Go Fish: 4 Tips for Choosing a Charter Service for Florida Fishing

If you are coming down to South Florida or presumably will be in the Islamorada area, you will notice lots and lots of water surrounding it.

Whether this is your first time or perhaps it is not your first time, you will know that no Florida trip is ever complete without getting in some fishing time. If you are new to Florida or fishing, you will want to scout out an excellent charter service to show you the ropes of Florida fishing.

Here are the top 4 tips for picking out an excellent charter service to show you the ropes of Florida fishing.

What Is the Price for Your Florida Fishing Charter Service?

Price is always at the forefront of everyone’s mind. When you are on vacation, you want a good time, but money will also be an issue. Saving up a few hundred dollars to go on a fishing trip to someone can seem rational, but to others, that may seem too cheap.

For instance, Shake N Bait Charters have the following price scale for their services:

Safety First

When using a charter service, you want to feel safe. It’s more than just you going out to have a good time fishing. You are putting your life along with your friends or family’s life in the hands of a stranger. No matter how comfortable it may feel cruising the crystal blue waters in a 50′ beauty, many destructive disasters can happen out on the open sea: from dramatic weather changes to people falling off the vessel or even a boat collision.

You will want to make sure that your Captain is or has the following:

Good charter insurance
Knows CPR
Has a first aid kit
Has properly fitted life vests for everyone at the party
Licensed by the United States Coast Guard

Top-Notch Captain

A study published in 2009 by the State of Michigan stated that the most important thing for people when they are looking to use a fishing charter service is the captain knowing where to locate fish.

Of course, the hospitality of the captain and the crew will be one of the most significant deciding factors, as you will be spending most of your time with them. It will always be second to the size, species, and number of fish you catch during your excursion.

Many captains have their bios available on the charter service website. For instance, Shake N Bait Charters they have one captain. Their Captain is Jack Falcucci. Falcucci has been fishing the waters from Ocean City, Maryland, down to the Florida Keys since 1980. Falcucci has an excellent reputation among the locals for his exceptional fishing knowledge. He works with people from all fishing levels, making it a great experience, no matter if you are starting or you are already a hardcore angler.

What Are You Looking to Get out of It?

This is vital. If you are looking to up your fishing game, you’ll want to ensure you are getting that experience. That experience will be the opposite of the experience you would receive if you want to spend a family afternoon on the water.

No matter what you want to get out of this experience, you will want to know that not all charter service companies will be the same. Some specialize in competitive fishing, while others specialize in a more relaxed trip.

If you are looking at bottom fishing, trolling, jigging, or fly fishing, you will want to contact the charter service that you are looking into. You must ask them before booking if they specialize in this or if you will be going on one disappointing excursion.

What’s Next for Your Florida Vacation?

Suppose you are down in the South Florida area, presumably in Islamorada. You will get the experience and a personable captain, and you will have a great time Florida fishing. You won’t be disappointed; check out their testimonials.

While in Florida, don’t forget to try out some of the other awesome activities Florida offers.