Jeff H.
5.0/5

Mar 13, 2025

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)

If you are an angler, it is a must do.

VERIFIED

Captain Derek put us on fish right away and moved right away when it slowed down. We caught more fish than we could keep so we released several. At the end, he filleted what we wanted to keep and we took it to a local restaurant and it was absolutely wonderful.

Captain Derek put us on fish right away and moved right away when it slowed down. We caught more fish than we could keep so we...  

 Jeff H. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
 Jeff H. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Richard W.
Richard W.
5.0/5

Apr 23, 2025

4 Hour Trip – Half Day Snapper

Delivered the Big Snapper

VERIFIED

We had an excellent morning out with Derek on his comfortable and well equipped boat. I caught a big snapper well over 80cm and my party caught numerous others around 35-50cm.

We had an excellent morning out with Derek on his comfortable and well equipped boat. I caught a big snapper well over 80cm and...  

Review media 0
 Richard W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
 Richard W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $451 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip – Half Day Snapper
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $423 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip – Private Charter
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $677 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip – Private Charter
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
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US $903 
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 7 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 127 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (114)

Delivered the Big Snapper
Great 2 days fishing
Awesome kingfish
+111

Angler rating

119
5
2
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

99%

Appropriate for children

87%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

94%

Showing 1 - 5 of 127 reviews
Showing: 5 of 127 reviews
Alan I.
Alan I.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

GREAT trip!

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two) on March 19, 2025

Let me start by saying Capt.Derek is the hardest working captain I've seen. He's always changing baits, always "hunting" to get what the customer wants, in this case, kingies. He won't anchor and sit like some, he HUNTS! I had chances at 6 in my 6hr charter today, and finally got my keeper in the final hour. The 5 lost weren't because of the captain, but because of sharks (there goes my 22kg+ trophy!) and reef break offs. Enough snapper for a couple meals as well, but we would've easily limited if that was a priority. The boat was fast, comfortable and very seaworthy. Capt. Derek had a ton of funny anecdotes to pass the time in between fishing spots (ask him about his shark stories), and has been all over the world fishing. No BS, unfiltered. If you want to catch fish, Capt Derek and Big Fish Bay of Islands is your ONLY choice! Thanks Captain!

Let me start by saying Capt.Derek is the hardest working captain I've seen. He's always changing baits, always "hunting" to get what the customer wants, in this case, kingies. He won't anchor and sit like some, he HUNTS! I had chances at 6 in my 6hr charter today, and finally got my keeper in the final hour. The 5 lost weren't because of the captain, but because of sharks (there goes my 22kg+ trophy!) and reef break offs. Enough snapper for a couple meals as well, but we would've easily limited...  

 Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
1 person finds this review helpful

Terry M.
Terry M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fishing with Derek out of Russell Wharf.

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two) on November 30, 2024

Derek obviously knows his stuff having been boat fishing for most of his life. Good friendly bloke. Did his best to find the fish and although we had a few red snapper and other bits, the fish were playing with the bait. With the tide running we had a few runs but we couldn't hit them. That's fishing. Great day out on the water. Would thoroughly recommend him.

Derek obviously knows his stuff having been boat fishing for most of his life. Good friendly bloke. Did his best to find the fish and although we had a few red snapper and other bits, the fish were playing with the bait. With the tide running we had a few runs but we couldn't hit them. That's fishing. Great day out on the water. Would thoroughly recommend him.  

 Terry M. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Andrew C.
Andrew C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day fishing

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two) on June 22, 2025

Experienced captain on a new boat with good equipment. Highly recommend this charter company. Our snapper were filleted for us to eat at home. Thanks Derek

Experienced captain on a new boat with good equipment. Highly recommend this charter company. Our snapper were filleted for us to eat at home. Thanks Derek  

 Andrew C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Jeff H.
Jeff H.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

If you are an angler, it is a must do.

VERIFIED

6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two) on March 13, 2025

Captain Derek put us on fish right away and moved right away when it slowed down. We caught more fish than we could keep so we released several. At the end, he filleted what we wanted to keep and we took it to a local restaurant and it was absolutely wonderful.

Captain Derek put us on fish right away and moved right away when it slowed down. We caught more fish than we could keep so we released several. At the end, he filleted what we wanted to keep and we took it to a local restaurant and it was absolutely wonderful.  

 Jeff H. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

Richard W.
Richard W.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Delivered the Big Snapper

VERIFIED

4 Hour Trip – Half Day Snapper on April 23, 2025

We had an excellent morning out with Derek on his comfortable and well equipped boat. I caught a big snapper well over 80cm and my party caught numerous others around 35-50cm.

We had an excellent morning out with Derek on his comfortable and well equipped boat. I caught a big snapper well over 80cm and my party caught numerous others around 35-50cm.  

Review media 0
 Richard W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands

FAQs about Big Fish Bay Of Islands

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
21 ft
Year built
2017
Boat manufacturer
Surtees 650
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

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