Deep sea fishing is a popular tourist activity on the West coast of Florida. The Gulf of Mexico is often extremely calm and its warm waters attract a host of large fish making perfect conditions for pleasure fishing. Joining a fishing crew, otherwise known as a charter, however, is recommended, even if you are an experienced fisherman. This is because the crew will know where the best fishing is as well as the location of any underwater obstacles such as reefs and will help take care of safety.
Documentation
According to site Sea Spirit Fishing, in Florida you must have a license to deep sea fish, but don't worry, if you join a registered fishing crew they will provide you with the necessary documentation as part of the service. Many crews allow children above the age of four, as long as you are responsible for them and any equipment they use.
What to Expect
If you are a novice, the crew will show you how to use your rod, reel, hook and bait and will teach you the technique for bottom fishing. When you catch a fish, a member of the crew will take it off the hook and hang it up with your number so you can collect it at the end of the day. No crew, however, guarantees that you will catch fish, but as keeping the client happy is their bread and butter, personnel will do everything possible to make sure that your day is fruitful. Some crews offer a 'no fish, no pay' policy to reassure customers that they will have a good time.
Prices
Deep sea fishing is an expensive hobby. Captains must sometimes travel 100 miles out into the open sea at high speed to find fish and they must recoup the gas money from customers. To give you an indication of prices, according to its site, Charter Boat Fishing charges $595 for four hours of fishing--all equipment is included in the price. Other firms charge less or will make a special price depending on where you want to go or whether you have your own equipment. During negotiations, ask the captain how far out the boat travels to make sure that you are getting the 'deep sea' fishing experience for your money and not just a trip around the bay.
Types of Fish
In the deeper waters, you will find bigger sports fish, such as marlin, woohoo, tuna and sail fish, which are a favourite amongst pleasure fishermen for their speed and size. Other deep sea fish include kingfish, cobia, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, dolphin, shark, barracuda, tarpon, permit and mahi.
Vacations
Instead of hiring a crew yourself, you could book the experience as part of a vacation package. Local travel agents can often get better prices on charters and know their track record. They can also help you decide on the type of fishing that suits you based on yours experience and how long you would like to be out in the water.
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