Fishing Charter Bali — Premium Boats, Species-by-Season Calendar & Rates
A private fishing charter in Bali runs from USD 990.90 per boat per full day (about Rp 15,855,000), with the vessel, captain, crew, fuel and lunch all inside the rate — you bring nothing but sunscreen. The fishery off South Bali and the Nusa islands turns over through the year: mahi-mahi ride the wet-season currents, wahoo and Spanish mackerel run the dry-season trades, and yellowfin tuna work the deep water in every month. The species-by-season calendar below — built from what our captains actually see on the water, not a brochure — tells you what your dates realistically offer before you book.
What bites when: the Bali species calendar
Bali sits on the edge of very deep water — the seabed drops away fast south of the Bukit and in the Badung Strait — which is why a 40-minute run puts you over genuine pelagic ground. Months below are the typical peaks our crews plan around; ocean years vary, and a good captain follows the birds, not the calendar.
| Species | Typical peak months | Water | Preferred method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin tuna | Year-round; strongest Apr–Oct | Deep water, current lines | Trolling, jigging |
| Mahi-mahi (dorado) | Oct–Mar | Open water, floating debris/FADs | Trolling |
| Wahoo | May–Oct | Drop-offs, ledges | High-speed trolling |
| Spanish mackerel (tenggiri) | Apr–Sep | Reef edges | Trolling, live bait |
| Giant trevally (GT) | Year-round | Reef structure, current points | Popping, jigging |
| Snapper & grouper | Year-round | Bottom structure, 40–120 m | Bottom fishing |
| Sailfish | Sep–Dec | Open water bait schools | Trolling |
Travelling in the shoulder months? October and April are quiet gems: the seasons overlap, so a single day can produce both a wet-season mahi and a dry-season wahoo.
Trolling, jigging or bottom fishing: pick your day
- Trolling is the classic Bali charter day: lines staggered behind the boat at 6–9 knots, covering miles of current line while you watch the spread from the shade. It is the method most likely to produce the trophy pelagics — tuna, mahi, wahoo, sailfish — and it needs zero prior experience; the crew rigs, strikes and hands you a bent rod.
- Jigging is the workout: dropping metal jigs onto deep structure and working them back up. Explosive on yellowfin and amberjack over the ledges, and the preferred day for anglers who want to earn every fish. Ask for it when booking so the crew loads the jig set.
- Bottom fishing is the family day: anchored or drifting over reef structure, baited rigs down to snapper and grouper, steady action rather than long waits. Ideal for children and mixed groups where half the boat wants to snorkel between bites.
Most full-day charters blend two methods — troll the morning current lines, then jig or bottom-fish the midday slack. Tell the concierge what you want mounted and the crew builds the day around it.
Gear, bait and boat: what is included
- Rods, reels and terminal tackle for trolling, jigging and bottom work — maintained, not museum pieces
- Lures, jigs and bait for the day’s plan
- Licensed captain and deck crew who rig, gaff and handle every fish
- Fuel, harbour fees, lunch, drinking water, towels and health insurance during the trip
- Your catch, cleaned and bagged — most guests take it to a beachside grill that will cook it the same evening
Serious anglers are welcome to bring their own setups; the crew will happily run your gear alongside the boat’s spread.
The boats: the same private fleet, rigged to fish
| Vessel | Length | Guests | Full-day rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Яхта «Ангелы» | 13 m | up to 13 | USD 990.90 |
| Яхта Riki J | 13 m | up to 14 | USD 993.60 |
| Морской дракон | 12 m | up to 12 | USD 997.65 |
Because the charter is priced per boat, a fishing day for six anglers costs the same as for one — and non-fishing partners ride free in every sense: sun deck, snorkelling gear and lunch are already aboard. That flexibility is the quiet advantage of running fishing trips on a private-charter fleet rather than a dedicated head boat; see the full Bali yacht charter page for how the same vessels run leisure days.
A realistic Bali fishing day
- 06:30 — Board at Serangan; the earlier start matters — the bite is best in the first hours of light.
- 07:00–11:00 — Troll the current lines south of the strait or along the Nusa Penida drop-off; the crew watches for working birds.
- 11:00–13:00 — Jig or bottom-fish the slack tide over structure; lunch served on board.
- 13:00–14:30 — Afternoon troll home along the reef edges for mackerel and GT.
- 15:00 — Alongside; catch cleaned and bagged on the way in.
Half-day windows are quoted against the day rate on request — worthwhile for the dawn bite alone. Sea conditions follow the same pattern as all our sailings: calm mornings in the dry season, glassier spells between wet-season showers, and a captain with the final go/no-go call. Guests continuing to the fishing grounds further east charter with our sister brand Komodo Luxury, the Juara Holding Group operator out of Labuan Bajo, on multi-day expedition boats. And if the anglers in your party are outnumbered by loungers, split the difference with a Bali cruise day instead.
What to bring (and what to leave at the villa)
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, polarised sunglasses, a hat with a chin strap, a light long-sleeve for the run out, and any personal medication — motion-sickness tablets work best taken thirty minutes before boarding, and the calm-morning schedule is designed to make them unnecessary. Cameras are welcome; the crew will shoot your fight and your fish so you never have to choose between the rod and the photo. Leave the hard-soled shoes, the drone (unless cleared with the captain in advance) and the cooler — ice, water and lunch are already aboard. If anyone in your party is a first-timer with nerves about deep water, say so in the booking chat: the crew will plan the day to start on the sheltered reef edges, where the action is steady and the horizon stays close.
Travelling with non-anglers? The same boats run a dedicated snorkeling boat charter, and the two trips combine easily into a single day on the water.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fishing charter cost in Bali?
From USD 990.90 per boat per full day (about Rp 15,855,000), including all gear, bait, crew, fuel and lunch, for up to 13 guests. Half-day rates are quoted on request.
What fish can you catch in Bali?
Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, snapper, grouper and seasonal sailfish. The calendar above shows each species’ typical peak months.
Do I need experience to join a Bali fishing charter?
No. The crew rigs every line, strikes the fish and coaches you through the fight. First-timers usually troll; experienced anglers can request a jigging or popping day.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Yes. The crew cleans and bags your catch, and the concierge can point you to beachside restaurants that will grill it the same evening.
When is the best month for deep sea fishing in Bali?
April to October offers the most consistent pelagic action (tuna, wahoo, mackerel); October to March is prime for mahi-mahi. Genuinely, there is no dead month.
Is the charter suitable for a mixed group of anglers and non-anglers?
Yes — the boat is private, so half the group can fish while the rest sunbathe or snorkel. Pricing is per vessel, so non-anglers add nothing to the cost.
Book your day on the grounds. Send your date, group size and preferred method to WhatsApp (+62 811-2859-0000) — the concierge matches the boat, loads the right tackle and returns a written quote the same day.