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 $714

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%
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5 of 49 reviews
Kate G.
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 (PM) on April 16, 2024
Captain Darren and his son Caleb are full of enthusiasm and character. We had 4 adults and 3 kids on board. The 3 kids got...
Kate G. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Kate G. 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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Archer X.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   January 5, 2025
The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
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2 persons find this review helpful
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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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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Dave R. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Dylan S.
Warragul, VIC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Unreal

VERIFIED   7 Hr Trip โ€“ Kingfish Private/6 PAX on March 21, 2023
Fished for Kingfish. Captain Darren delivered big time. NON stop action. Kept fishing untill our arms gave way. The skipper...
Dylan S. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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