Customer ReviewsforFishingBooker, Inc

FishingBooker bad experience! I recently went on a fishing tour with my family of six on Lake Michigan, and I feel compelled to share our disappointing experience to warn potential future guests. We booked a 4-hour tour with high hopes of enjoying a fun-filled day of fishing and maybe catching something memorable. Unfortunately, the reality was far from our expectations. From the moment we boarded the small charter boat, the experience was lackluster. Despite being promised an engaging fishing experience, we could not cast or hold the rods ourselves. Instead, we watched two crew members cast six rods repeatedly, spending most of their time fixing them in a futile attempt to catch fish. To make matters worse, we were forced to sit in the blazing hot sun for the entire duration of the tour without any adequate shade or protection. This led to severe sunburns and seasickness for several members of our group. The crew's lack of interaction and engagement made the situation even more unbearable. They seemed more focused on their tasks than on ensuring we had an enjoyable and memorable experience. Ultimately, we spent half our day fruitlessly attempting to catch a fish, which never happened. We threw away **** for an experience that left us feeling scammed and disappointed. The tour failed to deliver on its promises, and it was clear that the company did not prioritize customer satisfaction or comfort. I strongly advise anyone considering this fishing tour to think twice before booking. Our experience was a waste of time and money, and I wouldn’t want others to go through the same ordeal. There are undoubtedly better options out there that provide a more genuine and enjoyable fishing experience.

Hi Pavel, Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent fishing tour on Lake Michigan. I’m truly sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, and I appreciate you taking the time to bring this to our attention. I’ve reviewed your booking history and noted that while one of your previous trips through our platform was highly praised, this recent tour, unfortunately, fell short. It seems there was a misunderstanding about the type of fishing experience you were booking. The charter you chose specializes in trolling, which does not involve the rods and bait. What you were seeing the crew do was most likely them changing the bait to maximize your chances of catching fish. This method can sometimes appear less engaging if you were expecting a more hands-on approach. Regarding the lack of shade and the discomfort caused by the sun, I understand how this could significantly impact your enjoyment. The boat you were on was a 33-footer, and while it’s suitable for many groups, we do have options to filter for larger boats or those with better accommodations for comfort in our listings. We strive to clearly communicate the details and specifics of each trip, but I apologize if any information was not as clear as it should have been. If you believe, there are ways we could enhance our communication or if you have additional concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at *********************************** We’re here to help and want to ensure your future experiences with us are more enjoyable. Once again, I’m very sorry for the inconvenience, and I hope we have the opportunity to better serve you in the future. -Niko

Beware once you book your hooked Maria (FishingBooker, Inc.) Jul 16, 2024, Hi Krishi, We strive to maintain transparency and fairness in our booking process. The advance payment is collected to secure your reservation and ensure that the service providers are compensated for their time and resources. This practice is standard in the industry to prevent last-minute cancellations, which can significantly impact the livelihoods of the service providers. We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and that's why our cancellation policy is outlined before booking, giving customers the opportunity to review and agree to the terms. Maria I Support Specialist Hi Maria, You are definitely entitled to your opinion , to me it seems once you input your card details or book erroneously, there is no way out of getting charged irrespective of services utilised or not ,your hooked and out of your money...,in this particular case i've cancelled within the next 30 minutes of the erroneous booking, so there was no deployment of either time or resources but it looks like the website / captain is wanting to make a free and easy buck without working for it . Regards, Krishi **** (FishingBooker, Inc.) Jul 17, 2024, 8:11 AM Jul 17, 2024, Krishi, I can understand where you are coming from and that different situations can occur that can prevent you from going on a trip. As my colleague Maria mentioned, our captains set the cancellation policy and select what best fits their needs. We have other charters on our platform with a more flexible cancellation policy, and we try to communicate that transparently on multiple places and pages. We want our customers to be aware of the potential consequences if they aren't 100% sure that they can make their trip, and it's also up to everyone to review all the details before proceeding to book to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the line. I hope this can make more sense. Kind regards,

Hi Krishi, Thank you for sharing your feedback. I understand your frustration and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the situation. When you booked your trip with us, the reservation was subject to the captain's cancellation policy. This policy is established by the captain to best fit their schedule and operational needs, ensuring a fair and consistent approach for all bookings. Unfortunately, the date you selected during your booking process was incorrect, and the subsequent cancellation request fell within the period where the captain's policy applies. As part of our commitment to both our customers and the captains we work with, we are obligated to honor these policies. This ensures that everyone involved is treated fairly and that our operations run smoothly. While I understand this can be disappointing, especially when plans change unexpectedly, adhering to the established policies is essential for maintaining trust and reliability in our services. I value your understanding and hope this explanation clarifies the situation. If you have any further questions or need assistance with future bookings, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

An update to my main review. I just received the most mealy mouthed, refusing to take ANY responsibility from one of their shills. How about this reply after totally screwing me around: "Once again, I apologize for the frustration and disappointment you've encountered. We strive to provide great service and experiences, but some things are out of our control. We'll do our best to reduce the possibility of similar incidents occurring in the future as much as it is possible." So they aren't doing shiite and they're taking NO responsibility! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY WITH THIS UNETHICAL, TOTALLY RIPOFF OUTFIT!!!

Brian, I am truly sorry for the inconvenience you experienced with your canceled trip. Unfortunately, the circumstances leading to the cancellation were beyond our control. The captain faced challenges with the availability of live bait and encountered unexpected mechanical issues with their equipment, which made it impossible for them to proceed with the trip as planned. These are circumstances that are not easy to predict, and we sincerely apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience caused. We understand how frustrating it can be to have your plans disrupted, which is why we promptly refunded the funds you paid for the trip. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill to make up for the inconvenience, we sent you a credit in the amount of ****. We hoped this would help mitigate any inconvenience caused and demonstrate our commitment to your satisfaction. We also reached out to you to inquire if there was any other way we could make it up to you, but we understand and respect your response. However, please know that we are always open to feedback and suggestions on how we can improve our services. Best, Niko

Arrived on time to find the boat, skipper, and deck hand ready to fish. As promised all equipment, licenses, bait, lunch, water, sodas, and beer were on the boat. Great boat -- clean and in perfect condition for a full day of fishing. Skipper and deck hand were friendly, very knowledgeable about fish and gear. Hooked into five marlin (boated two), and took home four dorado. Beautiful day of fishing.

Hi John, thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We're really happy to hear you had a beautiful day of fishing! It sounds like the skipper and deck hand set expectations for you perfectly. Great job on the Marlin and Mahi, too! If you ever want to get back out on the water, just reach out and let us know. All the best from FishingBooker.

Will not use a third party booker for fishing again. Have fished salt water game fish in ****** **** (both sides), Outer Banks, Mid-Atlantic, solo and on charters since 1970's. Here's my review of FishingBooker:
1) Booking was easy online, about 4 weeks prior to trip. Stats on boats and "marketing" pics good. I paid *** for the half day charter on Blue Tail.
2) Tried to upgrade to full day charter on Blue Tail a couple weeks ahead. Called "captain" listed on website (I speak fluent Spanish) and he referred me back to FishingBooker central number, guy said the boat was already chartered for the afternoon but would get back to me. They did not call back or email.
3) Upon a new request by email from FishingBooker I listed anglers and ages to comply with Mexican fishing license purchase (included in price).
4) Morning before trip I called "captain" again to confirm all was in order, did he need anything else at all from our party, etc., etc. He said "No, just show up".
5) We show up at the dock 6 a.m., of course still dark, and a lady at the gate directed us to the "boat". It was NOT the Blue Tail that we had chartered. It was a second-tier boat, probably 25-30 years old and looked like it. Apparently the "Blue Tail was in for repairs". There was a fast push for cash in the dark and a (smooth) recount on dock by the group which came up short; and it was not clear at all: a) who was in charge, b) who was the captain, and c) whether we had been duped for some bucks. I shoulda known better, after years in lovely Mexico.
6) There were no safety instructions provided - life jackets, fire extinguisher location(s), how to flush the head. Also no clear introductions/greetings to ascertain skill of anglers and captain's and deck hand experience. We indicated we wanted to catch dorado/tuna/grouper/marlin (kinda in that order depending on where the bite was.)
7) Caught and released a smallish striped marlin. Caught a 15-18 lb. dorado (filetted at dock for USD3). Hooked, fought and lost a medium sized marlin.
8) Cooler was stocked with sodas, water, twelve-pack of beer. No complaints. Lunch was a couple of beef burritos, bag of chips. Not complaining... we're here to FISH, right?
9) One angler was seasick about 90 minutes in after about 4 1/2 hours ended up cutting the trip a bit short to ensure no heat exhaustion. First mate was attentive and helpful.
My two star rating vs. a one star is that we caught some great fish and had a nice boat ride in spectacular surroundings. My biggest disappointment was lack of communication and what seemed like a bait and switch on the actual boat, plus the shady entry and cash management. I'll go direct in the future because I've now made several great local contacts whom I trust.

Markus, thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're really sorry to hear that you didn't have a good experience on your trip. After looking into your booking, we can see that you were not informed that your trip would be taking place on a different boat to the one displayed on your chosen captain's listing. Because of this, we have refunded your deposit for the trip, and apologize for any inconvenience or bad experiences this has caused you.

When it comes to your experience at the dock, we're sorry to hear that it seemed shady and made you uncomfortable. Although all captains listed on FishingBooker must be verified and legitimate, unfortunately we cannot control what happens at the dock or in person. In this situation, we recommend leaving an honest review for the captain and his business through FishingBooker. That way, you can let him know how he can improve his services in the future.

All the best from FishingBooker.

Oct 4, 2022 was our second charter with FishingBooker, specifically Mahi Mahi Diana. We caught several Mahi and a Barricuda. The crew are amazing and the captain stayed in touch with us before the charter to make sure all the details were covered. We will certainly book with Mahi Mahi again when we are in Puerto Plata.

Hi Steve, thanks very much for leaving your review. We're really happy to hear that you had a great time out on the water with Mahi Mahi Diana! A thoughtful captain can make all the difference. When you're ready for the third trip with Mahi Mahi Diana, feel free to reach out to us. All the best from FishingBooker!

I had a wonderful time on the water with Garrett. The fishing was great, the guide was friendly and informative. The boat and gear were top-notch. I will definitely book with them again when I return.

Hi Thomas, thanks very much for leaving your review. We're really happy to hear you had a wonderful time with Garrett! A friendly and informative guide can really make or break a fishing experience, and it seems like Garrett's knowledge and attitude added a lot to your trip, as well as the amenities. If you want to get back out on the water again, feel free to get in touch with us. All the best from FishingBooker.

No doubt about catching fish...anytime of day with Eric. He is incredible with his efforts to "make it happen". We took home more than 20 ziplock bags of walleye, bass and even a large cat. My son's first time fishing Table Rock and I know he's coming back... Why he's even thinking of buying a place there. We live on the coast in FL and we go here to fish. Great weather and came home to a hurricane. That tells you something!! My only problem was my hand hurt from all the fish I had to catch!! Great time, and couldn't find a better guide here. If you haven't tried Eric, do so. We've made a new friend out of a business deal! That's service.!! Thanks!

Hi Sally, thanks very much for leaving your review! We're really happy to hear you enjoyed your time out on the water with Capt. Eric. You definitely hooked an impressive number of fish. We can definitely understand why your son is thinking of buying a place out near Table Rock (and why your hand hurts!) It's awesome to hear you made a new friend, too - we think that's one of the best parts of heading out on a fishing trip. If you feel like getting out on the water again, feel free to reach out to us. All the best from FishingBooker.