Posted 17th April 2025

Meet The Crew | Gene Bryant

Bio/Background

Hi, my name is Gene Bryant, I am a father of three living in Whitianga. I was brought up in a little place called Kuaotunu located 20 minutes north of Whitianga. My father was the first person in NZ to run landbased charters, fishing most days of the year and providing accommodation for his clients - I grew up watching him live the dream. I would always try and skip school and tag along with them on many occasions! The passion for this style of fishing was growing by the day at a young age and I was hooked before I knew it. I now run my own landbased charters taking people from around the globe into the unknown and fishing untouched locations for big snapper and kingfish.

Specialty and Favourite Types of Fishing

Based in Whitianga on the eastern side of the Coromandel peninsula we fish our rugged coastline and offshore islands which we boat or kayak out to knowing we fish locations that no one can walk to. Rockfishing for big kingfish, topwater lures and livebaiting under balloons does it for me.

Most Memorable Catch

Ticking that 20lb plus snapper off was a highlight for sure, but seeing clients catch their dream fish and making memories for them is what it’s all about these days.

Daiwa Essentials

Two sets I always have on me are my Daiwa Freeswimmer 10000 & Daiwa VIP spin rod for straylining snapper, or my Saltiga 20000 & Spartan rod for stickbaiting kingfish. Perfect for off the rocks!

Favourite Fishing Spot

Fishing local spots are great but I do love venturing to the far north. It’s not somewhere I get to a lot so when I do, those trips are ones to remember.