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

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(127 reviews)
Paihia
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $392

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 127 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (114)
Delivered the Big Snapper
Great 2 days fishing
Awesome kingfish
+111
Angler rating
119
5
2
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
87%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
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Showing:
5 of 127 reviews
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
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Alan I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Terry M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Derek out of Russell Wharf.

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on November 30, 2024
Derek obviously knows his stuff having been boat fishing for most of his life. Good friendly bloke. Did his best to find the...
Terry M. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Terry M. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Andrew C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day fishing

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on June 22, 2025
Experienced captain on a new boat with good equipment. Highly recommend this charter company.ย  Our snapper were filleted...
Andrew C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Andrew C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Jeff H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

If you are an angler, it is a must do.

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on March 13, 2025
Captain Derek put us on fish right away and moved right away when it slowed down. We caught more fish than we could keep so...
Jeff H. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Jeff H. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Richard W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Delivered the Big Snapper

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ย Half Day Snapper on April 23, 2025
We had an excellent morning out with Derek on his comfortable and well equipped boat. I caught a big snapper well over 80cm...
Richard W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Richard W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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