Captain
Darren Knapping

Member since August 2017 Paihia, New Zealand
Background
Capt. Darren has fished around the world for years before coming back to the Bay of Islands. Growing up around these waters, Darren learned a great deal about the local fisheries in the ocean and the marine life. While serving in the New Zealand Navy for 5 and a half years, Darren traveled the world and then got his captain’s license. He later engaged in commercial Tuna fishing. Eventually, Capt. Darren has come back to his native fisheries and now runs charter fishing trips. He has accommodated many repeat customers. His vessel is one of the finest in the area. Capt. Darren will work to put you on fish and make your trip an enjoyable adventure.
Techniques
With salt in my veins, I like to try several different methods to catch either inshore or offshore fish. It's the live bait we catch on the way out that can mean the difference. Our Snapper, which are an all-year-round fish, can be caught with jigs/soft plastics or cut bait. Having a full walk around it's a breeze to target these Fish. The best way to catch them is with a nice big live bait slowly feeding down a burly trail and waiting for the pickup and run! For the mighty Yellowtail Kingfish, there are many different types and ways to target this hard-fighting fish. From catching your live bait and slow trolling down to deep diving lures, to using the surface popper that gives you the thrill of seeing these fish climb all over the lure [my fav]. And with the introduction of soft plastics and slow jigging, fishing has jumped up a level. So every day out is different. Let's go fishing!

Hey, I'm Captain Darren Knapping

Paihia, New Zealand
Background
Capt. Darren has fished around the world for years before coming back to the Bay of Islands. Growing up around these waters, Darren learned a great deal about the local fisheries in the ocean and the marine life. While serving in the New Zealand Navy for 5 and a half years, Darren traveled the world and then got his captain’s license. He later engaged in commercial Tuna fishing. Eventually, Capt. Darren has come back to his native fisheries and now runs charter fishing trips. He has accommodated many repeat customers. His vessel is one of the finest in the area. Capt. Darren will work to put you on fish and make your trip an enjoyable adventure.
Techniques
With salt in my veins, I like to try several different methods to catch either inshore or offshore fish. It's the live bait we catch on the way out that can mean the difference. Our Snapper, which are an all-year-round fish, can be caught with jigs/soft plastics or cut bait. Having a full walk around it's a breeze to target these Fish. The best way to catch them is with a nice big live bait slowly feeding down a burly trail and waiting for the pickup and run! For the mighty Yellowtail Kingfish, there are many different types and ways to target this hard-fighting fish. From catching your live bait and slow trolling down to deep diving lures, to using the surface popper that gives you the thrill of seeing these fish climb all over the lure [my fav]. And with the introduction of soft plastics and slow jigging, fishing has jumped up a level. So every day out is different. Let's go fishing!

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(41 reviews)
Paihia
 Last booking: 2 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $777

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 41 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (26)
Excellent fishing experience
Excellent fishing experience
Captain Darren
+23
Angler rating
35
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
88%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 41 reviews
Robyn I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent fishing experience

VERIFIED   7 Hr Trip โ€“ Kingfish Private/6 PAX on February 12, 2024
The trip started with a warm welcome by Darren. His boat is very sturdy, clean and roomy, and best of all it has plenty of...
Robyn I. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Chris H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Very experienced skipper, a great time out.

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (AM) on February 25, 2024
Darren was great and very professional . Other than the fishing his knowledge of local history of the islands was enthralling
Chris H. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Russell A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day Out!

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (AM) on November 8, 2023
Every thing met our expectations on our day out fishing.
Russell A. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Russell A. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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David J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

January fishing trip

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (AM) on January 15, 2024
David J. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Dave R.
Cummington, MA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day king fishing

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip โ€“ Summer Special (MAX6) on March 25, 2023
We had such an awesome day with Darryn fishing. He made everything easy the boats awesome heโ€™s a hell of a nice guy I could...
Dave R. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Dave R. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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