Are you thinking about going on a charter boat fishing trip? If you haven’t been on one of these types of excursions before, you are in for a real treat.
Fishing charters are a great way to spend time with your friends, to enjoy some beautiful scenery, to catch some fish, and to make some memories you’ll treasure always and will never forget.
One of the best places in this entire nation to go charter boat fishing is off the coast of Alabama. The Gulf of Mexico is vast, but so many amazing fish visit and congregate off the coast near Gulf Shores at all times of the year. Many charter boat fishing guides and boat captains have been fishing these waters all of their lives, and therefore have developed the expertise needed to lead fishing trip participants to personal victories as well.
If you’re interested in charter boat fishing in Gulf Shores, Alabama, then read on. You’ll learn everything you need to know to plan, execute and enjoy your charter boat fishing adventure.
How to Plan Your Trip
In order to have the best possible experience on your fishing boat charter, you’ll need to do some research and planning beforehand. It’s sometimes possible to book a fishing charter at the last minute, but it’s better to give yourself time to consider numerous factors to ensure that you choose the best boat, captain, and trip for you and your party.
Time of Year
The first thing to consider is the time of year that you should go charter fishing. Off the Alabama coast, it’s possible to fish year-round, but the weather can sometimes be a bit unpredictable in the spring, fall or winter. That doesn’t mean that you’ll have a bad time or that you won’t catch any fish, but it’s more likely to rain or be rough during those seasons. Most people enjoy summer in the Gulf most of all. However, we recommend customers pick two or three days in the Spring and/or Fall so, as we closer to the dates the weather is a little bit more practical. Contact us to discuss potential charter fishing dates in the Spring and/or Fall.
Also keep in mind that some fish are more prevalent at certain times of the year than others, so if you want to catch a specific type of fish, that can influence the right time of year to go as well.
Private vs. Shared
You’ll also want to decide if you want to pursue a private charter or a shared expense trip. A private charter is exactly what it sounds like; it’s you and your friends on a boat alone with the captain and crew. This is a great option if you have a large group and enjoy privacy. If you have a smaller group or would like to save money, you might consider merging with a group of strangers to split the cost of a charter among you.
Length of Trip
In Gulf Shores, you can find charter boat fishing trips offered at a wide variety of lengths. You could take a short, half-day trip, or you could charter a boat over several days. If you’re just starting out, you may want to choose a shorter trip. Fishing in the Gulf is often more tiring than you might imagine!
Food Fishing or Sport Fishing
You should also think about whether you want to fish for food or for sport. If a fish that you catch is in season, you can keep it and eat it, but if it isn’t you have to throw it back. If you know that you want to pursue fish that you can eat, let your captain know so he can help you to find fish that you can keep during your charter.
How to Choose a Charter Provider
When it comes to choosing a charter boat fishing provider, take time to consider all the possibilities. The charter provider you choose can and will make or break your overall experience.
Today, it’s easy to find reviews online for service providers of all kinds and that includes charter boat fishing providers. A quick internet search will help guide you to reputable and reliable captains, crews, and boats. A couple of bad reviews can be overlooked; consistently bad reviews should never be ignored.
When calling around to find out prices and more information, be sure to know the number of participants in your group. This will help a charter provider to know whether or not they can accommodate you. The person who answers the phone should be excited to answer your questions about the boat, the captain’s experience, the plan for the day at sea, pricing, onboard safety measures and more.
Once you’ve selected a company, you’ll be asked to pay a deposit or you may even be asked to pay in full. This will hold the boat for your group until the day and time of the charter arrive.
What to Expect
When the big day comes, arrive a little early. If you arrive a little late, you are only wasting your own time. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and prepare for anything. On a cooler day, wearing several layers is always a wise idea; you can shed them as it gets warmer.
You won’t need a fishing license to fish on a charter boat. When you charter a boat, everyone on board is covered by the boat’s fishing permit. You also won’t need to bring any fishing equipment or bait; on a fishing charter, everything is provided for you to use.
Introduce yourself to the captain and crew and prepare to listen to their directions. Remember, even though you chartered the boat, the captain is in charge. This is crucial to ensure everyone’s safety.
Off the coast of Alabama, you can catch some very interesting and exciting fish. If your charter heads out to deep waters, you can expect to catch fish like Red Snapper, Grouper, Trigger Fish, Amberjack, Tuna, and Marlin, to name a few. In the summertime, you can add migratory fish like King Mackerel, Cobia and Mahi-Mahi to that list as well. On the other hand, if you focus on inshore fishing, you may catch some Speckled Trout, Flounder, or White Trout.
Charter Boat Fishing: Fun for All
The most important thing to do when going on a charter boat fishing trip is to relax and enjoy yourself. After all, that’s why you signed up to do it in the first place. It may seem like there are a lot of things to consider when planning a charter fishing trip, but once the time comes to hop on board, just listen to the captain and crew and get ready for a fantastic and memorable experience. After you go once, you’ll likely want come back for more time and time again.
If you’re looking for a great fishing boat charter in Gulf Shores, Alabama, please consider us at Miss Brianna Fishing Charters. We offer fishing charters for all ages and even offer charters that are especially geared towards kids. We can’t wait to take you and your family and friends out on the water. Give us a call today!