🎣 Get the Net – Tight Lines, Loose Lips! 🎙️

Helen Horrocks is a Scottish-born sailor turned game fisherman turned boating coach, now based in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. In this episode she traces her unlikely path into fishing — from scavenging tangled line off riverbanks as a kid, to kayak guiding in Paihia, to buying her own yacht so she could learn to skipper on her own terms. That same yacht became the platform for her game fishing obsession, sparked by a triple marlin strike that hooked her for good. Helen now holds a ratified New Zealand women's record for broadbill swordfish — a 279.3kg fish landed during the Cater Marine Opua Small Boats Tournament off the Hokianga coast, after a brutal seven-hour stand-up fight that left her legs permanently scarred from the gimbal. She talks candidly about the fight itself, the physical and mental toll of chasing records on light tackle, and a separate, far scarier night targeting a ten-kilo bluefin record that nearly ended in disaster on the run home in the dark. Along the way she shares the gear, mentors and trial-and-error lessons that shaped her as an angler and skipper. She also talks about "She's Got Game," the coaching business she runs alongside her marketing day job, built to give women hands-on, practical experience skippering and fishing rather than just theory. It's a conversation about obsession, complacency, teamwork, and why she thinks the best way for women to break into boating is simple: stop waiting for an invite and buy the boat yourself. CHAPTERS 0:00 Meet Helen Horrocks — sailor, fisherman, boating coach, and founder of She's Got Game 9:22 The Watershed Moment — a triple marlin strike, learning from Bruce Martin, and eyeing the bluefin record 20:23 The Bluefin Scare — hooked, lost, and a dangerous ride home in the dark 29:12 The 7-Hour Swordfish Fight — hooked up, the physical toll, and wrestling the fish aboard 39:19 Gear & Advice — rods, reels, swordfish behaviour, and tips for women getting into fishing 48:55 Bluefin, TV & a Business Award — her first bluefin on camera and recognition for She's Got Game 58:38 Wrap Up — thanks and final words FOLLOW HELEN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/88fishes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@88fishes SHE'S GOT GAME Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesgotgamenz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shesgotgame TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesgotgamenz Website: https://shesgotgame.co.nz/ LINKS & SOCIALS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1824558692 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/54DYLnjQkQLjdDz8USJgab Music: Proctor (Topher Mohr & Alex Elena) | Satellites (Swello) | Momentum (Zplit) | Source — YouTube Audio Library Shot on Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics | Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro | Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Andre Kassal — @Drefish, Ocean Angler pro staff — moved to New Zealand from Germany in 2011 chasing trout, and stumbled into saltwater fishing almost by accident after watching a fishing show on TV. Fifteen years later he's personally landed three snapper over 85cm — five between him and his wife Kie — from a 4.5-metre boat Kie talked him into buying, all fished in water so shallow he can see the bottom. This episode covers his shift from German freshwater lure fishing (Zander, pike, perch) to New Zealand's shallow-water snapper game, why he never fishes deeper than 20 metres even when the fish are there, and the real ecological reason big snapper matter more than most people realise — snapper and crayfish are both key predators of kina, and losing enough of either lets kina strip the kelp bare. The centrepiece is the story of his personal-best 30-pound (13.9kg) snapper, caught on the exact day marking ten years since he arrived in New Zealand — and what happened when he spotted the same fish again, two years later, in a stranger's photo on Facebook. Kie gets her due too — her own 85cm personal best, landed solo in risky conditions, held the boat record for years. ✅ Andre Kassal @Drefish ✅ Ocean Angler ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 – Meet Andre Kassal 10:00 – From Germany to New Zealand's Shallows 20:00 – The 30-Pound Anniversary Snapper 30:00 – Overfishing, Kina Barrens, and Why Big Snapper Matter 40:00 – Gear, Ocean Angler, and the Softbait System 50:00 – Reading Conditions: Tides, Moon, and Overcast Days 1:00:00 – The Hidden Kingfish of Auckland Harbour 1:10:00 – Kie's Record-Breaking 85cm Snapper 1:20:00 – Mentors, Advice for Young Anglers 🌟 Links & Socials YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz Instagram: @getthenet_nz | TikTok: @getthenet_nz | Facebook: @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music: Proctor (Topher Mohr & Alex Elena), Satellites (Swello), Momentum (Zplit) 🎥 Shot on Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics, edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, shot/edited/produced by Nick Hoyle

Part 2 picks up where the action is — sounder marks, Rays Bream bars, throwaway waypoints, and the discipline to ditch a predetermined plan the moment something better appears on screen. The conversation turns to the pre-fishing mission that set up the biggest result of their careers: bait stacked at Whale Rock, a fish spotted off Cuvier, and a weather window that most boats decided to sit out. The conditions were brutal — three-and-a-half metre seas, wet weather gear purchased the morning of, and Cor (Jason's dad) calling it off the moment he saw what they were heading into. Mark and Jason went anyway. What happened next is the kind of story that gets told at prize-givings for years. A 384 kilo black marlin. Three hours on the rod. A trailer boat, two blokes, and a fish that took everything they had. The chaos around the weigh-in is worth the price of admission alone — Scott from Rayglass tying off the bill, Cor somewhere between 8 and 16 beers deep, and Mark parking the boat and walking off it because he was completely done. Second place overall, the heaviest billfish in the competition, and $497,000 split three ways. 🎧 Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net 📱 @getthenet_nz on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook 🎵 Music: Proctor (Topher Mohr & Alex Elena) | Satellites (Swello) | Momentum (Zplit) | Source — YouTube Audio Library 🎥 Shot on Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics | Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro | Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Mark Phillips grew up in Whitianga casting hand lines with Mum and Dad before discovering soft baiting and slowly working his way into competition fishing. Jason van Esch, a builder and tiler from Auckland, found his way back to fishing through camping trips, trailer boat comps, and a burning desire to be the guy walking away with the reels. A bromance forged on a building site and sealed somewhere out past Cuvier. Part 1 is a front-to-back masterclass in what it takes to compete at the Kubota level — from the early trailer boat days chasing snapper prizes, to the first Kubota entry in 2021 where a tagged stripy and a stranger calling them "little bitches" at prize-giving lit a fire that's been burning ever since. The stories you won't forget: Mark's first blue marlin on a broken rod at 500 metres. Jason's first blue, lost after an hour with no gimbal. Kylie's five-and-a-half-hour sword battle. Thirteen winds from a monster they never got. Part 1 ends with three swords tagged, $70,000 in the pocket, and a chip on their shoulder the size of a black marlin. 🎧 Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net 📱 @getthenet_nz on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook 🎵 Music: Proctor (Topher Mohr & Alex Elena) | Satellites (Swello) | Momentum (Zplit) | Source — YouTube Audio Library 🎥 Shot on Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics | Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro | Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Matt Shuker built a business tracking the ocean so Marine Intel members never fish blind. Marine Intel started with a marlin trip to Westport and a mates group chat. Now he’s directing triple marlin strikes from a garden centre car parkMarine Intel delivers custom daily ocean reports to game fishermen across the country, decoding satellite data, sea surface temperatures, subsurface thermoclines, and chlorophyll blooms into plain English: here's where the fish should be, here's why. Eighteen months in, it's his full-time life — and it all started because a trip to Westport didn't go the way it was supposed to. In this episode Nick and Matt go deep on the science of finding fish. What does a game fisherman actually need to look at on a chart? Why do bluefin behave like long-haul truckers — pulling off at the same productive stops year after year? How does the green-to-blue edge rule work, and when does the biggest fish of the year completely ignore it? Matt breaks down both winter and summer oceanography, the South Island bluefin migration window, and why checking the wind map isn't enough — you need to know what the water was doing before the window opened. There's a full breakdown of the tools and software he uses, plus the story of directing a client onto a triple Marlin strike from a garden centre, just by pulling up charts on his phone. There's also a safety conversation that every NZ game fisherman needs to hear. Matt was 18 miles away when a father and son's trailer boat was caught in a factory trawler's rope off Greymouth — in the middle of the night, in cold South Island water, with no coastguard and no helicopter within range. Their Mayday call was two words. The boat sank. They survived — rescued by Valhalla, who were cooking a roast when the call came in. This episode is bluefin season listening. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net Matt Shucker @marinaintel_nz Marine Intel marinaintel.co.nz GET THE NET YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz Instagram: @getthenet_nz TikTok: @getthenet_nz Facebook: @getthenet_nz MUSIC Proctor — Topher Mohr and Alex Elena Satellites — Swello Momentum — Zplit Source: YouTube Audio Library Shot, Edited and Produced by Nick Hoyle

Chad Prentice is a four-time New Zealand Surfcasting Champion and Shimano representative who has spent his life finding the most inaccessible stretches of coastline in the country and figuring out how to fish them. From skipping school in Wairoa to hitch a ride to the beach with cat's meat for bait, to swimming rivers in the dark at 3am with a full pack to win national titles, Chad's approach to land-based fishing is as hard out as it gets. In this episode, Nick and Chad break down the full art of reading a surf beach — water colour, wave period, sand ridges, tide, moon phase, and why where you plant your rod stand is the single most important decision you'll make. Chad also gets into slide baiting for kingfish in the surf, why going as light as possible creates the most opportunities, and how the same principles that apply to boat fishing apply just as much when your feet are planted on the sand. The stories are something else. Two national title campaigns that involved 3am river crossings, pterodactyl-sized mozzies on 90 Mile Beach, and carrying a full load of competition fish out on foot across some of the most rugged coastline in New Zealand. Then there's the time at Cape Maria van Diemen where a collapsing volcanic rock sent Chad fifteen metres onto his back, broke his neck and spine in three places, and put a knife through his bag into his back — and he still looked at the conditions and thought they were good. A roosterfish in Puerto Rico is still on the bucket list. Everything else, he's pretty much done. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net ✅ Chad Prentice: https://www.facebook.com/hardcoreoutdoorsnz ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Meet Chad 15:00 Winning the Nationals 30:00 Reading a Surf Beach 45:00 The Fall at Cape Maria 1:00:00 Slide Baiting & Kingfish in the Surf 1:15:00 Gear, Line Diameter & Going Light 🔗 Links & Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1824558692 ✅ Follow Us: Instagram: @getthenet_nz | TikTok: @getthenet_nz | Facebook: @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music: Proctor - Topher Mohr & Alex Elena | Satellites - Swello | Momentum - Zplit | Source: YouTube Audio Library

Roy Pulvers is one of Auckland's most recognised charter skippers — more than a decade on the Hauraki Gulf, running Fish 'N Dips Charters and now Triton Charters, and one of the first operators in New Zealand to run lure-only charters. Originally from overseas and self-taught through sheer time on the water, Roy has built a reputation for simply finding fish. If you see his boat heading somewhere with purpose, you follow it. In this episode, Nick and Roy cover the full picture of what it takes to fish the Gulf at the highest level — reading workups, understanding bird behaviour, using technology such as BirdRadar to cut search time and maximise action, and why slowing down sometimes means finding more. Roy breaks down his approach to lure selection, kingfish behaviour, why barometric pressure matters more than most people realise, and the art of teaching complete beginners to catch fish on lures from day one. There are some brilliant stories along the way — a striped marlin fixated on a snapper caught inside the Gulf while jigging with 400mm jigs, wrapping itself around its bill and fins three times in a row; a 2nd kingfish of a lifetime, finally caught after years of chasing it in the same place; and a yellowfin session with clients between Rakino and the Noises that produced 21 fish in a single day. Roy also discusses the state of the Gulf, why he thinks there's more of everything out there right now, and why pelagics pushing inside the harbour is something he hasn't seen in 23 years until recently. His worst day on the water? Any day he's stuck on land. Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net Roy Pulvers @Triton_Charters (IG) Roy Pulvers @Fishndipscharters (IG) https://www.facebook.com/FishnDipsCharters https://www.facebook.com/TritonChartersNZ www.youtube.com/@fishndipschartersltd3358 Chapters: 00:00 Meet Roy 00:15 The State of the Hauraki Gulf 00:30 Finding the Fish 00:45 Kingfish — The Smart Fish 01:00 Marlin in the Gulf & The 40kg King 01:15 Gear, Lures & Teaching Beginners Links & Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-the-net/id1824558692 Instagram: @getthenet_nz TikTok: @getthenet_nz Facebook: @getthenet_nz Music Used: Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena Satellites, Swello Momentum, Zplit Source (YouTube Audio Library) Production Notes: Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Connor Scott is a career skipper out of West Haven,Auckland, and when it comes to stray lining for trophy snapper, he's built a system that's as dialled as it gets. Growing up fishing with his dad from the rocks at a spot they called Broken Ankle Point, Connor has spent his whole lifechasing snapper — and after years on the water professionally, he's broken down exactly what separates the people who consistently find big fish from the oneswho don't. In this episode, Nick and Connor go deep on the art of straylining — reading current, presenting bait naturally, understanding how snapper relate to structure, and why most people are fishing the wrong spots for the wrong reasons. Connor talks through his entire system, from finding the mark to keeping fish coming once you're on them, and why the small details that most anglers overlook are actually the difference between a feed and a trophy. There's plenty of texture along the way — Connor'sbackground running charter boats and ferries, what fatigue management looks like as a professional skipper, and some cracking yarns about big sessions and the ones that nearly got away. But the real gold in this episode is in thedetail — the kind of hard-won knowledge that only comes from putting in serious time on the water with clients who are paying to catch fish. Bait over lures. Pan-fried snapper. No fuss. Connor's a manwho knows what works. 🎧 Listen on Spotify &Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube — Search Get The Net ✅ Connor Scott @new_zealand_outdoors ✅ www.youtube.com ⏱️ Chapters /Segments 📝 SHOW NOTES / CHAPTERBREAKDOWN (00:00) Meet Connor Career skipper out of West Haven, grewup fishing with his dad from the rocks at a place they called Broken AnklePoint. (07:00)The Professional Edge What years of putting clientson fish teaches you that recreational fishing never will. (00:15) Reading Current & Finding the Mark How Connorlocates trophy snapper and why most people are fishing the wrong spots. (00:30) The Straylining System Burley patience, big baits,and the details that separate a feed from a trophy. (00:45) Staying On the Fish Why sitting on a quiet markfor hours is one of the most underrated skills in fishing. (00:60) Bait vs Lures & The Equation Connor's take on thegreat debate — and the formula that equals big snapper every time. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Gene Bryant is New Zealand's only land-based fishing charter skipper — a Whitianga local who grew up watching his dad pioneer the land-based scene in the early '90s, and never looked back. Gene runs Strictly Land Based, taking clients to the remote rocks and ledges that most fishermen only dream about, chasing trophy snapper and kingfish with stickbaits and topwater lures off the kind of coastline that'll make your knees shake. In this episode, Nick and Gene dive deep into what it actually takes to fish off the rocks — the big walk-ins with a pack full of gear, the boat runs to spots you can't reach any other way, and why casting when you're tired is exactly when the fish show up. Gene shares the tactics behind reading structure, rigging for kingy and snapper off the rocks, and why topwater will always be his first love. Then there's the stories. A 20kg kingy on the second cast. A yellowfin tuna that went absolutely ballistic just around the corner from Whitianga. Six trips chasing GTs in Rarotonga — and one fish lost to the coral that still haunts him. Gene also brings out his dad's old fishing DVDs from the late '90s, proof of a land-based legacy that's been passed down through the generations — and is now being handed on to his own kids. A land-based marlin is still on the bucket list — and when it happens, he'll be back. ✅Gene Bryant @strictlylandbased (IG) ✅YouTube @strictlylandbased123 ✅ Book a chater +64224778157 (00:00) [The Land-Based Legacy] Gene's dad pioneered it in the '90s — DVDs, sponsors, and all. (00:10) [Spots Nobody Else Can Reach] Boat runs and big walk-ins to Whitianga's most remote coastline. (00:20) [20kg Kingy Then a Yellowfin] A boys' trip that turned into one of Gene's best ever sessions off the rocks. (00:30) [Six Trips Chasing Rarotonga GTs] Why he keeps going back, and eight days of casting with absolutely nothing. (00:40) [Rigging & Reading Structure] The tactics Gene uses to put clients on trophy snapper and kings from remote ledges. (00:50) [Saltiga, Lures & the Bucket List] The rapid fire — plus the one species Gene is still hunting. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

3 Kings in a 3.6m Inflatable | Tasman from NZ Wild Adventures Pushes the Boundaries of What's Possible Tasman grew up on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds, homeschooled, self-sufficient, and fishing before he could drive. These days he documents some of the most audacious solo fishing and hunting adventures in New Zealand on his YouTube channel NZ Wild Adventures — mostly from the deck of a 3.6 metre inflatable. Three Kings solo. Fiordland for a month. Around Stewart Island. Sleeping in a hammock strung across the boat 35 kilometres offshore. Hunting the Hokitika Trench for Pacific bluefin tuna in winter. In this episode we get into the safety gear and planning that makes these missions possible, what a month alone in Fiordland actually looks like, the time the boat started filling with water at the start of the Three Kings crossing, and why Tasman would be doing all of this with or without a camera rolling. This is the guy doing 30-mile offshore crossings in a boat most people wouldn't take past the harbour entrance — and somehow making it look completely normal. ✅ Tasman Denize @nz_wild_adventures ✅ www.youtube.com/@NZWildAdventures ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) Meet Tasman He grew up on Arapawa Island — homeschooled, no neighbours for 9km, hunting and fishing from day one. (10:00) The 3.6m Inflatable — Is It Actually Safe? Backup motor, PLB, VHF, satellite comms, and a strict check-in plan with family. More thought-out than it looks. (20:00) Three Kings Solo Launched from Taputaputa, blue cod on the reef, a possible Pacific bluefin while diving — and a great white in the same spot two hours after he left. (30:00) Fiordland — A Month Alone Four weeks solo, no comms, sleeping on the boat or ashore, eating almost entirely what he caught. (40:00) The Hokitika Trench & Chasing Bluefin 35km offshore in winter, hammock on the boat, 400lb leader — and a very Tasman answer to what happens if a 150kg fish actually eats. (50:00) Rapid Fire + Listener Questions Handline over rod and reel. Bait. Bucket list: big Pacific bluefin solo on the 3.6m. Favourite feed: kahawai in butter. 🌟 Links & Socials- YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Dallas Abel grew up in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland —fishing, diving and hunting every chance he got. That coastal upbringing sparked a lifelong curiosity about the ocean that took him all the way through a marine science degree, into aquaculture, reef education, and eventually a role as a fisheries observer for MPI right here in New Zealand. In this episode, Dallas pulls back the curtain on what lifeas a fisheries observer actually looks like — including some of the confronting realities of commercial fishing at scale that most recreational fishers never see. He breaks down ocean acidification in plain language, unpacks New Zealand's quota management system, and shares his philosophy that utilisation is conservation. But Dallas isn't just talking the talk. He's the founder of Ofishal — a New Zealand fish leather business turning what would otherwise be waste product into premium, handcrafted leather goods. It's a business with purpose, and a genuinely fascinating story. We also get into kingfish sashimi, mahi-mahi bucket lists,why he'd ditch the rod and reel for a speargun, and what it's like going fishing with Matt Watson. This one's got something for everyone — whether you're adie-hard fisho, someone curious about what actually goes on out on the commercial boats, or just after a reminder to make the most of every fish you bring home. ✅ Dallas Abel @ofishal_leather ✅ https://ofishalstore.myshopify.com/ ⏱️ Chapters /Segments 00:00 – Meet Dallas Abel — proud Australian, marinescientist, ex-MPI fisheries observer, and founder of Ofisal fish leather. Dallas moved over from North Queensland for a girl and agovernment job — and never left. He shares why NZ's fishing access, lifestyle, and quota management system make it hard to go back. Fishing, diving and hunting after school every day. How acurious kid from Far North Queensland developed a lifelong obsession with the ocean. What university actually teaches you — hydrology, coastalchemistry, reef ecosystems — and why Dallas became obsessed with bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding. 10:00 – Growing Up Wild — Crocs, Sharks & the 2025 Season’s First Striped Marlin Dallas grew up in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland — where crocodiles were a near-daily sighting and a very drunk round of golf once ended in a sprint from a 3.5-metre croc. He discusses how a casual overnight trip out of Whangarei turned into landing the first striped marlin of the 2025 season at 107.6 kilos. 25 :00 – Fist time Blue Marlin, and what the life of a fisheries observer is really like Becoming a Fisheries Observer for MPI What the role actually involves — going out on commercial vessels and documenting what's happening at sea. Dallas shares what he saw and why it changed his perspective. How coral gets dumped (legally) and the massive On-board processing plants and waste they create 35:00 – The Hauraki Gulf — Dragged Clean Dallas reveals that the Hauraki Gulf was once dragged with massive chains to rip up the entire sea floor — clearing out the mussels, oysters and reef structures that once lined the bottom — specifically to make way for commercial trawling. 50:00 – Ofishal — Turning Fish Skins into Leather Dallas walks through how a rabbit hole during his time with the Kai Ika project led him to fish leather — watching perfectly good skins get discarded on commercial boats and thinking there had to be a better use. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

In this episode of Get The Net , we sit down with Ethan Bryant , skipper of Te Ariki Nui in the Pelagic Charters fleet, to talk about one of the wildest career pivots in New Zealand fishing. Less than a decade ago Ethan was running a tyre shop and working in the automotive world. Now he’s built a name as one of the most effective and hardest-working skippers in the country, spending nearly 300 days a year on the water and leading clients through the madness of the Three Kings fishery. But behind the results is a real personal cost too, and Ethan speaks openly about how life on the boat takes him away from his young family and how much that sacrifice weighs on him. We get into what makes Ethan and Pelagic so dangerous at the Kings, from teaching everyday anglers how to fight properly on heavy tackle, to chasing the fish that keep serious fishos awake at night. Ethan opens up about his obsession with swordfish, the forgotten art of nighttime swordfishing, & some properly insane stories from the boat — including a 16-hour battle with a monster broadbill and the constant push to find the grander sword he knows is out there. It’s clear how addicted he is to the job and the fishery, but just as clear that this lifestyle demands a hugely understanding wife and a familywilling to back the mission. We also unpack just how special the Three Kings can be. Ethan’s crew tagged the most striped marlin of any charter boat in New Zealand last season, but unbelievably they actually caught more swordfish than marlin . Add in blue marlin, kingfish, bluefin tuna, and the pressure of trying to protect one of the country’s most iconic fisheries, and this episode is stacked with hard-earned knowledge, huge fish stories, and a very real look at what it takes to become one of the top charter skippers in the game — not just professionally, but personally as well. This one isn’t just about big fish — it’s about obsession, sacrifice, family, and what it really takes to build a life around chasing the next bite. ✅ Ethan Bryant @esb.offshore & @pelagic_charters_nz (IG) ✅ https://www.youtube.com/@esb.offshore ✅https://www.facebook.com/ PelagicChartersNZ ✅ https://pelagiccharters.co.nz ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) – Meet Ethan Bryant Ethan’s path into the game has been anything but ordinary. He shares how he went from running a tyre shop to becoming the skipper of one of the hottest boats in the Pelagic Charters fleet. (10:00) – The wildest blue marlin footage you’ll ever see We revisit some unbelievable blue marlin footage shot from the top of the tuna tower — the kind of content that shows just how chaotic and visual this fishery can be. (20:00) – Night-time swordfishing Ethan tells the story of the marathon broadbill fight that broke Jonsey & lit a fire in him for swordfishing. (30:00) – Marlin, kingfish and the magic of the Three Kings Ethan breaks down what makes the Three Kings such a special and unpredictable place to fish. (40:00) – How night-time jigging for southern bluefin tunabegan Ethan talks through how they started piecing together a new way to target southern bluefin at night, and what it means to be a charter skipper whose job is not just to catch fish, but to create unforgettable experiences for clients. (50:00) – Pacific bluefin tuna | The brutal fight that tests every angler Not all tuna fights are created equal. Ethan explains why Pacific bluefin are the real deal. (60:00) – Showing the real Three Kings on YouTube Ethan shares why he’s putting more of the real charter experience onto YouTube — the highs, the grind, and what people don’t always see from the outside. ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

In this episode of Get The Net, we sit down with Lisa Noble, founder of Ocean Obsessed Apparel and Swordie Boots, to talk about her journey from working on game boats to building her own fishing brand. Lisa grew up around the ocean and spent time working aboard game fishing boats before settling down and starting a family. Her passion for fishing never faded, and while on maternity leave she finally took the leap to launch an apparel brand aimed at filling a gap she’d always noticed — fishing gear designed specifically with women in mind. That journey eventually led to the development of Swordie Boots, purpose-built fishing boots designed to be comfortable, practical and tough enough for long days on the water. Lisa shares the story behind the brand, lessons from working in the industry, and why her connection to the fishing community helped bring the idea to life. ✅ Lisa Noble @lisa.noble_ & @ocean_obsessed.apparel (IG) ✅https://www.facebook.com/oceanobsessedapparel ✅ https://swordiebootsbyoceanobsessed.com/ ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) Meet Lisa Noble Lisa shares how her lifelong passion for the ocean and fishing shaped her journey, eventually leading her to found Ocean Obsessed Apparel (10:00 )From Boat Show to Tonga Game Fishing A chance meeting with legendary skipper Steve Campbell opens the door to an unforgettable trip deckhanding in Tonga. (20:00) First Blue Marlin (Almost) & Giant Thresher Shark Lisa recounts the highs and near-misses of chasing her first blue marlin, plus an incredible encounter with a huge thresher shark alongside Helen Horrocks. (30:00) Joining the Gladiator Crew How Lisa landed a role working aboard Gladiator with Ken and Donna, gaining valuable offshore experience and industry knowledge (40:00) Rigging Their Own Boat for Marlin Lisa explains how she and her partner Leighton set up their trailer boat for gamefishing success and the lessons they learned along the way (50:00) Back to Fishing & Rapid Fire Close Lisa talks about her plans to get back out chasing big fish and wraps up with the Get The Net quick-fire questions. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

In this episode of Get The Net, we sit down with private skipper Jimmy Brown , a fisherman with a seriously impressive career spanning New Zealand and some of the world’s best sportfishing destinations. From his time aboard the legendary Carol Libby — part of a program that raised nearly 900 blue marlin in a season — to chasing giant bluefin tuna in Nova Scotia, Jimmy shares what it takes to operate at the highest level of gamefishing. Jimmy now runs Advanced Sport Fishing, helping Kiwi anglers rig their boats properly and fish more effectively. We dive into how to set up a trailer boat for success, the importance of presentation and precision, and how small details can make a huge difference when chasing big fish. From lure spreads to ocean conditions, Jimmy explains what separates consistent crews from everyone else. We also talk blue marlin in Costa Rica, giant bluefin tuna in Nova Scotia, broadbill swordfish in New Zealand, and even shallow-water snapper fishing. Jimmy shares practical advice for everyday anglers plus insights gained from fishing professionally around the world — including the mindset needed to chase big fish and keep improving. ✅ Jimmy Brown @jimmybrown24 & @advancedsportfishing (IG) ✅ https://advancedsportfishing.co.nz ✅ https://www.titangaffs.com/ ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) – Meet Jimmy Brown: From Deckie to Elite Skipper Jimmy’s journey into game fishing and how he built a career chasing big fish around the world. (00:10) – Learning the Hard Way at the Three Kings Jimmy’s early charter days at the legendary Three Kings Islands and the lessons that shaped him as a skipper. (00:18) – Giant Swordfish & Why Marlin Still Win Landing a massive NZ broadbill and why Jimmy still believes marlin are the ultimate gamefish. (00:30) – Giant Bluefin & World-Class Tactics Fishing Nova Scotia for monster tuna and practical tips to improve your results anywhere. (00:40) – Building Boats That Catch Fish Inside Jimmy’s business Advanced Sport Fishing and how he rigs boats for serious performance. (00:50) – Finding Fish with Technology How ocean charts, temperature breaks and data help locate pelagics faster. (01:00) – Stay or Move? The Toughest Call in Fishing Jimmy explains when to stick it out — and when it’s time to run. (01:10) – Wash Fishing: Jimmy’s Kiwi Obsession Why shallow-water snapper fishing is still some of the most exciting fishing around. (01:15) – The Famous Get The Net Questions Rapid-fire questions covering gear, stories and Jimmy’s personal favourites. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok:@getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Ben Chissell didn’t set out to build New Zealand’s biggest online fishing platform — he started it after getting absolutely slammed for asking what he thought was a simple fishing question. Instead of backing down, he decided there had to be a better way for Kiwi fishos to connect, learn, and share without being ridiculed. That moment sparked what would become the NZ Fishing Community, now the largest online fishing group in the country. In this episode, Ben opens up about the early days — the criticism, the backlash, and the growing pains of running a fast-scaling Facebook group. We talk about moderation, online pile-ons, misinformation, and the responsibility that comes with leading a platform where thousands of anglers share reports and opinions daily. We also unpack some of Ben’s early boating mishaps and hard-earned lessons — the kind most fishos can relate to — and the journey from figuring it out the hard way to landing a world record gemfish. We also dive into the One Ocean Protest, and how — much like starting the Facebook group — it came from frustration. Frustration with government decisions, frustration with how recreational fishers were being represented, and the decision to channel that energy into action instead of just noise. This episode is about resilience, community, learning publicly, and what can happen when you turn criticism into something constructive. ✅ Ben Chissell @chissellben (IG) ✅ https://www.facebook.com/groups/nzfishingcommunity ✅ https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=61583108365415 (one ocean project) 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

How One Kiwi Changed Fishing Forever — The Rise of JetSkiFishing Andrew Hill is one of the true pioneers of JetSki fishing in New Zealand. Nearly two decades ago, when most people thought it was reckless or impossible, Andrew began converting JetSkis into capable offshore fishing platforms —laying the groundwork for what has now become a global movement. In this episode of Get The Net , Andrew shares thefull journey — from early DIY modifications to working directly with Sea-Doo on the development of the FishPro and ST3 hull. We dive into softbaiting from a JetSki, how to read conditions when you’ve only got one shot, and why JetSki fishing forces you to be more deliberate, efficient, and aware on the water. Beyond the gear and techniques, this is a story aboutcommunity. Andrew talks about the events, rides, and friendships that have formed around JetSki fishing — creating a space where people learn together, fish together, and build connections that last well beyond a day on the water. ✅ Andrew Hill @andrewhilladventurefishing (IG) ✅ Andrew Hill Adventure Fishing (Facebook) ✅ https://www.youtube.com/@jetskifishing ✅ https://jetskifishing.co.nz/ ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) – How JetSki Fishing Even Became a Thing Andrew takes us back 19 years to when fishing off a JetSkiwas seen as crazy — how he started modifying skis, experimenting offshore, and proving it could be done properly and safely. (10:00) – From Backyard Mods to Sea-Doo FishPro The journey from DIY conversions to working directly with Sea-Doo on the FishPro and ST3 hull — what they learned, what mattered most, and how real-world fishing shaped the final design. (20:00) – Softbaiting from a JetSki (What Actually Works) Andrew breaks down his softbaiting approach from a ski —positioning, drift control, lure choice, and why simplicity still wins even on a high-tech platform. (30:00) – Reading Conditions & the JetSki VS Boat comparison Why JetSki fishing forces you to fish smarter — weatherwindows, decision-making, risk management, and committing to a plan when you don’t have a mothership behind you. Why Andrew prefers a JetSki over a boat. (40:00) – Community, Events & Lifelong Friendships The JetSki fishing community, organised rides, shared missions, and how these events have created real friendships and a tight-knit culture around the sport. (50:00) – Content Creation & JetSki Fishing Where JetSki fishing is heading, how content is driving whatAndrew does on the water and pushes him to keep trying for bigger and more exciting catches. (60:00) — Final Thoughts & Rapid-Fire questions Andrews answers to the quickfire questions 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

200kg Bluefin Tuna, Striped Marlin, and the SwordfishThat Attacked His Boat Luke Davis is one of those names that needs no introduction in New Zealand fishing. A true gamefishing all-rounder, Luke has spent his entire working life at Yeehaa Fishing Tackle , and over the years has quietly built a reputation as one of the most respected and knowledgeable fishos in the country. In this episode, Luke goes deep on gamefishing strategy ,from chasing yellowfin tuna on topwater to consistently finding and hooking marlin , and how he sets his boat up for success before the lures even hit the water. It’s a masterclass in preparation, reading conditions, and stacking small decisions in your favour when targeting big fish. But the stories don’t stop there. Luke also shares two ofthe most unbelievable captures of his life — landing a 200kg bluefin tuna , and the infamous 360kg swordfish that attacked his outboard in what might be one of the strangest catches ever recorded in NZ waters. Packed with hard-earned knowledge, proper yarns, and decades of experience, this is a must-watch for anyone who loves big fish and real fishing stories. ✅ Luke Davis @lukendavis (IG) ✅ Precision Angling @precisionangling ✅ Verivas New Zealand @verivasnewzealand ✅ https://www.yeehaatackle.co.nz ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) — Intro: Luke Davis & a Lifetime in Fishing One job, one tackle store, decades on the water, and areputation built the hard way. (10:00) — Growing Up in the Fishing World How Luke’s early years shaped his approach to fishing andproblem-solving offshore. (20:00) — Marlin Strategy & Boat Setup How Luke sets his boat up for success before the lures evenhit the water. (30:00) — Gear, Spreads & On-WaterDecisions Lure choices, positioning, and adapting when things aren’tgoing to plan. (40:00) — Light Gauge VS Heavy Gauge How Luke changed his rigs from heavy gauge to light gauge and WHY it works (50:00) — The recreational fisherman & his value Why sport fishing is a crucial industry to New Zealand & how important it is to look after it! (60:00) — The 360kg Swordfish That Attacked the Outboard The most bizarre catch of Luke’s life — how it unfolded and why it still blows minds. (67:00) — Final Thoughts & Rapid-Fire questions Luke’s answers to the fun questions we like to ask everyone who comes on Get the Net 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz - Facebook @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Steve Campbell isn’t just another name — he’s a legend of the blue-water world. Skipper, charter captain, scientist, author (Blue Marlin Magic) — Steve has spent over 20 years chasing blue marlin across the South Pacific. From humble inshore beginnings in New Zealand to founding Tonga’s topgame-fishing lodge, his journey is as wild as the fish he chases. Over more than two decades running charters across the South Pacific, Steve has caught an unbelievable 2,776 blue marlin , and what makes that number even more impressive is his 97% release rate . Conservation, consistency, and world-class skill — that’s the Steve Campbell formula. In this episode you’ll get right into the heart of real marlin fishing: the lure spreads, the strike zones, the hook rig tweaks, and the data-driven methods that separate hobbyists from professionals. Steve breaks down the real science of blue marlin behaviour: how they hunt, whatmakes them switch on, and the lure-spread principles he’s refined over tens of thousands of hours on the water. From underwater video insights to strike-zone analysis to hook-rig tweaks that actually matter, he explains the details that separate a lucky shot from a predictable pattern. Whether you’ve never hooked a marlin or you’ve battled more than a few, this yarn is gold. Expect big stories, bigger fish, and pure blue-water insight from a bloke whose success is built on knowledge, not luck. ✅ Steve Campbell https://www.facebook.com/Bluemarlinmagic (FB) ✅ https://www.bluemarlinmagic.fishing 💡 Strobe Lure:https://www.strobelure.com/ 💡 Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/str0be/strobe-lure-catch-more-marlin ⏱️ Chapters /Segments (00:00) — Intro: Who Is Steve Campbell? Setting the stage: 2,776 blue marlin, and how Steve became a full time skipper (12:30) — Moving to Tonga & Cyclone Waka Just weeks before opening his game fishing lodge, disaster strikes (25:00) — Blue Marlin Behaviour & the threat to the species How commercial longliners are taking 742,000 blue marlin out of the sea each year (39:00) — Building a Career in Big-Game Charter Fishing How sonar changed the game for marlin fishing (44:00) — How keeping data lead to an impressive strike rate Steve started by capturing data on every fish he caught, then used underwater cameras to understand how they attack prey (51:00) — The Art of Lure Spreads & Positioning His most effective spreads, colour theory, trolling strategy, and why consistency beats luck. (60:00) — Strike Zones, Hook-Ups & Campbell’s Rigging Philosophy The deep science behind his insane hook-up rates and 97%release ratio. (70:00) – The New Gamefishing lure that generates 50% more bites after two seasons testing the new ‘Strobe’ Lure steve gives us the data he collected on this new concept lure (77:00) — The Stiff Rig Why Steve uses the rigging and hooks he does and how it achieves such a high bite to hookup rate 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

Nick Stack — or “Stacky” to just about everyone in Whitianga — has been chasing fish for nearly five decades, and he’s one of the most respected charter skippers on the Coromandel. In this episode, we sit down right on Hahei Beach and dive deep into the art of live baiting for kingfish, from reading the reef to understanding tides, bait behaviour, and the subtle instincts that only come from 40+ years on the water. If you’ve ever wanted to fish like the charter pros, this is the conversation that finally pulls back the curtain. Stacky shares the stories that shaped him: wharf-rat beginnings in Whangamatā, the first time he watched a John Dory stalk a sprat, In this episode, he opens up about the grind, the passion, and the obsession that keeps him chasing greenback hoodlums day after day. He talks comp fishing, swordies, bluefin, and the extreme multi-day missions at the Kubota Billfish Classic — including how he and his crew ran 47 drops without turning the radios on just to stay locked in.But the heart of the episode is pure knowledge. Stacky breaks down his full kingfish system: bait finding, sabiki technique, fluorocarbon choices, hooks, sinkers, PR knots, drag settings, sounder use, and how he fights sharks, currents, and chaos with a calm, disciplined method that gets results day after day. It’s authentic, honest, and packed with the kind of knowledge you simply can’t Google. If you’re serious about becoming a better angler — or you just love a good fishing yarn — this is one episode you won’t wanna miss. ✅ Nick Stack 'Captain Stacky' @stackattackfishingnz (IG) ✅ @stackattacksportsfishing (Facebook) ✅ @stackattacksportfishing2416 (YouTube) (02:15) — The Real Story Begins Stacky sets the tone and instantly drops wisdom from 40+ years on the water. (06:00) — The Whangamatā Wharf Rat Days How a kid hanging around a wharf became one of Coromandel’s most respected fishos. (17:00) — South Pacific Missions Visiting Vavau, big fish, and the kind of fishing you don’t forget. (22:00) — The Bait Hunt: A Daily Battle Why finding bait is harder — and more important — than you think. (30:00) — How Kingfish Actually Feed Stacky breaks down behaviour patterns most anglers never notice. (38:00) — Instinct vs Tactics The moment he learned fishing isn’t about strategy — it’s about feel. (42:00) — Hooks, Reels & the Gear That Matters Stacky’s no-BS breakdown of the setups that really work. (59:00) — Moons, Tides & Livebait: The Truth Everything you’ve been blaming… might be wrong. Here’s what actually matters. (70:00) — Finding Kings & Beating the Sharks How Stacky locates kingfish — and keeps them away from the tax man. (79:00) — Fishing with Finesse The subtle adjustments that separate average anglers from deadly ones. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle

In this episode of Get The Net , Nicky Wilson — betterknown as Nicky Sinden from TradeZone Addicted to Fishing — sits down to share the real story behind one of NZ’s most iconic fishing shows. She opens up about her unconventional upbringing, splitting time between Auckland and the magic of Motiti Island, where hand lines, stormy breakwaters, and childhood snapper missions lit the spark that would shape her entire life. Nicky then takes us through the insane grind it took to get Addicted to Fishing made — selling her boat and car, cold-calling 500 businesses, creating a pilot with a cameraman she found on Tinder, and eventually landing sponsors, boats, and primetime TV slots… for literally one dollar a season . Her hustle, belief, and sheer stubbornness built a seven season juggernaut that took her across NZ and around the world. And of course, we get into the fishing yarns — from blue marlin with Steve Campbell at Vava’u, to the day she landed her 361kg world-record swordfish , smashing a 65-year-old IGFA women’s record. Today, Nicky’s focus is on giving back: kids’ workshops, empowering women on the water, and creating a new generation of confident, capable fishos. ✅ Nicky Wilson @nickysaddictedtofishing (IG) ✅ @AddictedToFishing (TradeZone Addicted To Fishing; YouTube) ✅ www.facebook.com/addictedtofishingnz ⏱️ Chapters /Segments ✅ (05:00) – Blue Marlin Dreams in Vava’u Fangirling over Steve Campbell, travelling to Vava’u, andwatching her dad catch his first marlin — while ignoring all her advice. ✅ (08:00) – Nicky’s Upbringing on Motiti Island Hand-line missions, stormy breakwaters, 24-lb snapper, andthe moment she realised she was truly addicted to fishing . ✅ (15:00) – The World-Record 361kg Swordfish Story A wild sequence of synchronicity, a gifted mark, a prayer,the bite, the chaos… and landing a fish that broke a 65-year IGFA record. ✅ (45:00) – How Addicted to Fishing Was Born The early idea, getting a call from Adam Clancy, andcreating a rough 12-minute pilot with a cameraman she met on Tinder. ✅ (48:00) – Selling Everything to Make the Show Nicky explains how she sold her boat and car, cold-called500 companies, and built seven seasons off pure grit and spreadsheets. ✅ (57:00) – Giving Back: Kids’ Workshops & Empowering Women Why Nicky now focuses on teaching kids, building confidencein women anglers, and getting “more tackle boxes, less Xboxes” into homes. 🌟 Links & Socials - YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz] - Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692] ✅ Follow Us - Instagram: @getthenet_nz - TikTok: @getthenet_nz 🎵 Music Used ✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena ✅ Satellites, Swello ✅ Momentum, Zplit ✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library) 🎥 Production Notes ✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii +Sennheiser Mics ✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro ✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle