Fishing Trips. Popping, jigging, big game, live bait

Big fish demand patience. This private Rodrigues fishing trip gives you a flexible day on the water, with options for GT popping, jigging, trolling, live bait, drop shot, hand line, and big game fishing. I like the chance to shape the day with skipper Jean-Marc Bestel, and I like that trolling equipment, life vests, and safety gear are included. The main catch is that specialist gear costs extra, and transport and food are not part of the listed price.

This is a serious fishing outing, not a sightseeing cruise with a rod added at the last minute. The boat leaves for about seven hours, but the start time depends on tides and weather. I also noticed a detail worth checking before you pay: the meeting point is listed at Allee Tamarin in Mauritius, while the fishing is described as taking place around Rodrigues Island. Confirm the exact departure location and group limit directly with Global Rodrigues.

Key points at a glance

• GT action is the headline: Reef popping targets giant trevally, with repeated strikes possible when conditions cooperate.
• You choose the fishing style: Trolling, popping, jigging, live bait, hand line, drop shot, and big game methods can be discussed with the guide.
• Trolling gear is included: Rods and equipment for trolling come with the trip, along with safety equipment and life vests.
• Bring or rent specialist tackle: Poppers, jigging gear, and drop shot equipment are extra, and lost or damaged rented equipment is charged separately.
• Small private group: The trip is intended for a private party, with the supplied details giving both a maximum of two and a maximum of three, so verify this before booking.
• Weather controls the schedule: Departure time depends on tides and sea conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Why this Rodrigues fishing trip is different

Rodrigues is presented here as a place for anglers who want more than a standard trolling session. The surrounding reef and offshore fishing grounds offer several ways to work a day, and the guide can adjust the plan instead of locking you into one technique from the dock.

That flexibility matters. You may begin by trolling while moving toward a reef edge, then switch to poppers if conditions look right for giant trevally. If the fish are not responding, jigging, live bait, drop shot, or hand line can give the day a different rhythm.

I like this approach because fishing conditions change quickly. Tide, wind, light, bait activity, and the skipper’s reading of the water all affect the best method. A fixed itinerary can look neat on paper but may make little sense once you are offshore.

The strongest reports focus on Jean-Marc Bestel and his fishing partner Roméo. Their local experience is repeatedly praised, along with boat handling, fishing advice, and a friendly manner. That combination is important on a compact private boat, where a good skipper affects both your catch rate and your comfort.

The fishing can be physical. GTs, tuna, jobfish, and other reef species pull hard, and one angler specifically advised bringing solid gear. You should be comfortable standing, casting, holding a rod under pressure, and coping with a moving boat for much of the day.

A seven-hour day built around your target fish

The trip lasts about seven hours, though that is approximate. There is no single published sequence of fishing spots because the day is built around your chosen style and the weather.

Your start time is set according to tide and sea conditions. That is practical rather than inconvenient. Reef popping often depends on the right water movement, while trolling and offshore fishing may work better under different conditions.

The first useful conversation happens before departure. Tell Jean-Marc what you want most: a GT on a popper, a mixed-species session with jigs and soft lures, a trolling day, live-bait fishing, or a chance at larger offshore fish. Also explain what equipment you already own.

Trolling is the simplest option from a gear point of view because the needed equipment is included. This can be a good choice if you are flying into Rodrigues without a full collection of rods, reels, lures, and terminal tackle.

Popping and jigging need more planning. Equipment and lures for those methods are not included, but rods and reels can be rented. Ask what is available before you arrive, since a rental is useful only if the tackle matches the fish and technique you plan to use.

The schedule may then move between methods. One French-language account describes a day that combined trolling on the way to a drop-off with jigging and poppers, while another describes several methods producing a wide mix of fish. These reports show the benefit of changing tactics, but they do not guarantee that every technique will be available or productive on your date.

If you want a particular species, say so early. GT popping is the clearest specialty, but the fishing described around Rodrigues also includes bluefin trevally, emperors, jobfish, needlefish, and tuna. One three-day account recorded 25 species using jigging, popping, drop shot, and trolling, while another reported 23 species in three mornings.

Those numbers are encouraging, but fishing is never a vending machine. You may see follows, hits, or fish lost near the boat rather than land a trophy. The right expectation is a strong chance to try several productive methods with an experienced local skipper, not a guaranteed catch.

GT popping on the reef

For many anglers, GT popping is the reason to book. Giant trevally are powerful reef predators, and the strike can be sudden and violent. You cast a large popper or stickbait, work it across the surface, and watch for the explosive hit.

The reports describe repeated GT activity. One angler saw roughly six to twelve hits on each of two trips in a week. That is a promising sign for anyone chasing a GT, though hits are not the same as landed fish.

This style suits an angler who enjoys active fishing. You are casting, retrieving, watching the lure, and reacting quickly. It is less suitable if you want to sit quietly while the rod does all the work.

Bring reliable tackle if you have it. The advice to use solid gear is not casual. A large trevally can test rods, reels, line, knots, hooks, and your own grip in a very short time. If you rent, confirm the condition and strength of the equipment, and ask what happens if a lure or rod is damaged.

Catch and release is part of the ethos described in the fishing comments, especially for GTs. If your goal is the fight and the photograph, tell the skipper. That approach can help protect the fishery and preserve the chance of another hard strike on a future trip.

Jigging, drop shot, and live bait options

Jigging offers a different kind of work. Instead of casting across the reef, you present a lure vertically or through the water column, depending on depth and current. It can produce a range of species and gives you a useful alternative when surface action slows.

The key practical point is cost. Jigging rods, reels, and lures are not included, though they can be rented. Popper and drop shot equipment also falls outside the standard inclusions.

Drop shot and soft-lure fishing may appeal if you want variety rather than only a shot at a giant trevally. Reviews describe fish such as emperors, trevally, jobfish, and needlefish being caught with different lure styles. The mix of species is one of the appealing parts of fishing around Rodrigues.

Live bait is another option listed for the day. The supplied details do not specify how bait is obtained, what bait is used, or whether there is a separate bait charge. Ask before departure if live bait is central to your plan.

Hand line fishing is also available as a possible method. That makes the outing more flexible for a mixed group, though you should not assume that every technique will be used in one seven-hour session. The guide will need to match your choices with time, tide, weather, and fish activity.

Trolling and big game fishing

Trolling is the most clearly included fishing style. The necessary trolling equipment is supplied, and this makes the trip easier for visitors who do not want to transport specialist tackle.

Trolling can also serve as a practical way to cover water between reef areas. A French-language account describes catching a tuna while trolling toward a drop-off before changing methods. That sort of mixed plan may suit you if you want both an active reef session and a chance at a larger fish.

Big game fishing is listed among the choices, but the details do not explain the exact species, tackle class, or offshore range. Treat it as an option to discuss, not a promise of a specific big game package.

Ask direct questions before booking:

• Is big game equipment included or rented separately?
• How far offshore does the boat normally go?
• Is live bait available on the day?
• What fish are in season?
• Can you bring your own rods and lures?
• What replacement costs apply to damaged or lost equipment?

These questions are especially important because the advertised price is attractive partly because not every fishing style includes its gear.

What the price really covers

The listed cost is $406.51 per group, advertised for up to two people. That works out to about $203 per person for two anglers before optional equipment, food, and transport.

The highlights also describe a maximum group of three, so I would not assume a third person is included at the same rate. Confirm the exact capacity and price for three people with Global Rodrigues before making plans.

For a private seven-hour outing, the price can be good value if you already own tackle or plan to focus on trolling. You are paying for private use of the boat, a skipper, safety equipment, and the freedom to choose the fishing method instead of joining a large mixed party.

The value is weaker if you need to rent several rods, reels, and lure sets, then add lunch and transport. Those extras can change the final cost. Food can be organized for an additional fee, and bottled water is offered, but lunch is not included.

I would compare the total price, not the headline number. Ask for the cost of the fishing style you actually want. A low base rate is less useful if your target is GT popping and the suitable poppers, rods, and reels all come at extra cost.

Boat comfort, safety, and physical demands

Safety equipment and life vests are included. That is reassuring, especially when you are casting heavy lures or fighting strong fish from a moving boat.

You should still expect a physical day. The stated requirement is moderate physical fitness, and that fits the activities described. Casting, retrieving, lifting tackle, standing for long periods, and managing a fish near the boat all require energy.

The trip is private, which is a real advantage. Your group can spend more time on the techniques you care about, and the guide does not need to balance the preferences of strangers. It also gives you room to ask questions and receive hands-on advice from Jean-Marc.

At the same time, a private fishing boat is not a resort lounge. Bring suitable clothing for changing weather, sun protection, and footwear that works on a wet deck. These are sensible precautions, but the supplied details do not specify a packing list, so ask the operator about anything special for the boat.

Transport to and from the meeting point is not included. Public transportation is nearby, according to the details, but you are responsible for reaching the start point.

Food, water, and the meeting-point detail

Bottled water is offered, but lunch is not included. You can arrange food for an additional fee, which is worth considering for a seven-hour outing.

If you are prone to getting hungry on active days, organize food in advance rather than hoping to find something after boarding. Ask what the meal includes and where it will be provided.

The stated start and end point is 895V+QQ Allee Tamarin, Mauritius, with the activity ending back at the meeting point. Yet the experience description focuses on Rodrigues Island, and many of the fishing comments refer to Rodrigues locations and waters.

That mismatch needs attention. Confirm whether Allee Tamarin is the correct meeting point for your booking, whether the listing uses a Mauritius map reference in error, and how you reach the actual boat. Do not leave this until the morning of the trip.

What the strong praise means for you

The most consistent praise is not simply about catching fish. It is about Jean-Marc’s boat skills, local knowledge of fishing spots, practical tips, and friendly attitude.

That matters because Rodrigues fishing can involve several techniques and changing conditions. A skipper who can shift from trolling to jigging or surface lures may give you a better day than a guide who follows one script.

The personal accounts also suggest that repeat visits are common. One angler returns each year with Jean-Marc and Roméo, while another spent eight days fishing from two boats. That points to a service suited to committed anglers who want to build on a first session.

Families can also fit the experience if everyone is comfortable with the physical side. One account describes a 15-year-old fishing with a parent on a two-person boat and enjoying the outing enough to want to return. Still, the moderate fitness requirement applies, and the operator should confirm whether a younger participant is suitable for your chosen fishing style.

The biggest caution is that the praise is enthusiastic but not a guarantee. Good guides improve your chances and help you fish efficiently, but tides, weather, and fish behavior still decide the final score.

Booking, cancellation, and who should choose it

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the trip is booked an average of 64 days ahead, reserving early makes sense if your Rodrigues schedule is fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would book this trip if you are an angler who wants GT popping, mixed reef fishing, or a private day shaped around your own targets. It is also a good match for someone who values a local skipper’s advice more than a polished, fixed-format excursion.

I would hesitate if you need an all-inclusive package with transfers, lunch, and every type of tackle supplied. In that case, request a full quote first, including rental rods, reels, lures, food, and transport.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip take place?

The experience is described as a fishing trip around Rodrigues Island. The listed meeting point is 895V+QQ Allee Tamarin, Mauritius, so confirm the exact departure location with Global Rodrigues before booking.

How long is the fishing trip?

The outing lasts approximately seven hours.

What types of fishing can I try?

You can discuss trolling, GT popping on the reef, jigging, live bait, big game fishing, hand line fishing, and drop shot with the guide. The final plan depends on your preferences, tides, and weather.

Is fishing equipment included?

Trolling equipment is included, along with safety equipment and life vests. Equipment and lures for jigging, popping, and drop shot are not included, but rods and reels can be rented.

Can I rent fishing gear?

Yes. Rods and reels can be rented for methods such as jigging, popping, and drop shot. Lost or damaged equipment is charged separately.

Is food included?

No. Lunch and other food are not included, but food can be organized for an extra fee. Bottled water is offered.

How many people can join?

The experience is private, but the supplied details give both a maximum of two and a maximum of three participants. Confirm the exact group limit and price for your party before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Departure time also depends on tides and weather conditions.