How to Choose the Best Charter for your Fishing Trip

Vacationers do not just come to the Emerald Coast for the sugar-white sand, they come to reel in the time of their lives in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. The most popular way to fish along the Gulf Coast is by booking a Fishing Charter. Here is how to choose the best charter boat for your next fishing trip.  

Price  - Rule of thumb: the cheapest does not mean the best. As you research different charter boat companies, you will come across some that have cheap prices but may not have the most qualified captains. Make sure to choose a great boat and crew even if it means a shorter fishing trip to fit in your budget. These are a couple of questions to ask when you call to book: What are the captains credentials? Is the captain a part of the Guide Association? If not, why? 

Choose the captain not the boat - What makes a fishing trip unforgettable? Booking the right captain. We suggest that you take a look at platforms that provide reviews and feedback about other visitor experiences to help guide your decision. A few great places to search are TripAdvisor and Facebook.  

Safety first - Does the captain go out in bad weather conditions? Does the boat have a weather radar or satellite on board? Is there a first mate onboard to help assist while the captain is locating fish and driving the boat? These are valid questions to ask before getting onboard.  

Know your fish - What type of fish will you catch? The best answer to that question is, listen to your captain. The captain knows which fish are in season and which ones are not. If you had your mind set on certain fish species to catch, knowing which ones are in season can prevent disappointment.  

A family-friendly charter - If you plan to bring your family along for a fun-filled day of fishing, you want to make sure the crew and boat are family-friendly. If you have smaller kids with you, it is good to ask if the crew has a lot of experience with first-time anglers.   


*Photo credit: Destin Fishing Fleet Marina 

Published on Tuesday, July 2, 2019