Private Fishing in St Lucia Charters

The best reason to book this St. Lucia charter is the chance to fish from a private 31-foot boat with a crew focused only on your group. You can troll offshore for blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, and yellowfin tuna, or adjust the plan to suit your experience and the day’s conditions.

I like the small group limit of four anglers, which gives you room to work and lets the captain tailor the outing to your pace. I also like that tackle, bait, fishing licenses, snacks, water, and soft drinks are supplied, so you can arrive ready to fish instead of packing a boatload of gear.

The main caution is simple: fishing is never guaranteed. Several outings produced memorable catches, including a 50-pound wahoo, sailfish, blue marlin, tuna, and barracuda, while other trips were slow or ended without a major fish. Also confirm the drink policy, since beer is described as either complimentary or available at an extra cost.

Key points before you book

• Private 31-foot boat: The charter is limited to four anglers, giving your group personal space and direct help from the crew.
• Big-game targets: You can troll for blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, mahi mahi, and yellowfin tuna along the St. Lucian coast.
• Crew assistance: Captains and mates such as Jason, Robert, Andre, and other Hackshaw crew members help with tackle, bait, and fighting fish.
• Flexible timing: The outing lasts about four to eight hours, with the advertised fishing trip set at four hours.
• Cruise-friendly pickup: Cruise passengers can arrange pier pickup and drop-off, but hotel transportation is not included.
• Mixed fishing results: Past catches range from marlin and large wahoo to tuna, grouper, barracuda, and no fish at all.

Setting out from Vigie Marina in Castries

Your day begins at Hackshaw’s Boat Charters on Seraphine Road in Castries, near Vigie Marina. The boat then heads along the St. Lucian coast, where the crew sets lines and looks for pelagic fish in deeper water.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a few fishing rods added as an afterthought. The main event is time on the water with lines out, tackle ready, and the crew watching for a strike. You should expect a working fishing boat rather than a luxury yacht with a padded lounge and a long list of onboard extras.

The marina meeting point is useful for cruise passengers arriving in Castries. Pier pickup and drop-off are included, but you need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when you book. That information matters. A fishing charter is tied to the boat’s schedule, and a late return can create a serious problem if you need to get back onboard your ship.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying at a resort or villa, plan your own way to the marina and confirm the exact meeting instructions before the day of departure.

What four hours of fishing feels like

The advertised experience lasts about four hours, though the available duration is listed as four to eight hours. That gives you a useful choice. A half-day trip works well if you want to combine fishing with sightseeing, a beach visit, or time at your resort. A longer charter makes more sense if your main goal is a serious attempt at marlin or another large offshore fish.

Once the boat reaches the fishing area, the crew trolls a range of lures behind the boat. Trolling means the lines remain in the water as the boat moves, giving you a chance at fast fish that patrol open water. The crew handles the setup and watches the rods, but you should be ready for periods of waiting between strikes.

That waiting is part of the bargain. Even a well-run charter cannot make a fish bite. One outing produced two tuna and smaller fish. Another brought a 50-pound wahoo. Other catches included barracuda, triggerfish, squirrelfish, grouper, and sailfish. One particularly memorable trip involved blue marlin, including a double hookup, while another group caught nothing despite the crew’s efforts.

I would treat the fishing as the purpose of the day, not as a guaranteed seafood delivery service. If you enjoy the process, the open water, and the possibility of a sudden strike, the slow periods will be easier to accept. If you need a predictable result, this may not be the right use of your holiday budget.

Targeting marlin, wahoo, tuna, and dorado

The charter is built around sport fishing, with the biggest prizes being blue marlin and sailfish. These fish can turn a quiet morning into a hard physical contest. You may also target wahoo, dorado, mahi mahi, and yellowfin tuna, all of which offer a different kind of fight.

Blue marlin are the dream catch here, but they are not the most likely result on every four-hour outing. The supplied catch accounts include both marlin hookups and trips focused on smaller fish. Some fish may be released, especially large billfish, so catching a marlin does not necessarily mean bringing one back.

Wahoo can provide a more realistic chance at a dramatic catch. One group landed a 50-pound wahoo, and another caught wahoo along with barracuda. Dorado and mahi mahi are also listed as targets, although actual catches depend on conditions, season, and luck.

The crew may change tactics if the larger fish are not biting. One half-day outing began slowly, then produced barracuda and yellowfin tuna. Another shifted attention after it became clear that the biggest fish were not active. That flexibility is useful because it gives you a better chance of catching something rather than spending the entire trip waiting on one marlin.

Ask about the day’s target species when you arrive. If you have a specific goal, such as marlin fishing, say so clearly. The crew can then explain what is realistic for your time on the water.

The boat, tackle, and crew support

The charter uses Shimano and Penn reels, along with a selection of lures. Tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, which keeps the preparation simple and makes the price easier to assess.

You do not need to be an expert angler. The trip is designed for different skill levels, and the captain provides personal instruction. That matters most when a powerful fish takes the line. The right way to hold the rod, manage tension, and work with the crew can determine whether the fish stays hooked.

The published boat limit is four anglers on the 31-foot boat. That is a good size for a private fishing party. You are not sharing the cockpit with a dozen strangers, and each person should have a fair chance to take a turn when a fish hits.

Names connected with the Hackshaw operation include Captain Jason, first mate Robert, Captain Andre, and other local crew members. Jason and Robert are repeatedly praised for working well together, while Andre and Robert are also noted for giving clear help and keeping the mood friendly. Crew assignments can change, so do not assume a particular captain is guaranteed unless the company confirms it.

The strongest pattern in the available accounts is the crew’s effort during slow fishing. They reset lines, adjust the approach, and keep working to find fish. That does not remove the risk of a quiet day, but it does mean you are not left to manage the equipment on your own.

Comfort on the water and what to bring

You receive light snacks, mineral water, and soft drinks. The information about beer is inconsistent: one description presents beer as included, while the included-services section says it can be requested at an additional cost. Confirm this before departure if beer matters to your plans.

Wear cool, comfortable clothing. St. Lucia’s sun can feel strong on open water, so practical clothing is more useful than resort wear. The supplied information does not list sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, or motion-sickness medication among the included items, so you should ask what to bring and pack your own basic sun protection.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Fishing from a moving boat requires balance, and fighting a large fish can take real effort. A trip account describes a partner who did not handle the sea well; when conditions became rough, the crew brought the boat closer to shore. That suggests the captain may adjust the plan for comfort, but it is not a promise of calm water.

If you are prone to seasickness, ask about conditions before boarding and prepare accordingly. The boat may be comfortable and well maintained, but no charter can guarantee smooth seas.

How the price works for a small group

The advertised cost is $860 per group of up to four people. For four anglers, that works out to $215 per person before any extra charges. For two people, the effective cost rises to $430 each, and a solo angler pays the full group rate.

That pricing makes the charter most attractive when you can fill the boat. You receive private use of the boat, captain, mate, tackle, bait, licenses, and pier transportation for cruise passengers. Compared with paying individual fares on a shared trip, the private format can offer better control over the pace and fishing style.

The value is less clear for one or two people unless privacy and flexibility are your top priorities. A smaller party still gets the full boat, but the cost per person becomes high. If you are traveling with family or friends, agree in advance on how you will divide the fee and whether everyone wants serious fishing time.

The four-hour trip is the basic value comparison. If you can extend the charter toward eight hours, ask for the exact price and schedule before booking. A longer outing gives you more time to reach fishing grounds and wait for a big fish, but it also means more sun, boat movement, and physical effort.

Cruise passengers need a careful plan

This charter can work well during a cruise stop, but timing is not something to leave loose. You must give the operator your ship details, docking time, disembarkation time, and required re-boarding time.

The boat meets you at the cruise pier and returns you there, which removes one major transport worry. Still, allow room for disembarkation delays, marina timing, and the possibility that the boat returns later than planned. A fishing charter should never run so close to your ship’s departure that a small delay becomes a crisis.

The available accounts include a late pickup caused by a delay at the fuel dock. The operator said the group had been informed of the revised time in advance. The practical lesson is to confirm the meeting time on the morning of the trip and keep your phone available for updates.

If your ship has a strict all-aboard time, a four-hour trip is the safer choice than an extended charter. Tell the captain your hard return time before leaving the marina.

What past catches can and cannot tell you

The catch records give you a realistic picture of the range. You might fight a blue marlin, land a large wahoo, catch yellowfin tuna and barracuda, or bring home several smaller fish. You might also spend most of the trip waiting.

Several people had successful days with multiple fish. One experienced angler said the crew worked hard and the boat was well fitted out. A 13-year-old fishing with a parent caught barracuda and yellowfin tuna on a half-day outing. That suggests the charter can suit families and mixed skill levels, provided everyone understands the physical demands.

Other trips were slower. One honeymoon outing caught nothing, while the crew still provided help and kept the group engaged. That is not unusual in offshore fishing, and it is the most important expectation to set before you pay.

You should also ask how the crew handles catch and release. The information specifically records a blue marlin being released, but it does not promise a particular policy for every species. If keeping fish matters to you, discuss it before the lines go out.

Best fit for this St. Lucia charter

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• A group of up to four people who want a private boat
• Anglers who already enjoy offshore fishing
• Beginners who want direct coaching without a crowded boat
• Cruise passengers who can protect enough time around their port call
• Families with older children who can handle a moving boat and fishing gear
• Anyone hoping for a serious chance at wahoo, sailfish, tuna, or blue marlin

I would be more cautious if you dislike uncertainty, get seasick easily, or want a relaxed cruise with guaranteed sightseeing. The boat’s purpose is fishing, and slow periods are part of the experience.

The trip also suits a mixed group better than a shared charter might. An experienced angler can pursue a major fish, while a beginner can receive help with the equipment. Ask the operator how the crew will divide turns if four people are fishing, since the supplied details do not spell out a rotation system.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation is expected within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, although the information also says confirmation can be given when the booking is made. Check your confirmation carefully for the meeting time, boat name, pickup point, and the exact length of your charter.

The meeting location is Hackshaw’s Boat Charters, Seraphine Road, Castries, St. Lucia, near Vigie Marina. Hotel transportation is not part of the package. Cruise pier pickup and drop-off are included when arranged with the correct ship information.

The company states that its offices, boats, and equipment are regularly sanitized and that hand sanitizer and hand-washing products are supplied onboard. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a private, hands-on fishing day and you can accept that the ocean decides the catch. The strongest reasons are the four-person limit, quality Shimano and Penn tackle, local crew support, and the real possibility of a large wahoo, sailfish, tuna, or blue marlin.

I would book it for a group of four first, since that makes the $860 price easier to justify. Choose the shorter option if you are on a cruise or unsure about seasickness. Before paying, confirm the exact duration, beer charges, pickup time, assigned crew, and return deadline.

If your idea of a successful day includes good instruction, a well-equipped boat, and the chance to battle a powerful fish, this is a sensible St. Lucia choice. If success means a guaranteed catch, keep your money for a different type of excursion.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter start?

The meeting point is Hackshaw’s Boat Charters on Seraphine Road in Castries, near Vigie Marina, St. Lucia.

How many people can join the private charter?

The 31-foot boat accepts a maximum of four anglers. Only your own group participates.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The experience is advertised at about four hours, with available durations listed from four to eight hours. Confirm the exact duration when booking.

What fish can I target?

The listed targets include dorado, mahi mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and blue marlin. Catching a particular species is not guaranteed.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, along with a professional guide.

Are drinks and snacks provided?

Light snacks, mineral water, and soft drinks are provided. The information gives conflicting details about beer, so confirm whether beer is included or carries an additional charge.

Is transportation included?

Cruise ship pier pickup and drop-off are included when the required ship details are supplied. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I wear?

The stated dress code is cool, comfortable clothing. You should also ask what personal items to bring for sun protection and comfort.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.