A tropical vacation will never be complete without a fishing trip. If you decide to go to the ocean, the way to do it is by booking a fishing charter. If you are looking for the perfect way to spend your time on the water without the need to worry about mooring your own boat, the cost of fuel, and finding the fish, then fishing charters should be on top of your list. You will have countless options when choosing the best charter for you. Visit the local dock and you will see at least a dozen captains in just a matter of minutes. Because of the innumerable choices, you might find choosing a charter a bit tricky and downright confusing. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the most important things you need to take into account when you are booking a fishing charter.

The Type Of Fishing

Are you interested in going on an inshore trip, offshore, reef, or perhaps night fishing? Your decision about which fishing charter to choose will be greatly influenced by the type of fishing that you are interested in. Don’t forget to inquire about the fishing opportunities that the charter has to offer and be sure to mention the kind of fishing that you would love to do. You definitely do not want to be in a tuna charter if what you really wanted is to do is to catch bonefish.

The Size Of Your Group

Are going on a fishing trip on your own or are you traveling with a large group of people. The number of people you are with plays a crucial role in choosing a charter and will determine certain things like if you need to get a private charter or go on a shared charter. The boats that are allotted for smaller groups can accommodate up to 6 people. They are used mostly for smaller and private charters. Meanwhile, there are boats that can hold as many as 60 passengers. Shared charters are the best choices for people who just wish to get on the water and do not mind sharing the boat with other people they don’t know. This option is more economical. However, there is a possibility that once the reel begins screaming, you may not be able to reel it in. On the other hand, private charters are best for bigger groups or for those who have no issues with money.

The Duration Of Your Trip

How long are you planning to spend on the water? You will get 4 hours of fishing if you book a half day charter and 8 hours for a full day charter. If you reserve an overnight charter, you will be on the boat (whether sleeping or awake) all night. You will have higher chances of getting into fish if you spend more time on the water. But keep in mind that you are guaranteed to catch more fish if you go on an all-day charter. However, you can boost your chances of not just getting into more fish but also being able to catch bigger ones.

The Target Fish

In case you have a certain fish in mind, you have to mention it if you are choosing a charter. Specific fish only appear at specific times of the year. You do not want to waste your time attempting to catch tuna if tuna is on the opposite side of the world at the time you go on a fishing trip in Myrtle Beach. You should also think about how many fish you hope to catch. Do you want to catch enough for one or two meals or maybe you want to bring a few back home. Make sure that the captain knows your intention so that he can plan the best outing that is suitable for your needs.

The Captain

You need to do your due diligence. Search online and spend some time learning more about the charter as well as the captain. You can read reviews on sites like Trip Advisor or Yelp where you will find the thoughts and opinions of others about the captain and the crew of the fishing charter you are considering to get. Keep in mind that anybody can be portrayed as a very professional, reliable, and trustworthy professional on his or her website but act like a lunatic when on the water. Just like getting any kind of service, spending the time to read reviews and research about the captain and his crew can mean you will have a memorable or a horrible fishing trip.

The Type of Boat

The kind of boat that you are on will determine the kind of fishing trip that you will take. You should be as specific as you can to the type of fishing that you wish to do because this will help make sure that you are in the correct boat for the fishing trip that you are planning to have. There are charter boats that impose restrictions when it comes to how far they are allowed to be from the shore, so be sure to ask especially if you are planning to go on a deep sea fishing trip.

The Amenities

You may not really care if the boat has a bathroom but others actually do. Having a good idea of the amenities you want the boat to have like a fridge, kitchen, or bathroom, will help you narrow down your Myrtle Beach fishing charter options. You also have to keep in mind other important things like making sure that the boat has safety equipment and if it has a fighting chair. You might think that you don’t need one but you will never know once you begin screaming louder than the reel and you are 30 minutes into a fish.

Conservation Practices

The decision to keep a fish is left to you however, you should make sure that the captain knows what is and what is not in season. You should also know the size restrictions, the boundaries of protected waters, and if you are allowed to keep a certain type of fish. Nobody wants to be with a person who does not respect the ocean and practices harmful or even illegal methods when fishing.

The Cost

Perhaps the biggest factor when it comes to booking a fishing charter is the cost. You can spend as much as you want when it comes to going on a fishing trip. Whether you are on a shoestring budget or the sky is the limit, you have to make sure that you get the very best deal possible. Nobody knows your budget more than you do and there will always be that inclination to go with the cheapest alternative. However, you also need to remember that there is a thin line between getting what you pay for and getting your money’s worth. In case a deal appears too good to be true, you should perform some research. You should choose a reputable company like Captain Ricky Long’s Fishing Service rather than just go with anyone who has or operates a boat.

Call Captain Ricky Long’s Fishing Service if you want to book a fishing charter.

Captain Ricky Long’s Fishing Service
4495 Baker St
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 249-1889
https://www.captainrickyfishingcharters.com/