Captain
Darren Knapping

Member since August 2017 Paihia, New Zealand
Background
Capt. Darren has lived and fished the Bay of Islands. Growing up around these waters,and has a great deal of local knowledge about the fisheries in the bay of island's and beyond 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 has run charter fishing trips forvover 30 years. 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 lived and fished the Bay of Islands. Growing up around these waters,and has a great deal of local knowledge about the fisheries in the bay of island's and beyond 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 has run charter fishing trips forvover 30 years. 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!
Our Team
Kakeb K.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(49 reviews)
Paihia
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $713

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 49 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (38)
Great Days fishing - caught Kingfish & Snappers.
Great Days fishing - caught Kingfish & Snappers.
Great morning
+35
Angler rating
41
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
86%
Appropriate for children
88%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 49 reviews
Joseph L.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   January 6, 2024
The charter operator canceled 7 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Trevor J.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   March 6, 2024
The charter operator canceled 110 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Bryce G.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   December 20, 2022
The charter operator canceled 21 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jaime E.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   April 16, 2022
The charter operator canceled 12 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful