I had an "interesting" experience on a saltwater charter fishing boat today. I am wondering if anyone else has ever tried one and what they thought about it. I am close to going on an epic rant but I'd like to hear a few other thoughts first.

Did you go on a small charter with just a few fishermen or a large head boat with dozens of fishermen?

Did you go on a small charter with just a few fishermen or a large head boat with dozens of fishermen?

 

I went on a boat with just me fishing and I paid a lot of $$$ to do so. My kids and mom went along for the ride.

I went on a boat with just me fishing and I paid a lot of $$$ to do so. My kids and mom went along for the ride.

 

Never done that. I've gone on both the "big boat" with lots of people and the small boat with about 8. Had fun each time.

I've never done the head boat but I went on a small charter with 6 fishermen once. Caught a bunch of 35lb tuna. It was a blast.

I went once on the "big boat" and caught a bunch of gray snapper. It was a blast.

Went on a small boat with my wife and my brother in-law and his wife. He and I fished the girls sun themselves, had a blast caught a lot of fish Red Snapper and they tasted great.

 

Went on a medium size boat with my Father-in-law but their were only a total of about five other on the boat. I caught a very nice size grouper and a sea bass and the crew cleaned them for us an put them on ice and we had them for dinner that night. Without a doubt the best tasting fish I have ever eaten.

 

Nothing like from the hook, to the grill, to my stomach, all in a couple of hours! Just a little butter, lemon and oh my!

Driving now but will share my story later. It wasn't completely terrible but there are some complaints.

Driving now but will share my story later. It wasn't completely terrible but there are some complaints.

 

Was the beer not cold enough? J/K Wireman, hope you had fun buddy.

Was the beer not cold enough? J/K Wireman, hope you had fun buddy.

 

I brought my own beer so there were no problems there.

Went on a small boat with my wife and my brother in-law and his wife. He and I fished the girls sun themselves, had a blast caught a lot of fish Red Snapper and they tasted great.

 

Went on a medium size boat with my Father-in-law but their were only a total of about five other on the boat. I caught a very nice size grouper and a sea bass and the crew cleaned them for us an put them on ice and we had them for dinner that night. Without a doubt the best tasting fish I have ever eaten.

 

Nothing like from the hook, to the grill, to my stomach, all in a couple of hours! Just a little butter, lemon and oh my!

 

A few years ago my youngest son and I fished in the Florida Keys. Took our haul off the boat directly to a filet station. Carried the filets right next door to the restaurant where they cooked them up for us. Unique experience.

I was on one about 20 years ago with about 8 other people. No one caught anything, I mean no one. We stayed out about a 1/2 a day. Guess I chose the wrong company. I haven't done it since.

I have been out on both the big party boats and on smaller six person boats. Have had fun on both, but would take the six person over the party boats any day.

 

We used to always go on the big party boats because they were much more reasonable $35-$40 a person vs $400 for a private charter. Anymore the party boats are $75-$85 and a private is $450 for six people so $75 a head. That's a nobrainer in my opinion.

 

Usually on a party boat we would catch a lot of grunt and a few grouper of other fish, if you're very lucky you might get a keeper grouper.

 

The last 5 years or so we've gone out on a six man boat with a guy out of Sarasota each year. He has always put us on great fish and we have had a blast.

 

A few from last year's trip.

 

Caught 2 keeper black groupers. Probably caught 30-40 blacks and gags in total, gag were out of season so couldn't keep them. This is my one of my son's girlfriend with a keeper black I caught.

 

She landed this trigger fish and another just like it. It is a delicious fish.

 

My other son caught 2 keeper red groupers. Caught about a dozen red in total.

Have been on both small, private boats (with and without guides) and once on a larger boat (had 8-10 customers). Funny story that I'll never forget, my whole family (I'm like 11 at the time) boards the "Happy Hookers" boat for a day at sea. I don't think my parents thought it was as funny as my younger brother and I did at the time.

OK, I had almost forgotten to deliver my rant! I'll be back in a few with the positives and negatives of my first trip.