Frequently
Asked Questions
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.
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Does the
boat have a bathroom on it?
Yes. There is a private bathroom in the cabin of our offshore
boats.
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Do the boats
have beds on them?
Yes. All offshore boats sleep 4-10 passengers in beds.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What are
the chances of a successful charter?
Extremely high! “We Guarantee Fish” or your “Trip
is Free.” Our boats have yet to come home empty handed.
The captain has extensive knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico.
He wants to make your trip the best fishing excursion you
have ever experienced. Depending on the conditions of the
sea, atmosphere, and fish, we will discuss with you the options
that would be the most productive. There are many different
types of fishing, and we can do more than one in a single
trip.
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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.
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I want
to catch “MONSTER FISH!" Can you help me?
This is Monster Charters' specialty! Keep in mind that the
farther offshore you go, the bigger the fish are. This means
that you may have to charter the boat for 36 hours or longer
to catch Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Warsaw Grouper, Shark and
Giant Snapper.
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What kind
of bait do you use?
We use Sardines, Mackerel, Squid, Pinfish, Grunts, 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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 5% 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.
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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.
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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
“Monster Fish” is well worth the expense.
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