Kubura Fishing & the Surprise Sailfish – Nik Key Goes Deep |Get the Net Podcast | EP06

Nik Key is the owner and skipper behind Snap Fishing Ventures, with over 30 years of obsessive lure fishing experience. He’s not just a charter skipper, he’s a teacher, guide, product developer and content creator who loves helping others land the fish of their dreams.Nik talks about growing up fishing Birkenhead Wharf, the thrill of watching someone catch their first fish, and his passion for lure fishing evolution in New Zealand. He sharesdeeply practical tips on drogue setup, gear choices (especially light line and big hooks), reading sounders, finding workups, and adapting techniques for different conditions.Nik also discusses running over 750 charters and private guiding trips, without ever taking stinky bait onboard (lures only), teaching clients everything from sounder setup to driftplanning, plus digitising decades of fishing data to plan better trips.

He talks about memorable catches—from sailfish on a Kabura in Western Australia to big kingfish in Whangarei Harbour—and why keeping things simple, staying curious, and thinking like a fish are the keys to success.

Nik’s Online Shop is HERE (please consider supporting him with a purchase) or Contact Nik direct for a discount (mention you saw him on Get The Net)

nik@snapfishingventures.com or 021 596 074

✅ Nik Key @snapfishingventures (IG)

✅ How to fish Kuburas effectively all year round

✅ Finding the fish + Lure Selection

✅ Sailfish caught on a Kubura

⏱️ Chapters /Segments

✅ 00:00 – Growing Up Fishing in NZ

✅ 08:00 – Sailfish on a Kubrua?!

✅ 15:00 – Teaching Clients on Charters

✅ 24:00 – Gear, Drogues & Dialing in Tactics

✅ 46:00 – Become a better fisherman by using Ai & Thinking Like a Fish

🧰 Gear & Techniques Discussed

✅ Online Tutorials (just $6 per episode)

✅ Private Charter – BOOK HERE

✅ Private Guiding – BOOK HERE

✅ Ocean Next 50 Reel - SHOP HERE

✅ Poseidon Mythic Weapon - SHOP HERE

✅ Ocean Angler 12ft Handbrake SHOP HERE

🍽️ Recipes Shared

✅ Pan-Fried Gurnard in Flour

🌟 Links & Socials

✅ Listen & Watch

- Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/54DYLnjQkQLjdDz8USJgab]

- YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz]

- Apple Podcasts: [Link]

✅ Follow Us
- Instagram: @getthenet_nz
- TikTok: @getthenet_nz
- YouTube” @getthenet_nz
✅ Join the Caught Bugger All Club

Had a rough day? - 'Send us your worst day fishing story for a shout-out and a chance to win!' Send us a 2-minute voice or video yarn about your fishing fail, and you could win aGlowbite lure + cap.

Details in the episode or slide into the DMs on Insta.

🎵 Music Used

✅ Proctor, Topher Mohr & Alex Elena

✅ Satellites, Swello

✅ Momentum, Zplit

✅ Source (YouTube Audio Library)

🎥 Production Notes

✅ Shot on: Sony A7iii + Sennheiser lav mics

✅ Edited in: Adobe Premiere Pro

✅ Shot, Edited & Produced by Nick Hoyle