| A year or two ago I made the mistake of getting | | | | But there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of |
| too close to another charter boat. I was, perhaps, | | | | wish-they-were-captains operating illegal charters |
| 50-75 yards away. | | | | coast-to-coast. It’s a big problem for the Coast |
| For my transgression, the captain of that boat gave | | | | Guardand legitimate charter companies. |
| me the bird and yelled something not fit for print here. | | | | What’s the diffrerence you might be asking |
| My customers seemed a little shocked by the | | | | yourself right now? Why does the captain need a |
| exchange but laughed it off and joked about avoiding | | | | license? |
| that boat next time out. | | | | The biggest reason is insurance. Private boating |
| Therein lies a partial answer to the one question | | | | insurance won’t cover an accident if the insurer |
| I’ve seen a lot over the years. “How do you | | | | suspect the boat owner of chartering. If there is an |
| select a charter captain from the hundreds out | | | | accident or death there’s no chance you’ll be in |
| there?” | | | | good hands with Allstate or any other insurance |
| You choose wisely or you could end up with a | | | | company. |
| Captain Ahab type who shouts obscenities at others! I | | | | That makes a license extremely important. To get |
| have to believe his customers were also jolted by the | | | | full coverage charter insurance to protect everyone on |
| outburst. | | | | board, a captain must provide a certified copy of his |
| First and foremost, when calling a charter company | | | | license to the insurer. |
| talk directly to the captain/owner, the one who will be | | | | 3. Always get a confirmation (email, letter or |
| operating the boat on the day you want to book. Even | | | | brochure) of the charter price so there are no |
| over the phone you can get a sense of | | | | arguments at the end of the day. Make sure the |
| someone’s personality. | | | | captain knows how many people will be fishing. |
| If he tries to get you on the books and off the phone | | | | 4. Inquire about the starting time and when the boat |
| immediately without answering your questions chances | | | | will return to the dock. Most captains try to adhere to a |
| are this is not your guy. | | | | schedule. After all, in the charter business, time is |
| If you can’t reach the captain, and he/she | | | | money. |
| doesn’t call you back, contact someone else. | | | | |
| When I’m looking for an ocean charter this is | | | | 5. Ask about the boat. How big is it? How much fishing |
| how I approach it. I don’t have to a few beers with | | | | room is there? Most all captains love their boats and |
| the guy the night before but there are questions to be | | | | will be glad you asked. This is also a good way to get |
| answered. Here’s a laundry list of some of the | | | | to know your guide. |
| most important: | | | | 6. Fishing gear is important. Do you bring your own |
| 1. How long have you been a captain and how long | | | | or does the captain provide or rent it? Ask! |
| have you been fishing these waters? | | | | 7. Most any fishing trip will require bait. There isn’t |
| 2. Are you licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard? | | | | a captain I know who doesn’t provide bait but |
| This might seem trivial since the captain has put | | | | know for sure who’s bringing it and how much. |
| himself and his boat out there for hire. | | | | |