Striper charter

[LuckyLady]

A friend of mine and 5 other guys he works with booked a trip back in August to fish today out of Rudee Inlet on one of the popular boats. He booked the trip for a 3/4 day. Upon arrival they were told of the extra charge to run to almost Oregon Inlet to get the fish. They understood that and said ok. @7:30 they left the dock for the 45 or so mile run. After reaching the spot they fished for 30 minutes and put a limit in the boat. Once that limit was reached the Captain(fill in) said thats it and the mate pulled it all in and they started back. At the dock by I think he said 12. Not once were they told it was fish untill you catch a limit and thats it. NO catch and release to fill the rest of the paid trip. They wernt very happy customers after paying for a 3/4 day trip and a fuel charge, and only getting a 1/2 day boat ride for the most part. To top it off they boat raised their rates after the first of the year and what they paid is now the 1/2 day rate and even with a reciept showing what they paid for and wouldnt give anything back. Then charged them to clean the fish.....

Is this the normal way charters are run for stripers?????
Thanks,

There is tons of charters down there that fish to fish and not just fish till the limit that cappy should be smacked and the name should be told so they get the respect that they deserve. Probably a fly by night charter or someone doing it as a hobby and not for a living

[billfish76]

My friend finaly got a call back today from the real Capt. whom he booked the trip with. The capt started off saying how sorry he was that they were not happy, and went into how they should of broke out the spinning outfits and allowed them to cast of jigg them for the remainder of the time. After this he went off on how he lost $500 on the trip due to the long run. Even after them paying the extra fuel price. Before getting off the phone he asked if they would concider chartering the Waterman ever again and if they did he would make it right. Needless to say that wont happen.

[seapower]

Sound's like the Capt offered to make it right. Did he still loose money on the fuel, I'd say yes. Should he ever have brought that into the conversation, I'd say no. But the guy did call, he did appologize and he told them that HE would make it right. Sound's like he put forth the effort to me. At some point you have to accept what is, for what it is. I commend the Capt for trying to mend the fence. Just my 2 cent's. Frank

[000's]

Charter is unhappy, because the boat they payed to fish on, got his limit to fast,that sucks.Lets see, nothing else around,lets go catch and release a bunch of rock fish, just to keep the charter happy.I'm sure that does not kill any fish.

Sounds like the same bunch that BITCH ALL DAY because you wont go over the 3 mile line .

[scattered_grass]

Sound's like the Capt offered to make it right. Did he still loose money on the fuel, I'd say yes. Should he ever have brought that into the conversation, I'd say no. But the guy did call, he did appologize and he told them that HE would make it right. Sound's like he put forth the effort to me. At some point you have to accept what is, for what it is. I commend the Capt for trying to mend the fence. Just my 2 cent's. Frank

I agree. They put their clients on the fish, and offered to make it right the next time.

[billfish76]

Sound's like the Capt offered to make it right. Did he still loose money on the fuel, I'd say yes. Should he ever have brought that into the conversation, I'd say no. But the guy did call, he did appologize and he told them that HE would make it right. Sound's like he put forth the effort to me. At some point you have to accept what is, for what it is. I commend the Capt for trying to mend the fence. Just my 2 cent's. Frank

Your right the Capt. did try to make it right if they would give him another chance, but that was only after he got upset and cried about loosing money. Unfortunatly these guys wont be taking him up on his offer and probally wont do an offshore striper trip again. But will be asking the question about fishing untill a limit before booking any other trip.
Thanks for all you guys input.....

[Chico1]

As an example: Nov. 21st we chartered Capt. Joe Miller out of Osprey Fla. We fished in shallow waters 60' to 80' until we had our limits of red grouper, we then moved out into deeper waters where we caught our limits of gag grouper, Capt. Joe then moved us out into 120'+ water where we caught our limits of red snapper, he then moved us back into more shallow water where we broke out the spinning gear and fished for other snapper, porgies, etc. 12 Hours after we left the dock, and maybe 110 to 125 miles later, we returned to the dock after which the Capt. and I cleaned all the fish and at about 9:30 pm we headed home. That is what I call a FULL DAY charter, am I spoiled or what??! And oh yeah, that cost us all about $175. each!!

[Phat Mann]

Its unfortunate that a successful trip with a limit of stripers results in a "bad day". The rules of the trip should be spelled out right up front. Long before you are standing at the dock. Then you can sellect a boat tha better suits your needs.

I booked a similar trip a few years back with an Oregon Inlet Boat and coditions were just the opposite. Fish were way north. We caught our limit fairly quickly- this captain suggested we hold one slot of our limit open and we try the spinning gear for sport for a while and maybe catch a bigger keeper. We did this for a while- filled the limit and called it an early day. Compromise on both sides. Captain and crew get home a little early, w filled our limit- all go home happy.

These coastal schools of stripers can be awsome sights. Quite franly these fish are usually beautiful trophies. I personally see no reason to stick hooks in them all day- anyway you shake it- dragging these trophies on umbrella and mojos around the ocean has to stress the fish. A few more catch and realease on spinning gear and call it a day.

Offshor with yellowfin can be another one of those situations. One or two cover ups and your done! Or you could get skunked.
Talk it over with your captain- leaving something for another day is better than the "ole skunky"!!!!

[Jay W]

Could of been worse. Every charter is different thats part of the fun. Try different guys until you find a company that suits your personality and you'll be good to go. Atleast you killed the fish.

[Reelcommocean]

Big question for me... Did your buddy ask to stick around for some c&r or break out the spinning gear for some c&r??? If the Capt. said no then shame on him but if the customer doesn't ask then how can you complain. I mean the Capt. probably should have offered but I mean if you don't speak up or express your disappointment when the lines were pulled then what should the capt. think? There are plenty of people who are content with catching a quick limit and heading for the barn.