Questions?
Your Captain Will Want To Ask (Or Should Want To) If you’re new to booking a charter fishing trip:
- How old and how salty is your crew? Some fishing styles are more hard core than others. Some trips may “hope to catch” one Giant Tuna while others are geared for fun non-stop action.
- All Day or Half Day? If you are new to fishing or under 10yrs old, 8hrs is a LONG time to be on a boat.
- Are you ok with early morning? Some captains would like to leave at 4:30 or 5AM if their specialty is very large fish or tuna with long runs typically.
- Maximum distance you are willing to drive on fishing day? Many Guides trailer which can be to everyone’s benefit as the guide can trailer to a boat ramp that is closest to the fish. They cape has two bodies of water separated by a thin strip of land and a trailer can be the difference of a 0 fish day and a many fish day. That said, you might have to drive up to an hour on the Cape, especially with traffic and this may not fit your vacation schedule.
- What Sounds Better? Laid Back Summer Fun? or Big Fish you need to work for?
- Hand On or Hands Off? Some types of fishing such as live bait or trolling are very hands off and the mate will assist you pretty much every step of the way. This may be ideal for very inexperience families but some anglers may prefer a more hans on experience of casting and jigging the lures them selves.
- Budget? Options Range from $25pp to $1750 for full day.
Deep Sea Fishing Boat:
These are the family style boats where you buy a ticket and fish with other people for the day and the mates help you out; either half-day or full. These boats are about 60’ and tend to be very laid back and geared so that most everyone catches fish, usually something you can take home. The mates will clean the fish for you. Tickets around $25.00 PP +-
- Upside: Fun, chill happy, sleep friendly hours, last minute vacation friendly option
- Downside: Maybe a little crowded on a busy day, basic hook line and sinker fishing, which could be a plus too…
Captain Mike’s Take: Hard not to have fun if you pick the right boat. Might be a good plan B if you weather out on a charter boat. I grew up mating on the Patriot Too and the Minute Man in Falmouth. They were (and are) rustic but very well kept boats and people have a ton of fun. Interestingly, sharpie tourists would know to buy ponchos at Christmas Tree Shops for $1 and go fishing on the rainy days. Not a beach day obviously but way better than the mall. I always say the fish are already wet 🙂 The rain passengers were my favorites. I don’t know the “party” boats in your area but I will look into after I send this email. It matters which one, not all are created equally!!! (Called “Party” boats because you book by the # of people in your party)
Classic Cabin-Style Charter Boat:
These are known as “6-Pack” boats as they are licensed for maximum of 6 passengers and geared to take up to that many. They mostly target Stripers, Bluefish and Tuna. There are some that specialize in families and likely bottom fishing like the party boat (Above) which is so much fun for kiddos that really don’t care what they catch. Most family focused “Cabin Style” boats come with someone who is super chill and will tell you a lot about the naturalism and history of the area. (On this note, Blues by fiction novelist John Hersey is a good vacation read. It’s a fictional dialog between “ fishermen and stranger” where he weaves in all things nautical, historical and natural on Cape Cod. I think you’d enjoy it. Not a book for most fishermen, it has actual words 🙂 Rates are from $100/hr to $150/hr and have a 4hr min +-
These same boats could take you tuna fishing. There are a lot of whales lately; maybe you could find a boat that does combo trips. Some stripers than a tuna loop where you might get lucky but definitely see an epic whale show as a consolation prize. One thing worth mentioning is that these big boats use heavier gear. Some people like this as the mate helps but is less interactive,.
- Upside: Bigger boat, less weather sensitive than a center console, maybe the most comfortable of options. Stable. Room for friends to join.
- Downside: Less interactive than a center console style, Slower, limited by time, Pricey, possibly using live bait or real heavy gear.
My Take: If we find the right boat, this could be a really good option. The family version of these is less expensive.
Center Console Style Charter Boat:
In the fishing world, this set would refer to themselves as “guides” even though they have same safety requirements and licensure as a “charter boat captain” (above) On a center console the fishing style tends to be “light tackle” and very hands on. You’ll be casting or jigging your own lures (with instruction). It will be far more interactive but that is not always perfect for every group. Some people in vacation mode might prefer a more hands off approach. One thing to note here is center consoles are fast but open and you are more exposed to the elements. Light Tackle fishing is a little time-of-the-day sensitive and your guide might ask you to show up at 5AM which would be a deal breaker for my family. Center console “charters” range from 18’ all the way up to 35’. Some guides trailer their boats and this is a benefit to you if you don’t mind a drive in the morning because they will trailer to where the fish are. Most of my pro-staff are on trailers for that reason.
- Upside: More interactive, closer to nature, faster – more spot locations, availability for a shorter trip, a little less money that a “cabin-style” charter boat.
- Downside: Weather sensitive, more likely to get wet. Possibly early.
My Take: I associate center console option as a good one if you really want to get into the zone and truly fish. If it’s on one of my pro staff’s boats, you will have really respectful “bedside” manners. The smaller guides (18-20’ boats) will often do a shorter trip than a cabin-style boat.
What To Bring:
Sunscreen
Not to sound like your mother, but you should really bring the heavy duty stuff. The sun exposure on the water is a lot higher than you would expect if you are not used to being on the water. If you bring spray style sunscreen, PLEASE DON’T spray downward on your feet. The sunscreen could stain the captain’s deck. Also, please be considerate and make sure you don’t get sunscreen on boat cushions, it will wear them out faster. It’s a thing…
Warm Clothes
I know it’s middle of July but it can be pretty chilly out there, especially in the morning, especially in Cape Cod Bay and east of Chatham. A little fog can cool things off too. A hoodie sweat shirt and a windbreaker is a really good idea. I just heard a story of a Captain who ran his center console a long distance (2hrs) to the tuna grounds, set up on an epic day, but unfortunately had to go home after 45 minutes because they were so cold from not bringing warm enough clothes. It was 80 degrees inland that day but a wet 50s on the water. June on Cape Cod waters can feel like winter.
Foul Weather Gear
You can get pretty wet on a boat, especially a center console. If on a center console, accommodate for running spray.