In this episode of Get The Net, Nicky Wilson — betterknown as Nicky Sinden from TradeZone Addicted to Fishing— sits down to share the real story behind one of NZ’s most iconic fishing shows. She opens up about her unconventional upbringing, splitting time between Auckland and the magic of Motiti Island, where hand lines, stormy breakwaters, and childhood snapper missions lit the spark that would shape her entire life.
Nicky then takes us through the insane grind it took to get Addicted to Fishing made — selling her boat and car, cold-calling 500 businesses, creating a pilot with a cameraman she found on Tinder, and eventually landing sponsors, boats, and primetime TV slots… for literally one dollar a season.
Her hustle, belief, and sheer stubbornness built a seven season juggernaut that took her across NZ and around the world. And of course, we get into the fishing yarns — from blue marlin with Steve Campbell at Vava’u, to the day she landed her 361kg world-record swordfish, smashing a 65-year-old IGFA women’s record.
Today, Nicky’s focus is on giving back: kids’ workshops, empowering women on the water, and creating a new generation of confident, capable fishos.
✅ Nicky Wilson @nickysaddictedtofishing (IG)
✅ @AddictedToFishing (TradeZone Addicted To Fishing; YouTube)
✅ www.facebook.com/addictedtofishingnz
⏱️ Chapters /Segments
✅ (05:00) – Blue Marlin Dreams in Vava’u
Fangirling over Steve Campbell, travelling to Vava’u, andwatching her dad catch his first marlin — while ignoring all her advice.
✅ (08:00) – Nicky’s Upbringing on Motiti Island
Hand-line missions, stormy breakwaters, 24-lb snapper, andthe moment she realised she was truly addicted to fishing.
✅ (15:00) – The World-Record 361kg Swordfish Story
A wild sequence of synchronicity, a gifted mark, a prayer,the bite, the chaos… and landing a fish that broke a 65-year IGFA record.
✅ (45:00) – How Addicted to Fishing Was Born
The early idea, getting a call from Adam Clancy, andcreating a rough 12-minute pilot with a cameraman she met on Tinder.
✅ (48:00) – Selling Everything to Make the Show
Nicky explains how she sold her boat and car, cold-called500 companies, and built seven seasons off pure grit and spreadsheets.
✅ (57:00) – Giving Back: Kids’ Workshops & Empowering Women
Why Nicky now focuses on teaching kids, building confidencein women anglers, and getting “more tackle boxes, less Xboxes” into homes.
🌟 Links & Socials
- YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz]
- Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692]
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🎵 Music Used
✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena
✅ Satellites, Swello
✅ Momentum, Zplit
✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library)
🎥 Production Notes
✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii +Sennheiser Mics
✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro
✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle