| There are several elements that go into creating the | | | | been doing this. With these simple questions, you can |
| ideal charter fishing experience. The most important of | | | | get a pretty good idea about experience and horse |
| these elements are not within the control of the | | | | sense, and you will have talked with him enough to find |
| charter service, captain, or the customers: | | | | out if his personality is the kind that will knit a group |
| THE WEATHER: By weather, I am not just talking | | | | together for a good time. You will also ask about |
| about rain, hail, sleet, snow, fog and other forms of | | | | Coast Guard certification, which is required of any |
| precipitation. I'm talking about wind, and its effect on the | | | | charter captain. |
| water. Depending on the boat, the size of the waves | | | | Now I'll rate some of the other amenities: |
| will determine if and how far out you can go. This is | | | | AIR CONDITIONING: While we are all used to this |
| actually one of the huge advantages of hiring a charter | | | | convenience, in practical terms, it is pretty useless in |
| - an experienced captain will save the whole group a | | | | the fishing charter context. First, you are on the water, |
| lot of grief by knowing when NOT to depart, or setting | | | | and there will usually be a breeze. It's a lot more |
| the proper expectations for the most probable | | | | tolerable than being on the land. Second, you can only |
| outcome of the trip. | | | | air condition a closed space, and closed spaces |
| THE FISH: Another element that is not in the control of | | | | generally make people sick in an ocean environment, |
| the participants is the condition and location of THE | | | | no matter how cool they are. Also, most air |
| FISH. This is part of the charm and allure of fishing, but | | | | conditioned areas of fishing boats don't give you a |
| it can lead to disappointment, frustration and | | | | view. You have to ask yourself why you wanted to |
| perceptions of incompetence. Again, an experienced | | | | go on this trip, and then decide if this is really important |
| captain can do much to set expectations based on | | | | to you. |
| weather, time of day, and permitted types of fish most | | | | SHADE: This is important, even if you bring SPF 3000 |
| likely to bite for the conditions, but ultimately you must | | | | sunscreen and wear a hat, you need a place to get |
| realize it's the fish that control this part of the equation, | | | | out of direct sunlight. |
| and have been known at times to be somewhat | | | | TOILET (Head) - Unless this is a total frat party, this is |
| unreliable. | | | | usually a good idea. |
| Now, on to variables we can control, and the more | | | | Things you need to be aware of: |
| you know about them, the better decision you can | | | | SIZE OF PARTY: Generally, more intimate groups |
| make about your prospective captain and | | | | have more fun than larger groups. Think about it: You |
| accommodations. | | | | stay more connected to a smaller crowd, and the |
| THE BOAT: This is more than a hull displacing enough | | | | captain has more of his personal time to share with |
| water to keep you from swimming. The size, power | | | | fewer people. |
| and hull design of the boat combine to determine the | | | | CAPACITY: This is usually expressed in terms of |
| limits of the trip. For example, a 32 ft Sport Fisher will | | | | "average sized people". Weight is of primary |
| carry 6 guests, will cruise at about 20 MPH, and often | | | | importance for the comfort and safety of everyone, |
| cannot proceed because the sea conditions seem to | | | | especially on the smaller boats. If the people in your |
| frequently exceed its capabilities by 1-2 feet. That | | | | party are exceptionally husky, you might want to drop |
| means the happy party met at the dock for no good | | | | the count by one. Consult with the captain if you have |
| reason. Contrast this with a 27-ft Catamaran, which | | | | any concerns. NOTE: Often, you'll see the boat rated |
| can also carry up to 6 guests, cruises at about 35 | | | | by the manufacturer for 10 people, but the limit |
| MPH, and slices comfortably and safely through much | | | | imposed by Coast Guard regulations on the same |
| heavier seas than the standard "V" hull craft can | | | | boat for charters may be 6. |
| handle. The huge bonus here is the speed - you spend | | | | WHAT'S INCLUDED? - Usually everything needed to |
| much less time shuttling out to and back from the | | | | fish is included - rods, reels, bait, ice chest (for fish), |
| fishing spots, and much more time actually fishing. If | | | | instruction (if you want/need it). |
| you look at this whole proposition in terms of fishing | | | | WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED? - food, drinks, fish cleaning |
| time per charter dollar spent, you quickly realize that | | | | (often offered as an extra option for "tips"). |
| for twice the fishing time, the type of boat makes all | | | | REFUND POLICY: You need to know what this |
| the difference. One other advantage - on those days | | | | consists of, because of the uncontrollable variables |
| when it is just not possible to get offshore, the shallow | | | | listed above. If you are happy to keep the outing going |
| draft of the catamaran gives you the opportunity to | | | | when seas are too rough to go offshore, and you |
| fish in the bay system. A word about safety - again | | | | want to be able to convert to bay fishing, make sure |
| the newer catamarans have all the advantages with | | | | that's an option. |
| unsinkable foam-filled hulls and twin outboard motor | | | | DEPOSIT: Most fishing charters will require a |
| redundancy - much safer than the bigger inboard | | | | non-refundable deposit of some kind, because the |
| boats that try to convince people that size equals | | | | company or captain has already committed resources |
| safety (which can sink in seconds), and much safer | | | | to you that have to be taken off the market. This is a |
| than the boats with inboard gasoline engines that have | | | | part of the deal. You need to get comfortable with it. |
| earned a bad safety reputation for blowing up. | | | | GRATUITIES: Your captain will provide you with the |
| THE CAPTAIN: Experience, intelligence, personality and | | | | best time he knows how to deliver. If you think he did |
| certification are the keys to success. It's difficult for | | | | a good job, an appropriate tip is customary and is |
| you to assess a potential captain's experience and | | | | always appreciated. |
| intelligence, but you can get some clues. Have him talk | | | | I hope this outline of what goes into a successful |
| to you about trips he has cancelled and why. Have him | | | | fishing charter trip has been of some use and interest |
| talk to you about the kinds of fishing locations he will | | | | to you. |
| be taking you to. Ask him how many years he has | | | | |