Deepstar Charters welcomes you aboard to spend the day fishing for delicious reef fish and highly-prized offshore species on a safe, dependable boat with a skilled skipper. Jump aboard at either Tauranga or Mount Maunganui, depending on the trip, and head out in search of Snapper, Tarakihi, Hapuka, and more. You can invite the whole street over for lunch after one of these trips!

The “Deepstar” is a classic Carey Boats commercial fishing vessel, painstakingly-restored in 2016 and equipped with a new pair of Gardner engines to get you out to the fishing grounds in no time. The boat can carry up to 20 anglers in comfort, or 10 on Hapuka trips. She has a full bathroom, showers, and comfortable accommodations for longer trips.

Depending on your charter, you could be fishing the local waters around Motiti Island or heading all the way out to Mayor Island. Local reef trips target Tarakihi, Snapper, John Dory, Trevally, Pink Moamoa, and more. Book in for a 24-hour adventure, and you can catch all these reef fish then head out and land Hapuka, Bluenose, Seabass, and Gemfish!

Bring your own fishing gear along, or rent from the boat for a reasonable fee. Rods, reels, and tackle cost $20 per rod for bottom fishing or $30 for Hapuka gear. Bait can also be arranged for $20, depending on the bait you want.

What Deepsea Charters offers is a great boat with cutting-edge electronics and a full array of safety equipment. They will put you on the fish reliably and securely. So if you want a day of great fun and big hookups, jump aboard and head out to sea, all your favorite fish are waiting!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Shared trip
    6 Hour Trip – Reef Shared
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    US $108
    Spend the morning bottom fishing for fish like Tarakihi and Snapper as well as John Dory, Trevally, Pink Moamoa, and more. Rods, reels, tackle, and bait cost $40.00 per person extra.
  • Shared trip
    9 Hour - Reef (Shared)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $119
    Head out to the best reefs around in search of Tarakihi, Snapper, John Dory, Trevally, Pink Moamoa, and more! With the whole day on the water, you're bound to bring in something special. These trips do not include rods, reels, bait, or tackle. There is an additional fee of $50 per person for this.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Reef Private
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    US $836
    Book out the whole boat for an evening reef fishing trip targeting Snapper and other reef species. Rod and bait combo is $40 per person, or you can bring your own.
  • Private trip
    9 Hour - Weekday Reef (Private)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $896
    With the whole boat and the whole day, you can really hit your limits for your favorite reef species. Target Tarakihi, Pink and Golden Snappers, John Dory, Trevally, Pink Moamoa, Porae, and more. Rod and reel hire (including all tackle) and bait is $50 per person.
  • Private trip
    9 Hour - Weekend Reef (Private)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
    US $956
    Head out in search of Tarakihi, Snapper, John Dory, Trevally, Pink Moamoa, Porae, and more on this full-day charter. With the whole boat for you and your group, you couldn't ask for a better way to spend the weekend. Rods (including all tackle) and bait come at an additional $50 per person charge.
  • Private trip
    24 Hour Trip – Hapuka (MAX 10)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    24 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
    US $1,254
    If you're after the biggest, tastiest, and toughest fish out there, this is the charter for you. Head out first thing in the morning to bottom fish for reef species like Tarakihi and Snapper. After that, you will head to top Hapuka fishing grounds like Mayor Island to battle Bluenose, Hapuka, Bass, and Gemfish, which all make for a delicious meal! This trip is for a maximum of 10 people. Rod hire (including all tackle) costs $30 for a bottom fishing rod and $30 for a Hapuka rod. Bait costs $40 per person.
There are 7 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Deepstar Charters

Deepstar Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • NZ $90 per person - 6 Hour Trip – Reef Shared (6 hours)
  • NZ $100 per person - 9 Hour - Reef (Shared) (9 hours)
  • NZ $1,400 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Reef Private (6 hours)
  • NZ $1,500 per group - 9 Hour - Weekday Reef (Private) (9 hours)
  • NZ $1,600 per group - 9 Hour - Weekend Reef (Private) (9 hours)
  • NZ $2,100 per group - 24 Hour Trip – Hapuka (MAX 10) (24 hours)

When you book a trip with Deepstar Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full flush toilet
  • GPS MaxSea TimeZero Professional
  • Fishfinder Furuno FCV- 295 2 KW
  • Bed 10 passenger bunks
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen Complete cooking and cleaning facilities
  • Refrigerator New 60-ltr 3-way fridge
  • Multimedia System Full Pioneer AVH-X1850DVD multimedia system
  • Ice Box Small full freezer and large chiller in back hold
  • Radar Furuno 24 mile

Deepstar Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Day trips toward Motiti Island)
  • Offshore Fishing (Usually 24 hr trips to Mayor Island for Hapuka etc)
  • Reef Fishing (Inshore fishing for species specified)

Deepstar Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Bottom Fishing (Ledger rigs 8-10 ounce sinkers 3/0 hooks with at le)
  • Deep Sea Fishing (At least 500meters of 24 kg nylon or braid 27-30 ou)

Top targeted fish species with Deepstar Charters include:
  • Bluenose Warehou
  • Gurnard
  • Hapuka
  • John Dory
  • Pink Maomao
  • Snapper (Pink)
  • Tarakihi
  • Trevally (Golden)

Meet the Captain

Garth Lelievre
Tauranga, New Zealand
93 Customer reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since December 2017
Skipper Garth Lelievre has been fishing the beautiful waters of the Bay of Plenty for over a quarter of a century. He has developed a vast wealth of knowledge and some impressive skills over his many years at sea, both as a skipper and as an angler. He can take you to the best waters for each species while making sure you fish safely and have a fun time. In short, he is the man to go to for a top fishing trip!

About this listing

Targeted species

Bluenose Warehou Bluenose Warehou
Gurnard Gurnard
Hapuka Hapuka
John Dory John Dory

Boat specs

Carey Boat (Headboat) originally built in 1979, and restored in 2016. Powered by a 180HP Gardner 6LXB engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 8 knots.

Length
46 ft
Capacity
20 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Day trips toward Motiti Island
Offshore Fishing
Usually 24 hr trips to Mayor Island for Hapuka etc
Reef Fishing
Inshore fishing for species specified

Fishing techniques

Bottom Fishing
Ledger rigs 8-10 ounce sinkers 3/0 hooks with at le
Deep Sea Fishing
At least 500meters of 24 kg nylon or braid 27-30 ou

Amenities

Toilet
Full flush toilet
GPS
MaxSea TimeZero Professional
Fishfinder
Furuno FCV- 295 2 KW
Bed
10 passenger bunks
Live Bait Well
Kitchen
Complete cooking and cleaning facilities

Cancellation policy

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
At least 3 years old, life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
All fish caught by client kept by client
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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
Bank Transfer

Tauranga Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.3 / 5
out of 5 stars from 93 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.1 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (29)
October fishing trip
1st October
1st October
+26
Angler rating
43
34
7
4
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
90%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
87%
Appropriate for children
86%
Satisfied with the boat
90%
Caught fish
74%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 93 reviews
Caleb F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  6 Hour Trip – Reef Shared on March 3, 2024
The deckhand Andy was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and was always happy to lend a hand whenever needed
Caleb F. recommends Deepstar Charters
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  Garth Lelievre Captain replied

Nikau H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Charter !

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip – Reef Shared on January 13, 2024
Cheap charter that you actually catch fish on, like other more expensive charters around us were just calling it day and leaving,...
Nikau H. recommends Deepstar Charters
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  Garth Lelievre Captain replied

Krystal C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

1st October

VERIFIED   9 Hour - Weekend Reef (Private) on September 30, 2023
Absolutely fantastic day 👏. Andy is the man! Not everyone was catching keepers but still had a fantastic day. Pitty...
Krystal C. recommends Deepstar Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Krystal C. recommends Deepstar Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Ian M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

January fishing trip

VERIFIED   9 Hour - Weekday Reef (Private) on January 5, 2024
Ian M. recommends Deepstar Charters
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Ian M. recommends Deepstar Charters
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Heane H.
Tauranga, 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   6 Hour Trip – Reef Shared on April 23, 2023
Had a great day out.court a good feed.Andy was very helpful an quite knowledgeable on the subject thanks guys we will be back..
Heane H. recommends Deepstar Charters
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  Garth Lelievre Captain replied