Posted 15th November 2024

Meet The Crew | Injoon Park

Bio/Background

The Instagram name "Extreme Fishing NZ" stems from my first business, "Extreme Flooring NZ," which is my full-time job—despite appearances of me always being on the water!

I started fishing with my dad in Korea when I was about six years old. We’d get dropped off on a boat, set up a tent on the rocks, and fish all night. Our catches mostly included snapper and rock cod. Later, in New Zealand, my first boat was a 4.5m Sea Nymph fiberglass beauty that I shared with my best friend. We had countless adventures filled with breakdowns and near-submersions—stories for another time!

Every angler starts somewhere, and my passion grew over the years. I fondly remember those midnight fishing trips with my wife, where she often out-fished me using heavy rods, big reels, and messy bait.

I was fortunate to join Team Daiwa when their first Kohga lures were released, which taught me to fish smarter and encouraged me to share my experiences through photos. As I developed my social media presence, I consumed a wealth of YouTube content and fished alongside more experienced peers. I practiced, made mistakes, and learned from them, always excited by the new techniques, spots, and fish that fishing offers.

Fishing area of speciality/favourite type of fishing?

Choosing a favorite type of fishing is tough, but I have a special love for soft baiting and catching swordfish. Soft baiting can be incredibly rewarding; some days yield nothing, while others bring in impressive catches. I thrive on the challenge of fighting swordfish and helping others hook one—these magnificent creatures are like the gladiators of the sea. If you’ve fought one, you know exactly what I mean! I also enjoy jigging for bluefin tuna on light gear at night; it's tough and exhilarating, as they can be much larger than kingfish, requiring a lot of muscle.

Most Memorable Catch?

One of my most memorable trips was out West with Johnathan from Offshore Boats. It was my first time fishing for swordfish, and we landed two on the same day! While we were focused on the swordfish, schools of mahi mahi were swimming around the boat. The other guys were soft baiting for mahi mahi, adding to the excitement. The day was perfect—glassy water, delicious Korean BBQ, and a fantastic crew made it unforgettable.

What Are Your Daiwa Essentials?

My go-to gear includes the Saltiga 1400, which I’ve used for kingfish across the ocean for four years and it’s still going strong. I can’t live without the new Saltiga 4000 soft bait reel—smooth as silk, powerful, and easy to cast. I pair it with my favorite bait, the 7-inch Banana Split Jerkshad from Bait Junkie. I’ve caught so many big fish with it! Although, I’m still holding out for a Korean BBQ flavour.

One Of Your Favourite Spots?

Without a doubt, the Three Kings is my favorite spot. It’s isolated, untouched, and pure. The trip can be challenging, but it’s so rewarding when you find the right gap to take your boat. You can catch a variety of species there, including kingfish, squid, bass, hapuka, blue nose, and even swordfish.