We booked half day trip for bottom fishing to get more participation, but we were told that trolling was the only option when we get on the ship. We got a bite from a marlin but thatโs the only interaction we had. Had some communication with the captain and he tried sabiki in the end but still can not get a fish. I wasnโt able to see any live/dead bait being prepared which could have lowered the chance. Another area I suggest improving is the booking process. I paid 20% deposit a month prior on Fishingbooker website but was contacted several times by the tour provider(Hawaii Ocean Adventure). I confimed to be paying in cash but they insisted me providing credit card information including cvv number. And I was also little confused about the ~9% taxes added. Overall I would say itโs a neutral/negative experience. Have to explain to my friends why we they are just sitting for 4 hours and calm them down. I suggest tour provider do better preparation and improve booking transparency.
We booked half day trip for bottom fishing to get more participation, but we were told that trolling was the only option when we get on the ship. We got a bite from a marlin but thatโs the only interaction we had. Had some communication with the captain and he tried sabiki in the end but still can not get a fish. I wasnโt able to see any live/dead bait being prepared which could have lowered the chance. Another area I suggest improving is the booking process. I paid 20% deposit a month... Meer
This was the worst guided fishing experience Iโve ever had. That being said we still had a good time shark diving. Iโll explain, the captain (Ryan) contacted me the day before the trip, to inform me that he was not in Hawaii, and that a different crew would be taking us fishing. Also, on the same day his office personal contacted my wife (who was quite rude) and tried to talk her out of fishing and instead go snorkeling (which at the time seemed very odd). Once we were out on the water it became apparent that the (2) guides were not professional fishing guides, they had some experience but not what you would expect or want out of a fishing captain. After visiting with them, we found out that they mostly do shark diving expeditions, not fishing trips, but were filling in for the absent captain. Since we werenโt catching any fish, the guides offered to take us shark diving. Which I must say was an incredible experience and the guides absolutely knew what they were doing in this regard. So even though the fishing was a compete bust, between the diving (snorkeling), and the abondance of sea life mainly the humpback whales we had an enjoyable trip. The shark diving was such an incredible experience I wanted to book a shark dive for my father and sister who had not gone out fishing with us. The guides told me they had two openings on a dive scheduled for the next morning, and I could call the office to book it. The office lady was once again incredibly rude even threating to hang up on me, but I got the trip booked. When my family went out the next morning to dive at the buoy where the sharks hang out. Another (apparently more professional company) had already booked the time at the buoy, so they had to do there dive on the float. The point of the story, this was a very unprofessional mismanaged outfit, with great diving guides, located in a beautiful and abundant area.
This was the worst guided fishing experience Iโve ever had. That being said we still had a good time shark diving. Iโll explain, the captain (Ryan) contacted me the day before the trip, to inform me that he was not in Hawaii, and that a different crew would be taking us fishing. Also, on the same day his office personal contacted my wife (who was quite rude) and tried to talk her out of fishing and instead go snorkeling (which at the time seemed very odd). Once we were out on the water it... Meer
Wade, thanks for the review. Unfortunately I am not always available for charters.ย I have a family who requires my attention from time to time.ย How much I have you were on, is well qualified to run charters. She has been running fishing charters in Maine as well as Hawaii for a long time.ย Sometimes the fish arenโt biting but I can assure you they were doing the best to catch a fish, and if they are biting they are very capable of maximizing your catch.ย What as far as he person answering the phones is concerned I will address that issue personally. In addition, just FYI, the other company that was on our mooring the morning your family went out was actually the unprofessional ones by using our mooring without permission. So before you assume( which Iโm sure you know what that stands for) anything, you should know it was our company that was the professional ones by not yelling and screaming at the other company to get off the mooring.ย In addition we normally charge $75 per person for the shark diving added onto a fishing trip. So we threw in an extra few hundred extra in value just to make you guys happy since the fish are biting(not something that is normally done). Just a little insight into professionalism ๐ค
Wade, thanks for the review. Unfortunately I am not always available for charters.ย I have a family who requires my attention from time to time.ย How much I have you were on, is well qualified to run charters. She has been running fishing charters in Maine as well as Hawaii for a long time.ย Sometimes the fish arenโt biting but I can assure you they were doing the best to catch a fish, and if they are biting they are very capable of maximizing your catch.ย What as far as he person answering... Meer
Probably wouldnโt use fishing booker, or use this charter again. False advertising.. on the description it stated, we would be able to do different types of fishing such as jigging, popping, and spinning, as well as trolling.ย Asked the owner of the boat and they said they never wrote that they do different types of fishingโฆ When we got there we were only offered trolling, and was told we should of told them ahead of time, which I did ask what type of fishing we would be doing and never got a responseโฆ. on the other handโฆ captain Braxton was amazing, would 110% go back on the boat with HIM as captain, if we were offered different types of fishing as stated in the description of the post.
Probably wouldnโt use fishing booker, or use this charter again. False advertising.. on the description it stated, we would be able to do different types of fishing such as jigging, popping, and spinning, as well as trolling.ย Asked the owner of the boat and they said they never wrote that they do different types of fishingโฆ When we got there we were only offered trolling, and was told we should of told them ahead of time, which I did ask what type of fishing we would be doing and never got... Meer
Thanks for the review. As stated in the description of fishing; we generally offer a four hour trolling trip because it is the most effective way to maximize our ability to catch fish for our clients. If someone specifically asks about jigging or using spinning reels, We can absolutely accommodate that but you never asked specifically if we would be incorporating those methods. Apparently you inquired about what types of fish we would be catching which is not the same thing as inquiring which methods of fishing we would be using. As a fisherman Iโm pretty sure you know that. I also gave you the option of not going, and not having to pay as you obviously expected something different then we were offering, even though you didnโt specifically state your expectations. My advice would be the next time you book a charter be specific about your expectations and the methods of fishing you would like to incorporate. Thanks for your business, Aloha
Thanks for the review. As stated in the description of fishing; we generally offer a four hour trolling trip because it is the most effective way to maximize our ability to catch fish for our clients. If someone specifically asks about jigging or using spinning reels, We can absolutely accommodate that but you never asked specifically if we would be incorporating those methods. Apparently you inquired about what types of fish we would be catching which is not the same thing as inquiring which... Meer
Fishing was slow. But the weather was great and our captain was awesome.
Great short trip caught Mai MAi . Would book again for sure.
Hey! Thanks for the great review! We really appreciate it.ย Hope to see you again soon! Aloha!