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How to Choose a Fishing Charter: Your Ultimate Guide

It takes years of acquired knowledge to fish a body of water like a professional. But, if you want to have the best fishing experience without putting in countless hours, all you have to do is pick a professional fishing charter. A fishing charter service is where you pay for an all-inclusive fishing trips service where a boat and all fishing gear are provided to you. At Charter Fish Narooma, you can get much more than that. 

However, not all fishing charters are the same. You cannot expect to land a great fishing charter and have the time of your life by choosing a charter recommended by Google. You need to do your research and pick a fishing charter that will ensure all your needs are perfectly met. 

Consider the following tips to help you pick the best fishing charter for your next trip –

Step 1 – Choose a Fishing Experience

Before you browse fishing charters, and contact different captains, it is critical to know the type of charter you want. Every charter service is different and specialises in a certain style of fishing. Consider the following factors to narrow down your search –

Shared or Private Fishing Charters

Do you want the entire boat to yourself, or would you be happy to share it with other guests? Shared charters are great for experienced fishermen and beginners. You can reel in your dinner and make new friends. The crew will help everyone around the boat.  You will not have too much say in where or how you want to fish, as it will be up to the captain and everyone on board. 

Private charters offer a completely customised experience. You can fish at your own pace and even target species you want to fish. If you are a beginner, the captain and the crew will help you teach the basics and bring the fish aboard. You will also get a personal guide who will make you familiar with the area. While the cost of a private charter is a bit more, it offers more value. 

Food Or Sport Fishing Charters

Before you book a fishing charter, ask what you want from your trip. If you are booking a private fishing charter, you can adjust your priorities, but you still should know what you are looking for. Whether you just want to have a great time with your family and friends or want to land a big monster to throw in the fryer after the trip, you should be able to find a fishing charter to meet all your needs. 

Step 2 – Choose a Fishing Charter Service

Now that you know what you want out of your charter service, it’s time to look for the best company. Here are some of the top things you need to look for – 

The Fishing Charters Boat

The kind of boat the charter company offers is the first thing you need to look into. Are you looking for comfort or speed? There are several different types of charter boats with their own pros and cons. There is a limit to the number of people a boat can comfortably hold and still offer plenty of space to move around. Thus, make sure you pick the right size boat. Many boats also have a basic toilet inside, so confirm it before booking. 

fishing charter boat

The Fishing Charters Captain

It is the captain that makes your trip fabulous. Thus, it makes sense to know your captain before you book a charter. Find out how long they have been in the industry, the species they focus on, and the kind of charters they run. An experienced captain can make a huge difference between a good day and the trip of your life. Check out the reviews of the captain, as it reveals a lot about the captain. 

Licenses and Permits

Always pick a charter that has the necessary licenses, permits, and valid insurance. You’ll be in peace knowing you are with someone who is properly trained and will not get into any trouble with the Coast guard. 

Fishing Charters Price

While you may be tempted to pick the cheapest fishing charter you may find, it is not always the right choice. The boat may be old, or the equipment may be worn out. Perhaps there are additional charges for cleaning the catch or refreshments that you will know about later on. So, make sure you know what all are included before you make a booking. 

Step 3 – Talk to Your Fishing Charters Captain

Booking your fishing charter online offers great convenience. But it also pays to speak to your captain and ask a few questions before committing to them. You may end up with a better custom package that was not available online. When you call the captain, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions such as the type of fish you can expect to catch, things to bring to the trip, and others to get more clarity. 

Step 4 – Make the Booking

Once you have narrowed down your options and talked to the captain, book your fishing charter. Many reputed companies allow you to book their charter online without any hassles. You may be asked to pay upfront to secure your trip or pay a deposit and then pay the balance to the captain directly. You will need to give the companies notice if you need to  cancel the trip and you will receive a refund of the amount paid. Sometimes, the weather may not be favorable for the trip, and the captain might be forced to reschedule without any charges. Remember, all charters can be booked out well in advance, so ensure you plan your trip accordingly.  

Picking the Right Fishing Charter – Easy When You Know How

A fishing trip is your big day, and you want to have the best time of your life. The above tips should help you narrow down your focus and decide which fishing charter would be perfect for you. Doing your due diligence will ensure you feel comfortable on the trip. All you have to do is kick back and enjoy your amazing fishing trip without any stress. 

A fishing charter is a fishing trip run by an experienced captain along with additional crew members on a boat. The company provides boats and equipment needed to have a fun experience onboard. You set sail on the water for a set time with the expectation of catching a fish. Fishing Charters are rented at set prices depending on the time period, or they can be customised as per the unique needs of your group. You can choose from different packages on offer and pick the one that best suits your needs. 

With the local fishing experience, equipment on rent, and personalised services, fishing charters allow you to have a stress-free day for everyone to enjoy, especially when planning a group excursion. A fishing charter is perfect for people with all levels of fishing experiences and offers a far better experience than what a local boat rental may provide. 

Fishing Charters from Charter Fish Narooma

Our fishing charters can offer some of the best sport and game fishing on the South Coast.

Choose from Island, reef, game, sports or surface fishing and a wide range of fish, with over 30 years local experience.

Sponsored by Daiwa Fishing Tackle Australia, our fishing charters offer the chance to use the latest rods and reels and technology on the market and with 2 purpose built fishing boat and local skippers we have a range of charter options and can cater for small and large groups, private & shared charters.

We supply all tackle, bait, fishing licence, light refreshments and we will also give you a hand to clean your catch!