We booked the trip through Fiahingbooker which helps manage the booking and has a communication feature straight to the captain. They sent a lengthy, very detailed set of instructions a few days prior to our trip to get us ready for what to expect for our trip. It included address information, safety information for the pier, payment information, food information and overall timing for the day. One thing I wish it had mentioned is to possibly bring a change of cloths as you might get “fishy”..more on that later.
We arrived about 30 minutes early and waited at end of the pier as it’s locked down if you don’t work there. We waited about 10 minutes and then we were let in and shown down to our boat. Jerry and Gilbert helped us onto the boat and started to get us settled. Their business partner was also there to collect the remaining payment before we could be on our way. Everything went smooth there and we were given a short overview of the boat before leaving. We pulled out of the Marina and they stopped by the Arch to do a family picture which was a great way to start. Shortly into open waters they started setting lines and right away we were hooked on two. Unfortunately one got away but our 14yr old son realer in a quick Mahi Mahi which we kept and had for lunch upon arrival. With catching one so quick we thought this would be an abundant day of catching..but it slowed and as they told us it’s called fishing not catching. They continued out into the waters, switching our lures as we went and finally we hooked onto a marlin. They had the biggest person in our group get in the chair and instructed us as what to do. After about 30 minutes of painful dealing, we finally had it on board. It was an 8ft 130 lb marlin. We were not keeping any Marlins so they brought it on board and let us take a picture with it and then back into the water. This is where the change of cloths could be necessary. Holding any of the fish, especially a large marlin is slimy, and after we got done holding all of our catch for the day, we smelled like fish. It would have been nice to be able to change.
After catching and releasing that one marlin we set and waited a while longer. We saw other boats catching some and we just went back and forth throughout the waters. Finally we landed a second marlin which my father in law (71) my mother in law (77) attempted to bring in but eventually our 14yr old son brought in. It was smaller but still fought a bit. We also brought that on board where my son got to hold it (more slime) and then back into the water.
It was getting later in our 8 hr booking so we decided to head back in. On the way in we kept lines in the water and hooked a third marlin and my wife brought this one in. It was smaller as well but again pictures on board brought slimy cloths. After that we just headed straight back, dead a seal/sea lion on the way back in and went to the dock where there is someone who will filet your fish and put in bags. The crew showed us an option or two to get it cooked for a fresh late lunch and we went there and it was amazing. They do share options to pack/seal in that initial message that came up but we had no interest in bringing any back to the states. The Mahi Mahi we got was about double what we needed so we left some with the ship crew and filet guy to do whatever they wanted with. No reason to go to waste.
Overall amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone. Our trip included lunch and drinks but we really never ate the food. We did snack on some chips and the soft drinks/water. Well had a private trip which we enjoyed and overall there were 5 of us and 2 crew on board. I would say a 6th person would be fine but if too many people are possible to get sea sick less is better so you can sit out in the open with fresh air.
