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
(42 reviews)
Paihia
trips from US $802

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 42 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (30)
Great Day Out
Great Day Out
Great Day Out
+27
Angler rating
36
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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Showing:
5 of 42 reviews
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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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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  Darren Knapping Captain replied

Jeremy S.
Gold Coast, Queensland
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Darren

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (PM) on March 23, 2023
Thank you Captain Darren for a fantastic day.ย  Thanks again highly appreciated your knowledge and experience.ย  10/10. Cheers...
Jeremy S. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Jeremy S. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Jeremy W.
Whangarei, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Highly recommended

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (AM) on December 28, 2022
Great trip, great knowledgable skipper, Darren did a great job, put us on to some fantastic fish including a very impressive...
Jeremy W. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
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Gerald T.
Auckland, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip with days out 2

VERIFIED   Snapper Trip โ€“ Private/6 PAX (AM) on February 20, 2023
Awsome day fishing .Darren was really helpful and his knowledge was incredible. Best fishing trip ever
Gerald T. 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
Gerald T. recommends Days Out Fishing Charters BOI NZ
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful