Your Skipper
Local knowledge, professional standards.
Our skippers spent over two decades on the Bay of Islands — fishing, diving, and guiding guests through some of New Zealand's most spectacular coastal waters. They hold current Maritime New Zealand Skipper's Certificate of Competency and a first aid qualification, and operate under a Maritime NZ-approved Safety Management System.
Beyond the qualifications, what sets our skippers apart is genuine enthusiasm for the Bay and a commitment to making every charter feel personal. They know the fish, the birds, and the hidden spots that most visitors never find.
The Vessel
Jeanneau Merry Fisher
795 Sport Series 2
The Merry Fisher 795 Sport Series 2 is a French-built GRP (fibreglass) wheelhouse cruiser from the Beneteau Group's Jeanneau range — a boat designed for exactly the kind of multi-purpose coastal adventuring we do on the Bay. At 8.5 metres with a 2.82 m beam, it is wide, stable, and comfortable in a chop.
The enclosed wheelhouse keeps everyone comfortable in all conditions, while the aft cockpit is a genuine fishing platform — rod holders, baitwell, fish cutting table, and a side gate for easy water access. When the rods are stowed, the folding aft bench transforms the cockpit into a relaxed social space for island stops and scenic cruising.
The forward cabin provides a proper double berth and facilities — ideal for extended day trips. Powered by a 250HP Yamaha 4-stroke outboard, the 795 is fast enough to cover the Bay efficiently and economical enough for a full day on the water.
Vessel Specifications
On Board
Built for every kind of day.
The Merry Fisher 795 Sport Series 2 is equally at home as a fishing platform, a cruising boat, or a comfortable day vessel for families and groups.
Wheelhouse Comfort
The enclosed wheelhouse provides full 180° visibility through a wide front screen and large side glass — comfortable in all conditions, with bolster pilot and co-pilot seating.
Fishing Cockpit
A purpose-built aft cockpit with rod holders, a baitwell tank, fish cutting table, and three cockpit deck lockers. The side gate gives easy access to the water.
Forward Cabin
A proper forward cabin with a double berth, overhead hatch, shelves, and chemical toilet — ideal for extended day trips or overnight stays.
Wide-Beam Stability
The 2.82 m beam and moderate deadrise hull delivers exceptional stability at rest and underway — comfortable for guests of all experience levels.
Aft Cockpit Seating
A luxury folding aft cockpit bench converts the cockpit into a social space when not fishing — perfect for island stops, swimming, and scenic cruising.
Swim Platform
An integrated swim platform with ladder makes getting in and out of the water easy — essential for snorkelling, swimming, and island landings.
Electronics
Serious gear for serious fishing.
The vessel is equipped with a full Garmin electronics suite — the same setup used by professional sport fishing operations. You'll be fishing with confidence, not guessing.
Chartplotter
Garmin GPSMAP 1223 XSV
12-inch UHD touchscreen chartplotter with built-in sonar. Vivid chart detail, fast processor, and seamless integration with the GSD 28 sounder module. The benchmark for serious offshore navigation.
Sounder
Garmin GSD 28 + Airmar TM275LHW
The GSD 28 CHIRP sounder module paired with an Airmar TM275LHW transom-mount transducer. High-frequency CHIRP delivers exceptional target separation and bottom definition — you'll see fish clearly, not just blobs.
Autopilot & Navigation
Garmin Autopilot & GPS
Integrated Garmin autopilot keeps the vessel on course during long offshore runs, freeing the skipper to focus on fishing. Precise GPS positioning throughout the Bay and beyond.
Communications
Standard Horizon VHF215
Fixed-mount VHF marine radio for vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications. DSC distress capability and continuous weather monitoring throughout the charter.
Audio System
Fusion Signature Series Marine Audio
Full Fusion marine audio system: four XS-F65CWB 6.5" Classic speakers, a 10" FM Series marine subwoofer (400W), and a Fusion Signature Series 5-channel marine amplifier. Whether you're heading out at dawn or anchored for lunch, the soundtrack is taken care of.
Rods & Tackle
Matched tackle for every technique.
All rods and reels are provided. From topwater popping to deep jigging and heavy game fishing, the spread is purpose-built for the Bay of Islands. Bring your own gear if you prefer — we welcome it.
Topwater
Popping (2 rods)
Shimano Stella SW18000HG paired with Ocea Plugger S83H 8'3" rods. PE8 braid (100 lb), 28 kg drag. Built for kingfish and tuna on surface poppers.
Jigging
Knife & Speed Jigs (1 rod)
Shimano Ocea Jigger 4000HG with Game Type J B538 5'3" rod. PE8 braid, 18 kg drag. Knife and speed jigs (200–300 g) for deep water kingfish and snapper.
Soft Baits
Soft Plastics (2 rods)
Shimano Stradic C5000XG with Dialuna S 7'10" MH 2-piece rods. Braid mainline, 10.9 kg drag. Perfect for snapper, trevally, and kingfish on soft plastics.
Live Bait
Live Bait Rig (1 rod)
Shimano Ocea Jigger 4000HG with Game Type J B531 5'3" rod. Braid-to-mono running rig with sinker and swivel. 18 kg drag. For live kahawai or mackerel targeting kingfish.
Game Fishing
Marlin & Tuna (4 rods)
Shimano Tiagra 50W LRSA reels with Bluewater 5'6" stand-up rods. 500 m of 100 lb PowerPro hollow-core spectra backing, 100 m of 37 kg (80 lb) yellow mono topshot, and Hooker wind-on leaders. 18 kg drag. Purpose-built for marlin, yellowfin tuna, and other pelagic gamefish.
Bring your own gear? Absolutely. If you have preferred rods, reels, or lures, you're welcome to fish with them. We'll still have the full spread rigged and ready as backup.
Safety
Your safety is non-negotiable.
We operate under a Maritime New Zealand-approved Safety Management System. Every charter begins with a safety briefing, and we monitor weather and sea conditions continuously. If conditions are not suitable, we will reschedule or refund — no questions asked.
Kaitiakitanga
Guardians of the Bay.
We operate on these waters with a deep sense of kaitiakitanga — the Māori concept of guardianship and stewardship of the natural world. The sea is not a resource to be extracted; it is a living system to be cared for, in the tradition of Tangaroa, the atua (deity) of the sea, whose domain we enter with every charter.
In practice, this means fishing sustainably within legal limits, preferring catch-and-release where appropriate, avoiding anchoring on reef systems, and encouraging our guests to leave every beach and anchorage as they found it. We are not the first to care for these waters, and we hope we will not be the last.
We acknowledge Ngāpuhi as the tangata whenua of the Bay of Islands, whose mana moana (authority over the sea) encompasses every bay and reef we visit. We are guests in their world.
Ready to get on the water?
Check availability and secure your charter today.