Snap Fishing Ventures

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Snap Fishing Ventures We specialise in all types of jigging for all variety of fish (love to slow jig for big snapper). We We can also provide the services on your boat as a guide.

At Snap Fishing Ventures (SFV) we have fast boats and go wide in search of workups (Whales, Dolphins and birds working the bait). We specialise in all types of jigging for Snapper, Kingfish, JD's, Gurnard, Kahawai, Trevally... (especially love to slow jig for big snapper). We provide all the latest fishing gear (Rods, reels and lures etc) and will show you how to rig them and fish them for success. SFV are involved in testing and refining lures for the market (we write articles for NZ FishingNews on our findings). We also provide reports on the Hauraki Gulf fishing for Radio Live (sometimes from the boat on a Friday night so fresh info). Basically we really enjoy teaching people what we have learnt and hopefully getting them a PB fish. Nik (Capt Snap) has been fishing the beautiful and bountiful Hauraki Gulf since a child (over 40 years). Having fished this area extensively all year round and for many years, and through determination and local knowledge, Nik understands how and why this area fishes. Around 2004 Nik started using softbaits/plastics and metal lures with great success, and it became an important way to fish. In 2007 his team entered into the first ever Berkley Gulp softbait competition in NZ and took home the inaugural prize.

24/10/2026

Huge influx of spring bait this week! 🎣🐬 Nature is starting to fire again after a slow start, and it’s so good to see!

An awesome day today with a great crew, warm sunshine and barely a breath of wind. The biggest snapper seemed to have a real liking for the green-gold Palms Slow Blatt R 150g — getting absolutely smashed on the drop! 🔥 monsterfishing.co.nz

When the bait arrives, the predators aren’t far behind! lots of whales today 🐋!

Cheers,
Capt Nik 🎣

23/10/2026

Bait fishermen turned lure converts! 🎣🔥

Private guiding this morning with Owen and his crew of four. They came as bait fishermen and left knowing exactly why lures are the way to go!

We found a HUGE area of biomass — whales, dolphins and gannets raining from the sky!

The result? Full bins by 8:30am and FOUR-WAY HOOKUPS! 💥🐟

Nothing beats finding the fish, getting the right lures in the water and watching everyone hook up together.

Welcome to the dark side, boys! 🤣🎣

Cheers, Capt Nik

22/10/2026

🎣 A flashback to this day in 2021!

For years, this was a regular occurrence off the Ruakaka River mouth every October. These days, not so much.

Less baitfish inshore means fewer predators turning up to feed. The difference over the years has been noticeable to me.

Who else has noticed the change in our inshore fishing? Are you seeing fewer baitfish, birds and predators than you used to?

Keen to hear what others are experiencing.

Cheers, Capt Nik 🎣
# #

🎣 Small jig, big potential!The Dax Swim 80g is built for Super Light Jigging . Fast sinking, stable action, and ready-ri...
19/10/2026

🎣 Small jig, big potential!

The Dax Swim 80g is built for Super Light Jigging . Fast sinking, stable action, and ready-rigged with an assist flasher hook. monsterfishing.co.nz

Drop it deep, lift, pause, and hang on! 🔥

Here I am using it on my Assassin Supernova 77MH2 softbait rod (so versatile).🎣

Cheers Capt Nik 🎣

18/10/2026

When the fishing is SO GOOD that everyone puts their rods down and starts filming… 🎥😂

Well, almost everyone! 🤣🎣

There’s always that ONE person who just can’t stop fishing! 🎣🔥

Cheers Capt Nik 🎣

15/10/2026

So many different ways to catch fish! 🎣

Deep water or shallow-water? Bait, jigs or softbaits?

Every technique has its place, but I reckon softbaiting is one of the hardest techniques to truly master! Getting the right weight, choosing the right lure, controlling the drift and working that softbait to trigger a bite takes practice.

But when it all comes together, it's incredibly rewarding! 🔥

What's your favourite way to catch fish, and why?

Cheers Capt Nik 🎣

14/10/2026

Last night’s softbait session off Ruakākā 🎣

Deployed the softbaits in 10m and found some BIG snapper lurking down there!

One absolutely inhaled the softbait and bit straight through the trace. 😳 That’s fishing for you — sometimes they win! Joe Carden

Always exciting knowing what’s lurking beneath the boat.

You win some, you lose some!

Cheers Capt Nik 🎣

Tackle testing🎣A few more goodies from Monster Fishing to put through their paces!Been picking up a few kingfish lately ...
14/10/2026

Tackle testing🎣

A few more goodies from Monster Fishing to put through their paces!

Been picking up a few kingfish lately on the snapper gear, so I want to make sure my quick clips can handle the grunt. These little things are rated to **90lb** — check out how small they are! 😮💪

Also keen to test these squid-like lures designed for both the "fall" and the "retrieve" (80-150g). They look the part, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform when the fish are feeding.

They’ll be getting a proper workout on my next charter or private guiding trip! 🎣

Cheers, Capt Nik
monsterfishing.co.nz

🐋 WHEN YOU FIND THE BIOMASS, IT’S GAME ON! 🎣A great family and friends charter yesterday with regular client Mark, joine...
11/10/2026

🐋 WHEN YOU FIND THE BIOMASS, IT’S GAME ON! 🎣

A great family and friends charter yesterday with regular client Mark, joined by his son, his son’s girlfriend, and a good friend who happens to be a chef. The mission? Fresh snapper for the table!

We headed straight to where the biomass had been firing two days earlier, but it was surprisingly quiet with barely a sign of life.

No worries — a quick move a few nautical miles away and BINGO! 💥

We found a massive area of whales, dolphins and gannets working together as they feasted on pilchards. Absolutely spectacular to witness!

We dropped 100–200g kaburas and slow-pitch jigs right into the action, and pink was the colour of the day. The snapper were hungry, with 4 way hookups happening on the drop!

✅ Full bins of fresh snapper
🐋 Incredible marine life
🎣 Non-stop action
🌊 The wind dropped away, giving us a beautiful, glassy ride home.

Another awesome day on the water, making memories with great people!

Cheers, Capt Nik 🎣

11/10/2026

A taste of today's charter. 🐬 🐳

If the local purse seiners take this local bait, do you think the whales and dolphins and gannets suffer (us charter boats and the local recreational fisherman do)?!

Full report later if your interested?

Cheers Capt Nik Key 🎣 🌊

Address

Kauri
Northland

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

6421596074

Website

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