Private Fishing in St Lucia Charters

St. Lucia’s private fishing charter puts you on the water with only your own group, up to four anglers, and a crew focused on finding fish rather than filling a crowded boat. The target list is serious: blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dorado, and yellowfin tuna. Smaller catches such as barracuda, grouper, triggerfish, and squirrelfish are also possible.

I like the personal coaching from captains and mates such as Jason, Robert, and Andre, especially if you are new to offshore fishing. I also like that tackle, bait, fishing licenses, water, soft drinks, and light snacks are supplied, so you do not need to assemble a fishing kit before sunrise.

The main caution is simple: fishing is never guaranteed. Some outings produce tuna, wahoo, or a marlin release, while others are slow despite a hard-working crew. Also confirm the beverage cost before departure, since beer is described as available by request for an added charge.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 31-foot boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum of four anglers.
• Big-game targets: Trolling may produce dorado, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, or blue marlin.
• Flexible length: Choose an outing of roughly four to eight hours, depending on the option booked.
• Named local crew: Jason, Robert, and Andre are among the captains and mates associated with the charter.
• Cruise-friendly pickup: Pier pickup and drop-off are included, but hotel transportation is not.
• Fishing-first value: Tackle, bait, licenses, guidance, snacks, water, and soft drinks are provided.

Setting out from Vigie Marina in Castries

You meet the boat at Hackshaw’s Boat Charters on Seraphine Road near Vigie Marina in Castries. This is a practical starting point for a private fishing trip because you get straight to the boat instead of spending part of the morning collecting other passengers.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, pier pickup and drop-off are included. You must provide your ship name, docking time, time you plan to leave the ship, and required re-boarding time when you book. Give yourself a sensible buffer. One past outing had a delayed pickup caused by a fuel dock delay, with an updated meeting time sent before departure.

Hotel pickup is not included. If you are staying at a resort or villa, arrange your own way to the marina and confirm exactly where the crew expects you to meet. That small bit of planning matters more than it might seem, since a private boat cannot wait indefinitely for a group that is at the wrong dock.

The boat used for this experience is a 31-foot vessel with room for no more than four anglers. That limit is a real advantage if your group wants space to handle rods, move around during a fight, or simply avoid the packed feeling of a shared charter.

Trolling along St. Lucia’s coast

The main fishing portion takes place along the St. Lucian coastline and in the deeper water offshore. The boat trolls with Shimano and Penn reels, bait, and a range of lures. Your captain chooses the setup and works the lines while the mate helps you respond when a fish strikes.

If you are an experienced offshore angler, you can expect serious tackle and a crew used to chasing larger fish. If you are a beginner, do not worry about arriving with technical fishing knowledge. The charter is designed for different skill levels, and the crew can show you what to do when a line runs or a fish comes close to the boat.

The most exciting targets are blue marlin and sailfish. These are not guaranteed catches, but the possibility changes the feel of the outing. You may spend long stretches watching lines and water, then suddenly need to react quickly when a large fish takes a lure.

Wahoo, dorado, and yellowfin tuna offer other strong possibilities. Several successful outings produced wahoo, including one reported 50-pound fish, while others brought in tuna and barracuda. Smaller species such as grouper, triggerfish, and squirrelfish may also appear, particularly when the crew changes tactics after the larger fish are not biting.

That flexibility is important. A good fishing day is not always measured by a marlin. The crew may work hard for a big-game hookup, then shift attention to other fish so you still have something active to do. On one half-day outing with a 13-year-old, the catch included barracuda and yellowfin tuna. That sort of variety can make the trip more satisfying for a mixed group.

What the captain and mate add

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Captains and mates including Jason, Robert, and Andre are repeatedly praised for being attentive, friendly, and committed to the fishing. Their job is not only to drive the boat. They set the lines, watch the gear, coach you through a fight, and keep the day moving when the bite slows.

Jason and Robert are often paired together, and their teamwork has helped anglers land wahoo, sailfish, barracuda, and other fish. Andre and Robert have also worked together on productive trips, including outings that released blue marlin. These names are useful when you book because you can ask which crew will be aboard, though assignments can change.

I especially value the crew’s attitude toward slow fishing. An honest captain cannot promise a catch, but a good one can keep trying different approaches. The feedback from this charter includes both excellent catches and fishless days, with the crew still making an effort to keep the outing enjoyable.

That distinction matters for beginners. A seasoned angler may be happy spending hours waiting for a marlin, but a first-time fisher may need more coaching and variety. Tell the operator your group’s experience level and goals when booking so the crew can shape the day as well as possible.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The charter includes rods and reels, tackle, bait, fishing licenses, and a professional guide. Water, soft drinks, and light snacks are also provided. You can expect a practical fishing boat rather than a sightseeing cruise with a full meal service.

Beer requires a little clarification. The general description refers to complimentary beer, while the included list says beer can be requested at an additional cost. I would confirm this before you pay or board. Water and soft drinks are the safer assumptions.

Wear cool, comfortable clothing. The trip takes place on open water, so you should also think practically about sun exposure, spray, and the physical work of handling a rod. The operator asks for a moderate level of physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but reeling a strong fish can be tiring, especially during a longer outing.

Bring any personal medication you need and plan carefully if you are prone to seasickness. The information provided does not promise special seasickness arrangements, and the trip can take you into open water where conditions may feel very different from the marina.

The operator says boats and equipment are regularly sanitized and that hand sanitizer and hand-washing products are supplied on board. That may be useful for families and anyone who wants a little extra reassurance about shared equipment.

Four hours or eight hours on the water

The advertised duration ranges from about four to eight hours. A four-hour trip is a good fit if you are on a cruise stop, have several other plans in St. Lucia, or are testing offshore fishing for the first time.

A longer outing gives you more time to wait for a big-game bite and more room for the crew to adjust tactics. It also makes the price easier to justify for a serious angler, especially if you are traveling with three other people and divide the cost among the group.

The tradeoff is stamina. A full day on a small boat can feel long if the fishing is quiet or if someone in your group is not comfortable at sea. For mixed groups, a half-day charter may be the better choice even if the per-hour value is lower.

Timing matters for cruise passengers. The operator can work with ship schedules, but you must provide accurate arrival and re-boarding details. Do not book a duration that leaves you racing back to the ship. The best fishing trip is not worth missing your departure.

Is $860 a good value for four people?

The private charter costs $860 per group of up to four people. At full capacity, that works out to $215 per person before any extra beer cost. For a private boat, professional crew, fishing licenses, bait, tackle, refreshments, and exclusive use of the vessel, that is a reasonable price for a group that genuinely wants to fish.

The value is less attractive for one or two people. Two anglers would effectively pay $430 each, and a solo angler would carry the full group price. If you are traveling with friends or family, filling all four spaces makes the economics much better.

You are also paying for control. There is no need to share the day with strangers, wait for other anglers to take their turn, or follow a general sightseeing schedule. The captain can focus on your group’s experience and adjust the fishing to your ability.

Still, do not treat the price as payment for a guaranteed marlin. You are buying boat time, equipment, crew effort, and a genuine chance at big fish. A slow day remains possible. I would book this for the fishing experience itself, not as a guaranteed seafood supply or trophy photo.

The experience is commonly booked well in advance, with an average lead time of about 92 days. That suggests planning ahead, especially if you need a particular cruise date or want to fish during a busy holiday period.

The strongest catches, and the slow days

The best-case stories are impressive. Anglers have hooked blue marlin, released a marlin, caught sailfish, landed wahoo, and brought in yellowfin tuna. One outing produced a 50-pound wahoo, and another connected with two blue marlin at the same time before release.

Those results show what is possible, not what you should expect every time. Other outings caught only a few smaller fish, and at least one group caught nothing despite a crew that kept working. This is standard offshore fishing reality, but it deserves clear emphasis before you book.

I would set your goal as a good day on the water with a chance at something large. If you land a marlin, sailfish, or big wahoo, the trip may become a highlight of your St. Lucia stay. If the lines stay quiet, you should still be comfortable with the boat ride, crew, and time outdoors.

The charter also works for families and mixed groups if everyone accepts that the action may come in bursts. A 13-year-old had a successful half-day outing, while honeymooners enjoyed a trip even without a catch. That points to a useful booking strategy: explain your group clearly and do not promise children that they will land a huge fish.

Who should book this St. Lucia charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• A group of up to four serious anglers who want a private boat
• Cruise passengers seeking a focused fishing outing from Castries
• Couples or families who value personal coaching
• Experienced anglers hoping for wahoo, tuna, sailfish, or blue marlin
• Beginners who want supplied equipment and direct help from the crew

I would be more cautious if your group dislikes open-water motion, needs a guaranteed catch, or wants a relaxed sightseeing cruise. This is a fishing trip first. The coastline is part of the setting, but the day revolves around rods, lines, lures, and patience.

The moderate fitness requirement also deserves attention. You do not need prior fishing experience, but you should be able to sit, stand, move around the boat, and handle a rod with help. If anyone in your group has mobility or medical concerns, contact the operator before booking.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is private, so only your own group participates. That makes it easier to set expectations about skill level, preferred duration, and the type of fishing you hope to try.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses St. Lucia local time.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a real fishing outing, not a casual boat ride with a fishing rod added as an afterthought. The private format, four-person limit, solid Shimano and Penn tackle, and crew members such as Jason, Robert, and Andre give you a good setup for a serious attempt at St. Lucia’s larger fish.

I would choose the four-hour option for a cruise stop or a first attempt, and the longer option if your group is committed to marlin or offshore fishing. Fill all four places if you can, confirm the beer charge, allow time for cruise-ship logistics, and accept that even a well-run charter cannot control the fish. With those expectations, this is a strong choice for anglers who want personal attention and a fair shot at an unforgettable catch.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter begin?

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

How many people can join the private fishing trip?

The 31-foot boat accepts a maximum of four anglers. The charter is private, so only your group participates.

How long does the experience last?

The available experience lasts approximately four to eight hours, depending on the option selected.

What fish can I try to catch?

The target species include dorado, wahoo, mahi mahi, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and blue marlin. Barracuda, grouper, triggerfish, and squirrelfish have also been caught on outings.

Are fishing equipment and licenses included?

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

Are refreshments provided?

Mineral water and soft drinks are included, along with light snacks. Beer may be available by request for an additional cost, so confirm the charge before the trip.

Is hotel or cruise-ship transportation included?

Cruise ship pier pickup and drop-off are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Cruise passengers must provide their ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time when booking.