Ultimate Full-Day Big Game Fishing & Trolling Tour

The main draw is the chance to fish open water off Phuket, not simply cruise along the coast. You leave Chalong Pier for Koh Racha Yai, try trolling and bottom fishing, then get time for a swim or snorkel. The crew handles the gear, so you can focus on learning the ropes and watching the sea.

I like the hotel pickup and the fact that bait, lures, tackle, lunch, drinks, and snorkel gear are included. I also like the small maximum group of 15, which should give you a better shot at receiving help than a crowded sightseeing boat. The catch is important: this is a fishing trip, not a guaranteed big-fish machine. Some days produce tuna, while others bring little or nothing.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing runs from Chalong toward Koh Racha Yai, with time split between trolling, bottom fishing, and a water stop.
• Tuna, mackerel, grouper, razorfish, and skipjack are possible catches, but the boat cannot promise a particular species or size.
• Eddie is one guide named in the feedback, praised for his entertaining manner and practical help.
• Lunch is a Thai buffet, with water and soft drinks available throughout the day.
• Snorkeling is included, though cloudy water and crowded anchorage areas can reduce the appeal.
• Pickup may begin 30 to 90 minutes before 8 a.m., and some Phuket areas carry extra transfer charges.

What an eight-hour fishing day really means

This is a full day on the water, not a quick fishing lesson. The advertised start time is 8 a.m., but your hotel pickup can come much earlier, depending on where you stay. From the central Phuket areas, the ride is included. Surin, Bangtao, and Kamala cost an extra 200 baht per person. Transfers from Panwa, Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn have different group charges.

That early start matters because the day includes the road transfer, the boat ride from Chalong Pier, fishing time, lunch, and the stop near Koh Racha Yai. You should expect a long outing with periods of active fishing mixed with open-water travel. If you need constant action, this may feel slow.

The boat holds no more than 15 people. That is a useful limit for a fishing trip, since rods and space can get awkward when too many people compete for the same rail. The crew supplies trolling and bottom-fishing gear, bait, and lures, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

I would still treat the phrase big game with care. The trip can target tuna and other larger local fish, but the actual method and catch depend on the season, weather, sea conditions, and where the fish are feeding. Some outings have produced schools of skipjack tuna. Others have brought small groupers, a few fish, or no catch at all.

From Chalong Pier to Koh Racha Yai

The first major outing is the boat cruise from Chalong Pier toward Koh Racha Yai. The island is about two hours into the stated itinerary, and the guide chooses a fishing area based on conditions. That flexibility is useful. Fish move, tides change, and a fixed fishing spot would make little sense.

The boat is described as modern and comfortable, which matters on a day with several hours at sea. Still, comfort does not remove the need for preparation. Rough water has made the ride unpleasant for some people, especially on the way out. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use, though the supplied information does not state that medicine is provided.

Once the boat reaches the fishing area, the guide can show you how to use the tackle and explain the best way to work the line. You might troll while the boat moves, then switch to bottom fishing around reef areas. Trolling is the part most people imagine when they hear big-game fishing, but it is also the least predictable.

The timing of trolling is a key question to settle before you pay. One disappointing outing took place outside the main trolling season, and the lack of sailfish or wahoo made the trip feel very different from what the booking title suggested. Ask the operator about the current season and expected methods before committing, especially if landing a large fish is your main goal.

Trolling, bottom fishing, and the catch

Trolling gives you the possibility of tuna, mackerel, skipjack, sailfish, wahoo, and other fast-moving fish. You will usually need patience. Much of the method involves keeping the line in the water and waiting for a strike while the boat moves between areas.

The upside is that a sudden bite can change the entire day. A school of skipjack tuna has provided a strong catch on some trips. The downside is that no guide can control the fish population, weather, water temperature, or seasonal patterns. A full day does not equal a full cooler.

Bottom fishing offers a different kind of action. It can produce grouper, razorfish, and smaller reef fish, and it may give you more chances to hold a rod when trolling is quiet. One outing produced only groupers of about 1.5 pounds, which suited someone looking for casual fishing but disappointed anyone expecting large pelagic fish.

This distinction is worth understanding. If you want to learn basic sea fishing, try several methods, and spend a day outdoors, the mix makes sense. If you want a serious trophy-fishing charter, you may find the setup too general. The included equipment is convenient, but the experience is built for a mixed group, not a specialist crew chasing one named species.

The crew is one of the stronger parts of the trip. The feedback repeatedly praises the staff for being helpful, professional, and hardworking. Eddie is specifically described as entertaining and good at guiding the day. That human help matters when you are new to fishing or sharing equipment with other people.

Koh Racha Yai, snorkeling, and the water stop

Koh Racha Yai gives the day a second purpose beyond fishing. The island is used as a stop for fishing and a swim or snorkel break. Masks and snorkels are included, so you do not need to rent them separately.

The quality of the snorkeling can change sharply. Clear water can make the stop a pleasant break after hours with a rod. Cloudy water has made it difficult to see much on other days. Keep your expectations modest. This is not sold as a dedicated reef-snorkeling trip, and fishing remains the main event.

You may also find many boats anchored in the same area around lunch. That can make the stop feel less peaceful, especially when several groups are taking their break at once. Still, the chance to get in the water is useful. It breaks up the day and gives non-fishing companions something to do.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and dry clothes. You will want the change of clothes after snorkeling or swimming. Alcohol and controlled substances are not allowed, so plan on a sober day at sea.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of $104.17

At $104.17 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the whole package. You are paying for an approximately eight-hour boat outing, round-trip transportation from selected Phuket areas, fishing equipment, bait and lures, a professional guide, lunch, soft drinks, drinking water, and snorkeling gear.

The Thai buffet lunch is a real part of the value. It has been praised for being plentiful and well prepared. Specific meals have varied in how generous they seemed, with one person describing a lighter spread of salad, wings, and rice. You should expect a practical group meal, not a restaurant-style feast.

You also need to factor in transport surcharges if you stay outside the included pickup areas. The extra fee for some locations is 200 baht per person, while Panwa, Rawai, Yanui, and Naithorn have larger group charges. Check the exact amount before booking, since it changes the final price.

The trip becomes better value when you want several activities in one day. Fishing, a boat cruise, lunch, and snorkeling would cost more if arranged separately. It becomes weaker value if your only goal is to catch a large fish, since the catch is never guaranteed and some outings have produced almost no fishing action.

Comfort, safety, and the small details

The crew requires passengers to remove their shoes and place them in a basket. This is meant to reduce slipping on the boat, but you should know in advance that you may remain barefoot during the trip. One passenger also reported a problem with shoes being moved between boats, although the operator said the shoes were returned.

The tour requires a moderate fitness level. You should be comfortable boarding a boat, standing or sitting around the fishing area, handling a rod, and moving around a wet deck. The trip is not suitable if you are pregnant or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems. Children aged three and younger are free with a paying adult, but children aged one and younger are not permitted.

Weather and sea conditions can change the schedule. The operator may alter the program for safety, tides, accidents, or other conditions, and no refund is offered for those changes. Bad weather can also lead to cancellation. Since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended, I would avoid booking this on a day when your plans are uncertain.

A minimum of two people is required for the activity to operate. A solo booking is possible, but it can be cancelled if that minimum is not met. You would then receive an alternative date or refund, according to the supplied terms.

Who will enjoy this Phuket fishing trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a shared day at sea with several activities and do not need a guaranteed catch. It suits couples, families with older children, and casual fishers who like the idea of trying both trolling and bottom fishing.

It also works well for a mixed group. One person can fish while another takes a swim, uses the snorkel gear, or enjoys the scenery from the boat. The lunch and included drinks reduce the planning needed for a long day away from your hotel.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced angler who has booked specifically for sailfish, wahoo, or another trophy species. Ask about the season, current fishing method, recent sea conditions, and the likely target species before paying. The title promises big-game fishing, but the actual day can be general sea fishing with modest catches.

The overall rating of 3.6 from 13 ratings fits the experience: the crew and food receive the warmest praise, while the catch and unclear seasonal expectations cause the biggest frustration. That is not a reason to reject the trip, but it is a reason to book with realistic expectations.

Should you book the Koh Racha Yai fishing tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, all-day boat trip from Phuket with fishing equipment, a Thai lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and hotel pickup bundled into one price. The crew, especially guide Eddie when he is working your departure, can make the day more enjoyable, and the small group limit is a helpful touch.

Skip it if catching a large fish is the only reason you are going. First confirm that trolling is operating in season and ask what fishing method the boat expects to use. If you can accept a quiet day, a few small fish, or no catch at all, this is a practical way to spend a full day on the Andaman Sea.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8 a.m. Hotel pickup may begin 30 to 90 minutes earlier, depending on your hotel location.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Chalong Pier and travels across the Andaman Sea toward Koh Racha Yai.

What fishing equipment is included?

Trolling gear, bottom-fishing gear, lures, and bait are included.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and a mask are included, along with a stop for swimming or snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet-style lunch is included, as well as drinking water and soft drinks throughout the day.

Is hotel pickup included everywhere in Phuket?

Round-trip pickup is included from selected areas, including many hotels in Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Naitharn, Yacht Club, Ban Krating, Chalong, and Kalim Beach. Extra charges apply in some outer areas.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and younger can join free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children aged one and younger are not allowed.