
'Ruan Hayward' Surf to Ski, Jet Skis, Big Dreams & Bigger Fish | Get the Net Podcast | EP05
In this episode of Get the Net, Nick chats with Ruan Hayward— a dedicated fisho who’s built his fishing journey from the ground up. Originally from South Africa, Ruan shares how he started surfcasting around Auckland with just a rod and a bus pass, learning the local conditions the hard way.
From there he graduated to owning a JetSki for solo missions chasing kingfish and snapper, and now owns a beautiful boat for game fishing and deep missions with the crew & for his future family boating.
They talk about reading sign, planning trips around weather, the mindset shift that comes with bigger water, Ruan opens up about how fishing really helps his mental health and what his future looks like here in New Zealand
✅ Ruan Hayward @RSLivingFree (FB, IG, TikTok, YouTube)
✅ https://www.youtube.com/@RSLivingFree
⏱️ Chapters /Segments
✅ 00:00 – From South Africa beaches to Aotearoa
✅ 09:30 – A fishing rod and a bus pass
✅ 18:30 – Fisherman with a Camera – Ruan’s YouTube Journey
✅ 29:30 – The lure that changed everything
✅ 35:00 – Farnleys Yamaha Support
🧰 Gear & Techniques Discussed
✅ Planning trips around the weather windows
✅ Safety for Jetski Fishing
✅ Softbaiting for Snapper
✅ What the future holds for Ruan
🍽️ Recipes Shared
✅ Kingfish Sashimi with Sesame Dressing
✅ Bluefin Tacos (or Wraps) with Fresh Flour Tortillas
🌟 Links & Socials
- YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@getthenet_nz]
- Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/🎣-get-the-net-–-tight-lines-loose-lips🎙️/id1824558692]
✅ Follow Us
- Instagram: @getthenet_nz
- TikTok: @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 a Glowbite 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