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
Zhenghao C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A wonderful trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Private Charter on May 17, 2024
The captain is really experienced and helpful. We got quite a lot of snappers. He has a lot of fishing experience to help us...
Zhenghao C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Zhenghao C. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Robyn I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Stonkers Galore!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ย Half Day Snapper on February 19, 2024
We had an amazing fishing experience with Derek. We caught our bait easily and then landed some great fish. Darren knows the...
Robyn I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Robyn I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Thomas I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great action filled experience

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on February 4, 2024
A beautiful day with a very skilled captain. Derek knows his waters and has not only an eminent understanding of where the...
Thomas I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Thomas I. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Kaz W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March Fishing

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on March 27, 2024
Thanks Derek for a fun, productive trip. You sure do have the formula to get fish. Would be keen to go again sometime.
Kaz W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Kaz W. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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Roseanne G.
Whangarei, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Derek

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ VIP Fishing (max two) on September 17, 2022
Derek was knowledgeable,ย  personable and great company! He was friendly, helpful and a great communicator!ย  We had a great...
Roseanne G. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Roseanne G. recommends Big Fish Bay Of Islands
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful