How to choose a Charter Fishing company, what you don't know will hurt you!

How to choose a Charter Company, What to look for, What to ask for!

Written By: Stan Gabruk / Ken Sutula (recreational fisherman at large)

Ive been in the fishing charter business now for many years. Master Baiters has had its ups and its downs. Through it all Ive gained experience, knowledge and wisdom through the Fishermans School of Hard Knocks. What is listed below, along with my thoughts should help the recreational sportsfisherman immensely.

Here in Puerto Vallarta, there are some fine Charter Companies, others are disasters just waiting to happen. I would say more than 70% of all Charter Boats are in some state of disrepair, some very serious. Ive seen boats that shouldnt leave the dock, loaded with people looking for a "cheap" or competive price, return to port with a boat load of unhappy people. So much for the "cheap" trip.

Price is important, lets face it, Even Millionaires are living on a budget of some sort

Again, the following guide lines, listed by catagory, will help insure you have a wonderful fishing experience for the right price.

Stuff That Counts:

1) Speak in specifics! Specific boat and Captains. Be sure you know what youre getting. I've seen Captains, boats, everything turn into something that was not what the customer wanted, just to accept a substandard product and be unhappy!

2) Duration, basically how many hours are you going out? How much time will it take to get to the fishing grounds? How much time with your line in the water? Return time. It all counts.

3) Cost of the trip? Make sure all cost are disclosed at the time you place your deposit, and make sure it's in writing. You have no protection legally at a later date, should you need some, if it's not spelled out in detail. Handwritten is fine as long as it's an employee in a position of authority

4) Location, where are you going? Departure time and from where? Its always good to establish a meeting place for the day youre going out. Marina landmarks work well like the Light House or El Faro in La Marina. Ask for the name of the person who will be meeting you and get his phone number. Even a smooth operation can have bumps, so it's good to know who to contact if necessary.

5) Tip percentage? 15% is a good number to use for everything. If theyre working hard for you, even if you dont catch fish, a tip or propina in Spanish is customary. Most Captains / Crews are way under paid (especially Mexico). The tip is what they (the crew) really lives on and catching Moby Dick is never gauranteed. These guys live to fish and if you dont come back with a fish, they take it personally.

Ask What is Provided:

1) Live Bait, how much is provided with the Charter? My suggestion is to have no less than 10 baits. If you want more, its up to you to pay for it, for the most part. If you want them to purchase more bait, set that up in the price negotiations.

2) Beverage / Food, What is provided? Some boats still provide a lunch of some sort and water. But over the years those have dropped off due to clients having different allergies, food requirements, lots of unexpected situations. Ask, but dont have any expectations. Many Charter companies have arrangements through sandwich shops, etc. To provide box lunches. Me, I bring a bunch of ham, bread, sodas, water, cookies, etc. Slap it all together and youre good to go. We're fishing so if you're of the same mind as me, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. Bread, chips, drinks, cookies, etc. slap it all together and you're good to go for me anyway.

3) Fish cleaning / Freezing, is this service provided? Most Charter companies will fillet your catch. But thats a very loose statement. Many to most Charters fillet all your fish in large pieces, put them all together in something similiar to a plastic shopping bag and either freeze it in one big lump for you or just give it to you to fend for yourself. Id suggest having a box of gallon sized Zip Lock baggies with you. That way your catch can be packaged in more manageable amounts. Frozen seaperatly, so when you do get it home, you dont have to thaw the whole catch out for one dinner! Better for transporting home also.

4) Cook your catch suggestions! Most people are interested in having their catch cooked after a day on the water! Ask, many times restaurants will make special promotions for bringing your catch in! In Puerto Vallarta, every restaurant caters to the sportfisherman and are happy to see you coming. So ask!

5) Refund Policy, do they have one. We all know that Charter companies ask for a non-refundable deposit to protect themselves. But what happens if weather conditions change or boat problems arise preventing you from going out? Most Charter companies will try and reschedule you for a day or two later. Or place you on a comparable boat, minus the deposit. Get this straightened out, IN WRITING before you ever lay your hard earned cash down. If its not in writing, its not real and youll have no protection under Mexican law!

a. Remember deposits are nonrefundable. Its required to hold the day you reserved in your name when it could possibly be sold to another client. Things like rain, heat, cold, or comments like "I changed my mind now I dont want to go" do not qualify as a refundable circumstance.

6) Additional Hours: If the fishing is incredible, nobody wants to yank their lines in to head back! Ask what the cost per hour is for a longer fishing day. Many Charters have just enough fuel to get you there and back. Make sure if this scenario arises, they have fuel enough for extra hours. Nothing more frustrating than multiple hook-ups and being told "Times Up"! Figure about $100.00 / hr. On larger boats, $60.00 per hour for pangas as a yardstick for PV. Florida, Hawaii, Cabo for example can be much more expensive for a world class boat.

7) Head or Bathroom facilities: First, ask if they have one. Women for some reason arent as open to just hanging it out there like men are. If you have a wife or lady friend, theres a good chance shell want a covered bathroom or Head. Just as important is knowing how it operates! Some have pump handles, others are electric. Toilet paper for the most part is not flushable. Ask to be shown how it all operates before you leave the port.

1) Moon Phases affect the feeding habits of several game fish, Tuna being the most effected by moon light / night feeding. Question what the impact will have on specific species! This will help influence what species to target during the different phases per month. It doesnt hurt to be a little informed about things from your own research. Be smart here, maximize your day and check the moon phase before you plan your trip!

2) If you have a particular Game Fish youd like to target, ask if theyre biting! Check out local fish species charts to get a feel for whats going on at the local fishing grounds. Unrealistic expectations will only produce dissapointment. E-mail the Charter companies to see whats running specific times of the year to insure you have a shot at your "dream fish"!

3) What time of the day has the bite been hitting? Full Moon Phase days mean very early bites (Yellowfin in PV)! Later in the month will produce more fish later in the day. Ask a knowledgeable local and adjust your departure time to account for the bite. Get as much bang for your buck as possible!

4) Ask the Captain or Charter Rep. if the fish caught are yours for the keeping. Get this straight before you leave the counter where youll pay your deposit. Ive seen some real scream matches arise from this exact situation.

5) Catch and Release, will the Captain let the fish go? Again, get this straight at the counter and tell the Captain / Crew of your wishes. They always say yes theyll release the fish, but many times dont. Theyll tell you the fish is dead or dieing. Just remember that not every Sailfish or Marlin you hook-up is going to die! They have the ability to spit their stomachs up and they do it all the time in nature. They suck them back in as well... this is not necessarily a sign of death. Non movement would be a better indicator.

6) If you have any special medical conditions please let us know so we can accomadate all imagineable situations. Or plan accordingly.

Things I Enjoy on a Charter:

1) Meet Rep. At easy to find location on time! Depart on time!

2) Demand the boat be fueled and ready to go. No fuel Dock Stops on my time!!

3) Hours purchased are delivered plus a touch more, to the correct location!

4) Personal interaction between you , First Mate, Captain, Deckies, everyone! Who doesnt like a friendly face and a little humor during the day. Many times Charter personel are afraid of Americans for some reason. And many Americans / Canadians are reserved when communicating with the Charter people... I always find a warm greeting is a great way to start off what possibly could turn into a life long friendship.

5) Charter Staff offers to take pictures, video action if youre all alone fishing. This can be a little difficult in the thick of things. But many times a third deck hand will come along and he could fit the job. But like always, when video taping your Finned Fantasy, it's best to have a person dedicated to the camera. Many charter companies will have this option available for a price.

6) Fish on board are cleaned (if requested), Bleed and iced down in the fish box asap.

7) Crew that keeps fresh baits working. Nothing worse than dead bait that cant react naturaly as a Marlin strikes! Although dead bait works, just not as well.

8) Change fishing tactics / stratigy..... Different baits, different locations, maybe even change the species being targeted. Yes I want a big fish, but more inportantly is I WANT ACTION!

9) English speaking and I mean everyone. I know were in Mexico, but most charter clients are English speaking and Im willing to pay more for the "communication factor" being positive.....

Do your homework:

1) Research the Charter company youre choosing! What sort of reputation do they have. How long have they been in business. Its easy to open a shop and create a web page if you have enough money. Word of mouth recommendatins are always best. Everyone claims to be the best.... Read magazines and articles from the areas you hope to fish.

2) When you send a charter company an E-Mail, do they get back to you right away? This is a good indication of how professional your charter company is.

3) Research the reputation of the Captain. Here in Puerto Vallarta I personally know of a Captain who is going out most days with another charter company, charging top dollar. Up until last month this "Captain" never operated a sportsfisher. Now do you want to go with that guy?

4) Boat speed, Many, if not almost all boats try to keep their profit margins higher by using less fuel. That translates to a slow boat. You may have saved some money, but youll have less time with your line in the water. In the end, by spending less, you actually paid more money per hour in a wet line scenario. Dont assume youre going to the fishing grounds at light speed. Coming back, same situation, maybe slower!

5) Saftey: Life preservers / Saftey Certificates. No Captain wants to be on a dangerous boat, after all, they work on it. But there are boats that skirt the regulations, but they'll save you a hundred dollars! Cheap boats, don't spend money on anything, even if it's necessary. Once you're out at the fishing grounds, it's tooooo late!

6) Equipment Quality: This is a touchy point with me and there is a lot you can look for as a vacationer, if you know what TOO look for.

a. How fresh is the line? Old or stressed line breaks.

b. Is the reel backed with Spectra so you wont be spooled?

c. If the reel is only half full, bad sign!

d. Feel the line, is it chaffed and stressed, bad sign! Ive actually tested charter fishing line quality on boats I suspect, to find I could snap the line using two hands. 100 lb. test should not do that!

e. Pull on the line to test reel drags. If its a smooth constant pull, great. If its jerky, then youve got a neglected reel that will not help you boat a large fish!

f. Tuna Tubes are essential here in Puerto Vallarta to keep your bait live and fresh!

7) Information: Do you have a cell phone number of your agent and of your charter Captain. Necessary for emergency contact reasons and updates. Make sure they, the charter company has your vital information. Hotel, room number, the name youre registered in (could be different). Very important for your charter service to have!

1) You are now allowed to take home up to 50 lbs. per person in a cooler, checked with your luggage.

2) Freezer Bags, Zip lock preferable, marked with species and date for freezing purposes. Believe me, its the only real option. Have them with you.... Dont forget the marker...

3) 60 quart Plastic Coleman or Igloo type Cooler (with wheels preferable). Theyre $25.00 at Walmast in the States.....

4) Have an idea as where to freeze your catch. Very few Charter Companies will have Flash Freezeing or Freezers for that matter. Some hotel rooms come with refridgerators with Freezers. Many people ask to freeze their catch in the hotel freezer. For a small tip people are always willing to "help".

5) Styrafoam type disposable coolers are no longer allowed on airlines.

1) First, lets talk fluids. When its warm to hot around Puerto Vallarta, Water is very important. Drinking beer on a hot day fishing will dehydrate you making you weaker. It also makes you feel hotter. I love drinking beer on a fishing trip also, so I drink about two small waters for every beer. You go to the bathroom a lot, but it does keep you cooler with the extra coolant in your system. Bring plenty.... Gatorade works well also!

2) Most Charter Services again, will not provide lunch. You have to bring what ever you want to eat and drink. Usually there is a local Coffee Shop or Deli that will make you lunch boxes. Theyre fresh, affordable, simple and convienent! Just remember no Bananas.... This is true, no bananna cookies, bread, nothing. You wont catch a fish and just make everyone mad on the boat. Bring other fruits.....

3) Or, if youre lke me, get some ham, bread, chips, oreos, sodas, Gatoraide, Waters, few beers, and munch out! Cheaper in the long run, but a bit of a pain going to get the stuff when youre on vacation!

4) Captain and Crew will gladly accept offers to share food or lunch. I always bring enough to feed everyone.....

5) If you offer to pay for the ingredients, many crews will make ceviche for everyone once you catch a fish. Small Dorado, Tuna, Mackeral, they all taste great! Offer twenty dollars for the crew to get the stuff and most times theyre more than happy to fill this request.

1) Sea Sickness Medication! If youre sensitive to motion on a boat, there isnt much you can do about it except take Dramine or its relatives before hand.... I do have a Accupunctureist who tells me he can get rid of the problem for a day of fishing. He comes to the boat and puts needles in stratigic places to shut the signals off. Forty five dollars per person, $150.00 max., at the boat, before you leave. Takes about 20 minuites and hes had great results! If you really want to go, its worth a try.

2) Camera of course with backup batteries. I like the new digital cameras, but a water proff disposable is always good to have on hand.

3) Hat, Extra Towels (hand and beach), Extra T-Shirt, Sunscreen, Sunglasses (Polarized is preferrable).

4) Light windbreaker type jacket. It can be cool in the mornings here going out.

5) Boat bag with a plastic zipper (doesnt rust) which is as water proff as possible.

6) CASH, have plenty to tip the Captain / Crew and to pay for incidentals when you get back to dock! American dinero is preferrable. If not, figure Eleven pesos to the dollar when in Mexico as a guide.

1) Bring a Tape Measure with both metric and standard measurements. Gifts for crew (tackle, etc.), Fish Fighting Gloves, hand held GPS, Harness, personal lures / Tackle / Equipment, Sun Screen, Camera, Video Cameras, hats, and anything else that comes to mind you couldn't live without.

Final Words:

Remember everyone can have a bad day fishing. Perfection is unachieveable. Go with a reputable company with a good reputation and years of experience. Check out the boat if you can before hand. Talk with people at your hotels or the concierge, they know who to recommend. Saving a few dollars on a cheaper charter company many times will produce dissapointments and in the long run be more expensive when looking at time with your line in the water. Less time becasue of a slow boat is actually more expensive for what youre payng for in the short run. English speaking Captains / Crews mandatory!

I hope this is of some help. Most of this information is just common sense to me. But these are the thing I do when in a new spot and looking for a charter company that has it's act together! Use this as a guideline. Charter Services that provide this high standard of operation and service will be in the upper price scales. Service and quality diminish with lower priced options, naturally.

My final thoughts are this, Use an established charter company that has been in business for more than a year! Read local publications, visit the shops, talk with people. Your gut will tell you the right people to use if you don't do any research before your arrival..

These suggestions are good for any Charter Boat, Any Where!

If you have any questions you can contact me at: letsfish@mbsportsfishing.com or through my web site at: www.mbsportsfishing.com

Until Next Time, Dont Forget To Kiss Your Fish!

Stan

Master Baiters Sportfishing and Tackle