The countries northern-most destinations are renowned for big game fishing and surf-casting and is the only area in New Zealand that does not boast great fly fishing.

Premier deep-sea fishing waters encompass the Bay of Islands, beckoning to keen fisherman from all corners of the earth. The biggest stripped marlin in the world are caught here, with marlin season commencing in December and finishing in May, and yellowtail from June to September. Shark season is year round. Companies in Paihia and Russell operate boat charters, as does the Wangarei Deep Sea Anglers Club, located further south at Tutukaka Harbour.

Ninety-Mile Beach, situated on the West Coast, hosts one of the world’s largest annual surf-casting contests, held in January, and is the countries longest beach offering unsurpassed surf casting.

Whittanga, on the East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, is another famous big game fishing destination. The season begins at the end of December and finishes at the end of April. Boat charters are operational for fishing expeditions at Mercury Bay.