Welcome to www.Florida-FishingCharters.com!
Smokin' 'Em Fishing Charters Frequently Asked Questions
- I've never done this before. How should I get started?
- Does the boat have a bathroom on it?
- Do the boats have beds on them?
- Do I need a fishing license to fish on a charter boat?
- What should I bring with me on the boat?
- Is the boat safe for me and my entire family?
- Does the boat still go fishing on rainy days?
- Why are sportfishing boats limited to six people?
- Do you do trolling or bottom fishing?
- What kind of bait do you use?
- Do you catch and release?
- What happens to the fish I catch?
- What are the best fish to eat?
- How do I know if the boat is available for the date I want?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- How much gratuity do I give the crew?
- Why do fishing charters cost so much?
I've never done this
before. How should I get started?
Ask us any questions you like. We
are always willing to help you with choosing the right charter. To get a feel
for the latest fishing conditions, ask to speak with the Captain. He will give
you valuable information about what's biting and the weather conditions at
sea.
Does the boat have a bathroom on
it?
Yes. There is a private bathroom in the cabin of our offshore
boats.
Do the boats have beds on
them?
Yes. All offshore boats sleep 4-10 passengers in beds.
Do I need a fishing license to fish
on a charter boat?
No. The boat is completely equipped with all the
proper licensing for you to fish.
What should I bring with me on the
boat?
You don't need much! Consider bringing food, drinks, your
camera, a hat, towel and sun block. Our boat is equipped with a refrigerator for
your food and drinks. Also, consider a small cooler to keep in your vehicle
until the end of the trip to put your fish fillets in.
Is the boat safe for me and my
entire family?
YES. The captain is federally licensed by the United
States Coast Guard to take passengers out 300 miles from shore. Also, our boats
have many redundant safety features. For communications we are equipped with a
VHF radio, a cell phone, and a independent satellite phone. The captain will
brief your group at the beginning of the trip about where to find life jackets,
fire extinguishers, and the most important safety feature a boat can have, the
EPIRB. This unit will instantly send a distress signal via satellites to the
Coast Guard if the boat sinks or the crew sets it off due to eminent danger.
Don't worry; we've never had to execute an emergency plan beyond a drill! Our
safety record stands at 100%. You can enjoy our trips knowing that we are safe
and secure at sea, and that's the professional difference.
Does the boat still go fishing on
rainy days?
Our boats are designed to keep you dry and safe. If
there is a chance to avoid rain offshore, or if you simply don't care, we will
fish on rainy days. Usually the fish bite is surprisingly very strong on rainy
days! If you are in doubt of the weather, always call the captain before you
decide to cancel your trip.
Why are sportfishing boats limited
to six people?
Mandated by the United States Coast Guard. We have no
control over the six paying passenger law. Unfortunately, if you show up with
more than six passengers for a single boat charter, we will not be able to
accommodate your entire group. We do offer multi-boat charters if you have a
large group. We would be glad to set up two or more boats to take your group
offshore.
Do you do trolling or bottom
fishing?
BOTH! When you charter the boat, you decide. We normally
recommend what type of fishing is most productive. During the spring, summer,
and fall, we recommend both, but during the winter we recommend only bottom
fishing.
What kind of bait do you
use?
We use Ballyhoo, Sardines, Mackerel, Squid, Pinfish, Grunts,
Mullet, Blue Runners and assorted artificial lures. The bait that we use
depends on the type of fishing you choose and the time of year. Large live baits
are our favorite!
Do you catch and
release?
Game fish which are not very tasty like Marlin, Sailfish,
Barracuda and Shark are released. There are many limitations on the length of
fish; therefore, they are released as well. If you would like to have all the
fish caught on your trip released, please request this. Similarly, if you only
want to keep enough fish for a single or few meals let us know.
What happens to the fish I
catch?
Edible fish are stored on ice in a cooler till the end of the
trip. The crew will gladly fillet your catch for no additional charge. The
fillets are then placed in gallon sized bags for easy handling. We strongly
recommend that you take some of your catch to a local restaurant and have them
prepare it for you. Your crew can make recommendations on where to take your
fish.
What are the best fish to
eat?
The best fish for your dinner will be Grouper, Snapper, Tuna,
Wahoo Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Amberjack, Snook,
Trout, Flounder, and Redfish. Any of these fish make for an unforgettable
dinner.
How do I know if the boat is
available for the date I want?
If you call to reserve several days
or more in advance, we almost always can make arrangements for our boats or a
similar affiliate boat. The sooner you make your booking the better.
What is your cancellation
policy?
You can cancel any trip 72 hours in advance and pay no fee.
All trips cancelled between 72 and 24 hours in advance are charged a 25%
administrative processing fee. If you fail to show up for a fishing charter,
your deposit will not be returned. If the captain cancels the trip due to
weather, you will receive a complete refund or the trip will be rescheduled at
Captain's discretion..
How much gratuity do I give the
crew?
We like to think of it as a restaurant. If you see that the
crew is working hard, and you are treated well, 15%-20% is standard.
Why do fishing charters cost so
much?
Maintaining and operating a safe, properly rigged quality
fishing boat is expensive. Fuel costs are no help either. There are many more
costs that one never sees on a fishing charter. For example, charter insurance,
dock fees, crew costs, boat maintenance, and many other factors are involved.
You get what you pay for in charter boats, and we strive to keep our costs down
to give you the best value in the area. The excitement of chartering your own
boat and actually catching fish is well worth the expense.
Site Design by Treasure Coast ComputerMD | Email Webmaster