Fishing Memories With Dad

In celebration of Father’s Day, we invited our community to share their most treasured fishing adventures with their dads or kids. The response has been incredible—filled with snapshots of proud catches and heartwarming memories on the water.

Your Memories

"Fishing at Foxton Beach boat ramp with my little girl piper. It was her first time fishing. Gurnard hoodie is my go too👌🏻" - Andrew

"This fish, and day on the water are one of the reasons Theo loves to fish. It was the same for me. Out on a friend's boat, and getting a memorable fish. Theo and I now fish from our kayak, and we also surfcast (Theo's older brother also comes along). Theo has won certificates and awards with the Wellington Surfcasting and Angling Club and is always keen to get out for a fish." - Carl

"I wanted to get my 2yo daughter into fishing and being comfortable on the boat at a young age. I took an old scotty rod holder and added a heap of foam to make it hold the rod and reel firm with no movement. I showed her how to drop it to them bottom, keeping it slow with her thumb. Then click it in gear and give a couple winds to not catch the bottom. She done great, catching tarakihi and snapper and even four small kingfish! Winding them all in with no help. They were all undersized and got returned, but it still made Mum and Dad super proud of our little fisher girl." - Craig

"I took Logan fishing with his mate (mate's Dad is a fishing buddy), and he got into this 6kg conga. As you tell he was pretty happy with the result. This is also Logan's favourite fishing photo so far. Logan got our clubs non scale fish of the month with that thing too. I hope he always remembers evenings down at the beach with his Dad and friends, enjoying dinner off a fire, and catching monster animals" - Logan

"My Dad and I on a fishing trip with friends in Takaka. I remember hauling my big pregnant belly onto the boat and Dad making space for me to put my swollen feet up while we fish. A week after this picture was taken I gave birth to my baby girl who surprised us by coming 6 weeks early." - Stephanie

"This is one of my favourite photos of my husband and our eldest son 8 years ago, fishing in south bay Kaikōura. Just before my husband started his cancer treatment which he successfully made it through. And now after 7 years cancer free he’s able to take the kids fishing/diving which they live for fishing. He’s an amazing dad and we love him!" - Sian

"Dad (Me) with my late son Karl With a nice Spirits Bay Snapper. He and myself enjoyed our west coast Ripiroa beach fishing trips and our yearly trip to spirits bay from Dargaville. I enjoyed teaching him he was Dad's shadow." - Derek

"Our first born (1984), Ross, with his first fish. How proud is dad, and how happy is Ross. Now 40 years on, he is heavily involved with fishing along with our 3 other sons." - Stephen

"This is our grandson who’s dad is not around, with his grandfather after they realised there was no fish, but a swim was the next best thing. Then sitting by the campfire catching up on the days news." - Sandra

 

"My step son and I on our trout fishing adventure. By the way he didn’t listen and this was about the third time he had tangled it this bad. Cracking effort though lol"- Heath

 

"One of my most memorable days on the water with the old man, was a few years back in 2015. We hadn't been out on the water for a while, so I rang Dad and said, Right it's time we took the old Fleetline sapphire out, and get it wet. Yea mate sounds like a plan he said, we will stick the trolling rods in and see if we can get a trout for dinner. So we headed out to lake Tarawera for a fish. We were out for a good 6 hours, with 2 lost fish and nothing in the boat to show for it. Fish n and chips then mate, Yep I said, can't go home empty handed, or we will both get our butts kicked. This trip was definitely not the most productive day of fishing we ever had, But unfortunately, it would be our last, as Dad passed away later on that year. I'm forever grateful for the time we spent together, and now I get to take my Daughter out and teach her what he taught me." - Nathan

 

"I’ve caught some big fish before but I would never of thought that my proudest moment of fishing life would be when my 10year old daughter begged to come along for tomorrows fishing trip!, after double checking the forecast was safe, we were up at 5am and off on our adventure!! 50km offshore to the fishiest cod spot I know! …set my daughter up with a rod and BOOM first fish is a 58cm cod! Blowing my PB out of the water, I assumed I would be gutted but the feeling of joy was overwhelming to see her fight a nice cod all the way to the boat and the elation she felt knowing she had smashed dads best was such a good feeling for me!!! A memory that will last forever in my head!" - Matt