Client reviews
Read about what our fair fishermen have to say about us
and hear their tales of adventure!
Ben Knaggs, Editor Saltwater Magazine: "Having been lucky enough to have visited many sportfishing hot spots around the world, I can safely say Kuala Rompin sits comfortably amongst the best sailfishing destinations on the planet. The combination of world class sailfishing on calm seas coupled with fantastic food in a location far off the tourist trail is perfect for either seasoned sportfishers or first timers. Charles and his team at Hook on C Adventures handle everything to ensure your visit is as easy and enjoyable as possible, and their package rates make a trip with them the most affordable billfishing you'll come across. It's simply a must-visit!"
Ming Jiang Lui, Sydney & Malaysia: "HoC is the go-to for Rompin sailfish! Charles and Angie deliver top-tier service, expert skippering, and recommendations to mouthwatering Malaysian cuisine. Ready to be spoiled? Book now for an unforgettable fishing adventure—and memories that last! HoC is truly synonym when one talks about Rompin Sailfish as the renown sportfishing charter. If you would like to sample what Malaysian Hospitality is like, allow Charles and Angie to show you how it's done when you come onboard fishing with them. Unparalleled service and experience when it comes to skippering to a wide spread of amazing Malaysian food to sample. Be pampered and truly spoiled for a week with the best of the best charter in Rompin. Make every memory everlasting fishing onboard the HoC charter."
Dennis Busch, Wollongong: "Embark on the ultimate sailfish fishing experience in Rompin, an adventure reserved for those lucky enough to know Charles and Angie. They’ll introduce you to Uncle Hock's family, not only cozy accommodations but also the wisdom of generations in fishing lore and local traditions. Spend your days catching majestic sailfish, your evenings enjoying authentic regional dishes, and your nights sharing stories. This exclusive experience combines thrill, tradition, and authentic connections in the heart of Rompin."
Cam Moody, Melbourne: "Book a few days fishing and drop into Singapore, grab the private transfer organised by Charles to Rompin in Mayalsia, drop your bags off at the accommodation and head out to your first unforgettable meal of many. Fishing days are spent eating delicious Mayalsian food on the boat with an experienced proactive crew chasing sailfish and a variety of other species. Charles and the crew use sustainable fishing practices and work with first timers to get them hooked up to big fish. This is a charter well worth booking. This is fishing at its prime, with great food, clean basic accommodation, and sustainable fishing practices with sailfish returned after catching them. Experience incredible hospitality, amazing food and fishing with Charles and Angie. You will get clean basic accommodation, competent proactive skipper and crew with sustainable fishing practices. Beer is cold, fish are on, and you’ll never eat food like it until you return for another trip. Great hospitality from Charles and Angie with a spot on skipper and crew with sustainable fishing practices. Pop your Sailfish cherry with Charles and Angie, eat like a king, and drink cold beer all day long!! Sounds like a dream right? Well you’ll be showing photos to your mates that will make them green with envy, big fish, slabs of beer, and food so delicious you can’t stop eating it!! Fishing village has clean basic accommodation, crew is sharp and proactive, boat is decent, get on it!!!"
Jim Woods, Sydney: "Another overseas fishing trip with mates and this time it is to Kuala Rompin Malaysia to chase the renowned sailfish. The hosts were Charlie and Angie form 'Hooked on C Adventures' who also provided us with local accommodation adjacent to the fishing harbour. The day starts with a cuppa tea and tackle preparation, then transported into the village for breakfast where a large variety local foods that are prepared from the local village women daily. Next it's to the food market where our hosts choose a selection of food for our lunch. Then its time to grab our fishing gear and jump on the traditional fishing boats and travel the sailfish grounds. The fishing was fantastic and most of us caught a sail or two on the first day. Our hosts again were excellent sorting out tangles, rigging lines, tying FG knots and of course the cold towel on the head and shoulders if we got too hot during the sailfish fight. Back to the accommodation, time for a shower and a couple of beers before being transported to the village once more for dinner where a variety of local cuisines are served (BTW which are all delicious) and of course a few ales and fishing stories. We had 5 days of fishing, catching plenty of sails which are returned to the water after a quick photo. The bycatch consisted of queenfish, dolphin fish, cobia with some being put on ice for the chefs to cook up for dinner. Charlie and Angie were fantastic hosts and would recommend to any fisho looking for an adventure to cross of the bucket list."
Mike Ford, UK: "I found HOC purely by chance on the internet, having struggled to find a company that would accommodate my needs as a solo angler and wanting to fit into a trip rather than chartering a boat for myself. It was obvious from the moment I contacted him that Charles ran a very personal and genuine service and Charles was able to fit me in with three other customers for a three-day fishing trip which included food and accommodation at Kuala Rompin. We had a brilliant time, with some really good and exciting fishing. The main target was the Sailfish that Kuala Rompin is famous for and we did really well, catching quite a number over the three days but we caught other species as well such as King Mack, Snapper and Cobia - some of which were saved for the evening meal. The quality of the boat, tackle and crew, along with Charles' knowledge, was a serious part of our success and enjoyment. We stayed in simple accommodation right on the jetty, which was perfect. Charles's love of good food is reflected in his choice of restaurants, so over the three days we had breakfast at several different local diners each with their own specialties and a short lunch on the boat. The evening meal was a real treat that always included something we had caught, along with an abundance of local delicacies and, needless, to say a few beers. In summary then, it was an excellent trip in very good company - so much so that I have since taken the trip to Kuala Rompin several times with HOC and each time have had the same high quality experience. Looking forward to next time!"
Eric Lee, Spokane WA USA: "HoC delivers adventure, fresh sashimi, and nonstop excitement! Captain Keong's skill and Charles' energy make every trip unforgettable. One bite of freshly sliced cobia onboard, and I was hooked — both on sushi and the whole experience! Hook on C charters is always a great adventure with an enthusiastic host in Charlie and an a super experienced boat Captain Keong. I was never a big fan of Sushi but C sliced up a fresh caught Cobia right there on the boat and whipped out the fresh Wasabi and Soy Sauce. Took the first bite gingerly and was hooked ever since. Never a dull moment with C and Keong."
Ryan Weekes, Sydney: "HoC is every angler's dream! Charlie and Angie handle everything—transfers, stays, and epic sailfish battles. Catch, snap, release, then savour your very own catches, lovingly whipped up by expert local cooks. With top-notch hospitality and adrenaline-filled fishing, this is a trip you'll never forget! Let me tell you a story of a magical place where all fishos would love to travel. Like me you too can imagine returning with grand tales of conquering the sailfish of Kuala Rompin. A group of us went there with the assistance of Charlie and Angie from Hooked on C Adventures. Our legendary hosts and guides looked after the trip every step of the way including transfers, accommodation at Uncle Hoc's Chalet and of course cracking the cherries of all the sailfish virgins and sating the hunger of seasoned sailfish anglers alike. The majestic sails are protected for future generations so the fishing is catch and realise but not before a cheeky picture to prove your tales if that's what you would like. Other species likely will end up on your dinner plate. Kuala Rompin is one of the sail fish capitals of the world, located in regional Malaysia the trip is well worth it. Not only for the unparalleled fishing adventure but also the hospitality of Uncle Hoc's family and Charlie and Angie. The adrenalin and joy of catching your first sail will be a memory never forgotten and glorious to share with mates for all time to come. Charlie and Angie and the crew from Uncle Hoc's family use their expert local knowledge to ensure your trip is a success. And let me tell you another thing the food you will eat is exquisite. Charlie and Angie are foodies from way back and the cuisine was another next level adventure in itself. Picture eating your own fresh caught seafood prepared by a chef in local restaurants as well as a wide variety of Malay delicacies. If you fellow fishos or adventurous travellers alike are looking for the trip of a lifetime I cannot recommend Charlie and Angie enough. Reach out to Hooked on C adventures to make it a reality."
AJ Pretorius, Dubai & South Africa: "Fishing with Charles and the HoC crew is next level! It's more than just the amazing breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (which are truly life-changing)—the entire experience is extraordinary, unmatched, thrilling, and unforgettable. You won't find a better crew or adventure anywhere else! Which words would I use to describe what its like to fish with Charles and the guys from Hooked on C? Amazing, superb, wonderful, unique, life changing and this only refers to breakfasts lunches and dinners! The fishing is next level!!"
John Kearsay, Canada & Melbourne: "Rompin was unforgettable! Catching a massive sailfish (catch and release) and enjoying a freshly prepared meal made the experience pure heaven. Charles was top-notch — attentive, warm, and made every moment special. Can't wait to return! My experience at Rompin was unforgettable, one of the greatest memories I've made. I had the thrill of catching a massive sailfish (catch and release) and brought back another catch to the resort, where the chef prepared it fresh. The flavor and the moment were absolute heaven. The staff were exceptional—warm, attentive, and always ready to make the experience special. I can't wait to return!"
Paul Busch, Wollongong: "We have done two trips to Rompin now, but it is was and always will be the first adventure that gets your pulse racing and your mind second guessing. We had arranged all the details ourselves after hours of research on the net and there is always the trepidation as to whether it will all come together. Deno, Macca, Jim and I were waiting in the foyer of a hotel in Singapore nursing sore heads after a night on Tiger Beer. I for one was anxious as to if our lift would come to pick us up for the drive to Malaysia or if we would have to find accommodation in Singapore for the next week. After we had booked and paid our money my cousin relayed the story of her husband who was doing the same trip with a different operator and got no further than Singapore when the operator did not show to pick them up. Macca went out to get a drink from the shop next door and returned with a smiling Malaysian man, our lift was here. I felt instantly relieved, we quickly introduced ourselves to Nazare and we were on our way. The road trip was pretty uneventful passing through plantations and interspersed towns and villages. Though it must be said the border crossing is something we will not forget. The building is like something from terminator and it is very busy with large number of people flowing like a river through the turnstiles to the other side. Four hours passed then we spotted the big Sailfish marking the entrance to Rompin. We snaked our way through the traffic then down some side roads until we were at the river. Here we pulled up taking in the expanse of the river, our host and guide Charles Lee of Hooked on C adventures materialised from one of the buildings and we quickly made introductions. It was nice to meet him after months of emails exchanging the weird sense of humour, we both shared. Charles offers a complete package guided fishing, accommodation and hosting his guest during their stay. He has the local food scene down pat and his experience in this area made the meals as wonderful as the fishing. We were lodged right next to the river so we unpacked grabbed a beer and went for a stroll to look at the boats. We didn't have to wait long for the boats to start returning, there clientele was mainly Asian and they all had some sophisticated and beautiful top shelf fishing gear. Most I had never even seen before and is a far cry from what you will see at an Australian boat ramp. They were mainly jigging and bottom fishing and were all happy with their day. A few caught billfish on jigs and bottom fishing gear, but they considered them a pest. We had our first fantastic meal that night and settled in for the night in anticipation of the first days fishing. The boats are all local design around 30 feet in length and wear a pair of 150hp plus outboards on the stern. There is plenty of shade from the penetrating sun and a padded centre seat that makes for a good bed on the hour long run to the grounds. Each day starts the same, we get picked up around 7 for a breakfast at a different local restaurant each day. We then head back to load the gear and are usually the last boat to leave each day. This avoids the early congestion at the jetty and no fishing time is lost as we are always the last boat back each day as well, getting a good two hours each afternoon without the rest of the fleet buzzing around. Bait is the first order of the day using sabaki jigs small baits are gathered for live bait. When Charles says we have enough off you go in search of sails. That first day we cruised past many a sail breaking the surface, many birds feeding on bait fish then the captain Sammy stops the boat in the middle of no where with no signs of life. We put baits out not knowing what to expect then from the bow of the boat macca yells 'I am on'. Seconds latter we got our first look at a sailfish as it leaps like a missile across the surface, these things are fast putting a massive belly in the 20lb braid. A colourful fight followed until fifteen minutes later the fish was boat side. The crew didn't want to stress the fish so we didn't bring that first fish aboard for a photo and had to settle for a boat side shot as we swam it before release. The crew review each fish on its merit and won't put the wellbeing of the fish at risk at any time a very comforting set of morals. We continued cruising around the ocean stopping at seemingly lifeless areas only to hook up straight away, Sami was a truly amazing captain with some supernatural powers that he used to find sailfish. We all caught a sailfish that first day and missed many. Charles was happy as we were no longer sailfish virgins and we were stoked at catching a new species. We were the last boat in and enjoyed some ice-cold beers and talked of high expectations for the days to follow. We ate so well again that night, the food is truly fantastic and a big part of the lure of an adventure with Charles. Each day was a repeat of the first we all enjoyed the speed and power of the sailfish, and hooked some Unstoppables' that we fought for over an hour before losing them without seeing a scale. The highlight was undoubtably the four way hook up that saw hundreds of sailfish zooming around the boat during the fight, the four we caught were all healthy and the crew help us get all four onboard for a quick picture before releasing them all in good condition. I must mention the by catch, we caught various cobia up to around 10kg and meter long queenfish that cartwheeled all over the ocean in an attempt to escape. There are coral trout and tusk fish on the bottom as well as many species of trevally. Charles favourite by catch is undoubtably squid and I have seen no-one more efficient at catching them. The by catch is not wasted with more than one going home with us to be handed in at the restaurant by Charles, while we enjoyed cold beers then returning to the table as a wonderful dish, you cannot get any fresher. As I mentioned earlier a trip with Charles and Hooked on C Adventures is just that an Adventure that you never tire of. We have been back again since that first adventure and it was just as rewarding. We have plans afoot to go back again, this is a must do trip but you need to go with Hooked on C adventures to that next level experience."
Dennis Busch. Wollongong, Malaysia 2016 and 2018: "Embark on the ultimate sailfish fishing experience in Rompin, an adventure reserved for those lucky enough to know Charles and Angie. They'll introduce you to Uncle Hock's family, not only cozy accommodations but also the wisdom of generations in fishing lore and local traditions. Spend your days catching majestic sailfish, your evenings enjoying authentic regional dishes, and your nights sharing stories. This exclusive experience combines thrill, tradition, and authentic connections in the heart of Rompin."