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

Cancun’s private Bertram fishing charter puts your group on its own boat, with a crew handling rods, bait, and the constant work of keeping lines ready. You may fish near the lagoon on the two-hour option or head several miles offshore on a longer trip for trolling and bottom fishing.

I like the private-boat format, especially for a family or group of friends that wants control over the pace. I also like the practical inclusions: rods, bait, life vests, ice, soft drinks, and water are already covered. The main caution is that fishing time can be shorter than expected, and the meaning of if you do not fish, you do not pay needs to be confirmed before departure.

Key points to know

• A $399 private charter covers up to six people, not six separate tickets.
• Two hours is intended for lagoon or lake fishing, while four, six, and eight hours allow more time for offshore fishing.
• The crew does the hard work, baiting hooks, setting lines, and helping with catches.
• Target fish range from barracuda and snapper to tuna, mahi mahi, sailfish, marlin, shark, and wahoo.
• Extra costs include a $10 fishing license per person and a $14 Caribbean Sea dock fee per person.
• Sea conditions matter, and poor weather can change the route or cancel the trip.

What the $399 private charter really buys

At $399 per group of up to six, this is most attractive when you fill the boat. A group of four pays about $100 per person before the license and dock fee. Six people bring the base cost down to about $67 per person, though the boat is still priced as a private charter even if fewer people show up.

That point matters. You are paying to reserve the boat, not buying six individual fishing seats. If only three people attend, the price does not automatically shrink. The company’s explanation of its fishing policy also makes clear that the charter fee remains in place when some members of the party do not fish, as long as the group itself goes out and fishes.

The slogan about not paying if you do not fish should be discussed carefully before you book. It may help a person who comes along but chooses not to handle a rod. It should not be read as a guarantee that the total charter becomes free if fish are scarce, if one person sits out, or if part of your party cancels.

The extra charges are easy to overlook. A fishing license costs $10 per person at the marina, and the Caribbean Sea dock fee is $14 per person. Alcohol is not included. Water, soft drinks, and ice are included, which is useful in the hot Cancun climate.

Starting at Cancun Sunset Marina

The meeting point is Cancun Sunset Marina beside the KRUDO restaurant on Boulevard Kukulcan, at approximately kilometer 5.8 in the Hotel Zone. Look for staff connected with Cancun Fishing Tours when you arrive.

The activity returns to the same marina. Pickup is offered, but the basic package information does not make transportation part of the standard price, so confirm the pickup cost and pickup area if you need a ride from your hotel. Transportation has been arranged as an add-on for some bookings, but you should settle that before the morning of the trip.

The marina location is convenient if you are staying in the Hotel Zone. It is also near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the start if a private transfer is not included in your booking.

Plan a little extra time to find the marina staff, pay the fishing license, and settle the dock fee. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Choosing two, four, six, or eight hours

The duration changes the nature of the outing.

The two-hour option is described as lake or lagoon fishing. It is the budget choice and can work well for children, first-time fishers, or anyone who wants a short activity between beach time and dinner. It also reduces the amount of time you spend in open water, which may help if seasickness is a concern.

The tradeoff is obvious: two hours passes quickly. Some of that time may be used moving to a fishing area or preparing bait. A short trip is not the right choice if your main goal is offshore sport fishing or a serious attempt at large pelagic fish.

The four-hour option gives you a better chance at sea fishing, but the clock includes travel. One account described roughly an hour going out and an hour returning, leaving about two hours with lines in the water. That can still produce a good morning, but do not assume four hours means four full hours of active fishing.

The six-hour and eight-hour options provide more room for movement between fishing areas and more time for trolling or bottom fishing. They also give you a better chance to continue after a slow spell. No captain can promise a marlin or tuna, but extra time gives the crew more options.

You may be able to extend a trip while on the water. One group added an hour to a four-hour outing, but treat that as something to request, not something guaranteed. Ask about availability and the extra charge before you leave the marina.

Leaving the lagoon for Caribbean waters

Longer trips can travel between three and twenty miles from shore, depending on the target area and conditions. The ride itself is part of the outing, with Cancun and the waters around Isla Mujeres providing the setting.

The crew may combine trolling and bottom fishing. Trolling keeps baited lines behind the boat while you move through open water, often in search of larger, faster fish. Bottom fishing is more stationary and can produce species such as snapper, grouper, and barracuda.

The possible catches include white and blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, shark, barracuda, snapper, and other tropical species. These are possibilities, not a menu. Fishing changes with weather, water conditions, season, location, and luck.

That distinction is important for first-time saltwater fishers. A trip can produce several fish and still not deliver the big-game catch you imagined. One family had everyone catching fish several times, while another outing produced barracuda but not the sport fish the group wanted. The crew can work hard and still face a slow day.

How the crew handles the fishing

The crew’s strongest practical role is keeping the equipment working. They bait hooks, set lines, watch for action, and help when a fish takes the bait. On a good day, you may find yourself moving quickly from one rod to the next while a mate resets the lines.

Jesus received special praise for moving around the boat, baiting hooks quickly, and helping with catches. Captains Antonio and Willie were also singled out for attentive service on separate trips, with crew members Christopher and Noah mentioned as part of one particularly well-regarded outing.

The crew seems most effective when you want hands-on help rather than a formal lesson. They can show you how to handle a rod and assist with the catch, but do not expect a detailed fishing class. Some crew members speak limited English, and communication can be brief. If you want explanations about species, technique, route, or the day’s plan, ask direct questions early.

I would tell your captain before leaving the dock what matters most to you. Say clearly if you want sport fishing for larger species, family-friendly action, bottom fishing, or simply the best chance of catching something. The crew may need to balance your request with current conditions.

Boat space and comfort for six

The boat is a 31-foot Bertram with a maximum capacity of six people. That sounds roomy on paper, but six anglers, rods, coolers, and fishing gear can make any boat feel tight.

One complaint involved limited seating and confusion about being offered a larger boat. Another concern was that the boat did not feel large enough for six people. These points do not mean every departure has a problem, but they are useful warnings for families or groups bringing six adults.

Ask what seating is available before you board. Also confirm the exact boat if a larger vessel is offered or substituted. You should know whether the change affects price, layout, fishing space, or the number of people on board.

For two or four people, the space is likely to feel easier to manage. Six people can still fit within the stated limit, but you should expect an active working boat rather than a lounge with generous personal space.

Life vests are included. Water, soft drinks, and ice are supplied, but alcoholic drinks are not. Bring any personal snacks you need, and ask in advance about food or lunch add-ons if you want more than the basic drinks.

Seasickness and changing weather

The Caribbean can look calm from shore and feel much less calm offshore. Several people had trouble with seasickness, and one family ended its outing early so sick children could return to land.

Take seasickness seriously. The practical advice from past outings is to consider Dramamine before departure, though you should follow the medication instructions and your own medical advice. Eat lightly, drink water, and tell the crew as soon as you feel unwell.

Weather can change the plan. Poor conditions may force the boat to remain on the lagoon side rather than head into the open sea. That route can still produce fish. One family caught good-sized barracuda during a weather-affected outing and still had a successful family day.

The operator requires suitable weather for the experience. If conditions make the trip unsafe, you can be offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel, the cutoff is 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

What happens to the fish you catch

Ask about the catch before you leave the marina. The handling of fish can be less clear than the rod and bait arrangements.

Some fish may be suitable to take with you, but the crew decides what can be kept and how it should be handled. One group took home red snapper and mahi mahi, then had the fish prepared by a hotel chef. The group later wished it had brought home a larger fish that the crew had described as unsuitable for eating.

I would ask three questions before the first line goes out:

• Which species can we keep?
• Can we take fish back to our hotel?
• Is cleaning or filleting included?

Do not assume that every fish you catch will be available to take away. Local rules, species, size, and the crew’s handling procedures may affect the answer.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most

This charter suits a family that wants a private boat and does not want to share space with strangers. It also works for friends who can split the base price and want a flexible morning or half-day on the water.

It is a good match for first-time saltwater fishers if you want the crew to handle the technical work. The mate can bait hooks and help you land fish, so you do not need to arrive with rods or experience.

The two-hour option suits a short attention span, a mixed group, or anyone worried about seasickness. The four-hour trip makes more sense if you want a real offshore attempt without giving up most of the day. Six and eight hours are better for serious fishing plans, but they also mean more time exposed to sun, waves, and a slow bite if conditions are poor.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is catching a marlin, sailfish, or shark. Those fish are possible, but no charter can promise them. If a barracuda, snapper, or smaller catch would still make you happy, you are more likely to enjoy the outing.

Small details that make a big difference

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and clothing that can handle spray. You should also bring a phone case or another way to protect your phone, since the boat is a working fishing platform.

Wear shoes with a secure sole. Avoid bringing more luggage than you need, since fishing rods and bait already take up useful space.

If children are coming, ask about their comfort with the boat size and open water. Life vests are included, but the listing does not provide age or size rules, so confirm those details before booking.

English service is offered, but the language level may vary by captain and mate. If communication matters to your group, request an English-speaking crew member when arranging the trip. The company has many captains and mates, and English ability may not be the same on every boat.

Is this Cancun charter worth booking?

I would book this charter if you have four to six people, want a private boat, and will be satisfied with a range of catches rather than one trophy fish. The price can be fair for a private outing, especially when shared among a full group, and the crew does the time-consuming work of baiting and resetting lines.

Choose the two-hour lagoon option for a short, lower-commitment outing. Choose four hours or longer if fishing is the main reason for booking, and confirm how much time will be spent traveling to the fishing grounds.

Before paying, clarify the boat, seating, pickup cost, license, dock fee, fish-keeping rules, and the exact meaning of the no-fishing payment promise. With those details settled, this is a practical way to get on the water around Cancun without supplying your own equipment. Just remember that the sea decides the catch.

FAQ

How many people can join the private fishing charter?

The Bertram boat accepts up to six people. The price is for the private group, not a separate per-person ticket.

How much does the charter cost?

The listed price is $399 per group of up to six people. Fishing licenses and the Caribbean Sea dock fee cost extra.

What duration options are available?

You can choose two, four, six, or eight hours. The two-hour option is described as lake or lagoon fishing, while longer trips can head offshore.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Cancun Sunset Marina beside the KRUDO restaurant on Boulevard Kukulcan, near kilometer 5.8 in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.

Does the trip return to the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but the basic activity details do not state that it is included in the $399 price. Confirm the pickup cost and area when booking.

What fishing equipment is supplied?

Fishing rods, bait, life vests, ice, soft drinks, water, and crew are included.

How much are the fishing license and dock fee?

The fishing license is $10 per person, paid at the marina. The Caribbean Sea dock fee is $14 per person.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include barracuda, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, shark, sailfish, white and blue marlin, snapper, and other fish. The actual catch depends on conditions and luck.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.