Fishing in Thames: Charters, Boat Ramps and Rules
Thames fishing charters head out onto the Firth of Thames, where snapper is the main catch around the mussel farms, and five council boat ramps along the Thames Coast let you launch your own boat on the right tide. The recreational limit here is 7 snapper per person per day, each at least 30 cm long. This guide covers the local charter, the ramps, wharf fishing and the official rules.
Thames and Coromandel fishing charters
Snapper Express is the charter based on the Thames Coast. It has run fishing charters in the Firth of Thames since 2011. Ricky Scott and Laura Craike are the skippers and hosts. Its two boats are 8.5 m Ospreys, and each one fishes up to 10 anglers.
Trips fish in and around the mussel farms in the Firth of Thames and off the Coromandel. Snapper is the most common catch, and the operator lists John Dory, kahawai and gurnard as other species caught. Book directly with the operator for current trips, times and prices.
What to ask before you book a charter
- Where the boat leaves from, and how long the trip runs.
- Whether rods, tackle and bait are included.
- Whether the crew fillets and bags your catch.
- What happens if the weather turns, since the council warns that wind against the tide can make conditions dangerous.
Thames boat ramps and the best tide to launch
If you have your own boat, the Thames-Coromandel District Council lists these ramps on the Thames Coast. Most are tide dependent, so check our Thames tide times before you tow the boat out.
| Ramp | Best tide | Boat size and fees |
|---|---|---|
| Kōpū Recreational Boat Ramp, King Street, Kōpū | Expect about 1 m of water at low tide, except during spring tides. Watch for rocks at low tide | Launching and parking fees apply |
| Tararū Boat Ramp, SH25, beside the Thames Sailing Club | Two hours either side of high tide | Boats and trailers up to 5 m. No fees. Parking for 15 boats |
| Te Puru Boat Ramp, Seaview Avenue, Te Puru | All tides with a tractor | Up to 7 m. $5 a launch at the honesty box. Toilets on site |
| Waiomu Boat Ramp, SH25 opposite Trotters Avenue | Two hours either side of high tide | No fees. Good for kayaks and small boats |
| Ruamāhunga Boat Ramp, SH25, Ruamāhunga Bay | Launch two to three hours before high tide | Ideally up to 5 m. Narrow and steep. No fees |
The council's ramp guide warns that winds from the south, southwest, west and northwest make these ramps hard work, and that anything over 10 knots can make launching and retrieving a challenge. Wind against the tide can create dangerous conditions.
From Te Puru, the council says the mussel farms are a 15-minute boat ride away, with good snapper, kahawai and kingfish habitat all along this coast.
Where to fish from shore in Thames
You don't need a boat to wet a line. These are the shore options the council points to.
- Kōpū Marine Precinct wharf. This is the council wharf for Thames, on King Street. The council's wharf rules allow fishing provided you pull in your line when vessels approach. Parts of the wharf are for commercial work, so keep clear of operations, and don't leave fish frames behind.
- Ruamāhunga Bay. The council describes it as a great surfcasting spot at low tide, with shallow fishing grounds where snapper and kingfish are found.
- The coast north of town. Bait is sold at the Tararū Store near the Tararū ramp, at the Te Puru Store, and at the bait shop next to the Waiomu Beach Café, which the council says opens early.
The Thames coastal walkway follows the shore near town, and our guide to beaches near Thames covers the bays up the coast.
What fish can you catch in the Firth of Thames?
_(AM_MA36682-1).jpg){kind=link}
Snapper is the fish most people come for. The local charter names snapper as its most common catch, along with John Dory, kahawai and gurnard. The council adds kingfish to the list for the coast north of Thames.
Fishing rules for Thames: limits and sizes
Thames is in the Auckland and Kermadec fishing area, which Fisheries New Zealand says covers Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. Each person can take up to 20 finfish a day in total, and some species have their own limits inside that 20.
| Species | Daily limit per person | Minimum length |
|---|---|---|
| Snapper (Auckland East, SNA1) | 7 | 30 cm |
| Kingfish | 3 | 75 cm |
| Red gurnard | Within the 20 | 25 cm |
| Trevally | Within the 20 | 25 cm |
| Tarakihi | Within the 20 | 25 cm |
| Flatfish (except sand flounder) | Within the 20 | 25 cm |
| Kahawai | Within the 20 | No minimum |
On top of the 20 finfish, you can take up to 50 baitfish such as anchovy and pilchard, and up to 6 freshwater eels.
Shellfish and scallops
Shellfish limits are lower in the Auckland and Coromandel area: 50 cockles or pipi a day instead of 150, and 25 green-lipped mussels instead of 50. Fisheries New Zealand says all of the Coromandel scallop fishery has been closed to scallop fishing since 17 March 2023.
Check before you go
Rules change, and some harbours have their own. Fisheries New Zealand recommends its free NZ Fishing Rules app for iPhone and Android, and lists every limit and closure on its Auckland and Kermadec rules page. It is illegal to buy, sell or swap recreationally caught seafood, with fines up to $250,000. Report poaching on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24).
Plan a fishing day from Thames
- Check the tide times and the marine forecast.
- Pick a ramp that suits the tide and your boat, or book a charter.
- Buy bait in Thames or at the stores up the coast.
- Check the limits in the NZ Fishing Rules app and take a measure for snapper.
Staying the night? See where to stay or our camping near Thames guide, and drive on with the Coromandel road trip from Thames.
Frequently asked questions
Are there fishing charters in Thames?
Yes. Snapper Express has run fishing charters in the Firth of Thames since 2011, with two 8.5 m boats that each take up to 10 people. Its trips fish in and around the mussel farms, and snapper is the most common catch.
How many snapper can I keep in the Firth of Thames?
Seven per person per day, and each must be at least 30 cm long. That is the Fisheries New Zealand limit for the Auckland East (SNA1) snapper area, which runs from North Cape to Cape Runaway. Snapper also count in the combined limit of 20 finfish a day.
Can you fish off the wharf in Thames?
The council's wharf in Thames is at the Kōpū Marine Precinct on King Street. Thames-Coromandel District Council says fishing is permitted at its wharves provided you pull in your line when vessels approach, and asks people not to dump fish frames.
What is the best tide to launch a boat at Thames?
At the Tararū and Waiomu ramps, the council says to launch within two hours either side of high tide. Te Puru allows all-tide launching with a tractor. Check our Thames tide times page for the week ahead.
Where can I check the fishing rules for Thames?
Thames is in the Auckland and Kermadec fishing area. Fisheries New Zealand lists its limits, sizes and closures online, and recommends its free NZ Fishing Rules app for iPhone and Android to check the rules wherever you fish.
Sources, checked 30 October 2026: Fisheries New Zealand, Auckland and Kermadec area fishing rules; Thames-Coromandel District Council, West Coast boat ramps and Wharves and jetties; Snapper Express.