+599 700 3994
Kralendijk · Bonaire · Dutch Caribbean
Catch the fish you'll brag about for years
Bonaire’s deep water starts close to shore, so you spend the day fishing, not running to it. Step aboard the Fishtales with Captain Yuri and his crew for marlin, sailfish, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Ready to battle the fish of a lifetime?
Catch & release for all billfish
Bertram 42 · twin 600 HP
Rigged for serious fishing
Private charter
Your crew only · max 6 aboard
Catch & release
Every billfish, every time
7 days a week
6am – 6pm · +599 700 3994
Our private charters
Pick your fight
Private charters only, your group, no strangers. We include sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks and water, plus bait and tackle, and we fillet and bag your catch.
4 hrs
$695
Afternoon Half-Day
This trip is about catching dinner: wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi when in season, barracuda, and red, queen, yellow-eye and vermilion snapper. Where and how we fish depends on the time of year and the sea conditions on the day. An ideal way for families with younger children, and for groups who want a real saltwater trip without a full day out.
Most popular
6 hrs
$995
All-Round Day
The same fish for the table as the half day, with more time to work for them: wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi when in season, barracuda and several snapper species. We plan on the day itself what to target, based on the season and the sea. Different proven techniques for wahoo, mahi mahi and tuna, and dropping for snapper on manual or electric gear depending on the depth. Some of the freshest fish you will ever put on a plate.
8 hrs
$1,295
Tuna Fishing Charter
This is the trip where we focus on yellowfin tuna around the FAD, a buoy on the deep ledge in 4,500 feet. The tuna range from 30 lb to 150 lb and even bigger. We target them with live bait, poppers and plugs, or by chumming and chunking, and switch tactics once we see how the fish are behaving. The bonus catch can be a billfish like blue marlin or sailfish, and mahi mahi when in season.
10 hrs
$1,750
Full Day Marlin and Sailfish Charter
If you dream of your first blue marlin, this is your best shot at it. Bonaire holds blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish for most of the year, with the peak from November to April. Sailfish and white marlin run 30 to 75 lb, blue marlin from 120 lb to well over 500 lb. Every billfish is tagged and released for the Billfish Foundation.
10 hrs
$1,750
Swordfish Charter
Daytime swordfishing over the deep grounds, on average 1,500 to 2,100 feet down. Dropping that deep takes the right bait and tackle, so we fish electric reels: baits get checked faster and we are reset and back down quicker after every drift. Swordfish is as good on the table as it is on the rod.
The target list
Bonaire's most prized game-fish species
Fishing for pelagic game fish will put you to the test. Are you up for it? See what’s out there and pick your battle.
Blue Marlin
150–400 lb
30 min – 2 hrs+
Nov to Jun
A true bucket-list sportfish
The king. Released every time.
Swordfish
100–250 lb
45 min – 2 hrs+
Year-round
Rare deep-water prize
The deep's broadbill. A rare, prized catch.
White Marlin
40–80 lb
15–45 min
Nov to Jun
The finicky billfish
Light-tackle billfish. Pure acrobatics, released every time.
Sailfish
30–60 lb
15–45 min · aerial
Nov to Jun
Good odds in season
All show: greyhounding across the surface. Released every time.
Yellowfin Tuna
20–190 lb
20–60 min+ · brutal
Year-round, peak Nov to Jul
Reliable year-round
Straight down and never stops. The one that humbles people.
Blackfin Tuna
5–25 lb
Fast · deep circles
Year-round · peak Nov–Mar
Common offshore
Small tuna, huge fight.
The boat
Not a rental. A fishing machine.
The Fishtales is a Bertram 42 powered by twin Cummins QSC engines (600 HP each), the fastest, most complete charter boat on Bonaire, rigged for serious fishing. Prepared for any opportunity, leaving nothing to chance.
- Pompanette fighting chair · harnesses & stand-up belts
- Penn International, Lindgren-Pittman electric & RJ Boyle tackle
- GPS, fishfinder, AIS, Garmin autopilot, dual VHF & inReach Mini
- Air-conditioned salon · sun-covered aft deck · full head & galley
The crew
Island men who know every drop-off
They’ve forgotten more about these waters than most people ever learn.
Captain Yuri
Owner & Skipper
The most experienced charter captain on Bonaire. Has fished the whole world, and still calls this island one of the best.
Vincent
First Mate
Belgian-born, brought to the Caribbean by a scuba-diving career. Skill, grit and pure passion for fishing, one of the best mates you could have aboard.
Orlando
Second Mate
Born and raised on Bonaire, with years running his own charter on Curaçao. A seasoned, knowledgeable fisherman and diver.
Nigel
Dock Master
A pelican. Found us after his movie career ended and took the job. Works for fish.
Tight lines
The day of their life, their words
★★★★★ 4.9 · 123 reviews on Google & TripAdvisor
“That was the best fishing in our life. Yuri and the crew are the best, professionals in every percent.”
Michal N · TripAdvisor
“Captain Yuri and deckhand Lele make sure you have the day of your life. Snacks and drinks included.”
Edgar · TripAdvisor
“Excellent fishing trip. The crew’s experience and teamwork over three days was outstanding.”
Marciris · TripAdvisor
The best boat, the best captain and crew. Let's go fishing.
Tell us when you're on the island. We'll put you on the fish.
Book your tripBefore you board
Good to know
What do I need to bring?
Just sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and soft-soled shoes. We bring the rest, tackle, bait, snacks and drinks are all aboard.
Never fished before. Is that ok?
Absolutely. The crew rigs everything and coaches you through the fight. Beginners land big fish here all the time.
When is the best time to fish Bonaire?
There’s good fishing year-round for pelagic species. Wahoo, yellowfin and blackfin tuna are here all year; billfish run strongest Nov–July; mahi-mahi peak Mar–Nov; swordfish Nov–June.
Do we keep the fish?
Tuna, wahoo and mahi are great eating, the crew fillets and bags your catch, following one rule: take what you can eat. All billfish, marlin and sailfish, are released, every time.
How do I book?
For instant confirmation, book through the website in a few quick steps. Want to speak to the Captain first? Call or WhatsApp +599 700 3994, or fill out the contact form.
