Ocean Fishing, Charter or Party Fishing Boat?

[tntitans21399]

I am use to freshwater fishing with Bass, Catfish, and Crappie.  I am going on vacation to Destin FL in Oct.  I have fished off a pier before but curious about trying some ocean offshore fishing.  I know you can do a Party Fishing Boat for about $70 for 4 hours or so and heard with those you catch a lot of smaller ocean fish, still big compared to freshwater fish.  Or you can charter a boat for about $500+ for 4 hours.  Which I have heard you will catch a bigger fish but it's usually one person reels in a catch and then the next person reels the next one.  So in that look of things you might get to catch 2 fish and doesn't seem worth the price.  What is others peoples thoughts on this?  Have you done one or both and what would be the pros or cons or either?

[OCdockskipper]

Here in Southern California, party boats are also appropriately known as Cattle boats.  You are elbow to elbow with other anglers, fighting a fish involves having to fight under & over other anglers and their lines, it just isn't that much fun.  It is like fishing in a city pond with other folks right on top of you.

 

If you can afford the charter, do it - it is a much better experience.

[JustJames]

OC is right. I used to go out with both type and I hate those of party boat, too many ppl and most of them tried to make their money worth. I'd rather spent more money for private party boat with limited seat. The tackle shop, I used to shop, always set up a few trip per year for their customers. 

[Turkey sandwich]

I am not a fan of party boats.  They can be more like a circus than an enjoyable fishing experience.  Part of hiring a charter is the experience, the ability to learn, and actually having some input in the trip.  On a party boat, you're just a number along for the ride.  

 

As for the size and what you catch, that's up to you and the captain.  The captain should be able to give you some options and help you build a trip based on reports that would allow you to choose what it is you're fishing for.  I've hired charters for shark, and for a canyon trip out of Cancun.  Neither trip would have been doable on a party boat.  

[N Florida Mike]

Ive done the party boat bottom fishing thing a lot and LOVE it. You cant beat the price for what you get.I have not done the more expensive ,bigger fish offshore trip,and have no desire to really. Mostly because Im a fish eater and fairly poor!

But I would research and make a good choice of boats . Some are better than others.If you can find one that has less anglers and more space its a better experience.You would catch grouper,snappers mostly,with a great variety of other fish thrown in. Bigger fish would be amberjacks and sharks. You could also hire an inshore guide to catch trout,redfish,flounder etc.Those would be more expensive but its you and a couple others+ the guide so that could be an epic experience with the right guide.

Keep us posted. Id be glad to share a few tips .

[NYWayfarer]

On ‎8‎/‎31‎/‎2017 at 1:09 AM, OCdockskipper said:

Here in Southern California, party boats are also appropriately known as Cattle boats.  You are elbow to elbow with other anglers, fighting a fish involves having to fight under & over other anglers and their lines, it just isn't that much fun.  It is like fishing in a city pond with other folks right on top of you.

 

If you can afford the charter, do it - it is a much better experience.

 

I agree with the charter.

 

A party boat is no party. Between the overcrowding and the drinkers you get a lot of people that have no regards for their fellow anglers.

 

Some horror party boat stories:

 

Once we had to go back to port as soon as the action started for a medical emergency because someone thought it was Ok to put his hand in a bluefishes mouth to get his hook out.

 

My friend had to do the under & over other anglers lines once and the last guy in the row cut his line. When my friend confronted him about it all he could say was "Was that your line buddy, sorry" When He saw how mad my friend was he offered to let him reel his catch. My friend declined as he told me if he took that guys rod he would have thrown it overboard.

[Chris at Tech]

Charter

 

The trip is personalized for your needs and experience

 

Get a few charter recommendations and CALL the guides directly.  Ask them questions, ask their suggestions, etc.  if you don't like what you hear, call the next guide or go with the party boat.  But if you're a serious fisherman and cost is not an issue, the charter beats the party boat every time 

[Master Bait'r]

Party boats are where fishing dreams go to die.  

 

Worst.  Thing.  Ever.  

 

Imagine the line at the DMV-  Now imagine that line but populated with the most annoying fishermen you've ever seen- captive together for hours on a boat, and everybody's got a crappy fishing rod and they're all casting it over your line.  Even if you catch a fish you're also catching 12 other peoples' lines- which is even more infuriating than it sounds.  You're also way more likely to watch a whole group of people puking together like some sort of vomit choir...  I went on one once, and never again.  I stopped fishing an hour in and took a nap.  Total waste of money.