Captain
Derek Gerritsen

Member since November 2017 Paihia, New Zealand
Background
Captain Derek runs fishing trips around the rich waters of the Bay of Islands. His vast experience in the area will be of great help if you want to land a memorable catch here and enjoy your day on the water. Derek grew up in Paihia and got into fishing at an early age. He fished for Marlin while he was still in school. He spent a great deal of his childhood going rock fishing and diving. He also worked as a guide. Capt. Derek worked for a decade for the second oldest gamefish club in the world - Bay of Islands Swordfish Club. His skills took him to the management level. Derek knows a lot about the local fishing grounds. He has fished around the world, landing Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Marlin, and more during the years. From Hawaii to the Great Barrier Reef, he’s fished with success. Add to the years of experience of crewing on many well-known vessels around the Bay of Islands, and you’ll understand why so many repeat customers come onboard with Capt. Derek.
Techniques
I prefer fishing with the freshest bait I can as I mainly live bait or stray-line for big snapper and kingfish. I also love soft baiting the reefs and islands hunting that big bite and jigging the depths out wider for that reel screaming kingy bite

Hey, I'm Captain Derek Gerritsen

Paihia, New Zealand
Background
Captain Derek runs fishing trips around the rich waters of the Bay of Islands. His vast experience in the area will be of great help if you want to land a memorable catch here and enjoy your day on the water. Derek grew up in Paihia and got into fishing at an early age. He fished for Marlin while he was still in school. He spent a great deal of his childhood going rock fishing and diving. He also worked as a guide. Capt. Derek worked for a decade for the second oldest gamefish club in the world - Bay of Islands Swordfish Club. His skills took him to the management level. Derek knows a lot about the local fishing grounds. He has fished around the world, landing Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Marlin, and more during the years. From Hawaii to the Great Barrier Reef, he’s fished with success. Add to the years of experience of crewing on many well-known vessels around the Bay of Islands, and you’ll understand why so many repeat customers come onboard with Capt. Derek.
Techniques
I prefer fishing with the freshest bait I can as I mainly live bait or stray-line for big snapper and kingfish. I also love soft baiting the reefs and islands hunting that big bite and jigging the depths out wider for that reel screaming kingy bite
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(136 reviews)
Paihia
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $442

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 136 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (120)
Outstanding - Best charter by a mile
Outstanding - Best charter by a mile
Outstanding - Best charter by a mile
+117
Angler rating
126
7
2
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
88%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 136 reviews
Theo E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Outstanding - Best charter by a mile

VERIFIED   NEW  6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on February 17, 2026
Derek was absolutely brilliant, went out catching bait fish within seconds were on, within 20 minutes had caught almost 50...
Theo E. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Theo E. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Alan I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

GREAT trip!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on March 19, 2025
Let me start by saying Capt.Derek is the hardest working captain Iโ€™ve seen. Heโ€™s always changing baits, always โ€œhuntingโ€...
Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Frank T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Days Fishing

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip โ€“ย Half Day Snapper on March 4, 2026
Fortunately we had good weather and we caught more than enough for a feed for 7 people which was our goal.ย  The skipper was...
Frank T. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Frank T. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

David P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family Highlight

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip โ€“ย Half Day Snapper on February 10, 2026
Alongside the trip on R Tucker Thompson this rated as important for the family. The skipper really delivered for us creating...
David P. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
David P. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Mark T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on December 28, 2025
Conditions were perfect! Derek was a very knowledgeable, and helpful captain. Caught half a dozen good size snapper and had...
Mark T. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark T. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful