Get Reel Charters
Get Reel Charters
4.5
Full view
About
Charter fishing in the Bay of Islands New Zealand, we target snapper, kingfish and gamefish like marlin, tuna, shark, mahimahi. Snapper trips are for 4 hours, kingfish are 6 hours and game trips are 8 hours. I also offer exclusive sight seeing trips.
Russell, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Travellers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Smitherino
London, UK86 contributions
Jan 2018
We called and booked this the day before as the weather had been quite bad the prior couple of days. Paul was an absolute gent and knew the Bay like the back of his hand. He paid particular attention to the kids (6&8) showing them how to fish and got them helping when pulling in the fish. He had already gotten fresh love bait for us to use in the afternoon which enabled us to catch a couple of good sized king fish as well as a handful of snapper which we used to feed the kids for dinner!
A fantastic experience made all the better by a great guide. Thanks for an unforgettable afternoon Paul!
A fantastic experience made all the better by a great guide. Thanks for an unforgettable afternoon Paul!
Written 6 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traciain
Palmerston North, New Zealand12 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
Had a great day on Get Reel charters with Skipper Paul. Very knowledgeable skipper who put us right in the best spots and we pulled in a huge amount of big kingies. Excellent value for money and even put us on to the best bloke to sort the fish for us. Maybe a cup of tea on the boat would have been nice? Overall and excellent day on the water with a lot of kingfish to be eaten over the next few weeks!
Written 2 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt E
1 contribution
While planning my honeymoon, I knew I wanted to go fishing in the Bay of Islands. When I discovered Get Reel charters, I found the skipper, Paul, to be very responsive to my emails and provided a reasonable price for a great day of fishing. I would not hesitate to book with him if I am lucky enough to travel to New Zealand again :)
Written 16 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke M
Brisbane, Australia22 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
By Paul’s own admission there’s no bells and whistles on his vessel. It is what it is. We did the half day and caught fish which is positive, mainly smaller snapper through bait fishing - nothing decent to note though. BYO food, beverage, sunscreen etc. Ps. Would love to get out there next time and use live bait instead. Thanks Paul we’d go it again.
Written 31 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy F
3 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I can't say I recommend this charter.
Paul had good knowledge of the local kingfish spots but the experience was let down by his cheap gear that wasn't up to scratch.
He was almost constantly telling us that we were doing something wrong and seemed more concerned about his gear than he was about us catching fish. At one point when one of us had a big kingy on and asked for a belt, he just said "belt's are for 12 year old girls" and didn't get him one despite having several in plain sight.
He doesn't have his (low quality) gear insured either so expect to pay for anything you break. As I found out when I broke a rod when I hooked a kingy, and subsequently a shark.
Overall it wasn't a bad experience as we still landed several kingfish and snapper, but it could have been so much better if they made a few small changes.
Paul had good knowledge of the local kingfish spots but the experience was let down by his cheap gear that wasn't up to scratch.
He was almost constantly telling us that we were doing something wrong and seemed more concerned about his gear than he was about us catching fish. At one point when one of us had a big kingy on and asked for a belt, he just said "belt's are for 12 year old girls" and didn't get him one despite having several in plain sight.
He doesn't have his (low quality) gear insured either so expect to pay for anything you break. As I found out when I broke a rod when I hooked a kingy, and subsequently a shark.
Overall it wasn't a bad experience as we still landed several kingfish and snapper, but it could have been so much better if they made a few small changes.
Written 15 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oh Jeremy, I asked you a number of times to not lift the rod too high as it will break, which it did, a "poor tradesman always blames his tools". The gear i supplied is a matched Shimano Torium reel to a 24kg jigging rod with 80lb braid. There was a number of larger kingfish caught by your group that day, with the same gear you where using, with no issues. I think the issue was more about you having to pay for a replacement, you will find all charter operators have a "you break or loose gear it will be charged", as for any insurance policy "incorrect use is not covered".
Written 24 April 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trev WIlliams
Coffs Harbour, Australia85 contributions
Oct 2019
Booked Private Charter and we paid the Full Cost for Half Day Charter.
There were only two of us and we have used Other Guides in NZ and Australia and without a doubt this was not what we could consider even good.
The Complete lack of interest in clients, the mess in the Cabin, Seating area covered in junk.
The boat is really run down and needs to be refurbished or even looked after.
It is obvious that there was a lack of maintenance of both boat and Fishing Gear.
There was insufficient Bait, the Hooks on the Lines were blunt and he had not even checked the Drag settings on the Reels before handing to clients to Fish with.
Result was loss of a very large Snapper from excessive drag and his comment " One of my previous clients must have tighten it up". For a Guide that the worst excuse to say that he had not even checked the gear before the days fishing.
Could not recommend him and he spent half the time in the Cabin on phone or eating boiled eggs.
We were offered only Paihia Town Water and there were no clean containers or cups to drink from.
The hooks would not even pierce the Mullet skin, they were that old and blunt. Even a sharpening of hooks was suggested which he ignored.
Very dissappointing as we were looking forward to a Proper Guided Fishing Charter and what we received was a person who was not interested and had a take it or leave it attitude. My recommendation is not to use this guide.
Poor attitude, Poorly maintained Boat and Equipment.
Waste of money.
There were only two of us and we have used Other Guides in NZ and Australia and without a doubt this was not what we could consider even good.
The Complete lack of interest in clients, the mess in the Cabin, Seating area covered in junk.
The boat is really run down and needs to be refurbished or even looked after.
It is obvious that there was a lack of maintenance of both boat and Fishing Gear.
There was insufficient Bait, the Hooks on the Lines were blunt and he had not even checked the Drag settings on the Reels before handing to clients to Fish with.
Result was loss of a very large Snapper from excessive drag and his comment " One of my previous clients must have tighten it up". For a Guide that the worst excuse to say that he had not even checked the gear before the days fishing.
Could not recommend him and he spent half the time in the Cabin on phone or eating boiled eggs.
We were offered only Paihia Town Water and there were no clean containers or cups to drink from.
The hooks would not even pierce the Mullet skin, they were that old and blunt. Even a sharpening of hooks was suggested which he ignored.
Very dissappointing as we were looking forward to a Proper Guided Fishing Charter and what we received was a person who was not interested and had a take it or leave it attitude. My recommendation is not to use this guide.
Poor attitude, Poorly maintained Boat and Equipment.
Waste of money.
Written 16 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They indicated they where very experienced fishing people, and even brought their own gear to use, which they didn’t. I check gear at the start of the charter, but drag settings should be checked by the people fishing.
He indicated he has had back surgery at the start of the charter, if I was told prior I would have cancelled as the weather was choppy this then ruled out going where there would be a better chance of bigger fish. They asked me what they should bring I said food and anything they prefer to drink as I have water on the boat but it’s Paihia tap water, so they where informed. I did all the baiting for these clients and mullet is a good bait, as where the bags of pilchards and some live baits. They did catch fish, and for my breakfast I had boiled eggs.
Written 28 October 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joanne S
43 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Always welcoming , great local knowledge and hospitality , wonderful with children , we have tried all other charters this is the best . Been out with Paul many times now and each occasion a great day.
Written 7 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew F
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
My wife and I booked on the king fishing trip with Paul. Neither of us had fished before and my wife in particular was a little apprehensive. However right from the start of the day we were blown away with the trip and Paul. He gave us good advice and talked us through what to do at each stage. He was even good when both of us fouled the tackle early on, barely showing how annoying it must have been.
There was only the two of us on the boat but we still got a full trip with Paul, going to multiple sites in search of kingfish and snapper. We got everything we wanted out of the trip and more. We would recommend it to anyone.
There was only the two of us on the boat but we still got a full trip with Paul, going to multiple sites in search of kingfish and snapper. We got everything we wanted out of the trip and more. We would recommend it to anyone.
Written 11 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny F
Melbourne, Australia23 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Four novice fishing people out to spend 6 1/2 hours on the ocean fishing for kingfish could have been a huge mistake, I’m sure that’s what captain Paul thought when he set eyes on us.
What a day we had.
We caught our bait first, ‘cos you need it fresh & alive. We didn’t realize everyone fishing for kingfish had to do the same thing.
Competition was tight with 3 other boats all vying for the bait, lucky for us we got the jump on the others by getting there early. And we were a little slow at catching on what we had to do. Captain Paul thought we’d never get enough fish for our big day out. But we managed then set off to the secret spot to catch Kingi’s.
I think we changed Paul’s opinion after we reeled in our first kingfish in a matter of minutes after securing our anchor. Then I caught two more!
Then we moved on and caught three more! We also caught snapper, one was massive.
Brilliant day.
What a day we had.
We caught our bait first, ‘cos you need it fresh & alive. We didn’t realize everyone fishing for kingfish had to do the same thing.
Competition was tight with 3 other boats all vying for the bait, lucky for us we got the jump on the others by getting there early. And we were a little slow at catching on what we had to do. Captain Paul thought we’d never get enough fish for our big day out. But we managed then set off to the secret spot to catch Kingi’s.
I think we changed Paul’s opinion after we reeled in our first kingfish in a matter of minutes after securing our anchor. Then I caught two more!
Then we moved on and caught three more! We also caught snapper, one was massive.
Brilliant day.
Written 28 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juliehpreece
Exeter, UK3 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Fantastic days fishing with Paul for Get Reel. We caught Scorpian fish, Snapper, John Dory and kingfish. Thanks to Paul for work hard to find us fish. The phot says it all...
Written 1 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.