Catch Big Bluefin Tuna in the Bay of Islands

Kaide Parish with his fish of a lifetime!

If you're looking for an unforgettable fishing experience, the Bay of Islands is the place to be. Recently, our expedition was greeted by lively bait balls and swooping gannets, indicating thriving marine life. The fishing conditions were superb, with plenty of snapper to be caught using softbaits and slow jigs. The snapper are currently in great shape, already developing roe and indicating an early spawn. However, the next day proved to be more challenging as we struggled to find fish. Although there was ample bait and promising signs on the sounder, we only managed to catch one decent snapper before heading to shallower waters for a few smaller ones, perfect for our Wednesday night dinner at the Swordfish Club.

During the morning, a sudden huge splash caught our attention, and speculation arose that it was a tuna! We were drifting at around 66m near the 9 pin when more big swirls were spotted. Excitingly, we later learned that a local group, Rowe'De'O, had landed a Northern (Pacific) Bluefin Tuna weighing an impressive 229.9kgs. This exceptional catch was made by 10-year-old angler Kaide Parrish after a challenging four-hour fight. What a fantastic achievement! You can bet that many boats will be out in search of these huge monsters over the upcoming weeks.

We invite you to visit our shop for the latest gear, bait, ice, and berley. More importantly, we provide genuine intel and tips to maximize your fishing experience! Currently, we are operating under our Spring hours: Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open Wednesday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, with Sundays closing at 3 pm. If you need supplies urgently after hours, feel free to give me a call!

Get ready to catch your own Bluefin tuna in the spectacular Bay of Islands!