General information
Our vessel is a sport fishing boat and as such offer the true enjoyment of fishing, combined with first rate personal service. All trips include fishing license, bait and quality tackle. Instructions and/or help is furnished as the need indicates. Fish cleaning and taxidermy services are available at your request.
Deposits
We require a $300.00 deposit for all charters. This deposit may be made using MasterCard or VISA, or in the form of a cashiers check, travelers check or money order. This deposit will be held until the day of the trip and will be refunded if the trip is cancelled due to weather.
Fishing
There is a chance that on any given day any species of fish can be caught anywhere in the ocean. Normally (in the Daytona Beach area) the further offshore toward the gulf stream you go, the better chance there is to catch some types of fish (Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin and Tuna, in addition to the King Mackerel, Cobia, Barracuda and Little Tunny that can be caught inshore.)
A fishing excursion aboard our vessel can and should make a memorable and relaxing experience. Through all the different ways to fish in our area, there are certain unspoken lines of etiquette that should be followed by both crew and anglers alike. For a trip to fulfill your expectations there must be honest communication when you book the trip as to your desires and your crew's opinion as to the feasibility of what you wish to do that day.
How much of a role do you wish to play?
When fishing begins the captain or mate can assist you in fishing as much or as little as you desire. Some anglers prefer the hands-on approach of hooking and bringing the fish to the boat themselves, with very little assistance from the crew. Other, perhaps less-experienced, anglers prefer to rely more heavily on the crew's fishing experience and abilities to securely hook a fish.
People go fishing for different reasons. There are those who sport fish, with their interest mainly in large fish for mounting, photographs or simply to battle a fish one on one. Fish to take home to family and friends is another common goal, since there is a variety of excellent eating fish in the sea. There is also the family group that wishes for a little of both and perhaps an opportunity for their child to catch something that will create a lifetime memory. Children are always welcome, and quite frequently the crew's favorites on fishing trips. They are wonderful to have on board because of their insatiable desire for knowledge of the activities and environment surrounding them. While the crew is more than happy to entertain your children, they should still have reasonably close parental supervision.
Once you have discussed your intentions with the crew and have formulated a plan of action for the day, it is time to take your trip. The departure time that you and your crew have established is most likely directly related to the type of fishing that you wish to do. So it is definitely in your best interest to arrive on time.
Boat Etiquette / Tipping
While aboard, there are rules of etiquette that you will want to remember so you can have a pleasant relationship with your crew. The boat you have hired is a boat that someone takes great pride in owning and maintaining. The cushion you sit on, the tackle you use and the decks you walk on are all part of a carefully maintained fishing machine, and should be treated as such. It is always important to remember that while on board a vessel, certain care must be taken to ensure your safety. Going to any area of the vessel that might look precarious are definitely things you should discuss with your crew before attempting.
Probably the most frequently asked question on charter etiquette is the custom of tipping the crew. There are several issues to consider. Was the crew attentive to your needs while on board? Did you feel welcome and at ease during your trip? Was your fishing instruction and advice constructive and positive? In general, did you have a great time? If the answer to all these are yes, then the fish you caught were a bonus. Tipping is customary and generally depends on crew performance.
The crews of our vessels, as well as all of the boat crews located in Daytona, understand that we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to help visitors have a pleasant visit while in our area.
We take this obligation seriously.
Chartering Do's & Don'ts
Do...
-Send in the deposit as soon as you book your trip.
-Call when you arrive in local area to confirm departure time and give phone number.
-Get plenty of rest the night before the trip. (Less partying, more sleep.)
-Bring your own sunscreen, seasickness remedies, coolers, hand towels and extra clothing.
-Bring along at least one female for good luck. (Women are good luck!)
-Help the mate keep the boat shipshape. A happy deckhand will enable everyone to have more fun.
-Plan on having a wonderful day on the ocean.
-Treat the boat like your home.
-Write the captain a brief thank-you note after the trip. You’d be surprised at how many of them appreciate this little nicety.
Don’t……
-Wear shoes with hard soles or sandals (which are not safe) or black soles, which may leave scuff marks on the deck. Sneakers and deck shoes are preferred.
-Bring drugs, hard liquor, glass bottles, shelled nuts or bananas aboard the vessel. (Bananas are bad luck!)
-Throw trash, cigarette butts or bait on the deck or in the ocean.
FAQ'S
Q. Are there any guarantees that fish will be caught?
A. Fishing is fishing and there are no guarantees. Having said that, in the twenty odd years that I have been fishing I have failed to catch a fish only three times. All three times were on a half day trip in the winter when the water near shore was cold.
Q. Should we schedule our fishing trip for the first or last part of our vacation?
A. The first part is always better. If we have bad weather on your scheduled day it will give us a chance to reschedule during your stay.
Q. Are the same type of fish caught in Half Day and Full Day trips?
A. Different times of the year that is true, but not always.
Q. Are Full Day trips designed for larger fishing parties?
A. The longer the trip, normally the longer the fishing time. The longer the fishing time the more fish you catch.
Q. What is done with the fish that are caught?
A. The customer has the choice to have the edible fish cleaned and take them home, or leave them for the crew to dispose of. The remainder of the fish are used for bait by the crew or given to a commercial boat for bait.
Q. We have a ten-year-old boy, is he allowed to go, and does he pay full price?
A. There is no age limit for customers. The prices we quote are charter prices. The price is the same for one to six customers.
Q. Does it depend on the time of year for fishing results?
A. Yes and no. Some times are better to catch certain kinds of fish, but catching is generally good all year long.
Q. Can we wait until we get to Daytona, to come by & book a trip?
A. Yes, you can try to book a trip at any time. Keep in mind that the earlier you book, the better choice you have of preferred date.
Q. It says tackle supplied; does that include rod and reels also?
A. Yes all rods, reels, bait & licenses are included.
Q. Can we bring more than six persons if some of them don't fish?
A. No, we are limited to a maximum of six people.
Q. We would like to fish for shark and I was wondering if you fish for them?
A. Yes, we sometimes do fishing for sharks. Shark fishing is not as good as it has been in past years, but some sharks can still be caught.
Q. Is food provided in the cost of the full day trip?
A. No, you will have to bring your own food.
Q. Can we bring food and drinks, and if so what should we bring?
A. Yes. Customers normally bring a picnic style lunch and beverages.
Q. Is beer in cans ok?
A. Yes beer in cans is fine. We do not allow hard liquor or glass bottles aboard the boat.
Q. Where do we park while we are on the fishing trip?
A. We have adequate safe parking at each boat site.
Q. What if it gets rained out?
A. If the captain cancels the trip because of a small craft advisory or unsafe conditions you will have the option of rebooking or having your deposit refunded in full. The captain will not cancel because of rain.
Q. How far do you go?
A. We range off shore different distances for different trips. We try to decide how to satisfy our customers and do what is necessary to do that in the allotted time. Some like more action and we stay on the reefs and some are satisfied with that "big one". Our normal range is from six to sixty miles offshore, depending of length of trip.
Q. There are only two of us and we can not afford to pay for a full charter ? Do you arrange make-up trips? Will you be able to accommodate singles? What is the cost?
A. During the times of high tourist traffic in the area we try to put together open party trips. Some time we are successful and sometimes not.