Private fishing charter Bertram 31ft 6 pax max if you don’t fish you don’t pay

The fish may be big, but the boat is private. This Cancun fishing charter gives your group up to six people a Bertram boat, crew, rods, bait, drinks, and a chance to fish the Caribbean near Isla Mujeres. I like the private-boat format, which lets your group fish at its own pace, and the flexible 2, 4, 6, or 8-hour options, which make it easier to fit fishing into a Cancun holiday. The main caution is that the two-hour option is for lagoon or lake fishing, not a full offshore trip.

I also like that ice, sodas, and water are included, since sun and saltwater make hydration important. The crew works hard to keep lines baited and ready, and families have caught barracuda, tuna, bonito, snapper, mahi mahi, and even shark. Still, communication can be limited with some crews, and the advertised if you do not fish, you do not pay wording needs careful clarification before you book.

Key points to know before casting off

• The two-hour trip stays in the lagoon: Choose four hours or more if you want time in the Caribbean Sea.
• The private rate covers up to six people: The listed price is $399 per group, not per angler.
• A Bertram 31-foot boat is advertised: Six is the stated maximum, but ask about seating and boat assignment before arrival.
• Fishing can range from barracuda to billfish: Marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, shark, and bottom fish are possible targets.
• Extra charges matter: A $10 fishing license per person and a $14 Caribbean Sea dock fee per person are not included.
• Seasickness is a real concern: Several people had to head back early or struggled during the ride offshore.

From Cancun Sunset Marina to open water

You meet at Cancun Sunset Marina beside the KRUDO restaurant on Boulevard Kukulcan, kilometer 5.8, in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Look for staff from Cancun Fishing Tours at the marina. The trip returns to this same point, so the basic plan is simple, even if you arrange separate transport to get there.

The boat takes you between roughly 3 and 20 miles from shore, depending on the trip length, conditions, and fishing plan. That range matters. A short trip may leave little time for offshore fishing because some of the clock goes to leaving the marina, reaching productive water, and returning.

The 31-foot Bertram is a sensible size for a private fishing outing, and the stated limit is six people. Still, do not assume six adults will have plenty of room to sit and move around. One unhappy party complained that there was little seating and felt pressured to accept a larger boat. That does not establish a general problem, but it is a useful warning: confirm the boat type, seating arrangement, and exact group size before you go.

The operator may offer pickup, but the supplied details do not say that transportation is included in the $399 rate. One birthday group arranged transportation separately through the booking service. Ask for the complete cost if you need hotel pickup.

Choosing two, four, six, or eight hours

The time choice shapes the entire experience.

Two hours: lagoon fishing

The two-hour option is described as lake fishing, which means lagoon-side fishing rather than a full Caribbean offshore charter. This can work well for families with small children, first-time fishers, or anyone who wants a short activity without giving up half a day.

The tradeoff is clear. You should not book two hours expecting a serious marlin or sailfish hunt. One family went out in poor weather and fished on the lagoon side instead, catching several good-sized barracuda and still having fun. For a weather-shortened day, this protected-water option can save the outing.

Four hours: the practical middle ground

Four hours is likely the best compromise for many visitors. You get enough time to reach offshore water, fish, and return, but you do not commit an entire day to the boat.

Keep your expectations realistic. One four-hour party estimated about an hour going out and an hour coming back, leaving around two hours of actual fishing. That is still enough time for several catches when the fish cooperate, but it is not four hours with lines constantly in the water.

The four-hour format also allows the crew to try more than one method. You may begin by trolling, then switch to bottom fishing or move toward areas holding barracuda, tuna, or other species. The exact sequence depends on the day.

Six or eight hours: more water, more chances

Longer trips give the crew more time to search and can make sense if your main goal is sport fishing. You may cover more water and have more opportunities for larger species such as wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna, sailfish, marlin, shark, and barracuda.

The longer trips also make a slow bite less frustrating. Fishing is not a guaranteed parade of large fish. More time does not guarantee a trophy, but it gives the crew a wider window to adjust the plan.

The fishing: trolling, bottom fishing, and changing targets

The charter offers both trolling and bottom fishing. Trolling keeps lines moving as the boat covers water, a useful method for pelagic species such as tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin. Bottom fishing targets fish closer to the seafloor and may provide more regular action when offshore game fish are not biting.

That variety is valuable for a mixed group. A serious angler can hope for a hard-running fish, while a child or first-timer may enjoy the quicker excitement of a barracuda or smaller bottom catch.

The crew supplies rods and bait, and the mate handles much of the practical work. Strong praise has gone to crew members who kept lines in the water, baited hooks quickly, and helped people bring in fish. Jesus was singled out for moving constantly around the boat and managing the lines with impressive speed. Captain Antonio, Captain Willie, Christopher, Noah, Jorge, and other crew members also received warm praise for being attentive and professional.

But the crew’s teaching style may vary. One family new to deep-sea fishing found that the crew did not explain much of what was happening. Another group said two crew members spoke very little English, which made questions and conversation difficult. The company says it has English-speaking crew members and provides English classes, but you should still make your needs clear when booking if instruction in English matters to you.

What you might catch around Isla Mujeres

The waters near Isla Mujeres offer fishing throughout the year, with possible catches including white and blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, shark, barracuda, snapper, grouper, bonito, and other tropical species.

That list describes possibilities, not promises. One group had a memorable day catching barracuda, tuna, bonito, and a shark. Another group caught fish several times per person. Yet a sport-fishing party came away disappointed after the boat shifted toward barracuda instead of continuing to search for larger game fish.

This is the central choice you need to make. If you want guaranteed action for the family, the crew may focus on species that are biting. If you want a dedicated hunt for a blue marlin or sailfish, ask before departure how the captain handles a slow bite and how much time is spent searching for larger fish.

The surrounding sea also offers views of tropical marine life and colorful coral reefs in clear water. The charter is mainly about fishing, not reef sightseeing, so do not treat it as a dedicated snorkeling tour. Still, the ride can add a broader Caribbean setting to the day.

Crew service: hard work, but ask questions early

The strongest part of this experience is the crew’s effort. On good days, the mate keeps bait on the hooks, resets lines, serves drinks, and helps each person handle a catch. That matters on a small private boat, where a slow or distracted crew can make the trip feel flat.

Several parties described the crew as friendly, attentive, and professional. When children became seasick, Captain Willie and the crew responded kindly. Another captain brought an uncomfortable group back quickly after the party asked to end the trip early.

The weaker point is communication. Some people felt left alone because the crew spoke little English or offered almost no explanation. If this is your first saltwater fishing trip, tell the crew that you want instruction. Ask how to hold the rod, what species you are targeting, and what to do when a fish strikes.

You should also ask about keeping your catch. One group was unsure which fish they could take back and later learned from a hotel chef that some fish described as poor for eating were in fact good. The available information does not spell out the operator’s fish-cleaning or take-home policy, so settle that question before you leave the marina.

Price, fees, and what the $399 really buys

The listed price is $399 per private group of up to six people. For six people, that is about $66.50 each before mandatory extra charges. For two people, the same charter becomes much more expensive per person, but you are paying for the boat rather than buying individual seats on a shared trip.

The rate includes:

• Fishing rods
• Bait
• Crew
• Life vests
• Ice
• Sodas
• Water

You must budget for a $10 fishing license per person, paid at the marina. A $14 per-person dock fee applies for Caribbean Sea trips. Alcohol is not included, and the supplied information does not say that it is available for purchase, so bring only what the operator allows or ask first.

The private setup can be a good value for a family or group of friends who would otherwise book several seats on a shared boat. It is less compelling for a couple unless having the boat to yourselves is a priority.

One important pricing issue needs clarification. The phrase if you do not fish, you do not pay sounds as if a nonfishing participant pays nothing. The operator explains it differently: the charter price remains the same for one to six people, and the policy refers to whether the party fishes, not whether every person catches a fish. A group with two no-shows was still charged the full private-boat price.

Read the terms as a boat charter, not as a per-person fishing guarantee. If someone in your group plans to ride along but not fish, ask exactly how that person is charged.

Seasickness, weather, and comfort

The Caribbean can look inviting from shore and still be rough once you are offshore. Several people became seasick, and one group ended the trip early because children felt ill. The crew can offer water and return to shore, but it cannot control the motion of the sea.

Take seasickness seriously. If you know you are prone to it, speak with a medical professional about suitable prevention before the trip. Eat lightly, follow any medication instructions, and tell the crew as soon as you feel unwell.

Weather also affects the route. Poor conditions may prevent the boat from going offshore, in which case the outing may stay in the lagoon. This is not necessarily a wasted day, as the lagoon produced barracuda for one family, but it changes the type of fishing you receive.

The charter requires good weather. If the operator cancels for weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this private charter most

I would consider this a good fit for:

• Families who want a private boat and a chance for everyone to catch something
• Friends who can split the $399 group price
• First-time saltwater fishers who want gear and bait supplied
• Anglers who enjoy both trolling and bottom fishing
• Visitors who can accept that barracuda may replace a hoped-for trophy fish

I would be more cautious if your priority is a polished instructional trip in English. The crew can be hardworking and skilled while still giving little commentary. I would also think twice if you dislike boat motion, have a tight schedule, or expect every person to catch a large fish.

For the best chance at an offshore experience, choose at least four hours and confirm that the Caribbean Sea dock fee applies to your trip. For a quick family outing, the two-hour lagoon option may be enough.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you value privacy, active crew service, and a flexible fishing plan more than formal instruction. The price can be strong for a group of six, and the chance to catch barracuda, tuna, mahi mahi, bonito, shark, or larger game fish gives the day real excitement.

Before paying, confirm the boat assignment, seating for your exact group, language needs, hotel pickup cost, fish take-home rules, and the meaning of the no-fish payment policy. Choose four hours or longer if offshore fishing is the goal, and prepare for seasickness.

I would book it for a family or group of friends who want a private Caribbean outing and can treat the catch as a bonus rather than a promise. I would not book it blindly as a guaranteed big-game expedition.

FAQ

How much does the private fishing charter cost?

The listed price is $399 per group of up to six people. The price applies to the private boat, so it remains the same whether one person or six people attend.

How long can I book the fishing trip?

You can choose a 2, 4, 6, or 8-hour option. The two-hour choice is for lake or lagoon fishing, while longer trips are intended for Caribbean Sea fishing.

Where does the charter leave from?

The meeting point is Cancun Sunset Marina beside the KRUDO restaurant at Boulevard Kukulcan kilometer 5.8, Zona Hotelera, Cancun. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but the provided price and inclusions do not confirm that transportation is included. Transportation may be arranged separately, so ask for the full cost when booking.

What equipment is provided?

The charter provides fishing rods, bait, life vests, crew service, ice, sodas, and fresh water.

Are fishing licenses included?

No. Fishing licenses cost $10 per person and are paid at the marina.

Are there other required fees?

A $14 per-person dock fee applies to Caribbean Sea trips. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.