Vetting a Charter boat

[2rocky]

I live 18 miles from a bay that has fishing charter boats that go out into the Pacific ocean for Tuna, Salmon, Crab, Ling Cod, Rock cod , Bigeye tuna, Halibut, etc.

How do I determine if a charter service is as good as they look on their social media page?

What is a good success rate for a California Charter boat?

How do i have the best chance at calm seas for less likelihood of motion sickness?

How do i prepare myself to be the best client on a trip like this?

What species of fish are the best Bang for your buck?

I feel like I need to invest some time with local charter boats before I go commit to a big Alaska trip.

 

[Sheltowee]

How do I determine if a charter service is as good as they look on their social media page?

Always a little bit of a crap shoot, but I check Google reviews or reviews on Fishing Booker. Word of mouth is always a good source of local information-- you might ask the folks who run your local marina which charters they trust.

 

[WapitiBob]

Ask the regulars; go to the charter docks and ask the guys who are lined up with their own tackle, waiting to board.
We've used Dockside out of depot Bay OR. Half the Surfrider is regulars.

 

[CRJR45]

First decide what species you want to target , you have a broad list . Then I suggest social media , see who is posting pictures every day and who gets the best reviews .
Down here there are those that catch fish , and those that catch fishermen , if you know what I mean .

 

[seeth07]

Ask the regulars; go to the charter docks

This. Even further, he isn't very far away so I would actually go to the local bars near the docks and over a few drinks talk to the bartenders and the locals sitting at the bar. You will get a much more honest opinion there than on social media

 

[CRJR45]

This. Even further, he isn't very far away so I would actually go to the local bars near the docks and over a few drinks talk to the bartenders and the locals sitting at the bar. You will get a much more honest opinion there than on social media

The only thing I've ever found from talking to anybody in the bars is low IQ people that like to talk shit and try to act like they belong . Plus , they always recommend their friends , most likely more drunks .
If you want to find out about fishing , ask a captain , not a bartender , sorry .

 

[brymoore]

I’ve hired a bunch of fishing guides in different locations. Some were word of mouth referrals and others were internet searches. It’s not real hard to figure out the best in an area. He’ll, try ai and see its results.

 

[seeth07]

The only thing I've ever found from talking to anybody in the bars is low IQ people that like to talk shit and try to act like they belong . Plus , they always recommend their friends , most likely more drunks .
If you want to find out about fishing , ask a captain , not a bartender , sorry .

maybe things are different down in Florida. We have Midwest nice here - I'm confident with the recommendations I get in the bars around here.

 

[CRJR45]

maybe things are different down in Florida. We have Midwest nice here - I'm confident with the recommendations I get in the bars around here.

Not trying to argue , but my wife and I walked the Homer Spit for two days and did just what you said , everyone suggested someone else . There was no consensus , and then we walked the docks . Some of the rigs they suggested I wouldn't even board , much less take on the ocean .
Most of the people working bars on the spit were not locals and were only there for the season , and had zero clue about fishing .
Same thing here , you go in the popular bars and it's all kids from out of state that have never been on the ocean , but have Salt Life stickers on their cars and they try to seem knowledgeable , but have zero clue .
Same thing in Michigan , big disconnect between fishing and the bar scene .
































Maybe your Midwest thinking doesn't apply to "real" tourist destinations , but don't assume I based my opinion on one small part of America .
Don't get butthurt , I'm just joking around , a little ....

 

[seeth07]

Not trying to argue , but my wife and I walked the Homer Spit for two days and did just what you said , everyone suggested someone else . There was no consensus , and then we walked the docks . Some of the rigs they suggested I wouldn't even board , much less take on the ocean .
Most of the people working bars on the spit were not locals and were only there for the season , and had zero clue about fishing .
Same thing here , you go in the popular bars and it's all kids from out of state that have never been on the ocean , but have Salt Life stickers on their cars and they try to seem knowledgeable , but have zero clue .
Same thing in Michigan , big disconnect between fishing and the bar scene .
































Maybe your Midwest thinking doesn't apply to "real" tourist destinations , but don't assume I based my opinion on one small part of America .
Don't get butthurt , I'm just joking around , a little ....

There is no way I would trust anything from a bar in Alaska based on the ones I've been into in Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kake, Craig and Petersburg. Walking the docks however is a great way because there are certainly boats I wouldn't step foot on, ones that "look too nice" and ones that look just about right with equal parts organization and abuse.

 

[michigan_sasquatch]

How do I determine if a charter service is as good as they look on their social media page? The following advice is dependent on if you live close enough to the area but I would recommend spending some time by the docks. If its busy enough you can watch numerous boats unload and process fish. Chat with the captains, deckhands, but more importantly the customers. People generally like sharing their day, especially if they killed it on the water.

How do i prepare myself to be the best client on a trip like this? Keep a consistent positive attitude, listen to commands (quickly), and be a sponge. Fishing can be catching but it isn't always the case. A good captain will work his/her ass off to put you on fish. Acting quickly/precisely could be the difference between hooking or losing a fish. They likely contain a boat load of information about how to target specific species, what to look for (topography, tides/currents, etc.), and how to drift. After you have gone on charters in your area and 'figured things out', I would recommend doing a DIY AK trip. You could do likely do three self guided fishing trips for the same price of guided in AK. Same concept as hunting, you may not be as successful fishing in a new area on year one, but the more time spent should yield better results and you wont be bound by *certain* size restrictions.

What species of fish are the best Bang for your buck? This is all personal preference but IMO sockeye and halibut are by far the best eating/value of your list.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Hang out at the docks when the boats come in. Talk to the fishermen about their trip, not just if they caught fish but how they were treated and if they had fun. Lots of boats catch fish but not all are good with the people aspect. Their season is a long grind and fatigue takes a toll that some don't handle well. Also ask about fish care and filleting skills.
I use Windfinder.com to check ocean conditions. It gives you wind and wave info.
Be on time and listen to the captains instructions on the fishing. Bring as little onto the boat as you can get by with.
I like the combo trips where you can bring home a mixed bag.

 

[CRJR45]

Social media makes it easy , down here anyway .
The boats that catch fish post on Facebook and tag the customers so you can actually message them and get their opinions.
The ones that don’t catch fish just post random pictures of fish .



Sasquatch makes great points , especially the sponge part .
I know captains that will only tell you something twice, after that they give up if you don’t listen.