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Best Fishing Boats for Coromandel Offshore Conditions
- MBM
- Mar 12
- 5 min read
Anyone who spends time fishing out of Whitianga will tell you we’re pretty lucky here. The waters of Mercury Bay offer some of the most accessible and consistent fishing anywhere in New Zealand.
Within minutes of leaving the boat ramp you can be drifting over good snapper country, working reefs for kingfish, or heading a little wider toward the islands. And when the conditions line up, there’s even the chance to run offshore chasing tuna or marlin.
On a calm summer morning heading out past the Shakespeare’s cliffs with the sun coming up over the water is something pretty magic.
You’ll often see dolphins working bait schools, gannets diving, and boats dotted across the bay chasing the same bite.
Local favourites include areas like:
the islands around Mercury Bay
reefs and pins off the coast toward the Aldermen Islands
Cathedral cove
offshore grounds where tuna and marlin show up in warmer water months.
For many locals, boating and fishing are a big part of life here. Whether it’s an early snapper mission before work or a full day offshore with mates, the Coromandel coastline offers incredible opportunities.
But the one thing you learn pretty quickly fishing around here is that the boat you’re in makes a big difference!
What makes a good Coromandel fishing boat?
If you’ve fished the Coromandel for any length of time you’ll know the weather and sea conditions can change quickly.
One minute the bay is glassy calm, the next a bit of south easterly wind picks up, chop rolls in and suddenly the ride home gets ..interesting.
Because of that, locals tend to look for a few key things in a fishing boat.
Stability at rest
When three or four guys are leaning over the side pulling up Marlin or Tuna, the boat needs to stay steady.
Ability to handle chop
Heading out past Mercury Bay toward offshore fishing spots can mean dealing with a bit of swell.
Easy launching and towing
Most boats here are trailer boats, and ramps can get busy during summer.
Hardtop protection
Anyone who’s fished through a winter southerly knows how valuable a hardtop can be. And when the suns beating down in the summer you’ll be glad you got one.
Popular fishing boats around Whitianga
Around Whitianga and the Coromandel the most common fishing boats you’ll see are 5–8 metre aluminium trailer boats.
They’re big enough to handle offshore conditions but still manageable to tow and launch.
Some of the most popular boats you’ll see locally are from Surtees Boats, Senator Boats, Stabicraft or Extreme Boats.
Each has its own style and loyal following among fishermen.
Owner of Mercury Bay Marine Mark Cosgrove says Surtees has always been the boat brand he admired most.
“Surtees was always my dream boat from when I was younger. The first time I saw one I remember thinking - that’s the boat I want to own one day.”
“Over the years working on boats you get a pretty good feel for what makes a good sea boat.
Surtees always stood out to me.
They’re safe, strongly built, they handle rough water really well, and they’re just a well thought-out fishing machine!
When the opportunity came up to provide Surtees locally it just made sense, they’re the kind of boat that suits our conditions here around the Coromandel.”
For a region like the Coromandel, where offshore conditions can change quickly and fisho’s rely on their boats to get them home safely, that kind of reputation matters.
And for many local boat owners, a well-set-up Surtees has proven itself to be exactly the sort of boat that fits the job.
A few favourites for Coromandel fishing
While many locals here fish from boats in the 5.5 - 7 metre range, a well-set-up five metre boat can still be perfect for a lot of the fishing around Mercury Bay.
For quick snapper missions, fishing around the islands, or getting out on calm mornings, smaller boats are popular because they’re easy to tow, simple to launch, and quick to wash down after a day on the water.
At the moment Mercury Bay Marine has a couple of great examples in the yard, including a Surtees 495 Pro Fisher and a Surtees 495 Workmate.
For many fishermen, boats like these are a great way to enjoy the incredible fishing around the Coromandel without needing a larger trailer boat.
The Surtees 575 is a really versatile size for fishing around the Mandel.
It’s big enough to head out wide when the weather allows but still easy to launch and handle locally.
Fish’os like it because:
the ballast system provides great stability at rest
plenty of cockpit space for fishing
good balance between size and fuel economy.
The 610 Game Fisher is a very popular step up.
You’ll often see these boats heading out past the islands chasing kingfish or tuna when the conditions line up.
What makes it great locally:
excellent ride in chop
hardtop protection for rough weather
lots of fishing room.
overnight fishing at offshore reefs
multi-day kingfish trips
staying out wider when the fishing is good.
still practical as a trailer boat.
Stepping up for overnight trips
If you’re looking to get more serious about overnight fishing trips or heading further offshore when the weather allows, stepping up to a slightly larger boat can make those missions far more comfortable.
If you want a bit more room and range for longer trips, the 650 gives you that extra space and capability.
Why it’s a local favourite
larger cabin and sleeping space
more offshore capability
extra room for gear and dive equipment
very stable fishing platform.
Engines locals tend to run
Most boats in this size range are powered by modern outboards from brands like
Mercury Marine or other Fourstroke outboards like Suzuki, Honda or Yamaha.
Typical setups around the Coromandel look something like this:
Having enough horsepower makes a big difference when pushing home into a head sea.
Where these boats really shine
A well-set-up 5–8 metre trailer boat is perfect for the type of boating we do around here:
drifting for snapper in the Bay
chasing kingfish around the islands
trolling offshore for tuna
heading wide on calm days.
diving for crays along the reefs
spearfishing around the coastline
enjoying a bit of wakeboarding or pulling the kids in a tube.
It’s the kind of boat that lets you fish comfortably without needing a big launch or marina berth.
The Coromandel really is one of the best fishing regions in the country, but it does demand the right boat.
Something around the 5.5–7 metre range with a hardtop and a reliable outboard is the sweet spot for most of us.
Get that right and you’ll have a boat that can handle everything from calm summer snapper sessions to a run offshore when the weather lines up.
And one last tip if you see a few boats drifting quietly in the bay at sunrise… chances are the fishing’s on.
Tight lines
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