Thinking of heading out to sea on a charter boat?
Enjoying recreational fun is an essential part of life. Fishing is one of the most popular recreational pastimes in the world and there are myriad of fish species for every type of angler. Personal appeal and attraction plays a major role in what fish an angler wishes to catch. You may wish to go right out to sea and battle with the big guys or simply enjoy a bout of local fishing just out from the shores, the options are numerous.
Every year millions of people are enticed by aquamarine waters, sun kissed skies, sensational scenic holiday destinations and planned fishing activities. Therefore a host of them opt for fishing charters. Fishing charters incorporate the hiring of an experienced fishing crew and a captain as well, who will take you out to sea. These people should know the area like the back of their hands as well as know where the fish are to be found. They will know where to look for what fish you are hoping to catch and will inform you of what bait is the best, what lures work better, the tide patterns and what type of fishing method is the most successful.
Making use of a fishing charter is exciting and certainly a memorable experience. But it can be a bad experience if you hire the wrong charter crew. Researching the various saltwater charters is a must, not an option. These can vary as far as expertise and costs are concerned. Unfortunately no matter where you go these days, there will always be some unscrupulous entrepreneur who simply wants to take your money and not deliver the goods.
So read on-line reviews and then contact the various charter crews and ask them why they think their company is better than others. Ask them what they can offer you that others won't. Ask how many years of experience they have and exactly what they intend to give you for your money. Do not place any money down in lieu of securing your charter crew until you feel totally satisfied that they will give you exactly what you want. The good thing about fishing charters is that you do not usually need your own equipment, most charter companies provide rods, lures, bait, hooks etc as part of the service. Prior to booking your fishing charter take a few things into consideration first.
Costs:
Know what the trip costs and ensure that this does not change on weekends, public holidays etc. Compare costs with other charter hires prior to committing yourself to one particular company. The difference in prices can be surreal. Ask what deposit is needed and when the balance needs to be paid in full.
Refunds?
Ask if there are refunds and what is their policy in regards to this. Often the unexpected crops up and we need to cancel. Know all the rules, if the weather is bad what happens etc?
Length of trip:
Know how long the trip will be and ask the crew if there are any additional expenses which can be incurred for any reason. Should you they have problems with the boat and getting back to shore etc. Are you paying by the hour or have a contract signed? If you dally and wish to fish a little longer, what will the additional fee be per hour etc?
Who is the captain?
Find out about the captain, has he a good reputation? Ask around the area, word of mouth is better than anything. Talk to the locals and ask about his expertise, persona, and so forth. If possible introduce yourself to the captain prior to your trip, hopefully you will be able to sense his/her true personality. If you do not feel comfortable with this person cancel your trip, go with your gut instinct.
Safety first:
Ask about first aid skills of all the crew. Deep sea fishing can occasionally lead to unforeseen accidents, you need to know that you are in capable hands if an accident should occur. In actual fact,the captain must give a safety brief prior all passengers prior to leaving the dock, tell you the location of all life jackets and flotation devices, have a first aid kit at hand as well as fresh water. All passengers must be shown how to use flotation devices correctly.
What you need to bring:
Are food and beverages provided or do you bring your own cooler, lunch, snacks, drinks etc? Some charter boats provide everything you could think of while others provide nothing but fresh water. Ensure that you know exactly what you must provide yourself. Are you permitted to bring alcoholic beverages or are they provided or vetoed?
Can you smoke?
Some charter boats have non smoking rules while others provide a specific area for smokers. Ask otherwise you won't know the rules until you hop aboard.
Are kids allowed?
Want to take the kids? Be sure to ask if kids are allowed and don't fail to tell them the ages of any children accompanying you. It would be heartbreaking for a child to get to the dock and be told that they are too young to go. A host of fishing charters allow kids and families aboard while many veto kids under the age of eighteen.
Are restrooms available?:
We all have to go sooner or later, will there be toilets available or will you be crossing your legs for the full length of your trip? Most large charter boats have at least one restroom while smaller ones don't. Ask before you book, poor old aunt Agnes may not wish to go on the trip if there are no amenities.
Think comfort:
Remember to take a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes with non slip soles. Fishing charter boats often have slippery decks. You don't wish to go slipping and sliding over the place. There'd be nothing more embarrassing than swabbing the deck with your bottom. Sunglasses will be required as well as a jacket in case the weather turns sour. Lightweight waterproof trousers and jackets are ideal. Ensure that all clothes are not restrictive. Take some lip protection as well, sun-burnt or wind chaffed lips can be annoying.
Feeling green around the gills?
Sometime seasickness occurs, ensure you prepare for this and bring some sea sickness tablets with you. More so if this is your very first time out to sea. Many people swear by drinking chamomile tea and eating dry crackers and a very light meal before heading out to sea. There are a host of natural ways to help with motion sickness. Ginger is one of the most popular natural substances for seasickness. Chew the root or purchase some ginger tablets. Or take a small sealed bag of diced ginger, chew a small piece every so often. But speak to your doctor about this before you book your trip as it can interact adversely with a host of medications.
Drinking ginger teas helps as well and this tastes great hot or cold. If you are affected by seasickness block one ear with your finger, this actually stops inner ear fluids from moving around so much and helps greatly. In actual fact that's one of the main reasons we get seasick. Don't stare at the water and look to the horizon instead, this stabilizes the body and mind. Head to the centre of the boat if you feel ill as you will be closer to the centre of gravity. You won't feel the boat rocking as much from the centre. Focus on something else, think of a song to hum etc.
Now off you go and enjoy your trip.