REEL TALK
Whakatāne is one of the best fishing spots in the country, with game fish, snapper on tap and backcountry trout – and nobody’s making a big deal of it.
You may or may not know that Whakatāne is stupidly good for fishing. Everyone who lives there already knows it, so nobody bothers hyping it up. The reason it works so well comes down to one boring but very useful fact, which is the bar. In the area where the Whakatāne River meets the sea it’s usually a safe crossing, and with the Coastguard tower right there overlooking the bar to monitor conditions, you’re in safe hands. You’re just out there, 20 minutes later, already fishing.
And there’s a lot on offer. Summer through to autumn, it’s yellowfin, skipjack and albacore tuna, plus marlin if you’re lucky. Winter switches things over to southern bluefin for the committed types who don’t mind the cold. Meanwhile, snapper, tarakihi and kingfish don’t care what month it is. They’re there year-round for anyone who can’t be bothered planning around a season.
You also don’t need a boat, a charter or any real plan. Port Ōhope wharf on a weekend is full of eight-year-olds with handlines standing next to blokes with rods worth more than their car, both catching roughly the same fish.
If you do have your own boat, ramps at Thornton Beach, the Whakatāne CBD and Port Ōhope mean you can just launch it with no charter.
The social hub of all this is the Whakatāne Sports Fishing Club, with its restaurant, bar, and tournaments running most of the year. Guppies on the Wharf, their kids’ fishing programme, has picked up national awards for turning small children into future obsessives.
Nobody really talks about the trophy-wall stuff, either. Ask around and you’ll get more stories about the one that got away than the ones that didn’t. Whakatāne is a town of fishermen who’d rather tell you about a bad day than brag about a good one, which somehow makes the good days sound better.
Then there’s the completely different fishing scene happening 20 minutes inland, which almost nobody outside the region seems to know about. The Rangitāiki River, Lakes Matahina and Āniwaniwa, and the wilder stretches through Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne and Te Urewera are stacked with brown and rainbow trout. There are camping, walking and biking tracks all through the same forest, so it’s easy to turn a fishing trip into a weekend away without really trying.
Whether you’re a kid on a wharf with a handline, or planning a week-long mission out to Ranfurly Bank or a full-on tournament weekend at the club, Whakatāne is the ideal spot for fishing. Show up with a rod and figure out which version you’re in the mood for.
THE CHARTERS
EZYFISHING CHARTERS
One skipper, small groups and no pressure. Ezyfishing does saltwater snapper and kingfish runs, and switches to freshwater lakes and rivers when the sea's not playing ball. The gear’s included and beginners are welcome.
WHAKATANE.COM/SEE-AND-DO/EZYFISHING-CHARTERS
ŌHIWA FISHING CHARTERS
Ōhiwa runs the Cougar out of Ōhope Wharf daily, heading toward the Ōpōtiki mussel farms. Book a solo spot on a group trip or book the whole boat. Zero gear is required.
WHAKATANE.COM/SEE-AND-DO/OHIWA-FISHING-CHARTERS
CASCADE CHARTERS
This is the go-big option, offering multi-day trips out to Ranfurly Bank chasing kingfish, hāpuka, bass, bluenose and trumpeter. They do cooked breakfasts and proper dinners on board.
PACIFIC COAST ADVENTURES
Book half- and full-day inshore trips on Te Kaha Katt 2, plus land-based options like rock fishing and shellfish gathering. Good for elderly guests and anyone with mobility needs.
WHAKATANE.COM/SEE-AND-DO/PACIFIC-COAST-ADVENTURES-FISHING-CHARTERS
CLUB TALK CHARTERS
This is a fast 8.5m boat that caters for up to four anglers, running out to White Island, Waihau Bay and Ranfurly Bank. It does pretty much every technique going, including jigging, stickbaiting, fly, salt and fresh, with electric reels for anyone whose arms give up first.
WHAKATANE.COM/SEE-AND-DO/CLUB-TALK-CHARTERS
THE GAMBLER FISHING CHARTERS
Run by Mike Boswell, who has 20-plus years experience, you’re in good company. Proper game-fishing setup chasing White Island kingfish, bluenose, hāpuka and bass. Small groups, book ahead.
WHAKATANE.COM/SEE-AND-DO/GAMBLER-FISHING-CHARTERS
AQUARIUS CHARTERS NZ
If you’re after a big boat, this one is 12m and fits up to 12 people, providing lounge and dining space, plus a top deck. Aquarius does private and public charters, competitions, junior days, even spearfishing. It’s a good pick if you’re bringing a crowd.