New Zealand Offshore Billfish, Tuna & Shark Heli-Fishing

New Zealand

New Zealand Offshore Heli-Fishing

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Fishing Description

New Zealand offers some of the most spectacular sport fishing opportunities in the world, with a wide variety of game fish that often reach their maximum size in New Zealand waters.

Our 138 foot mother ship continually steams around the great fishing spots of the Hauraki Gulf. We will do special fishing charters to almost anywhere further a field. You decide the special place you wish to fish. We take you to that place.

We heli-fly you directly to and from the mother ship by our twin RR engine squirrel helicopters. These helicopters carry up to 5 passengers together with baggage.

Upon landing at the mother ship you are transferred to one of our sportfishing boats that is crewed by fishing pros. Or you may wish to comfortably fish from the mothership. Our outdoor bar is handy plus there is a dedicated fishing platform with a 130lb game fishing chair located at the stern of the ship. We provide bait and lures plus all the fishing gear. Shimano is our choice of fishing gear onboard all of our boats.

We offer several heli-fishing overnighter packages. They allow choice of locations and range from 1 through to 6 nights away with the mother ship.

The beauty of our mother ship is the size and flexibility. A group can book an entire ship and spend quality time fishing at wonderful locations. Or individuals and smaller groups can join one of the heli-fishing expeditions.

Heli-Fishing from aboard our mothership is an exciting experience with restful accommodation, fine cuisine and wines and fantastic New Zealand hospitality.

--- The Fish ---

Striped Marlin
This is probably New Zealand's most recognized game fish and the one that put New Zealand on the map as a world-class marlin fishery. New Zealand hosts some of the largest striped marlin in the world with world records for in almost every line class.

In the summer months, striped marlin are abundant throughout the top half of the North Island. The east coast gets more pressure due to more sheltered ports and conditions, but a large number of fish also run down the west coast.

Hot spots are the Bay of Plenty, the entire northeastern coast from Tutukaka through to North Cape and the Three Kings islands. In the last ten years the Middlesex and King banks off the Three Kings have built a reputation as the premier spots to target trophy striped marlin. From February through to late May they congregate in big numbers to feed on the masses of bait fish attracted by the current up-wellings and its not uncommon to have over ten shots a day at fish that grow in excess of 400 lbs, with 175 lbs to 260 lbs striped marlin considered average.

Blue Marlin
Recent catch data suggests that blue marlin are becoming a lot more common in New Zealand waters. Three Kings, North Cape and the Northland coastline are all hot spots and a good run of blue marlin can be expected off the East Cape during a short time frame, usually around February. Their average size is usually around the 440 lbs mark but much larger fish are frequently encountered. In 1998 a 1005 lbs blue marlin was caught off the North Cape, the first grander taken in New Zealand waters in since 1968.

Black Marlin
Black Marlin can be caught throughout the summer months around the upper half of the North Island coastline. They are more frequently found in closer than the other species and are usually hooked by unsuspecting anglers who are live baiting off a reef or headland for kingfish. Most are found off the Northland coast and Bay of Plenty, especially off Mayor Island, White island, Whale Island and the Motu river mouth. These are often very large fish and although no granders have been taken, some have gone very close, and numerous fish over 770 lbs have been caught.

Broadbill Swordfish
The Broadbill Swordfish fishery is still in its infancy in New Zealand, yet it is clear through commercial catches that New Zealand does have a good stock. Broadbill Swordfish can be caught year round off the entire coastline but the more popular spots are the canyons off the Northland coast and the Three Kings. These fish grow very large with the average size normally between 330 lbs and 550 lbs.

Yellowfin Tuna
Every summer Yellowfin Tuna turn up in significant numbers off New Zealand's upper North Island coastline. They are particularly common in the Bay of Plenty where they herd great schools of baitfish into 'balls' which makes for spectacular fishing. Yellowfin Tuna average from 44 lbs to 77 lbs, but this fluctuates from season to season. The bigger fish tend to show early on in December and January with 110 lbs to 132 lbs yellowfin tuna not uncommon. These early fish are normally taken trolling, but as the season progresses and the 'balling' kicks off around February and March, anglers tend to switch to live baits and chunking techniques. Further north Yellowfin Tuna are caught in good numbers but usually as a by-catch when trolling for billfish.

Bluefin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna
Both species are available year round off the entire coastline, but don't get a lot of pressure due to their widespread nature and that they are normally well offshore. In the last few years anglers have discovered that bluefin tuna have been showing up consistently in good numbers in the summer off the southwest coast of the South island. They can be caught relatively close to shore due to the proximity of deep water and although these fish aren't huge by bluefin tuna standards, there have been plenty of fish caught over the 130 lbs mark.

Albacore Tuna
During the summer months Albacore Tuna can be found in big schools all around the north eastern coastline and the entire length of the west coast. They are present year round but the summer is definitely the time when they are most abundant. Winter fish tend to be considerably larger, with fish of up to 45 lbs regularly taken from the Bay of Plenty.

Yellowtail Kingfish
This is another species that put New Zealand on the map as a major sport fishing destination. Yellowtail Kingfish reach their maximum size in New Zealand with almost all world records coming from New Zealand waters.

The hot spots are the Three Kings islands, White island and the Ranfurly bank off East Cape. They are found consistently throughout the top half of the North Island in good numbers and as far south as the Marlborough sounds at the top of the South Island. They can be caught year round with winter fish tending to be less common but generally larger. Summer is the best time to target kingfish. They are usually found around rocky headlands, reefs and deepwater pinnacles, particularly those that are exposed to reasonable tidal current.

Snapper
This is the bread-and-butter fish for the majority of New Zealanders. Snapper are found consistently around the entire North Island but are less widespread down south. The average size Snapper are around 4 lbs to 6 lbs, but the really big Snapper get up to 33 lbs. Hot spots are Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island and from Hawkes Bay right around the top to Taranaki in the North Island. Snapper will be found on almost every reef, harbour and channel, and are just as likely to be taken from the shore as from a boat.

Mako Sharks
Mako Sharks are common throughout New Zealand and are found year round anywhere where there is reasonably warm water and a good food supply. They vary in size from relatively small (20 lbs to 65 lbs) to the exceptionally large (over 900 lbs) and are normally hooked as by-catch by anglers trolling for billfish in the summer months off the Northland coast and in the Bay of Plenty.

Thresher Sharks
Most world records for Thresher Sharks are from New Zealand waters. They are an open ocean shark and can be found throughout New Zealand coastal waters where the temperature is between 54° to 68° F. Thresher Sharks are usually taken as a by-catch while trolling for billfish, but can also be found around schools of baitfish holding close to a reef, offshore pinnacle or island.

Kahawai
The Kahawai is widespread throughout New Zealand and will be found from estuaries to the outer islands. This sleek fish has an average size around the 4 lbs to 6 lbs mark. Their tremendous fighting ability has earned them a reputation as a top light tackle game fish, especially on a saltwater fly. Kahawai can be found year round.

Trevally
This is New Zealand's other top light tackle sportfish. Trevally are found consistently around the North Island and at the top of the South Island. They will be found throughout different water levels from shallow bays right through to great surface schools that are feeding on krill. Trevally are more predominant in the summer and warm water environments. This top eating fish has an average size that will range from 4 lbs to 8 lbs and will put up a powerful fight on light tackle. Again a great catch on a saltwater fly.

Fishing Packages

GREAT ESCAPE Sunday-Friday - 6 Days / 5 Nights
Join the ship in Auckland at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon prior to our sailing time of 4 pm. Disembark again in Auckland 6 days later on Friday at noon.

ISLAND TIME Sunday-Thursday - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Add $675 pp for a helicopter transfer. Join the ship in Auckland at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon prior to our sailing time of 4 pm. Leave the ship by helicopter on Thursday at 10 am from the ship at Kawau Island to our Auckland Heliport.

ISLAND TIME Monday-Friday - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Add $675 pp for a helicopter transfer. Fly Monday morning at 8 am from Auckland Helipad to the ship at Coromandel. Disembark from the ship again in Auckland 5 days later on Friday at noon.

JUST CRUISIN Sunday-Wednesday - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Add $895 pp for a helicopter transfer. Join the ship in Auckland at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon prior to our sailing time of 4 pm. Leave the ship by helicopter on Wednesday at 10 am from the ship at Mokohinau Island to our Auckland Heliport.

JUST CRUISIN Tuesday-Friday - 4 Days / 3 Nights
Add $755 pp for a helicopter transfer. Fly Tuesday morning at 9 am from Auckland Helipad to ship at Great Barrier Is. Disembark again in Auckland 4 days later on Friday at noon.

Accommodations

Accommodation is aboard the mothership complete with helicopter deck, restaurant, outdoor bar, BBQ plus en-suite cabins for up to 24 guests.

Getting There

You fly to Auckland New Zealand and then transfer to the Auckland Downtown Heliport where you will be picked up in one of our helicopters and transferred to the mother ship.

Included in the price:

• All fishing gear, bait or lures and access to our sportfishing boats
• All meals, bottled water, soft drinks and juice while on the mothership or sportfishing boats
• Accommodations on the mothership

Not included in the price:

• Helicopter transfer to/from the mothership (if needed)
• Alcholic Beverages
• Gratuities

Current Weather Conditions

If you have specific questions about this fishing package or are looking for something in particular, please contact us today.

Serious Inquiries Only Please.

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