A vacation in Aruba is a dream come true for many people. Spice that dream up with exciting angling action with Hooker Charters. Captain Johan Croes will take you into the pearlescent waters off the coast of Noord Aruba and put you on top of the hottest action around.

You’ll embark on this fishing adventure on board his 31’ Blackfin yacht. She was designed and built according to local fishing traditions, perfectly suited to the waters and species targeted around Aruba. You can bring up to 11 additional guests on board.

Capt. Johan has a varied offer, there’s a trip for any flavor of angler. Whether you’re looking to start your day off with reel-screaming action or you want to enjoy the afternoon sun and catch a tasty dinner, he’ll hook you up with the right package! If you’re looking to enjoy something unique, you have to try the sunset fishing trip – it’s tough to beat exciting fishing paired with a picturesque Aruban sunset.

There’s a wide range of species you can target in these waters, depending on your preference and skill level. Anglers chasing the next challenge can go after Amberjack or Barracuda, you’ll have your skills tested. There’s a variety of Groupers and Snappers lurking around the reefs and wrecks of the area, perfect for that family dinner you’ve been planning. Silvery Grunt, Triggerfish, and many other species populate the target list – talk to the captain to figure out what’s best for you.

You can even combine snorkeling with fishing on all trips, for a small additional fee – contact the captain before arriving to work out the details.

Remember to pack sunscreen and polarized sunglasses, everything else is taken care of by the charter.

Book a trip with The Hooker Charters today! Make the first step towards your next favorite vacation destination.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Bottom Fishing (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $400
    Head out in the morning, before the boat traffic picks up, and fish the nearshore waters of Aruba! You'll go after a wide range of species like Amberjack, Barracuda, Groupers, Snappers, Triggerfish, Seabream, and many other species.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Bottom Fishing (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $400
    Sleep a little longer, eat a strong breakfast, and get ready to hook up a variety of species in the nearshore waters of Aruba. You can target many different fish like Amberjack, Barracuda, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Lane Snapper, Silvery Grunt, various Groupers, Triggerfish, and many other species.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Sunset Fishing
    In demand! Last booked: 13 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    US $400
    Head out into the waters of Aruba near sundown and enjoy reel-screaming action as you witness a gorgeous sunset. Various Snappers, Groupers, Barracuda, Amberjack, Grunts, Seabream, and other species can be targeted on this 3-hour trip.
  • Private trip
    Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $600
    This is a perfect mix trip, so you will never get bored. If you want to spend 4 hours in the morning going after different species while bottom fishing and use some time to go snorkeling, this is a choice for you. Join Capt. Johan and experience fishing and snorkeling in the morning!
  • Private trip
    Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $600
    Overslept? Don't worry, there is still a chance to seize the day! If you want to spend 4 hours going after different species while bottom fishing plus do some snorkeling, this is a choice for you. Join Capt. Johan on a sunny noon adventure and experience Aruba!
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Bottom Fishing.
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $750
    Explore the waters of Aruba on this 6-hour trip. You can target multiple species or double-down on hooking one as much as possible! Amberjack, Grunt, Groupers, Snappers, Seabream, and many other species wait just beneath the surface.
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FAQs about The Hooker Charters

The Hooker Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - Half Day Trip – Bottom Fishing (AM) (3 hours)
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - Half Day Trip – Bottom Fishing (PM) (3 hours)
  • US $400 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - Half Day Trip – Sunset Fishing (3 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 6 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Bottom Fishing. (6 hours)

When you book a trip with The Hooker Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet toilet
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Kitchen
  • Multimedia System
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna Tubes
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with The Hooker Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano rods and reels)
  • Live Bait (Prepared in advance)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Bottled water)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

The Hooker Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

The Hooker Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Drift Fishing
  • Handline

Top targeted fish species with The Hooker Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Gilt-head (Seabream)
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Grouper (Broomtail)
  • Grunt
  • Snapper (Lane)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Triggerfish (Gray)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Charter Operator

The Hooker Charters
Noord, Aruba
306 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since August 2018
Captain Johan Croes started working with Aruba Kayak Adventures when he was a teenager, as a kayak instructor. After that, he moved on to work with Rhino Riders, before working as a crewmember, and later on as a captain for Pelican Adventures. He's captained boats ranging from 65 to 120' long! Capt. Johan was a professional boxer and MMA fighter for the majority of his life, working usually two jobs at any one time. He's a father of 3 and is extremely proud of getting his kids to love angling as much as he does. Once, he caught a fish similar to Flounder with his son and won the "Weirdest Fish" prize at a local tournament! Now, he's a captain of his own boat and business and looks forward to sharing the bountiful waters of Aruba with every single guest that comes on board.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Gilt-head (Seabream) Gilt-head (Seabream)
Grouper (Black) Black Grouper

Boat specs

Blackfin (Sportfishing) originally built in 1995, and restored in 2020. Powered by 2 350HP Yanmar 6LY-STE engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 18 knots.

Length
31 ft
Capacity
12 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Drift Fishing
Handline

Amenities

Toilet
toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano rods and reels
Live Bait
Prepared in advance
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Bottled water
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Min. age 1 year old, all life jackets provided
You Keep Catch
Clients keep only what they can eat.
Crew Keeps Catch
If you don't want to keep it
Catch and Release Allowed
Disabled Accessible

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash

Noord Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 304 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (375)
Fishing with Johan
Bottom Fishing March
Bottom Fishing March
+372
Angler rating
267
21
8
3
3
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
89%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 304 reviews
Cory G.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Bottom Fishing March

VERIFIED   NEW  Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (PM) on March 19, 2024
We arrived by cruise ship and fished the noon to 4pm time slot.  Capt assured us he would have us back to the pier in time...
Cory G. recommends The Hooker Charters
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Amanda J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Sunset bottom fishing in February

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Sunset Fishing on February 13, 2024
Capt Jerry and his 1st mate were kind and easy to talk with. Both assisted with fishing and tried to ensure fish were caught....
Amanda J. recommends The Hooker Charters
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  The Hooker Charters Charter Operator replied

Alyssa B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent trip!

VERIFIED   Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (AM) on December 29, 2023
We went out with Gerald and had a fabulous trip! We bottom fished for three hours then snorkeled around a shipwreck. We caught...
Alyssa B. recommends The Hooker Charters
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  The Hooker Charters Charter Operator replied

AJ B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

9 Person Family Fishing and Snorkling

VERIFIED   Bottom Fishing and Snorkeling (PM) on January 7, 2024
My whole family (4 men and 5 women) had an absolutely amazing time with hooker charters. We booked a PM fishing and snorkling...
AJ B. recommends The Hooker Charters
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  The Hooker Charters Charter Operator replied

Andy G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a lot of fun— and caught fish

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Bottom Fishing (AM) on October 22, 2023
My wife and I had a great time fishing in Aruba aboard The Hooker. We booked a 3 hour AM trip. The Captain took advantage of...
Andy G. recommends The Hooker Charters
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  The Hooker Charters Charter Operator replied