Captain
Bryan Connell

Member since March 2016 Auckland, New Zealand
Background
I love wildlife and the sea, so I fish as much as possible and dive when I can. I have skippered many charter vessels besides Riko Riko, both big and small, but she has been in my care for over 12 years now, and I'm still improving in places. Old is gold, and wood is good, and the fish seem to love swimming around her, that's for sure.
Techniques
Most of the time we use baited circle hooks and rod and reel fishing. It's sustainable because we don't just take from the sea, but give something back. In turn, the fish will return come back to our shore not only hunted but fed. There is no great science to it, we are not fishing for survival but because we can and because we love the fresh sea air. Of course, nothing beats the taste of fresh fish so let's keep it healthy for the next generation and beyond.

Hey, I'm Captain Bryan Connell

Auckland, New Zealand
Background
I love wildlife and the sea, so I fish as much as possible and dive when I can. I have skippered many charter vessels besides Riko Riko, both big and small, but she has been in my care for over 12 years now, and I'm still improving in places. Old is gold, and wood is good, and the fish seem to love swimming around her, that's for sure.
Techniques
Most of the time we use baited circle hooks and rod and reel fishing. It's sustainable because we don't just take from the sea, but give something back. In turn, the fish will return come back to our shore not only hunted but fed. There is no great science to it, we are not fishing for survival but because we can and because we love the fresh sea air. Of course, nothing beats the taste of fresh fish so let's keep it healthy for the next generation and beyond.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.7 / 5
(76 reviews)
Auckland
trips from US $853

Fishing Reports

Last of the Summer Wine on Riko Riko
Last of the Summer Wine on Riko Riko
Apr 10, 2016 Auckland
Morning All, Last week's fishing is still bowling on as Summer is never ending,and the weather is relatively calm and apart from a shower on Sunday to remind us Autumn is just round the corner. We are getting smacked around by the large kahawai everyday the bigger size snapper do take a while to show up through the other schools of fish and as the temp is 20 degrees they are still relatively close inshore. On Sunday we had so many lines breaking off from Kahawai, Kingfish and the odd Shark I had to go down to using one Hook rigs. Didn't slow down the hook up rate just made it a lot easier to bring fish in and control around Riko Riko. Consider the pro's you can concentrate on one bait the smaller fish don't get to dominate for so long. With our modern lifestyle we expect everything to turn on when we turn up. Hyper programmes amp you up so much you just have to turn yourself off and get tuned in to reality. Fishing requires a platform and patience is the key that moves that platform toward bigger fish.. Timing and Season helps it all turn as well There is no magic mushroom that separates small from big sometimes where the food is the fish are Big and Small you just have to experience the day to enjoy it There have been massive tidal flow this week due to king tides hopefully next week will be less. Also it may pay to bring bigger plastic bags as some fish don't fit in a supermarket bags! This week I have 3 spaces left on Thursday 14th April 10am start Also plenty of space this Saturday 16th April TBA, Sunday 17th April 10am start. Have a great week Everybody
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 76 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (85)
Best fishing trip EVER!
Great!
Very relaxing day and got lots of fish
+82
Angler rating
65
8
1
1
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
87%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
97%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 76 reviews
Neil W.
Auckland, New Zealand
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

8hr trip with Captain Brian

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on February 22, 2020
Weather was not great, fishing was slow. We all took fish home and Brian did his best to find fish for us on a wet and windy...
Neil W. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Neil W. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jim W.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip with Riko Boat Charters

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on February 6, 2019
Everything were awesome and fun, we have had a good time together. One thing for improvement is the boatโ€™s speed....
Jim W. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jim W. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

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

Private Charter

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on December 2, 2017
Such a fantastic day out!! We booked Bryan for our staff Christmas party and everyone had a blast. We caught heaps of fish...
Hannah M. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Bryan Connell Captain replied

Hans W.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Trip with Bryan

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on September 23, 2018
The captain is very experienced, nice, helpfulโ€ฆ we had an awesome day out definitely recommended!
Hans W. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Bryan Connell Captain replied

Alex L.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

One day trip with captain Bryan

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 18, 2018
Very good experience with Captain Bryan, very helpful, easy-going. And we caught a lot of nice fishes.
Alex L. recommends Riko Boat Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Bryan Connell Captain replied