6 Hours Big Game Fishing

A six-hour run aboard the 34-foot Trojan Mahi Mahi gives you a real offshore fishing day, not a quick ride around the bay. The twin Yanmar engines produce 400 horsepower, and the crew works the boat while you troll for sailfish, blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other species.

I like the private format, which lets your group fish at its own pace, and I like that lunch, snacks, water, and adult beverages are included. The main concern is reliability. One past booking ended in a canceled trip after a mechanical problem, with poor communication afterward, so I would confirm the departure details and pickup time before you leave your hotel.

Key points to know before you book

• A true offshore boat: You fish from a 34-foot Trojan with twin 400-horsepower Yanmar engines.
• Private group setup: The published price is $735 for up to five people, while the operator also says it can take groups of up to eight. Confirm the final group limit when booking.
• Several target species: The plan may include troll fishing in deep water and flatter fishing areas for variety.
• Food and drinks are supplied: Lunch, snacks, bottled water, beverages, and adult beverages are included.
• Pickup is part of the deal: Hotel and port pickup and return are offered around Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete.
• Budget for the license: A $50 fishing license is paid directly at the port for the whole group, not per person.

Six hours aboard the Mahi Mahi

Your day begins at about 8:00 am, with hotel or port pickup included. The precise pickup time and meeting details should be confirmed after booking, since the boat serves several places along the north coast, including Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete.

At the port, you board the Mahi Mahi, a Trojan open-fishing vessel measuring 34 feet. Its twin Yanmar engines are rated at 400 horsepower, a useful feature for an offshore trip where time on the water matters. The boat is described as being set up for offshore fishing adventures rather than simple sightseeing.

The crew handles the vessel and the fishing operation. Your job is to settle in, watch the lines, and be ready when something takes the bait. You can spend quiet time on deck with a drink or catch some sun while the crew keeps the troll lines working.

That rhythm is part of the appeal. Big-game fishing is not constant action. You may spend long stretches waiting, then suddenly need to pay close attention. Sailfish and marlin are the headline targets, but wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other fish can make the day worthwhile even when the largest catch stays out of reach.

The trip combines deep-water fishing with flatter fishing. That gives the crew more than one way to use the day and keeps the outing from being tied to a single fishing ground. The supplied details do not promise a particular catch, so book this for the boat time, the fishing opportunity, and the chance at a serious species, not a guaranteed trophy.

What the boat means for your day

A 34-foot boat is large enough to support an offshore fishing program, while still keeping the group close to the action. Since this is a private charter, you are not sharing the fishing space with a large crowd of unrelated passengers.

That matters most when people in your group have different interests. One person can focus on the rods while another sits on deck with a beverage. The private setup also makes it easier to spend time fishing rather than waiting for strangers to finish with equipment.

The boat has an open-fishing design, which suggests a working layout rather than a luxury yacht. You should think of this as a practical fishing platform. The focus is access to the water, room for the gear, and a crew-led fishing plan.

The twin engines are another practical detail. Offshore conditions can change, and engine power helps the boat cover ground. Still, mechanical problems can happen to any vessel. In one serious complaint connected with this operator, a trip was canceled because of a mechanical issue. The company response said that spare parts had to be obtained quickly and that safety was the reason for canceling.

That response is reasonable from a safety point of view, but the communication problem remains important. One booking party reported being left walking about 1.5 miles in intense heat after the cancellation and said calls were not answered. I would not ignore that warning. Confirm the trip shortly before departure and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

Fishing for sailfish, marlin, and mahi-mahi

The target list gives you a good sense of the kind of day this is. Sailfish and blue marlin are the major prizes. Wahoo and tuna bring speed and power, while mahi-mahi are popular for their strong runs and bright colors.

You will be troll fishing, with lines worked behind the moving boat. The crew manages this process, so you do not need to arrive as an expert angler. Children can participate if accompanied by an adult, and the activity states that most people can take part.

Still, fishing is fishing. The presence of good equipment, an experienced crew, and promising waters cannot force a fish to bite. Conditions, season, water movement, and luck all matter. The description does not provide catch guarantees, seasonal species information, or details about the exact tackle, so ask the crew those questions if a particular fish is your main goal.

The mix of deep-water and flatter fishing is useful. If the offshore plan does not produce the hoped-for action, the crew has another fishing style available. That change of approach can also suit a group with mixed experience, since the day is not built around one long run and one narrow fishing method.

Food, drinks, and the long wait between strikes

Lunch is included, described as a buffet lunch, along with snacks, bottled water, beverages, and adult drinks. That is more important than it may sound. Six hours on a boat is a long stretch, especially when the fish are quiet.

The included meal improves the value of the charter because you do not need to arrange lunch separately or return early to eat. Water is also essential in the warm Dominican climate. The listing does not specify the menu, the brands of drinks, or the amount of alcohol, so do not plan around a particular meal or beverage.

The deck gives you a place to relax between fishing attempts. You can catch some sun, enjoy a drink, and take in the open water. If you prefer nonstop action, this may feel slow at times. If you like the waiting, anticipation, and occasional burst of excitement that comes with fishing, the pace makes sense.

I would bring sun protection and any personal items you need for six hours, but the supplied information does not provide a detailed packing list. Keep valuables limited. The boat is presented as a fishing vessel first, so practical clothing and a relaxed attitude fit better than resort wear.

The real value of $735 per group

The price is $735 per group of up to five people. At the full five-person capacity, that works out to $147 per person before the $50 group fishing license. The license brings the group total to $785, or $157 per person when five people share it.

That is a fairer comparison than looking at the $735 headline price alone. Pickup, a private boat, crew service, lunch, snacks, bottled water, and beverages are included. For a group that wants an exclusive fishing day, the cost can make sense because you are buying the boat and crew for your party rather than paying individual seats on a shared trip.

For two people, the per-person price is much higher. The same $785 total would work out to $392.50 each, before considering any other personal expenses. This charter is best value for a full group of five, or for people who place a high value on privacy and a dedicated boat.

There is an important capacity detail to clear up. The price is advertised for up to five people, but the operator also says it takes groups up to eight. Those two details do not fully match. Ask what boat capacity and price apply to your group before paying, especially if you have six to eight people.

The $50 license is not per person. It is paid directly at the port for the entire group. That is easy to overlook, so add it to your budget.

Pickup around Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete

Hotel and port pickup and drop-off are included, which removes one of the more annoying parts of arranging a fishing charter. You do not need to find the marina on your own or arrange a separate taxi if your hotel or port falls within the service area.

The boat works along the north coast, with Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete named as service areas. The information does not list every hotel, so confirm that your exact property qualifies. Also confirm where you will be collected if you are arriving by cruise ship or staying outside the main resort areas.

The planned start is 8:00 am. An early start makes sense for a six-hour fishing schedule, since it gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water. It also means you should not book a late morning activity on the same day. Allow extra time after the charter before an airport transfer or other fixed appointment, since the duration is approximate and return timing can depend on conditions.

Service quality and the cancellation concern

The available service record is mixed. One account describes a friendly crew, a good captain, and a full day of exciting fishing. That matches the strongest part of the offer: a private boat, a crew-led fishing plan, and a day built around time on the water.

The other account raises a serious operational concern. A mechanical issue caused a cancellation, and the customer reported poor contact afterward. The operator, Mahi Mahi Fishing Tours SRL, responded that safety came first and that the person responsible had left the country to obtain spare parts. The company also said it had tried to give notice several days earlier, though the customer did not feel properly informed.

You should treat this as a reason to verify, not an automatic reason to reject the charter. Boats need maintenance, and canceling for a mechanical fault is safer than going offshore in an unreliable vessel. The weak point was the handling of communication and ground transportation after the cancellation.

The company offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you should be offered another date or a full refund. I would keep the next day flexible if possible, especially if this fishing day is a major part of your holiday.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This trip suits an angler who wants a private offshore day and does not need a guaranteed catch. It also works well for a mixed group, since some people can fish while others relax on deck, eat lunch, or enjoy a drink.

A full group of five gets the best financial value. Families can bring children, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity says most people can participate, though anyone worried about sea conditions should ask about the expected weather and water before departure.

This is less suitable for someone who wants a polished luxury yacht, a short scenic cruise, or a fixed schedule with constant entertainment. The boat is built for fishing, and the day includes waiting. It is also not ideal if your holiday plans cannot tolerate a last-minute change caused by mechanical trouble or weather.

The operator may use a multilingual guide, which can help if your group does not speak the same language as the crew. No guide names are supplied. The company response is signed Bart, but that does not establish that Bart will be your captain or guide.

Should you book the Mahi Mahi?

Book it if you have four or five people, want a genuine private fishing charter, and are comfortable with the uncertainty of offshore fishing. The boat, target species, included meal, drinks, and pickup give you a solid package for the price.

Before booking, ask three direct questions: Is the Mahi Mahi confirmed and mechanically ready? What is the exact pickup time and location? Does the $735 price apply to your group size if you have more than five people?

I would also confirm the $50 license, the planned fishing area, and what happens if the boat develops a problem before departure. If the operator answers clearly, this can be a memorable Puerto Plata activity. If communication is vague, choose a charter with a stronger operating record, especially when your schedule is tight.

FAQ

What is included in the fishing charter?

The charter includes a private tour, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, a buffet lunch, snacks, bottled water, beverages, and adult beverages.

How long does the experience last?

The fishing trip lasts approximately six hours and begins at about 8:00 am.

How many people can join?

The advertised price of $735 is for a group of up to five people. The operator also states that it can take groups of up to eight, so confirm the applicable capacity and price for groups larger than five.

Where does the charter operate?

The boat operates along the north coast of the Dominican Republic, including Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete.

What fish might I catch?

The target species include sailfish, blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi, and other fish. The charter does not guarantee a specific catch.

Is the fishing license included?

No. A $50 fishing license is paid directly at the port. The fee applies to the whole group, not each person.

What happens if weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.