Nick Stack — or “Stacky” to just about everyone in Whitianga — has been chasing fish for nearly five decades, and he’s one of the most respected charter skippers on the Coromandel. In this episode, we sit down right on Hahei Beach and dive deep into the art of live baiting for kingfish, from reading the reef to understanding tides, bait behaviour, and the subtle instincts that only come from 40+ years on the water.
If you’ve ever wanted to fish like the charter pros, this is the conversation that finally pulls back the curtain. Stacky shares the stories that shaped him: wharf-rat beginnings in Whangamatā, the first time he watched a John Dory stalk a sprat, In this episode, he opens up about the grind, the passion, and the obsession that keeps him chasing greenback hoodlums day after day.
He talks comp fishing, swordies, bluefin, and the extreme multi-day missions at the Kubota Billfish Classic — including how he and his crew ran 47 drops without turning the radios on just to stay locked in.But the heart of the episode is pure knowledge.
Stacky breaks down his full kingfish system: bait finding, sabiki technique, fluorocarbon choices, hooks, sinkers, PR knots, drag settings, sounder use, and how he fights sharks, currents, and chaos with a calm, disciplined method that gets results day after day.
It’s authentic, honest, and packed with the kind of knowledge you simply can’t Google. If you’re serious about becoming a better angler — or you just love a good fishing yarn — this is one episode you won’t wanna miss.
✅ Nick Stack 'Captain Stacky' @stackattackfishingnz (IG)
✅ @stackattacksportsfishing (Facebook)
✅ @stackattacksportfishing2416 (YouTube)
(02:15) — The Real Story Begins
Stacky sets the tone and instantly drops wisdom from 40+ years on the water.
(06:00) — The Whangamatā Wharf Rat Days
How a kid hanging around a wharf became one of Coromandel’s most respected fishos.
(17:00) — South Pacific Missions
Visiting Vavau, big fish, and the kind of fishing you don’t forget.
(22:00) — The Bait Hunt: A Daily Battle
Why finding bait is harder — and more important — than you think.
(30:00) — How Kingfish Actually Feed
Stacky breaks down behaviour patterns most anglers never notice.
(38:00) — Instinct vs Tactics
The moment he learned fishing isn’t about strategy — it’s about feel.
(42:00) — Hooks, Reels & the Gear That Matters
Stacky’s no-BS breakdown of the setups that really work.
(59:00) — Moons, Tides & Livebait: The Truth
Everything you’ve been blaming… might be wrong. Here’s what actually matters.
(70:00) — Finding Kings & Beating the Sharks
How Stacky locates kingfish — and keeps them away from the tax man.
(79:00) — Fishing with Finesse
The subtle adjustments that separate average anglers from deadly ones.
🌟 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