How to choose a fishing charter?
Tips to help you find the right fishing charter.
I have guided fishing charters for over 18 years, owning successful charter operations in 2 states, and I have managed a couple of fishing lodges for over a decade during my tenure. Through these experiences, I have learned a lot about the industry and have some insights to share to help you avoid a bad fishing charter experience.
As the old saying goes, not all things are created equal, and that certainly applies to fishing charters. In truth, most fishing charter operators run a solid business, and most are very reputable and good at what they do. The biggest differences are the types of trips they offer, how they are conducted, and how they are sold to you as the consumer. I think it’s essential for the consumer to ask the right questions to ensure that the charter company they are thinking about hiring can fulfill the expected goals of their trip.
Almost all charter captains will put you on the fish; after all, most are very professional and very fishy people. Some charters may catch a few more fish, some have better jokes and a sense of humor, some will tell you stories or cook you shore lunch, and some won’t say much at all. With all the varying personalities, it really depends on your “flavor” as to whether they will be a good fit or make for a long day on the water.
The best guides can accommodate any group dynamic, and you can certainly get a feel for the operation during the question-asking process.
What the the goals of your trip?
First, as an angler, you must establish what your goals are for the trip. Are you looking to harvest fish? Are you looking for an interactive experience, actively casting, or do you prefer to set the rod in the holder and view the wildlife and take pictures? Are you hardcore, wanting to catch everything that swims, or are you just looking to get on the river for a few hours of casual fishing?
In my experience, poor communication between the fishing charter and the consumer while booking is the main cause of disappointment down the road. Misunderstanding or false expectations are the leading causes of problems for fishing charters. Most people understand that fishing is variable but don’t appreciate it when a trip is conducted in a manner that is a surprise to them. To avoid these feelings, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to the charter company so you can get a good understanding of what you will be doing on your charter. You certainly can’t avoid a dishonest charter company, but often people new to booking a fishing charter overlook the importance of asking detailed questions to make sure that they are signing up for a trip that fits them.
Tip #1: Ask the Important Questions.
Here are a few common questions you might want to ask.
- How long is the trip?
- How many people will be on the boat?
- Can we harvest fish?
- What is the limit per person?
- How will we be fishing?
- Do you provide all gear and tackle?
- What is a common tip/gratuity?
- What time does the trip start/end?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What is the captain’s experience? Is he/she brand new or a seasoned veteran?
- When is the peak season?
- What will we be fishing for?
- How big is the boat we will on?
This is not a complete list but gives you a starting point for some important things to think about before you book a fishing charter.
Tip #2: Read the Reviews.
These days anyone can build a flashy website with great pictures of their most productive fishing days. Cherry-picking a few of their best fishing pictures with a fancy background makes it difficult for the consumer to differentiate between the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thankfully, with all the online platforms, any business that has been operating for a decent amount of time should have several reviews. There is no better feedback and testimony than comments from someone who has previously hired the charter company.
Top places to find reviews:
- TripAdvisor
- Yelp
I also think it’s important to acknowledge that not all guests are leaving valid reviews. It’s rather common to have a review from a disgruntled client that experienced tough fishing (out of the charter’s control) or was disappointed in their experience for failing to ask the right questions before booking the charter. I wouldn’t put much weight on the rare bad review, and often it’s easy upon reading to discern the difference between an honest review and a vindictive review meant to slander a charter company to even the score. Also, the charter company’s response to negative reviews helps shed light on the situation.
That being said, the gross majority of reviews should be very positive. It says a lot about a charter company when over 90% of the reviews are 4 or 5 stars. After all, most charter companies run several hundred trips per year in a highly variable venue. The weather, fishing conditions, and abundance of fish play an integral role in the success of a trip. The most successful guides can navigate less than ideal conditions and lean fish abundance while still providing a memorable and fun experience.
Tip #3: Know When to Run.
Red Flags to look for.
Guaranteed limits – No legitimate fishing charter makes these promises. Fishing is far too variable.
Refund for poor fishing – Fishing charters provide an experience. If the price per pound is the most important factor for you, I would suggest the fish market for the most cost-effective meat acquisition.
Very cheap prices – You get what you pay for. Cheap is not quality, and quality is not cheap. The best charters know their value and don’t offer highly discounted trips as they don’t need to. However, there are certainly times successful charter companies offer slight discounts to fill nonpeak seasons, times that are harder to book, or simply want to reward their loyal repeat clients. It’s important for the consumer to realize that although the prices may be cheaper and likely more appealing, there often is a reason why it’s discounted. No matter where you go, it’s very rare to see discounts during prime time, as it’s often easy to book and the most reliable/productive opportunity, therefore drawing the highest premium.
Tip #4 – Inquire about the Captain.
I truly believe this is very often overlooked and is an important factor in the success and safety of fishing charters. Bottom line, there is no substitute for experience. Granted, everyone has to start at the bottom, and there will inevitably be growing pains along the way as they gain experience. There isn’t a fishing charter captain out there that hasn’t made mistakes, had close calls, and rough trips. It’s all part of the learning process. Knowing that, would you rather hire the new kid on the block or a seasoned veteran if you had the choice? It’s important to remember that your safety is directly related to the charter captain’s experience level. You most likely wouldn’t want to ride with an inexperienced pilot or taxi driver, so why would you want to ride with an inexperienced captain? This is something to think about before you put your loved ones and their safety in control of someone for hire you have never met or vetted.
Not only is safety a major factor but also fishing experience and local area knowledge. Like anything in life, there are levels to competence and knowledge. It takes a substantial amount of time to learn the fish, their habits, locations, and ways to catch them in all varying conditions with all the different gear types. I’m not belittling inexperienced guides; I’m simply expressing the value of experience.
One last valuable factor is the leadership of a veteran captain. After conducting several hundred trips, a captain should get better at facilitating a fishing trip. This relates to everything from clear and concise instruction and teaching, accommodating anglers of all abilities and personalities, providing a fun atmosphere to learn, and the overall ability to be a great host. It’s about far more than catching fish. I believe fishing charters should be about making special lifelong memories with friends and family. To me, it’s about getting outside and enjoying this amazing creation and decompressing from the daunting stresses of life.
I hope this blog was helpful and provides you with some things to think about before booking your next fishing charter. Tight lines.
Kenai Fishing Company
(907) 912-0114
