Help with deep sea fishing charter reference...

[Big Country]

Howdy all,

My bride and I have a wedding anniversary coming up. She wants to do a deep sea fishing charter for tuna. My limited knowledge is kayak fishing in the flats. We are seeking a private charter with somebody trustworthy. Does anyone have any referrals? Shoot me a PM or respond to this post. Tight-screaming lines!

[GatorSnatcher]

I have always had pleasant experiences on the boats out of Dolphin Docks in Port Aransas. As with most offshore charter boats its all about economics. When you get on the boat identify the lead deckhand and hand him a 20 dollar bill. Explain the situation and I can assure you that when a big fish is hooked you will get the first call. They rely on the tips from patrons and will give extra attention to those that realize that and take care of them. It doesn't have to be much...just a token of "hey I appreciate you giving your time to ensure we all have a good time."

Dolphin Docks has never brought me in empty handed...they find the fish nearly every time and will stay out longer in the event they haven't yet found them.

Their phone number is 1-800-EYE-FISH (393-3474) for reservations.

[RealBigReel]

You should know though that all of the outfits in Port A are hostile to your bringing your own food or drink regardless of your dietary requirements. Plan on buying the lousy food and drink they provide and at exorbitant rates.
I have special dietary requirements. The last time I was down there I had special permission from the office to bring my own food and drink. I asked that they verify that with the captain. Then while boarding the captain made it abundantly clear I didn't have his permission to bring any such thing on board and in the most hostile of terms.
Another thing I don't like about Dolphin Docks is that although they are much closer to deep water fishing, than say Freeport, their boats are not all that fast. So you will spend a lot of time traveling and not that much time fishing.
You can bet the boat will be full or it won't go. When we were down there this last time their were 2 boats supposed to be going and neither was clear full so they put everybody on one boat that was then overcrowded. There weren't enough places for people to sit other than on the hard bouncy floor. And in that crowded environment several people "chummed". Well they would have "chummed" if they could have made it outside in time.
On the last trip We were fishing a wreck in over 100 feet of water. We were pulling up almost nothing but well undersize red snapper. There was a trail of dozens of snapper flopping on the surface downcurrent from the boat and a big Mako came up through there slurping them up.
When we returned it just happened that the long range tuna boat arrived just after us. They took preference. All operations in regards to our unloading and getting our fish were halted. And the process for distributing fish was very inefficient and time consuming. Turned out to be a needless over a 2 hour delay in getting away.
I have fished out of Dolphin Docks several times. I am yet to have a good experience there.
If you are subject to seasickness you may want to take precautions.
Remember you are a Dixie cup. You are a one time customer. It doesn't matter how much you complain or who you tell they don't care.

[Plastic paddler]

Wow ! Bad experience.

[RealBigReel]

Bad experiences, plural. With no mitigating circumstances.

[GatorSnatcher]

Bad experiences, plural. With no mitigating circumstances.

Wow. I've been over a dozen times with these guys and have never experienced this. Yes the boat is often crowded but I've found that most of those are not able to catch their limits and I have been asked several times to continue fishing for those who couldn't. I'm sorry to hear you had these experiences.

[Yaklash]

You want a private charter. I have never spent the money it takes to get a good deep sea private charter. I have been fortunate enough to go on a few trips with great deep sea charter captains, but it was a friend of a friend kind of deal where we covered the fuel and bait cost and the trip (guide) was gratis. Private is definitely the way to go if you got the bank - and from what I gather, we're talking BANK. I have been on the big, mass-charter boats with 30 other people and they are not for me. Tangled lines from idiots who have no clue or manners, rude, unhelpful deck hands, limited and costly refreshments; all made for a "never again" reaction from me.

I am not sure about the tuna fishing out of Port A, but if I had a big budget and a wife who was game for a deep sea trip on an wedding anniversary (you are either very lucky or very smart ), I'd do Louisiana. Fish one day offshore out of say Venice, then spend a night or two in New Orleans or in Lake Charles for the casinos.

[Coastalonya.]

Captain Ann out of Freeport. She was recently featured in a few newspapers. She is very trustworthy.

[on a mission]

You want a private charter. I have never spent the money it takes to get a good deep sea private charter. I have been fortunate enough to go on a few trips with great deep sea charter captains, but it was a friend of a friend kind of deal where we covered the fuel and bait cost and the trip (guide) was gratis. Private is definitely the way to go if you got the bank - and from what I gather, we're talking BANK. I have been on the big, mass-charter boats with 30 other people and they are not for me. Tangled lines from idiots who have no clue or manners, rude, unhelpful deck hands, limited and costly refreshments; all made for a "never again" reaction from me.

I am not sure about the tuna fishing out of Port A, but if I had a big budget and a wife who was game for a deep sea trip on an wedding anniversary (you are either very lucky or very smart ), I'd do Louisiana. Fish one day offshore out of say Venice, then spend a night or two in New Orleans or in Lake Charles for the casinos.

THIS^. Or Grand Isle La. The "tourist" boats do not give a rats ass about you or your fishing experience. And, you cant even bring a cooler of drink and edible food on board. In fact , I have found that a LOT of captains are only after the coin. Large boat or small. Im done with all of them. Good luck.

[Big Country]

Thank you for all the replies and thoughts. In reference to the big boats like the Dolphin, I've done that once with a group of guys. It was fun for the experience but that's not what I want my bride to endure. In reference to me being lucky or smart...I'll choose "luck" with a big sprinkles of blessings. Ya'll are an awesome group...thank you. I haven't posted in awhile and it's good to see the culture of personalities is still plenty diverse...gotta love it! I'll seek out Captain Ann and see where it goes...

[Noeafpj9]

There is a boat out of south padre island. I believe it's called miss directed. I went with this boat due to price and was a little skeptical. However it was a great trip with plenty of fish caught. I mean it got so bad we were fighting to see who had the next fish. I mean we were all so tired that no one wanted the next fish hahaha. Kings!!!! Tuna!!!! Bonita!!!! Ling!!!! Best fishing experience I've ever had and it was at an amazing price.

956 299 0492

[redneckyakclub01]

The 'miss directed' out of south padre island does well on tuna in the fall.

[maskale]

Guys he wants a private charter, why even bring up a boat where you have to pre tip the deck hand?


I dont know where you want to fish or how far you want to travel. But.......

http://fishvenice.com/about-us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.paradise-outfitters.com/tuna ... -venice-la" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Its gonna cost 2500 or so with tips and misc. stuff, if you have a couple that you are close with you can invite them and then split the cost, its still fun having close friends on board and watching them fight a big one too. I prefer a charter where I pay for fuel, that way I know the captain isnt trying to save cost on fuel and not putting me on better fishing if the current fishing is only Ok. Yes the fuel bill can really fluctuate, but if Im already spending that much then another couple hundred to run around and chase fish is worth it.

[TexasSharkerBoy]

Dock Holiday of South Padre. The captain is great, they will put you on fish.

[Kayak Kid]

I would wager that if you subjected your bride to any of the Texas charter boats, that it would be the last such trip she would ever take. The Gulf of Mexico is normally a very choppy body of water, charter boats are uncomfortable, they smell, and, the fishing can be very iffy. For many folks, especially first timers, it rapidly becomes a case of survival rather than a fun experience.

For a really special deep sea trip, take a look at a place like Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The flights from Houston are very reasonable, the accommodations are excellent, the area is beautiful, the water is usually calm, the boats are accommodating and quite reasonable compared to US prices. And, the fishing for sail, tuna, rooster fish, etc., is excellent, and usually calls for only a three to five mile run.

[Big Country]

Awesome feedback...again, thanks.

[DevenTheDude]

I hear Captain Dorman is pretty good. He's in Port A.
I know you're after tuna, but I've been told by a couple of captains that the Wahoo are great around this time of year out of Port A.

[DevenTheDude]

http://www.captaindorman.com/services.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;