What do I need to give you to book a trip?
- Cell phone number in case we need to get in touch on short notice
- Email address to send your reservation to
- Credit card number to secure your day
- Number of people in your group
- Length of trip you would like to reserve
What do you provide?
- Licenses
- Bait & Tackle
- Bottled Water
- A cooler with ice for your food and drinks
- Fish cleaning
What should I bring?
- Your food and drinks
- Sunscreen (I usually have plenty that you can use)
- Hat
- Camera
- Sunglasses (polarized are recommended)
How far in advance should I book?
If you have a limited schedule it is best to book as far in advance as possible. If you are flexible I may be able to get you a trip on short notice. During the spring and summer it is best to book a week or two ahead although you should still call even it’s last minute. I can probably help you find another guide if nothing else.
Are you the guide for every trip?
Most of the time. I book myself first before I book other guides. The earlier you reserve your trip the better chance you have of fishing with me. I book my son, Capt. TJ, second and I have all the confidence in the world that he will show you a good time. You will know when you book the trip if you will be with another guide.
What will be biting while I’m here?
It really depends. Every year is different, and while some things will remain fairly consistent, weather will dictate when fish arrive and when they leave. For a basic guideline I recommend referring to this post by clicking here.
Can we keep the fish?
Yes! While some fish are catch and release only, you can keep fish on your trip as long as it is legal and ethical. There are some fish that are legal to keep, such as Redfish, that I prefer to release because they are more sensitive to pressure. I always hope that my customers will come for the experience and not be totally focused on filling a cooler. That being said, if you are here to catch a lot of eating fish, we can target species that have adequate limits and opportunities.
***Please forgive the tone of what you are about to read. We DO NOT keep Redfish. I’ve tried very hard to make this site useful and informative without it sounding like a rule book. However, due to a recent review, I will state in no uncertain terms, that we DO NOT and WILL NOT harvest Redfish. Due to the fact that sometimes freak weather events can affect fish and state regulations cannot always react in time, it will be at the discretion of the captain on all other species. It is not our intention to stop you from harvesting fish, but to maintain the health of our fishery for future generations to enjoy. We love to eat fish and we’re sure that you do too, but let’s use some common sense. If you’re doing the math, the fish market is almost always going to work out better per pound than a fishing charter will. We are selling an experience, knowledge, patient instruction, sites, sounds, smells, memories… not seafood.***
Do you charge to clean fish?
No. That is a service that is included in the price of the trip.
Is there anything that you prefer not to have on your boat?
I’m glad you asked! Shoes with black soles leave black streaks all over the boat and they are very difficult to get cleaned. Also, spray on sunscreen will turn fiberglass and upholstery orange. If you could use sunscreen that is a cream it will make me very happy. I take pride in presenting you with a clean boat and if you could return the favor by leaving these things behind I will be very grateful.
What if the weather is bad?
In the event of bad weather your captain will be in touch with you to discuss our options. Sometimes we can still fish but it won’t be our original plan. For example, if we planned to go fish the offshore reefs but the seas are 5 feet that day, we might be able to fish inshore. In that case they would call and discuss it with you and you will have the option to cancel if that isn’t something you are interested in.
If the weather is just too bad to do anything safely or too bad to give us a chance to catch fish your captain will make the call to cancel. They will try to make this call as early as possible to give you time to make new plans. Unfortunately, sometimes this happens the day of the trip. We all know how weathermen work!
In either case there will be no charge and if you would like to re-schedule and there is availability I am happy to do that.
Am I supposed to tip?
You are certainly not required to tip. However, it is customary to tip the captain or mate. The same guidelines as tipping in restaurants are typically applied. A big part of our income is from tips and they are much appreciated.
Do you charge my card before the trip?
No, your card information is held on file. In the event that you cancel within 7 days of your trip, your card will be charge for 50% of the trip. Otherwise you can choose to pay with a card, check, or cash after your trip.
Cancelation policy.
A 14 day advanced notice for all cancellations is required for a full refund. Within 14 days you are responsible for 100% of the trip and
your credit card will be automatically charged. Cancellation due to extreme weather conditions will be determined only when the safety of
the client is at risk. In these cases, deposits will be refunded or held to reserve rescheduled date.