6 Hours Big Game Fishing

The main draw here is the chance to chase serious offshore fish from a 34-foot Trojan fishing boat rather than spend the morning on a crowded shared excursion. The crew handles the vessel while you troll for sailfish, blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other species off the north coast.

I like the private format, which lets your group set the mood, and I like that lunch, snacks, bottled water, and adult beverages are included. The catch is that the company has a mixed service record, including one serious complaint about a canceled trip and poor communication, so I would confirm the departure details before setting out.

Key points at a glance

• 34-foot Trojan vessel: The boat has twin Yanmar engines rated at 400 horsepower and is set up for offshore fishing.
• Private group outing: The listed rate is $735 for up to five people, though the operator also says it can take groups of up to eight.
• Several prized species: Trolling may target sailfish, blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other fish.
• Pickup and food included: Hotel or port pickup and drop-off, buffet lunch, bottled water, other beverages, snacks, and adult drinks are included.
• Fishing license costs extra: A $50 license is paid directly at the port for the whole group, not per person.
• Weather and machinery matter: The trip can be changed or refunded for poor weather, and you should verify that the boat is operating before departure.

A serious boat for a six-hour offshore outing

This is not a short ride along the coast with a fishing rod added as an afterthought. The charter uses a Trojan open-fishing boat measuring 34 feet, powered by twin Yanmar engines with a stated total output of 400 horsepower. That gives you a vessel built for offshore work along the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

The advertised fishing style is trolling, where lines are set behind the moving boat in hopes of attracting large predatory fish. The target list is broad: sailfish and blue marlin for the big-game appeal, wahoo and tuna for speed and strength, and mahi-mahi for their striking color and energetic fight.

The day also mixes deep-water and flat fishing. That matters because the rhythm can change instead of giving you six identical hours in one position. Deep water is aimed at larger offshore species, while flat fishing offers a different setting and another chance to keep rods active.

The boat is a major part of the value. At $735 per group, the math looks much better when five people share the cost. That works out to $147 per person before the fishing license, assuming a full group of five. Add the $50 group license and the effective total becomes $785, or $157 per person for five people.

The listing also says groups of up to eight can be accepted, but the main price is clearly stated for up to five. I would not assume that eight people fit at the same rate. Ask the operator to confirm both the maximum number and the final price if your party has more than five.

What your morning looks like at 8:00

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m., with hotel or port pickup available. The pickup offer is useful in Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete, especially if you are staying away from the marina or arriving by ship.

The exact pickup process is not described in detail, so you should confirm the meeting point and pickup time after booking. The experience promises both hotel and port pickup and drop-off, but the practical details can vary by location.

Once at the boat, the captain and crew take responsibility for the vessel and fishing setup. You focus on the rods, the open water, and the wait for a bite. The description does not name the captain or crew, though the company response to one customer was signed by Bart. Do not assume Bart will be on board unless the operator confirms it.

Six hours is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to reach offshore fishing areas and spend real time trolling, but shorter than an all-day charter. Still, this is a full morning and much of an afternoon, so bring a sensible attitude toward waiting. Big-game fishing depends on conditions and fish activity. A large boat and good equipment improve your position, but they cannot guarantee a catch.

Trolling for marlin, sailfish, and mahi-mahi

The fish list gives this trip its purpose. Blue marlin and sailfish are the headline targets, but they are not the only reason to go. Wahoo and tuna can provide fast, powerful action, while mahi-mahi are a popular catch for their bright colors and fighting spirit.

The operator does not promise a particular species or a guaranteed catch. That is normal for a fishing charter, but it is worth keeping clear in your mind before booking. You are paying for the boat, crew, fishing time, equipment, and chance to find fish, not for a guaranteed marlin.

The mix of offshore and flat fishing may suit you if you want variety. It also means the crew can adjust the plan instead of sticking to one type of water for the entire outing. The description does not provide exact fishing grounds, techniques beyond trolling, or a catch-and-release policy, so ask those questions if they matter to you.

The crew handles the vessel while you take part in the fishing. That is a good setup for a group with mixed experience. A keen angler can focus on the rods, while someone less interested in fishing can sit on deck, enjoy a drink, or catch some sun.

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The operator says most people can take part, with no special fitness requirement listed. The main limits are the usual practical ones for a boat day: you should be comfortable spending hours on the water and able to follow crew instructions.

Lunch, drinks, and time on deck

Food and drinks make a difference on a six-hour charter. A buffet lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, beverages, and adult drinks. That means you do not need to build the day around finding food afterward, though you may still want to eat something before pickup.

The phrase adult beverages is broad, and the exact selection is not specified. If you have a particular drink preference, ask before departure. Bottled water is included, which is especially useful under a strong Caribbean sun.

The deck gives non-anglers something to do while the lines are out. You can sit, take in the sea, and watch the crew work. I like that this makes the charter workable for a small group with different interests. Not everyone needs to spend every minute holding a rod.

That said, the food and drinks should not be the main reason you book. The heart of the experience is offshore fishing. If your group wants a relaxed boat day with a meal and a few fishing attempts, this may fit. If everyone expects constant action, the natural waiting periods could feel long.

Souvenir photos and a DVD are not included. Those extras are listed separately, so do not expect a video record or professional images as part of the package.

The private-group price and what it really buys

The listed price is $735 per group, with the main description specifying up to five people. For a full group, that is a reasonable way to share the cost of a private offshore vessel, especially with transport, lunch, and drinks included.

For two people, however, the same price becomes $367.50 per person before the license. For three, it is $245 per person, and for five, it is $147 per person. The charter becomes more attractive as your group gets closer to the five-person limit.

The additional $50 fishing license is charged per group, not per person, and is paid directly at the port. This is easy to miss when comparing prices. For five people, the license adds $10 each. For two people, it adds $25 each, making the total feel noticeably higher.

Pickup is another part of the value. A private vehicle transfer can save you from arranging a taxi to the port, particularly if your hotel is in Sosua or Cabarete rather than Puerto Plata. The listing says hotel and port pickup and drop-off are included, but you should still confirm your exact address.

The operator also says it can handle groups up to eight. Because the displayed price is for up to five, request a written total for six to eight people before paying. This is one of the most important points to settle.

The one concern I would take seriously

The customer record is thin, with two written experiences and an overall rating of 3. One account describes a canceled trip caused by a mechanical problem, followed by a long walk in extreme heat and unanswered phone calls. The company replied that safety required canceling the outing and that a mechanical part had to be collected from outside the country.

That explanation may be reasonable from a safety point of view. A boat with an engine problem should not go offshore. The problem was communication and the way the cancellation was handled, not the decision to avoid an unsafe departure.

The lesson for you is simple: confirm the trip shortly before departure. Make sure the boat is operating, ask where pickup will occur, and keep the company’s phone number available. If the charter is important to your holiday schedule, do not place it on the same day as a flight or another fixed booking.

The other written account is much warmer, describing a friendly crew, a good captain, and an exciting full day of fishing. That matches the best-case version of this outing: a personal crew, a capable boat, time on the water, and a day that feels like a real fishing trip rather than a quick tourist stop.

Because the available feedback is limited, I would treat the company as a charter that needs confirmation, not one to book blindly. The boat and package are appealing, but the communication issue deserves attention.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would consider this for a group of friends or family members who already want to fish and can split the private rate. It also suits a mixed group, since one person can fish while another relaxes with a drink on deck.

It is a good match for you if:

• You want a private boat rather than a shared excursion.
• You are interested in offshore species such as marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, or mahi-mahi.
• You value pickup, lunch, and drinks being bundled into the price.
• Your schedule allows flexibility in case weather or mechanical trouble affects the departure.
• You can share the cost with four or five people.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone, have a very small party, or need a guaranteed departure at a precise time. The price is harder to justify for one or two people, and the previous cancellation complaint shows why a backup plan is sensible.

You should also ask about the fishing equipment, the catch policy, the exact food menu, and the drinks if those details affect your decision. None of those points is fully explained in the available information.

Booking details worth handling before you leave

Confirmation is issued at booking, and the experience can be operated by a multilingual guide. Children need an accompanying adult, and the operator says most people can participate.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours in advance is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

The fishing license is the one direct extra charge: $50 per group, paid at the port. It is not $50 per person. Keep that distinction in mind when comparing this charter with others.

Before departure, I would confirm these five points:

• Your exact pickup location and time
• Whether the boat is operating as planned
• The final price for your group size
• The fishing license payment method at the port
• What equipment and catch arrangements are provided

Should you book the Mahi Mahi charter?

Book it if your group wants a private, boat-focused fishing day and can share the cost among five people. The 34-foot Trojan, twin engines, broad target list, included lunch, drinks, and pickup create a useful package for a serious half-day on the north coast.

I would not book without a quick confirmation close to the date. The past mechanical cancellation and poor communication complaint are too specific to ignore, even though the company explained that the cancellation was made for safety and another customer had a very positive day.

My call: a promising private charter for a properly sized group, but confirm the boat, pickup, and final price before you commit. If you want a chance at big fish, a capable vessel, and a relaxed deck between bites, it is worth considering. If reliability is more important than the fishing itself, compare another operator before paying.

FAQ

How long is the fishing charter?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and starts at 8:00 a.m.

How many people can join?

The listed price is for a private group of up to five people. The operator also states that it can take groups of up to eight, so larger groups should confirm the final price and boat arrangement.

What fish might I catch?

The charter targets sailfish, blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other species through trolling and a mix of deep-water and flat fishing.

Is food included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, snacks, bottled water, beverages, and adult beverages are included.

Is hotel or port transportation included?

Yes. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included.

What extra fee should I expect?

A fishing license costs $50 per group, not per person, and is paid directly at the port. DVD recordings and souvenir photos are not included.