With miles of pristine coastline, rivers and lakes it's no wonder fishing is one of New Zealand's most popular recreational pastimes. In a country full of folk who love to fish, it’s not surprising that the benchmark and expectations of a fishing boat are set pretty high. So, with the tough New Zealand fishing critic in mind, where better to design and build a boat than right here at home in New Zealand by a team of passionate fishermen and engineers.
Surtees are New Zealand’s top-selling plate aluminium boat built by highly trained staff. Surtees boats have proven to be incredibly popular and are recognised by fishermen all over the world for their quality, safety, stability and practical features.
Surtees, built to fish.
ET Talks about Surtees
As someone who’s spent a lifetime exploring Australia’s wildest coastlines and chasing trophy fish in all sorts of conditions, I’ve learned pretty quickly what works and what doesn’t.
That’s why I choose Surtees, and why my boat for Escape Fishing with ET is the Surtees 770 Game Fisher.
What I really like about the 770 is that it’s a genuine liveaboard, not just a fishing boat, the lockable cabin is a proper space to relax in.
The double bed is comfortable for a couple of people after a long day on the water, there’s a stove to cook a feed, a fridge to keep everything cold, and a table with seats where you can actually sit down and eat. When you’re fishing remote locations or staying out for a few days, that comfort makes a huge difference.
Out the back on the fishing deck is where the work gets done. There’s plenty of room to move around, fight fish and work multiple rods without feeling cramped, and the railings around the back give you confidence when things get lively. The layout just works — everything’s where you need it when the bite’s on.
One of the standout features for me is the walk-around design. You can move safely along the sides and fish right up the front when conditions allow, which opens up more options when you’re chasing different species. There’s also a ladder up front, which is great for getting in and out of the water when you’re stopped on a reef or when you are launching the boat.
Whether we’re chasing billfish offshore, working reefs, or filming in remote areas, the Surtees 770 Game Fisher lets us fish hard, stay out longer and stay comfortable doing it.
It’s tough, practical and built by people who understand how serious anglers actually use their boats and that’s exactly why I trust it on Escape Fishing with ET.
