Willy Lomas — better known to his online fans as William the Fisherman — knows how to turn a solo mission into something worth watching. His latest Great Barrier Island adventure has it all: dawn crossings, shallow snapper, stuck boats, and beachside banter, all filmed aboard his trusty Frewza F15 Fisher, Bustups.
A proud member of the Daiwa NZ crew, Willy’s been on the water since before he could walk. Raised on the Manukau Harbour and later the Far North, he’s now making a name for himself as a softbaiting specialist who thrives in tight wash zones, often with a GoPro rolling and a story to tell.
His latest mission kicks off with a 2:30am start and a solo crossing across to Great Barrier Island. Willy pulls into a hidden lagoon and sets up camp onshore, later joined by his mate Logan. The Frewza F15 Fisher proves perfect for the job — a 4.85m aluminium rig with a raised transom, walk-through windscreen, and stable hull. It’s powered by the lightweight but grunty Honda Marine BF60, featuring Lean Burn ECOmo, BLAST™ low-speed torque, and a 17A alternator to keep the Garmin humming.
That Garmin fishfinder 95UHD and GT56 plays a key role — helping the boys pinpoint fish in less than a metre of water. Willy puts his go-to Daiwa Saltiga 4000 matched with a TD Black Wash Game rod to work, pulling snapper from shallow guts and rocky ledges. A few nice fish come aboard, including one cheeky snapper that eats on the drop and another that nearly busts his braid to bits.
But things don’t always go to plan. Bustups gets wedged in a creek as the tide drops, and Willy has to wait for surges to float her out. Then a midnight anchor mishap has him thigh-deep in the tide wearing nothing but jocks, wrestling the boat off the beach. A later fuel run to Port Fitzroy ends in a classic bust-up — no signal, no funds, and no gas.
Still, the vibes stay high. Meals are cooked on a Cobb Grill over an open fire, with Willy sharing a discount code (bustup) for 10% off. Snapper, wraps, and garden-fresh tomato fuel the evening. A surfboard paddle back to the anchored boat rounds out the day.
For anyone chasing island adventure in a small rig, this is it. A capable hull, reliable outboard, smart electronics, and good rods — plus a bit of patience — go a long way. Willy Lomas proves that with Bustups, you don’t need big budget to make big memories.
Watch the full video now: THE GREAT BARRIER! – William the Fisherman on YouTube
Use code bustup for 10% off a Cobb Grill at cobbgrillnz.co.nz
