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Looking for experience and/or opinions on the large group fishing charters, ie Hudson Marina. I'm bringing down a group of 8 (5 kids ages 7-12) and was considering this fishing experience as some of us aren't really into fishing.
The Party Boat fishes up 65 anglers. That's a lot of lines going over the side of the boat. Has anyone tried this fishing charter? Is it an experience worth pursuing? What are the target fish?
I'd appreciate any and all comments.
Thank you in advance.
Went out on a party boat a few years back during red snapper season and it was a good experience. Since we were bottom fishing, I don't recall any crossed lines or issues with getting the fish on deck. These charters have experienced captains and crews to make sure everyone has a good time and catches fish, IMHO. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.
Target fish would depend on the time of year/season and fishing conditions.
If you can afford a charter kids in that age range will have a much better time nearshore trolling for Spanish Mack with the possibility of a king or two thrown in.
Depending on what that particular boat charges for kids, a charter, rather than party boat, should not be that much more expensive, if any.
A 6 hr party boat trip will be at least an hour riding out, probably 1 and half, with the same time for the return trip. That's rough on a young kid. A nearshore charter will be fishing a few minutes after clearing the pass. If you want to bottom fish for a little variety, there are nearshore reefs within three miles of the pass that can be quite entertaining.
With this description: "a group of 8 (5 kids ages 7-12) ... some of us aren't really into fishing," I would not go out on a party boat.
Thank you very much for your comments. The review are all over the map. Many loved the experience. While others hated it because it was elbow tight around the entire boat. This is a late December trip, so I don't know how busy this will be at that time.
Please keep the comments coming
I didn't know it was December. Unless we have an very unusually warm year you will not do well trolling for Mackerel in December, but there are the nearshore reefs.
My wife and I like party boat trips and go every year, but the difference in my mind is the young children.
Checks to make sure the party boat runs in December, I seem to remember them being hard to find at that time of year.
That age group might like to ride the Ferry across Mobile Bay, maybe visit Sea Lab.
I did. They are running during the last week of December. But, I need to speak with them and learn what they target & what's the least number of anglers they'll go out with. Because, although they max out with 65 anglers, maybe there'll only be an average of 30 during that time period. I don't want to be elbows to elbows.
With the 7 year old you will do most of the fishing. Or you hold the rod and he reels, most likely he will not be able to do both. I have used Hudson's party boat and liked it a lot. We usually got to fish for 2 hours in most cases. If it was rough we fished less cause it took longer getting there. Should not be crowded in December
Sea Lab?? I'll look into that. Thanks for the recommendationQuote:
Originally Posted by bodebum
It is actually named The Estuarium. Sea Lab is an educational program there.
Having spent the last 5 Christmas/New Years holidays in the Pensacola/Gulf Shores area, the weather will dictate your activities. One ice storm, one cold, rainy week, and 3 lovely holidays. Have Plan "B" to visit the Naval Air Museum, shop Foley, Visit the Alabama, eat at the Original Point Restaurant, tour Fort Morgan or Fort Pickens, fish the Gulf Shores Pier, take a backwater nature cruise. Consider an inshore charter for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Go on a dolphin cruise. Remember that big waves and little kids often equal seasick. Have fun, and a list of alternatives for the weather.
Check with the Outcast at The Caribe charter docks. They have a party boat for around 30 people max and will take walk-ons the morning of the trip if there is room on the boat. No certain about their policies in winter season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Driley9557
December is a crap shoot as far as going offshore. If we have north winds, it will be calm along the beach and down right nasty offshore.
I'd just fish the beach for whiting and pompano with kids that young.
Thanks for the tip. I hope to do this too along with fishing from our rental dock in the Little Lagoon. Will popping corks work for reds/spec this late in the year? Or are they less active and is it better to work the bottom slowly?Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
As far as the party boat, a group of 8 with 5 of them under 12 is going to struggle. The smaller kids won't be tall enough to work a rod over the side of the boat, and I doubt a 12 year old will be able to successfully fish without assistance unless he/she is already practiced at working a conventional reel. December seas tend to be higher than summer seas as well, and the party boat isn't going to cancel for 3 footers should they have enough people to run (which is a toss up anyway). Target species will be small reef dwellers like beeliners and porgies. Snappers and triggers are closed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Driley9557
Sometimes this is far from the case, regardless of captain and crew experience. It can also be a fishless vomit and tangle fest.Quote:
Originally Posted by craigt
I've been out on a party boat twice. Both times were less than great experiences. One time was a puke fest, with half the boat begging to go home before we got to the fishing grounds. The other time we had nice weather, and terrible fishing. It seemed like our six hour trip was 2 hours of travel, half an hour of set up, an hour of fishing, and half an hour to get ready for the two hour ride home. For safety reasons, we weren't able to bait our own hooks, or take fish off of hooks, so we had to wait on a deckhand. Both times I went was with a group of friends that didn't want to spend the money for a charter. When I get down that way now, I go on a private charter or just pier/beach fish.
Party boats can be quite rough for novices unless they really have a yearning for the sea.
When my wife and I go I am basically her personal deckhand, baiting hooks, removing fish, and unsnarling bird nests. If not for that I doubt she would go. I am lucky that when we go to the pier she is happy to read a book and she is happy enough (willing, at least) for me to go fishing with "the guys" when I can.
Have had the pleasure (or not) of many trips on head boats. Used to be, you had a chance for some good harvests, but that is not so much a fact now. But, from a kids point of view, just the experience, and having the memories is worth way much more than what may or may not be caught. We have remembered the worst trips out better than the trips where not much happened. Taken several folks out over the years on head boats, mostly so they could have the experience. Taking my 45 yr. old nephew out on his first ocean exposure soon. Already got a bet with him on whether or not he gets sick. If he does, he pays for any and all adult beverages this trip. He is as excited as a ten year old.
Iffen I 'member correctly, one of the guys on here runs nearshore charters. He can take 4 adults with 2 kids. Maybe he could take 1 adult with 5 kids?
Thanks so much for your guidance. The 12 year old would be able to handle the rod. He typically works a baitcaster for bass. But the other kids do not have that experience. Nor the height to work over the side of the boat. It doesn't sound like a party boat would be the best experience. Maybe if weather is decent, we could check out the party boat and 'walk-on' if it seems doable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierless
We will be able to fish off a dock in the Little Lagoon as maybe try surf fishing on the Gulf side. Hoping to get some action early mornings or near dusk. I just need to figure out this saltwater thing.
Thanks again for any and all input. Please keep any tips or recommendations coming.
Good Afternoon,
I wanted to share this mornings experience. It's cold. It's windy. But it was still 60-degrees warmer than back home in WI. Our group of 8 went out this morning on the Head Boat, Reel Surprise out of Sanroc Cay. The seas were a little rough, but for those of us that took Dramamine, handled it fine. There were a few others that offered up some "chum" to the sea. Thankfully, not us. It did not look fun.
That said..We had a blast. Using squid chunks as bait, we caught many Red Snapper and Triggerfish and a few Scamp Grouper. We were only able to bring 1 fish home for a meal. But we had fun!.
The deck hands were awesome as they did have to handle many tied up lines and dozens on sheared lines from hitting the propeller shaft. Captain Randy put us on the fish immediately at both stops.
I highly recommend.
Next up...Ralph Young on Friday for some Inshore fishing!
You will have a great time with Ralph. Super guy.
Congradulations on a Great Trip Kids will remember it forever.
Well today was Charter day with Ralph Young (aka Fishin Dixie). Our party was reduced from 4 to 2 due to illness. And 39-degrees at the time of boarding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
Nevertheless, Ralph ROCKED and provided us with a fantastic time and a meals for several days. We caught Sheepshead, Permit, Bluefish, Mangrove Snapper and Pin Fish. No only did he get us on the fish, he didn't rush when our time slot was up. In fact, he said..."Hey, there's birds over there. Let's check it out and see if it's a school of redfish". 20 minutes later..No Redfish, but it was exciting. So then Ralph switched gears and took us to try and get Specs well after our 4 hours had past. I don't know if he extends charters longer for many, but he did for us and it was much appreciated.
While cleaning our fish, Ralph was kind enough to share some surf fishing tips. As soon as we got back, we outfitted my bigger rods and tried some surf fishing. The result....~20# Redfish! YEH! After 100 Youtube videos...a big Redfish was on my bucket list. And I got it!
I wish my profession allowed a summer visit or October visit...but it doesn't. Oh well, we had a great experience. Thanks to ALL for the advice and guidance for our family visit to the State of Alabama and Gulf Shores.
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=7010&stc=1 ~4 pm. Dead Shrimp and Fast-acting Fish bite.