
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.
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (114)


Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
87%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
94%
Mar 19, 2025
6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)
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...
Nov 30, 2024
6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)
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...
Jun 22, 2025
6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)
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...
Mar 13, 2025
6 Hour Trip – VIP Fishing (max two)
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...
Apr 23, 2025
4 Hour Trip – Half Day Snapper
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...

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Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (114)


Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
87%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
94%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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.

Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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.

