Gulf Coast Party Boat Fishing Charters

[tbdnole_70_08]

I met a girl last weekend and Suwannee's Hulaween and we really hit it off. We're supposed to spend a few days together starting Sunday evening and I thought it would be fun to do some fishing. At first I was thinking about borrowing or renting some tackle and trying my luck fishing from one of the causeways in the Bay Area, but I thought that going on a party or head boat might be an easier and more successful option.

I know there are a lot of experienced anglers and Bay Area Noles so I figured y'all might be able to offer some tips and recommendations for party or charter fishing options in the area. I've contacted Gulfstar Fishing in Tarpon Springs and they have a half day that seems like it could work well and they let you BYOB. My budget is around $200 for the two of us before gratuity (LR poor I know) and I'm not opposed to spending a whole day or night out on the water. Thanks in advance for everyone's help, I'll be sure to report back on how it all goes!

 

[KitingHigh]

I don't see you getting two people on a private charter for $200. Maybe you can find someone, but most the the good ones are gonna charge at least $500 for a half day. Might want to up the ante or look at the big boats like the Friendly Fisherman at Hubbards, Johns Pass. Those are about $60 a person plus tax, etc.

http://www.hubbardsmarina.com/half-day-or-half-nite.html

 

[FSUTribe76]

I don't see you getting two people on a private charter for $200. Maybe you can find someone, but most the the good ones are gonna charge at least $500 for a half day. Might want to up the ante or look at the big boats like the Friendly Fisherman at Hubbards, Johns Pass. Those are about $60 a person plus tax, etc.

http://www.hubbardsmarina.com/half-day-or-half-nite.html

Yeah, I don't think you can find anything that cheap for a private charter. I paid $300 for two of us pretax, prelive bait purchase and pretip to bass fish the Big O in Clewiston and that's probably the cheapest spot in Florida. After everything it was probably $500 although I gave a huge tip because my wife whose never been bass fishing (but has been inshore and offshore with me about 3 or 4x a year) caught 7 largemouth bass herself plus a gar and all pretty decent size (the guide said she would have probably won the tourney the week before because the smallest she caught was probably 4 lbs and the biggest was just under 8, not world records but a very solid haul especially for a nube).

 

[Gonolz]

I don't see you getting two people on a private charter for $200. Maybe you can find someone, but most the the good ones are gonna charge at least $500 for a half day. Might want to up the ante or look at the big boats like the Friendly Fisherman at Hubbards, Johns Pass. Those are about $60 a person plus tax, etc.

http://www.hubbardsmarina.com/half-day-or-half-nite.html

I highly recommend the Friendly Fisherman boats (there are 2 I think). A friend of mine is one of the Captains. I think it is $50-$60 for the half day, instructions, help and bait. I think tackle is an extra charge, It's like $2 a beer in the galley, I think. Not sure about official BYOB. I always do, but my cooler is always by the Captain.

 

[tbdnole_70_08]

I apologize for the misunderstanding, I'm aware that you couldn't get a private fishing charter for around $200. I doubt you could even find someone who would be willing to do it for that much just for a little flats fishing. I was more looking for party or head boat recs. I appreciate everyone's insight. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it went!

 

[ericram]

Take her to dinner and a movie. Something scary maybe. You will thank me later.

Oh and there are rules here!

 

[Nolec]

I met a girl last weekend and Suwannee's Hulaween and we really hit it off. We're supposed to spend a few days together starting Sunday evening and I thought it would be fun to do some fishing. At first I was thinking about borrowing or renting some tackle and trying my luck fishing from one of the causeways in the Bay Area, but I thought that going on a party or head boat might be an easier and more successful option.

I know there are a lot of experienced anglers and Bay Area Noles so I figured y'all might be able to offer some tips and recommendations for party or charter fishing options in the area. I've contacted Gulfstar Fishing in Tarpon Springs and they have a half day that seems like it could work well and they let you BYOB. My budget is around $200 for the two of us before gratuity (LR poor I know) and I'm not opposed to spending a whole day or night out on the water. Thanks in advance for everyone's help, I'll be sure to report back on how it all goes!

Sorry but if the girl does not have a suitable boat, why are you even interested?

 

[seminoledq]

I am curious to hear more about these Head Boat trips. I currently don't do much fishing but I am very interested in these types of trips.

 

[Gonolz]

I am curious to hear more about these Head Boat trips. I currently don't do much fishing but I am very interested in these types of trips.

I was curious before my first Head Boat trip too. I've gotta say that if it's the "Head" part that has you interested, you will be extremely disappointed.

 

[seminoledq]

I was curious before my first Head Boat trip too. I've gotta say that if it's the "Head" part that has you interested, you will be extremely disappointed.

Damn, no longer interested. What does it mean though?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I was curious before my first Head Boat trip too. I've gotta say that if it's the "Head" part that has you interested, you will be extremely disappointed.

The mates will do just about anything for a tip, so maybe he's not completely out of luck.

 

[Gonolz]

Damn, no longer interested. What does it mean though?

Seriously, I didn't know what the term meant when it was posted. Was just joking at the funny name. My Cpt buddy runs boats that take 50-60 customers out for 1/2 day, full-day and overnight fishing trips, but I've never heard him refer to it as a head boat trip. I googled it and I guess that his trips qualify as "head boat" trips. It is actually a lot of fun. If you come back down this way, let me know and I'll try to arrange a trip.

http://floridasportfishing.com/floridas-official-head-boat-fishing-guide/

 

[Panama22]

Sorry but if the girl does not have a suitable boat, why are you even interested?

My guess is he wants to see the man in the boat!

 

[seminoledq]

Seriously, I didn't know what the term meant when it was posted. Was just joking at the funny name. My Cpt buddy runs boats that take 50-60 customers out for 1/2 day, full-day and overnight fishing trips, but I've never heard him refer to it as a head boat trip. I googled it and I guess that his trips qualify as "head boat" trips. It is actually a lot of fun. If you come back down this way, let me know and I'll try to arrange a trip.

http://floridasportfishing.com/floridas-official-head-boat-fishing-guide/

Nice. I definitely want to get out on the water next time we are down there. Hoping to spend some more time down there next summer looking for houses again.

 

[DanC78]

Why fish, Was that a big talking point when you met?

You're risking her getting sick as a dog, or even you getting sick. Might want to rethink that idea. You can do some other really cool stuff with $200 that would impress her.

Just my 2 cents.

Don't know of any good charters per se. But I was told by a buddy who fishes a lot that there are typically good deals on Living Social and Groupon this time of year. Worth looking there.

 

[tbdnole_70_08]

Take her to dinner and a movie. Something scary maybe. You will thank me later.

Oh and there are rules here!

I always understood the rule to be if I said the girl was good looking or I was bragging about her in some way then I was required to provide pictures, not if I just mentioned a girl.

Why fish, Was that a big talking point when you met?

You're risking her getting sick as a dog, or even you getting sick. Might want to rethink that idea. You can do some other really cool stuff with $200 that would impress her.

Just my 2 cents.

Don't know of any good charters per se. But I was told by a buddy who fishes a lot that there are typically good deals on Living Social and Groupon this time of year. Worth looking there.

I was just trying to think of something fun and adventurous for us to do. I gave her a few options and that is the one she said sounded like the most fun. I think it will show a lot about her as a person and if nothing else I'll get to see how she handles a full day of drinking with me. I am definitely going to bring Dramamine and take some just in case (I've only been seasick once.)

 

[seminoledq]

I always understood the rule to be if I said the girl was good looking or I was bragging about her in some way then I was required to provide pictures, not if I just mentioned a girl.

.[/QUOTE
OK, so she's ugly. No pics necessary. Problem solved

 

[ericram]

I always understood the rule to be if I said the girl was good looking or I was bragging about her in some way then I was required to provide pictures, not if I just mentioned a girl.

So she is not a looker then. That's ok, but you misunderstand the rules of the LR.

 

[SeaPA]

So she is not a looker then. That's ok, but you misunderstand the rules of the LR.

Apparently his pickup line was "last time I saw a mouth like that it had a hook in it."

 

[tbdnole_70_08]

Maybe the rules of the LR differ slightly from the rules of the MB and that's where I got confused. Does anyone have a copy of the bylaws laying around that I could take a look at?

Honestly, I would post pictures but for the fact that this is a free board (so anyone can access it) and I've heard stories of white knights running straight to the girl in question, either to mess with the OP or to try to break a little bit off for themselves.