About Wahoo Sports Fishing
Wahoo Sports Fishing is a premier sportfishing charter based in Russell, the historic township known as the birthplace of New Zealand game fishing. Operating in the waters of the Bay of Islands — widely regarded as the country's top big-game fishing destination — Wahoo targets prized species including striped marlin, blue and black marlin, yellowfin tuna, kingfish, broadbill swordfish, and hapuka.
Charters run year-round, with the peak marlin season from January through May drawing anglers from around the world. Wahoo operates a purpose-built game fishing vessel equipped with top-tier tackle, fighting chairs, and fish-finding electronics. Trips range from half-day reef fishing for snapper and kingfish to full-day offshore expeditions targeting marlin and tuna on the continental shelf. All gear, bait, and tackle are provided, and the experienced skipper and crew handle rigging, boat positioning, and fish preparation — guests just need to hold on when a big one strikes.
Russell's game fishing heritage dates back to the 1920s when Zane Grey made the Bay of Islands famous as a world-class marlin fishery, and Wahoo continues that tradition with modern equipment and decades of local experience. Their knowledge of the bay's currents, underwater structure, and seasonal fish movements gives clients the best possible chance at landing trophy species. Whether chasing a bucket-list marlin or enjoying a relaxed day on the water pulling in snapper, Wahoo delivers an authentic Bay of Islands fishing experience.
