Meet the team!
The skipper - Rusty
‘Rusty The Pirate’ as most fondly know him, seems to have more salt water in his veins than blood.
Rusty eats, breathes and lives for the salty air. He’s always ready for the next saltwater adventure, so teaming up with Rik and Striker is a match made on the ocean waves.
He took her reins with passion and is excited to operate this legendary boat in the footsteps of one of New Zealands most renowned skippers, Bruce Smith.
The boat - Striker
Striker is a 1996 Riviera 48 - a boat where substance meets style. Striker provides a fishing platform which feels safe and stable, handling the sea with ease and the harmonics from the twin Cat engines seem to lure the fish.
It’s skippered by one of New Zealand’s best-known and most successful deep sea fishing experts and credited with having the most strikes of any launch in the country.
That means the fisherman’s tales that come from our trips usually end with ‘best trip ever’ and the farewells at the boat include ‘I’ll be back’!
This is the launch that has become urban legend and now it’s time for you to cast your lure into the big blue with Striker.
The 2nd skipper - Chris
Chris has been on the sea most of his life, fishing, sailing and diving from a young age. He had a short year’s stint on the superyachts when on his OE, which confirmed his passion for a life on the sea.
When he returned to New Zealand, he quickly transferred his skippers tickets and jumped at the opportunity to work on charter boats, jobs which have taken him to the Three Kings, Mayor Island, Alderman Islands, Ranfurly Banks and White Island.
The opportunity came up to work on Striker, which was a dream come true.
The organiser - Ashley
Ashley handles all of the bookings, changes of bookings, cancellations and re-bookings for Striker and manages to keep it all straight!
When she’s not buying food for the boat, cleaning the boat between trips, being a deckhand or juggling bookings you will find her being a busy Mum of three children.
This is the ultimate job for Ashley as she LOVES fishing. Whenever she gets a chance, you will find her at sea with a rod (or two) in the water.
The sometimes skipper - Scotty
Scotty is Rusty’s brother, just as eager and mad about fishing.
Loaded with a lifetime of local knowledge, the brothers bounce off each other with new spots and new techniques all the time so all their charters get the best service and great catches.
Scotty will go the extra mile to hunt the best spots, get the biggest fish and beat any PB.
Scotty is a friendly host, has a great sense of humour, loves to share his knowledge and will make you feel part of the crew on Striker.
The owner - Rik
Rik has owned Striker for several years and decided to extend his experience of fishing and cruising on Striker to setting it up for charter so others can enjoy it too!
Rik has spent amazing holidays on Striker with family and friends and has loved seeing his kids enjoy getting out on the ocean and catching fish.
Rik often joins the crew and heads out to target the deepwater big bass and bluenose or live baits for the residential kingfish, always trying to beat his personal best.
Hiring a knowledgeable and well seasoned skipper like Rusty gives him the opportunity to be able to utilise Striker for what she was built for; fishing!