Stuff to Know about Charter Fishing
- Rates
- The Captains listed are independent owners/operators of their charter business and set their own rates. For offshore fishing, expect to pay in the neighborhood of $550 to $700 for an 8 hour day. For backcountry fishing, you can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $275 to $400 for an 8 hour day. These prices are per boat, NOT per person.
- Booking Charters
- The Captains listed on our site prefer to book the charters themselves. A contact address and phone number will be listed, and we encourage you to contact those Captains directly.
- Deposits
- A deposit is required to book the charter. In the event that the Captain cancels the trip, i.e., because of bad weather, the deposit is generally refunded in its entirety. Each Captain controls his or her policy on deposits. Cancellations or 'no-shows' by the client constitute forfeiture of the deposit.
- Tipping the Mate
- It is generally customary to tip the First Mate 15 - 20% of the charter fee.
- The mate is there to help you have a great time and catch fish. He will instruct you, if necessary, in the use of the tackle, and will coach you in fishing techniques.
- He will explain the boat: instruct you on the use of the head and various safety equipment.
- On private charters, (as opposed to party boats or head boats), he will generally clean your fish when you return to port.
- In many cases, the tip is his salary.
- Mounting a Trophy Fish
- If you catch a trophy fish and wish to have a mount, the Captain can usually arrange contact with a local taxidermist. In order to create a mount, the taxidermist needs appropriate measurements and, if possible, a photo of the fish. From this he will create a gorgeous plastic or fiberglass mount. There is no need to kill the fish! This is accepted practice in the industry, as we all want to preserve and protect our oceans and its inhabitants.
- Bring a camera!
- The ocean is ever changing and fascinating. You will most likely see some wonderful sights, such as dolphins, sea turtles, and maybe even a whale!
- Bring your food and drink for the day.
- In some cases lunch can be arranged with appropriate notice, but generally this is not included with the price of the charter.
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Don't get seasick!
- Bring medication for motion sickness. There is also a wrist band to counteract motion sickness. These can be purchased at many bait & tackle shops, or drugstores.
- Wear soft shoes.
- This is for your safety as much as to protect the boat.
- Last but not least:
- Your Captains and Mates work hard to make sure you have a great time. They are professionals, and this is their career. Let them know their advertising dollar is well spent, and tell them you found them on the Florida Captains' Page!
