Due to the increased popularity of fishing for Dogtooth Tuna Fishing, Sportquest Holidays decided to put on their very own hosted Jig fishing trip to the fish packed waters that surround Rodrigues Island in Mauritius. This trip is for the anglers out there who seek adventure and excitement with some pretty extreme fishing.
Dogtooth Tuna fishing off Rodrigues Island is an extreme experience and will be appealing to the anglers out there that love jig fishing. The rush you get is like nothing else out there. The sheer power of this mighty fish is one that we would highly recommend to any saltwater angler.
Rodrigues Island is exclusive to Sportquest Holidays. If you would like to add any extra days at the start or the end of this hosted trip, then we can tailor the itinerary to suit you.
We have based the hosted trip on a mixture of inshore fishing for smaller Dogtooth Tuna and GT’s and then a trip out to the Hawkins Bank, a very famous area in this part of the world. So if you think you are ready for one of the most extreme fishing challenges you are ever likely to encounter, then sign up now.
The Island of Rodrigues is around 108 square-kilometre and is part of Mauritius’s Republic, located in the Indian ocean. With its location only being 350 miles east of Mauritius, this makes for a great multi-destination. You can spend some days at Rodrigues fishing, then head over to Mauritius for another week and enjoy a fantastic two Island holiday.
The Islands are of volcanic origin and surrounded by a tropical coral reef system. This reef system attracts a vast array of life, which provides the predators with lots of nutritious food items. There is also an extensive area around 100-nautical miles off the Island called the West Hawkins Bank.
The West Hawkins Bank provides anglers with a massive rise in depths that attracts many different predators—creating the perfect place to catch Dogtooth Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna. Make sure to visit our YouTube channel for an insight into all our tours and destinations.
There is also an area in the opposite direction called the East Bank. East Bank is just as productive as the West Bank but with it only being 50-nautical miles from the mainland. You can reach this area easily on a shorter itinerary. These long trips are always subject to weather condition and the time of year you travel.
The majority of the fishing practised at Rodrigues Island is vertical jigging. The fishing style is when you lower your jig to the bottom then wind up while vertically jigging. Once you get to a certain depth and have not received a bite, then the process is repeated.
The fishing style is a very demanding way of fishing, and it takes skill to know the correct speed and pitch that both the fish find attractive. It’s essential to understand how to get the best out of your jig. There are many jigs on the market, from long and short jigs to light and heavy jigs. We will make sure that you take the correct tackle to target the fish of your dreams.
Trolling is another used fishing method, but this method is practised to give the anglers a rest from jigging all day. Trolling tends to attract many giant Yellowfin Tuna and supergiant Wahoo. Of course, it is also very effective at targeting the billfish you can catch in Rodrigues. Another successful method for capturing the Dogtooth Tuna is bait fishing. The boat will slowly troll while baits get lowered and trolled behind and to specific depths. The style of fishing again can be very productive for the bigger Dogtooth Tuna fish.
The boat was built in Mauritius from a proven mould to fish the Indian Ocean. It is a vessel designed to combine performance, safety and comfort, making it a go-to ship in the field of big game fishing.
Its equipped to spend up to 20 days on the ocean.
Below you will find the full spec of the boat you will be fishing from:
Specification:
Model – D’Unienville 53 feet (16.16m x 4.70m)
Engine – 2 x 500 CV Yanmar Inboard
Weight – 20 tons
Draft – 1.20 meters
Freshwater Tank – 3000 litres
Diesel tanks – 5000 litres (2 x 2500 litres)
Autonomy – 1000 nautical miles
Comfort onboard:
Fully equipped kitchen – (sink, gas fire, oven, integrated cooler)
Living area – with table and ample seating area
Three individual ventilated cabins (10 beds in total) Bed linen and towels provided
1 Bathroom – with shower, sink and toilet
Spacious rear deck, a fighting chair, a large rear platform to move around during fight and enough space for five people to jig fish side by side.
Boat security:
Insurance – Mauritius Union Co LTD (Mauritius)
Distress beacon KANNAD
IRIDIUM satellite phone
Fire extinguishers
Life rafts
Lifejackets
Each day you go out, two experienced deckhands and the boat captain will join you. These guys have been fishing these waters for a few years now. They always know where to go at any given state of the tide.
They have got some very productive inshore fishing drop-offs for the Doggies and GT’s, and if you fancy catching some of the stunningly coloured Coral Trout, they have lots of excellent marks for these.
The team onboard the boat come into their own once they head out to Hawkins bank. They work very well as a team to ensure you get the best fishing experience possible. They will help rig up rods, making sure all knots are up to a standard, advise on jigging techniques and more importantly, put extra fish on the boat.
The jig fishing around Rodrigues Island is suited to physically fit anglers as the fishing out on the Hawkins bank is demanding, and jigging all day can be tiring. If you need a rest from the intense jigging, then the captain will troll for a little while. The boat’s sleeping conditions can be reasonably cramped as this is a big game boat, but after a days jig fishing catching some considerable fish should see you in good stead for full night sleep.
The knowledge of jig fishing is a massive advantage as this will be the main style of fishing. This style of fishing can be pretty tiring so making each drop count is essential. The deckhands will help show you the best methods for any given species, whether it is slow jigging or the higher intense speed jigging.
Cocotiers Hotel located on the northeastern beaches of the stunning tropical island of Rodrigues Island. The beach fronted Cocotiers hotel rated as a 3-star hotel that offers excellent value for travellers either looking for a romantic getaway, family holiday, business travel or a memorable family holiday or Dogtooth Tuna Fishing holiday. This very charming hotel is a haven of peace and tranquillity nestled amongst beautifully landscaped gardens which make way for white sandy beaches just waiting for you to stroll along and soak up the atmosphere of Rodrigues Island.
All the rooms at the Cocotiers Hotel recently renovated to a very charming standard. All rooms come complete with air-conditioning and come as standard with a flat-screen TV offering a satellite package so you can keep up to date with what’s going on around the world.
There are 42 fully renovated rooms, with terraces or balconies. These rooms divided into two suites, 30 superior rooms with sea views, and ten standard rooms decorated with charming local art but still look very modern. Each room comes with an electric kettle and minibar.
Each of the rooms comes with a private bathroom fitted with a very roomy shower cubicle and other modern amenities and cleaned daily. There is a daily laundry service that is an extra cost, but you can pay on your holiday. The reception also offers currency exchange at the front desk and can also arrange many tours around the Island.
The charming little restaurant seats up to 90 guests whilst still providing your little piece of privacy. The restaurant will allow you to discover the treasures of culinary delights of Rodrigues and Mauritius.
Breakfast served from 7:30 am to 10:00 am and is a buffet-style arrangement; however, if you are going out fishing early, an early breakfast can be arranged.
Lunch served from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. It is A la carte with some lovely local dishes made from local produce. A picnic basket can be arranged if you would like a day out.
Dinner served between 7:30 am to 10:00 pm and consists of a themed buffet or a fixed menu. All the meals constructed by some very skilled local chefs and only use local produce.
If you fancy kicking back in the evening sipping a few cocktails, there is a cocktail bar called Le Ti Limon Bar at the hotel serving freshly made cocktails. We highly recommend the famous ‘ti punch’ made with the famous local lemons of Rodrigues. The bar is open from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, and each Saturday evening, there is a beautiful local Jazz band that likes to entertain the guests, a must for anyone looking for some local experiences.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Dubai Depart Dubai
Arrive Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Intl (MRU)
Depart Mauritius, Arrive Rodrigues Island (RRG)
On arrival, you will be met by a hotel representative, who will then transfer you to your accommodation.
Overnight accommodation: Cocotiers Boutik Hotel (Twin room) H/B
Over the next two days, the captain will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the marina and then welcome you aboard the boat. You will then head out inshore fishing around the Island. You will be mainly targeting GT’s and Dogtooth Tuna, and if you want a break from these arm wrenching fish, then why not try some of the amazing reef fish fishing where you could catch lots of different tropical snappers. Please make the captain of the boat aware of the style of fishing you wish to perform. He will then take you to certain areas so you can fish as hard as you like.
Overnight accommodation: Cocotiers Boutik Hotel (Twin room) H/B
The pick up for the Hawkins Bank trip is at 3:30 pm from your hotel. You will then be transferred to the marina, where you will board your big game boat to start your journey out to the Banks. This journey is around 100 nautical miles from the Island weather, and time permitting, you will do some trolling on the way out.
You will be on the boat for 65 hours in total over the 4 days and 3 nights.
On arrival at the Banks, it will be time to sleep and ready yourself for the next couple of days of intense fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Big Game Boat (Twin Room) F/B
Whilst out on the Hawkins bank, there will be many different opportunities to fish for such species as huge Yellowfin Tuna, the dirty fighting Dogtooth tuna and of course, many different Billfish. The most productive fishing method is to jig fish, and the entire group must perform jig fishing as it will entice the predators to feed as they will think that your jigs are a small shoal of prey. Alternatively, you can discuss some trolling to break the day up or even baitfish, which can be productive with your captain. The fishing hours are normally between 7 am – 6 pm, then your evening meal will be served along with cold non-alcoholic drinks. The captain and deckhands will then retire for the evening around 9 pm, so they are well rested for the following days fishing.
After your second days fishing and after your evening meal, the captain and deckhands will ready the boat for the journey back to the Island, trolling on the way, weather and time permitting.
Overnight accommodation: Big Game Boat (Twin Room) F/B
You will arrive at the Island around 10 am, where you will then be free to go back to your hotel to rest after your extreme adventure or book an excursion around the Island.
The rest of the day is free to relax and unwind.
Overnight accommodation: Cocotiers Boutik Hotel (Twin room) H/B
Free day to relax around the island.
Overnight accommodation: Cocotiers Boutik Hotel (Twin room) H/B
Later in the day, you will be transferred back to Rodrigues airport for your return flights back to the UK.
Depart Rodrigues Island (RRG)
Arrive Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Intl. (MRU) Depart Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Intl. (MRU)
Arrive Paris (CDG) Depart Paris (CDG)
Arrive Home
The season runs from All Year.
Season: All Year
Peak: Sept to Nov & May & June
Weight: 10lb to 220lb
Average Weight: 70lb
Season: All Year
Peak: October to December
Weight: 10lb to 130lb
Average Weight: 45lb
Season: All Year
Peak: December to February
Weight: 5lb to 200lb
Average Weight: 50lb
Season: All Year
Peak: November to March
Weight: 20lb to 130lb
Average Weight: 40lb
Season: All Year
Peak: October to March
Weight: 40lb to 120lb
Average Weight: 65lb
Season: November to May
Peak: January to March
Weight: 200lb to 1000lb
Average Weight: 400lb
There are no extra supplements to join any of our hosted holidays
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/10/2025 | 12/10/2025 | 11 | £4,693 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on four adults and one host sharing transfers, big game boat and twin rooms for accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
Rodrigues Island is a true bucket-list destination! It might take three days to travel there, but it was worth every minute of travelling time as the fishing was simply out of this world. The Hawkins bank must be one of the most productive fishing spots found anywhere in the world, it was truly sensational.
This is a once in a lifetime trip that you need to do more than once! It was a true adventure and surely one of the best fishing experiences on the planet. When you lower your baits, lures or jigs down to the bottom you generally have no idea what you'll catch next. All you know is whatever takes your bait, will be BIG!
I genuinely cannot thank everyone enough, keeping in mind how complex it is to travel to Rodrigues Island everything, from the moment I left home, to the moment I returned ran incredibly smoothly. Words cannot describe just how fantastic and exciting the fishing is either, you need to experience it to believe it.
Had a great trip.
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Had a great trip
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Excellent in every way
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