Patty's Business Blog

If you are looking for a fishing charter what do you actually want? What is it that will make your day on the water memorable for all the right reasons? Is it about the number or the size of the fish that you catch? Is it about the company of your friends on the boat? Is it about the convenience and luxury of the boat you hire? Fishing charters can be great fun, but there are many types of charter available, and it's important that you investigate a charter before committing yourself to a particular boat.

Don't just look at the price

Everyone has a budget but if you make price the only determining factor when comparing fishing charters you are probably setting up yourself for disappointment. If one fishing charter is substantially cheaper than all the other options, then there must be a reason for that. You can be sure that the charter operator is still generating a profit, so they must be saving money elsewhere, and their saving could affect your enjoyment of the charter so make sure you always ask questions before you agree to get on the boat.

How long is the charter?

It may seem an obvious question, but you can't assume that all fishing charters are the same length. If you want an entire day of relaxing onboard, then make sure you book a charter which offers that. There's nothing worse than having to reel your line in when you feel like you have only just started to fish.

Where will the charter take you?

Not all areas are equally productive for fishermen. If you want to catch a particular type or size of fish, then you need to be in the right area of water. Some of the cheaper fishing charters charge less because they stay close to shore and don't take you all the way out to the more well-populated reefs. If all you really want is a day on the water, then staying inshore shouldn't be a problem. If you want to get after those big fish, then the right location is crucial.

What does the boat look like?

It's important that your chosen boat is seaworthy, but in most cases, you want more than that from your boat. It's likely that you will be spending quite a while on the boat, so you will probably enjoy the day more if you have a comfortable vessel from which to fish. Ask the owner about the facilities available onboard. Does the boat offer walk-in toilets? Is there somewhere to store valuables out of reach of any waves that may reach the deck?

Asking the right questions before you get onboard will ensure that you are able to get the most out of your day on the water.