Dave Arrell

Double Strike
4 McKenzie Street
Whangaroa Harbour
RD 1, Kaeo
Phone/Fax:  +64 9 405 0015
Mobile:  +64 274 952 156
Email:  davearrell@xtra.co.nz

Dave has 24 years of experience as a sport fishing captain to his credit, during which time he has fished from the Bay of Islands, to the Three King's Islands, on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia as well as Tonga and Cook Islands in the South Pacific. He is also recognized by the I.G.F.A. as a fully qualified captain.

He specialises in catching marlin, kingfish, mako shark, tuna, dorado, albacore, broadbill swordfish and short-billed spearfish on both light and heavy tackle. While anchored out on overnight trips you will also be astounded by his capabilities of catching large snapper and other bottom feeders. Among his anglers' catches is a world record for short-billed spearfish, as well as world records for snapper and kingfish.

Also see:

The Boat

The "Double Strike" is a 45-ft custom-built sport fishing boat that was designed and built by a fisherman. She sports a 15-ft beam, and has a 4-ft draft. The hull was built on a jig using kauri wood, then fibre glassed on both sides.

She's powered by twin 3208 Caterpillar diesels and carries 3,000 litres of fuel, and 1,000 litres of fresh water. She cruises comfortably at 15 knots, with a top speed of 20 knots.

She's equipped with the latest technology in electronics, including radar, fish-finder, G.P.S., 600-fathom depth sounder, auto-pilot, hi-seas radio, V.H.F. radio, as well as flying bridge and cockpit controls. 110 and 240 volt power is available onboard, and she's equipped with in-house video cameras.

The main saloon and sleeping quarters are air-conditioned, and she can comfortably accommodate 4 anglers on extended overnight charters. The spacious cockpit and lounge areas allow plenty of room for 6 anglers on day trips. The innovative split-level design forward of the huge cockpit gives anglers an under-cover, comfortable viewing lounge where they can relax and still be only seconds away from the rods when a fish strikes. The "Double Strike" has been fitted with a head that surpasses any other, because if nature should call while out fishing, you can still see the lures through a large window in the door, and another window on the starboard side offers a panoramic view of the ocean, while still giving you sufficient privacy. An extra large door has been installed into the transom to enable big fish to be boarded with ease. A large freezer is located in the cockpit, along with a spacious refrigerated "day-box".

Two large live-bait tanks have been built into the cockpit floor, as well as a set of 2 tuna tubes built into the covering board on both the port and starboard sides. There are no protrusions in the cockpit, for all cleats are situated under the covering board and she is fitted with Panama fairleads. The super-strong fighting chair is crafted from stainless steel, and has a fully adjustable footrest and back. The 30-ft long fiberglass outriggers are mounted onto stainless steel bases.

This professionally built vessel meets the requirements of the New Zealand Maritime Surveys Act, and is fully equipped with life jackets, EPIRB's, emergency life raft, and ring-buoys.

The Tackle

The latest Penn International reels are mounted onto Killwell International rods, and there is a pair of 6-kg, 8-kg, 10-kg, 15-kg, 24-kg, and 37-kg outfits onboard. The reels are filled with Ande line and wind-on leaders. There is also a wide range of big-game fishing lures onboard. Stand-up gimbal belts and harnesses are available, as well as a custom-built seat harness. She is adequately equipped with 4 flying gaffs, and 4 stick gaffs.

The Fishing Grounds

Whangaroa (Map) harbour is the home port for the "Double Strike." This beautiful and well protected, deep-water harbour is situated around 40-miles north of the Bay Of Islands, New Zealand. Marlin have been caught just 5-minutes from the harbor entrance, and there are plenty of big game fish during the months of November through May. Many world records have been set in the area, and it's easily accessible from the Kerikeri Airport, (some 20-miles south).

The vessel is also available for charter out of the magnificent Bay of Islands, and many world records have been established there as well. This harbour is also easily accessible from the Kerikeri Airport, (some 20-miles north), and the fishing grounds are a 1-hour run from the dock.

Prime Fishing Times

• Marlin and Tuna-January to May.
• Snapper-November/December, can be caught all year round.
• Kingfish and Hapuka-June, July, August, can be caught all year round.

Prices

All prices are in New Zealand dollars, and include 12.5% Government Tax.

Day Charters

• 4 anglers; $1,450.00 per day
• 6 anglers; $1,650.00 per day

Price includes coffee and tea.

Overnight Charters

• Up to 4 anglers; $1,450.00, plus $50.00 per person, per day.

Price includes all meals, sodas, coffee, tea, bedding, towels, etc.

Bed and Breakfast

• Up to four people can be accommodated in the "Double Strike",
• B and B on shore, for a cost of $110.00 for up to two people and an extra $55.00 per person for each additional person.