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
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $867

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
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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%
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Showing:
5 of 76 reviews
Eleanor P.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on December 16, 2022
Took our staff on a full days fishing trip as part of their team building and all loved the experience especially when they...
Eleanor P. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Eleanor P. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Ben B.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Brilliant trip!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on November 18, 2022
We all had an amazing day ticking off a bucket list item for my stepdad while making some lifelong memories along the way....
Ben B. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Bryan Connell Captain replied

Binh P.
Kansas City, MO
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Bryan

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on March 3, 2023
Binh P. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Binh P. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Arthur A.
Hong Kong
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day with Riko Riko and Captain Bryan

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on December 30, 2019
Chartered an 8hour trip with Captain Bryan and had a great time. Bryan was super knowledgeable of the area and brought us fishing...
Arthur A. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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Arthur A. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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Luke J.
Chester, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Bryan

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on February 12, 2022
Luke J. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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Luke J. recommends Riko Boat Charters
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