Fishing

If you enjoy fishing, or you are keen to try it out, this is the place to be. Every style of fishing is catered for, whether you prefer to stalk trout with a fly, or battle a marlin for hours; you will be able to do it here.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty is well known for deep sea and big game fishing. There is a large fleet of charter boats based in Whakatane and regular competitions (where numerous national and world record catches have been achieved). You can head out for half a day’s inshore fishing for snapper, or take a three day charter out to the Ranfurly Banks in search of your own personal trophy fish. Target species include Yellowfin, Skipjack, and Albacore tuna, along with sharks and Marlin.

Many people in the Eastern Bay own their own boats and launch from one of the many boat ramps along the coast. Waihau Bay is a well known destination for the recreational boat owner and is a popular destination for those hunting Kingfish.

You don’t have to be a boat owner to get into the fish as we have some of the best land based fishing in New Zealand. The long sandy beaches of Matata are a very popular surfcasting destination, while many travel up the East Cape to take part in land based game fishing.  Catching a marlin from the rocks is a story you will dine out on for a long time.

While we are only two hours from Lake Taupo, the trout fishing capital of the world, we also boast our own fisheries in the rivers of the Eastern Bay. Stalk trout in our isolated rivers and you will soon believe you are the only person in the world who has ever been there.  If you prefer to be guided by a seasoned hand, there are a number of guides available to take you. Legendary locations include the Whaeo, Whirinaki and Rangitaiki Rivers, Horomanga Stream and Lake Aniwhenua. Trout fishing along the length of the Tarawera river from the Tarawera Falls to Kawerau is outstanding, with rainbow trout, averaging 1.5 kg, present in high numbers.