Fishing Charter 6 Hours

Bonaire is famous for what you can see below the surface, but this trip takes you well beyond the island’s shallow reefs. Captain Boe brings more than 20 years in fishing tourism, and the crew fishes the open water for marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, and wahoo, with dolphins, frigates, boobies, and terns often nearby.

I like the private setup, since your group gets the boat and crew to itself. I also like the practical finish: fish you keep are bled, iced, cleaned, and packed as fillets. The main consideration is price. At $1,250 per group of up to six, this makes the most sense when you can fill the boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Live bait comes first: The crew begins by catching fresh bait before making the short run to the fishing grounds.
• Trolling is the main method: Expect lures and bait behind the boat, with casting rods ready if fish show on the surface.
• Several fishing styles are available: Heavy fly rods and large flies can be used for anglers who want to chase pelagic fish that way.
• Your catch is handled carefully: Kept fish are bled, packed in ice, cleaned at the dock, and bagged as fillets.
• Marlin are released: Any marlin caught aboard Flying Fish are returned to the sea.
• Wildlife adds to the outing: Dolphins are often seen, while whales, turtles, and mola mola are possible but never guaranteed.

Leaving Kralendijk for Bonaire’s open water

Flying Fish Charters meets at 25 Kaya J. N. E. Craane in Kralendijk, and the trip ends at the same place. Pickup is offered, and one recent outing included a pickup at the cruise port, which can make this a handy choice for a port day.

The six-hour schedule gives the crew time to fish properly rather than rush through a short coastal trip. You begin by catching live bait. That opening step matters because fresh bait can be a key part of the day’s fishing plan, and it gets you involved before the boat reaches the main grounds.

After the bait is ready, the run to the fishing area takes less than 30 minutes. That is useful if you are hoping to spend most of your paid time with lines in the water. It also means the first part of the trip has a clear rhythm: prepare the gear, make the short run, then settle into the search for larger offshore fish.

The exact catch cannot be promised. The ocean may offer tuna one day and little action another. That uncertainty is part of the sport, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly because you want a particular species.

Trolling for marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, and wahoo

Most of the fishing is done by trolling lures and bait behind the boat. This method lets the crew cover water while looking for fish that may be moving through the area. The target list is broad, so the day is not built around just one difficult catch.

Marlin are the headline fish for many anglers, but they are not a sure thing. One account describes heading out with hopes of hooking a marlin without landing one. That is not a failure of the crew. Big-game fishing involves luck, timing, and conditions, and even a well-run trip can end without the fish you wanted.

The good news is that the crew keeps other options ready. Casting rods are available when fish appear on the surface, giving you a chance to react instead of simply watching lines trail behind the boat. For serious fly anglers, the boat carries heavy rods and large flies for pursuing the same types of open-water fish.

That range of tackle makes the charter suitable for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the basic excitement of a strike, another can cast when fish rise, and an experienced fly fisher can bring a more demanding approach. I would still confirm your preferred fishing style when booking, especially if fly fishing is the main reason for your trip.

What the six hours feel like on the water

A six-hour charter can feel long if nobody gets involved. Here, the crew is expected to help the whole group take part. An outing with a family was praised for getting everyone involved, which is important if your party includes people with different levels of fishing experience.

You are not simply handed a rod and left alone. Captain Boe has spent more than 20 years in the fishing tourism business, and crew members named in recent outings include Michael, Riley, Brian, and Carlito. Their roles may vary by departure, but the repeated picture is of a hands-on crew that works with the group from setup through the return to the marina.

The boat is described as being in good shape and well equipped. That matters on a six-hour trip, when poor gear or a cramped, neglected boat can wear you down. Still, the provided information does not give the boat’s size, cabin arrangement, restroom details, or seating layout. If those details matter to you, ask before paying.

The sea itself provides much of the entertainment between bites. Schools of dolphins are often seen, and whales occasionally pass through. Frigatebirds, boobies, and terns are constant companions, according to the operator, while turtles and mola mola are possible sightings.

Treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. You may spend a quiet stretch watching birds and scanning the water before a fish hits. That mix is normal for offshore fishing, and the open-water setting gives the day value even when the catch is modest.

Handling your fish from hook to fillet

Flying Fish takes a useful step after a fish is kept: the crew bleeds it and packs it in ice. That protects the quality of the meat during the trip, which is especially valuable in Bonaire’s warm climate.

When you return to the dock, the deckhand cleans the fish and places the fillets in bags for you. This is one of the strongest practical features of the charter. You do not need to figure out how to clean a tuna or carry home an entire fish, and the process turns the catch into something you can actually use.

Not every fish caught must become food. All marlin caught on the Flying Fish are released. That gives the trip a clear conservation rule for its most famous target and keeps the focus on the sport of the catch.

The details of local handling, storage after you leave the dock, and cooking arrangements are not provided. If you plan to take the fillets to a restaurant or accommodation, ask the crew what is practical after the trip.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

The $1,250 group price includes snacks, lunch, bottled water, and soda. Those inclusions matter on a six-hour boat trip, since buying food and drinks separately can quickly add to the cost.

Alcohol is not included. The information does not state whether you may bring your own, so ask the operator before packing it. I would also bring sun protection and clothing suited to being outside for several hours, though the supplied details do not specify what equipment is provided for shade or rain.

Fishing can be messy. A change of clothes may be sensible, especially if your group catches fish and spends time near the cleaning process. Bring any personal medication you need for the full six hours, since the trip takes you away from the dock for much of the day.

The charter provides top-quality fishing tackle, so you do not need to assemble a complete fishing setup. If you want to use a particular fly rod, lure, or personal reel, confirm compatibility first.

Is $1,250 good value for a private charter?

The price is $1,250 per group of up to six. With six people, that works out to about $208 per person before any optional expenses. With four people, it is $312.50 each, and with two people, the cost rises to $625 per person.

That makes group size the central value question. For a family or group of friends that can fill the boat, six private hours, lunch, drinks, tackle, crew assistance, fish cleaning, and a private boat can be a fair package. You are also paying for the chance to fish offshore rather than simply buying a standard sightseeing cruise.

For a small party, the price is harder to justify unless big-game fishing is a top priority. You are paying for the boat and crew, not for a guaranteed catch. A marlin may never appear, and even tuna or mahi mahi are not assured.

I see the best value for people who care about the full process: catching live bait, learning how the crew sets up, watching sea life, trying more than one fishing method, and bringing home prepared fillets. If your only goal is to catch a marlin, the cost carries more risk because no responsible charter can control the fish.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This trip fits experienced anglers who want time offshore and families who want a private activity with room for everyone to participate. The crew’s use of trolling, surface casting, and heavy fly gear gives different kinds of anglers something to do.

It also suits visitors who have already enjoyed Bonaire’s shallow-water activities and want a change of scene. You will trade reef fish and clear coastal water for open sea, moving birds, possible dolphins, and larger pelagic species.

The trip may be less suitable if you need a guaranteed catch, dislike several hours on a boat, or are traveling alone and cannot spread the group price across several people. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide specific details about mobility accommodations, seasickness support, or the boat’s facilities.

One recent family outing also included a snorkeling moment and a look at Bonaire’s underwater life. Snorkeling is not listed as a standard part of this fishing charter, so do not book expecting it unless the crew confirms it for your date.

Timing, booking, and weather

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The charter is often booked 51 days ahead, so I would not leave this until the last minute if your Bonaire dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in Bonaire, where conditions at sea matter far more than the weather at the dock.

The activity is available by mobile ticket, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Pickup is offered, but confirm the exact pickup point and time rather than assuming it includes every hotel or cruise arrival.

My take: should you book it?

I would book this charter if you have a group of four to six, want a private day on the water, and like the idea of fishing for several species rather than chasing one guaranteed result. The fresh-bait start, capable tackle, active crew, wildlife sightings, and cleaned fillets give the day more substance than a simple ride offshore.

I would hesitate if you have only one or two people, need a low-cost activity, or would be disappointed without a marlin. For the right group, Flying Fish Charters offers a well-rounded Bonaire fishing day with genuine sport, useful inclusions, and a practical finish at the dock.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter begin and end?

It begins at 25 Kaya J. N. E. Craane in Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the fishing trip?

The charter lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

What fish might I catch?

The crew targets marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, and wahoo. Casting rods are also available for fish on the surface, and heavy fly rods with large flies can be used by fly anglers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, soda, bottled water, fishing tackle, and all fees and taxes are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.