About Big Fish Bay of Islands
Showcasing the Bay of Islands and New Zealand’s best saltwater fishing
Big Fish Bay of Islands is about showcasing the Bay of Islands as one of the finest fishing locations in New Zealand to the world. We are all about competence, quality and an undeniable hunger for fishing excursions and sightseeing adventures. Big Fish promotes fishing sustainability within our waters and demonstrates a respect to our tangata whenua and the health of our diverse fishery.
We are about sharing our knowledge and expertise to provide one of the most exciting experiences you will ever encounter, along with a superior family run Northland style charter company. With more than 20years in the local industry you can be assured your day/s out on the water with is will be carefree, action packed with world class personalised service.
Within minutes of leaving the ports of Paihia and Russell, get ready to have to have your arms stretched by big fish in this world class fishery. Further offshore within the Bay’s 144 islands you will be fishing reefs and structures that hold some of New Zealand’s trophy snapper and the almighty yellowtail kingfish.
In the summer months, offshore world class Striped marlin can be caught when the warmer sea currents push in. We target Yellow tail kingfish, Snapper, Tuna, Striped and Black marlin and all other reef fish species.
We offer shared or private fishing charters and can customise a package to suit your needs, a great option for small groups or families. Go fishing in the morning and spend your afternoon exploring one of the bays beautiful islands, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Big Fish specialises in Tournament fishing and IGFA record fishing, book early for your next competition or to chase the record fish of your dreams.
TARGET SPECIES
New Zealand stunning Bay of Islands is renowned as one of the world’s best fishing destination. Our main target species are Snapper and Yellowtail Kingfish all year round with Tuna and Marlin available in the warmer summer months.
The fishing methods we use are a mix of live baiting, cut baits, jigs, lures and soft plastics.
To maintain our fishery, we have a one Kingfish and three Snapper take per person policy.
TACKLE BOX
Here at Big Fish Bay of Islands we only use the best gear. That is why we choose Shimano Rods and Reels for our fishing.
When we are hunting the Bluewater we use BONZE lures for our big game fishing.
When we take fish to eat we don’t waste meat so we use kiwi made SVORD knives for their edge holding quality is second to none.
BOAT FEATURES
Our Customised marine North Surtees 650 Gamefisher is proudly made in New Zealand. The Surtees 650 is an offshore specialist with a 200 litre fuel tank to go wide and cockpit space to comfortably fish four persons or safely transport for six.
Other features include; Anti roll technology, Safety buoyancy, Tough deck super rigid hull construction and Razor tech super smooth riding hull top that off with the latest Furuno electronics and you have one mean fishing machine!
SUSTAINABILITY
Big Fish Bay of Islands demonstrates “whakaute” (respect) to our fishing grounds around Pewhairangi (the Bay of Islands). Our skipper will aim to discover and lookout for different spots within the Bay, restricting the overfishing of certain areas. We have a lower limit allowance for our vessel of just one Kingfish and three snappers per client.
Big Fish Bay of Islands takes the health of its fishery seriously. Our goal is a careful approach, built on two decades of local knowledge of the area and fishing stocks. We will consistently look for new locations in and around the Bay which will help assist the importance of ensuring there are enough fish in our waters for our current and future generations. When targeting marlin, we fish to I.G.F.A rules and will tag and release any marlin deemed under 80kg.
“The measure of sustainability is abundance”
