When you think of Kurt Capewell, it’s likely that images of bone-crushing tackles and brutal rugby league action come to mind. As a standout second rower for the Warriors, Capewell's presence on the field is undeniable – fierce, focused, and relentless. But away from the game, Capewell is a bloke who finds solace and joy in a quieter pursuit: fishing.

Testament to the demanding NRL programme is the fact that when we linked up with the 31-year-old Queensland-born star for a day of kingfish action, it was actually one of the first times he’d wet a line in New Zealand waters.

Fellow Warriors teammate Adam Pompey joined Kurt, and Bayleys Auckland’s Dean Budd (Commercial Real Estate Broker) was also aboard to help us catch livies (and maybe a kingfish, once our ‘VIPs’ had some under their belts, of course!). As sponsor of our Faces of Fishing section and Platinum Partner of LegaSea, Bayleys has a vested interest in sustainable fishing practices across our country’s coastline. The longstanding Kiwi real estate business is also on the Warrior’s bandwagon, supporting the club as the official real estate partner for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The crew sitting on a local Hauraki Gulf kingie reef, waiting for the bite time.

It was fitting that Dean was representing Bayleys for our day with Kurt and Adam as he boasts sporting pedigree, too. Dean played international rugby union for Italy, gaining 29 caps and captaining the side on three of those occasions. He was known as a swashbuckling lock with a penchant for extravagant offloads (well, that’s what he told me, anyway!).

As we cleared Motuihe Channel and headed north on the lookout for livebait, the conversation naturally veered towards fishing. Capewell’s love for fishing began at a young age, and it’s a passion he shares with his family. 

“I’m from a tiny town called Charleville,” says Kurt, in his gravelly, Aussie twang. 

“My old boy got me into fishing. We did a lot of river fishing, catching yellowbelly – other people call them golden perch – and Murray cod, too. I loved it from the first time he ever took me out and I was lucky that he took me out a lot.”

I ask Kurt about his Kiwi fishing experiences.

“Unfortunately, I had to leave my boat over in Australia, although I bought a fly rod as soon as I arrived in New Zealand. I tried to teach myself how to flyfish, but it proved pretty hard. On my first two freshwater trips, I only got one fish.

“On my third trip, I went out with some people I actually met down at the local dog park and managed to get six trout.” 

Near Rakino Island, we spotted the telltale midwater sign of mackerel schools, dropping down our sabikis and pulling up the wriggling baitfish one, two, and three at a time.

Former Italian rugby union international and Bayleys Commercial Real Estate Broker Dean Budd was on hand to help catch livebaits (he caught a kingie, too).

Kurt typically fishes for barramundi, or ‘barra’, over the ditch.

“My favourite style is barra fishing in the northern regions of Australia. I get one trip a year in at the end of the season with family and friends. They’re the ultimate sportfish – they can jump over a metre out of the water and can grow to over a metre.

“Barra are very tough to land – hooking ‘em is one thing, but landing them is another.”

Once the livie tank was brimming with jack mackerel, we decided to first hunt out kingfish at a nearby reef, and fortuitously, upon pulling up, found a big school of greenbacks breaking the surface. The initial excitement waned, however, when we discovered the fish weren’t interested in stickbaits, and our livebait offerings were only harassed by pan-sized snapper. 

No drama, I figured, given there was a change of tide due shortly, so I took the boys to another reef to kill some time and chew the fat about the upcoming NRL season.

“We’re training really well. This pre-season’s been a long one because we didn’t make the finals last year. It’s been tough, very tough – the ol’ legs are starting to feel it.  From that tough training comes good results, hopefully.”

With a new tide, we went back to the first spot and locked the boat in prime position with the Yamaha Helm Master EX. NZ Fishing News Managing Director Grant Blair was running the deck like a pro – rigging livies, entertaining the crew with humorous quips, and making sure the league boys were well-fed. 

As hoped, the kings were immediately on the chew, and Kurt was first to hook up. With the livie set at 15 metres and a jagged reef just five metres further below, he didn’t have much line to play with yet did a sound job battling the 90cm king to the surface – it was obvious the big man knew his way around a fishing rod! 

After the obligatory photos, the fish was put on ice, destined for much-needed pre-season protein for Kurt, Adam, and fellow Wahs players. Adam was next cab off the rank and, despite having less angling experience than Kurt, also wrangled his kingfish to the boat.

Kurt and Adam display some prime pre-season protein for the Wahs.

“Fah, that was awesome!” Adam remarked, looking down at his similar-sized specimen flapping on the deck. 

Adam continued to get the bites, although he learned first-hand that you don’t always land every kingie you hook – even with plenty of animated advice from the crew! 

And the patient Dean finally got his chance on the rod, subduing another kingfish in ‘swashbuckling’ fashion that was subsequently released. 

With the fishing box ticked and only a light zephyr of wind over the inner Hauraki Gulf, we enjoyed a relaxing cruise back to the city and I asked Kurt about the relationship between fishing and rugby league.

“There are not too many similarities between fishing and footy. Well, you gotta be patient in both at certain times. 

“I love fishing as a way to get away. Just being out on the water seems to take all the stress away. You don’t think of anything else other than how you’re gonna catch ya next fish.”

So next time you spot Kurt Capewell on the footy pitch, remember there’s another side to the tough-as-nails player – a laidback angler who knows how to find peace in the quiet rhythm of casting a line. 

You can follow Kurt’s fishing adventures on his YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqgV2o6O9bTLKuztisis7aQ

- NZ Fishing News