Not having any expectations of extra business during the Rugby World Cup despite the hype - NZ Fishing Safaris kicked off to a real fun start on the opening night.  The Radio Live Host hopped aboard NZ Fishing Safari's latest acquisition, TRACKER II, and crew of Ray, Rod, Sue and guests had the fun trip down the otherwise closed-off Auckland Harbour to take Michael Steadman and his conch out to Bean Rock.  

Ray left 2nd Skipper Rod aboard Tracker II changing his Skipper's hat to the demoted position of Dingy Skipper to ferry the two VIP's to the lighthouse so they could climb up and co-ordinate the commencing of the pyrotechnic display on the Auckland Harbour with the Eden Park Fireworks Display on the other side of the city. 

Spectacular and a good deal of fun with the commentery going out on Radio Live from Tracker II.

FUN DAYS FISHING WITH THE FRENCH TEAM - The crew aboard New Zealand Fishing Safaris' TRACKER II (Skippers Ray and Rod and Sue in the kitchen) spent an entertaining day with the French Management team including French Coach Marc Lievremont and his two lovely sons, and Technical Advisor to the team, renouned ex World Cup Rugby Referee, Joel Jutge.  Somewhat surprisingly for the time of year on the fishing calendar, some spectacular fish were caught and the enthusiastic French guys enjoyed their day away from training so much they immediately booked again for the following week!! 

Two great days out with some very nice guys!!  We actually felt genuinely sorry for them in their loss to the Kiwi's on World Cup Final night!!

VIP's,COACHES, REFEREES, SPONSORS AND RETIRED RUGBY WORLD CUP TEAM PLAYERS all aboard TRACKER II - we had the greatest fishing experiences with really interesting and multi cultural range of followers and participants of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.  And no, we didn't try to bribe Craig Joubert!!

MEANWHILE....MANTARAY and Skipper Lance were kept busy doing record numbers of trips for the time of year, taking Join-A-Group trips out for the foreign visitors to Auckland City here to watch the games at Eden Park.  

MANTARAY was a very popular choice and word travelled fast that this purpose built  fishing vessel and it's hugely experienced fishing guide Lance, was available to quickly get keen anglers out to the fishing spots to cast their lines to the many species of fish prevalent in the sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour and Inner Hauraki Gulf.