1st time Fla fishing help

? Hoping to make it down to the everglades for a day too. Really wish I had time for Ochachobee.[/QUOTE]

If you make it to the glades here is my first trip in 2014: http://www.crappie.com/crappie/south...florida-ruint/

My post from 2015 reads the same. We are headed down first of April. I can't tell you how much fun the Oscars are. They are like catching a 5# Bluegill and on my 10 ft crappie rods they were a blast. I had to use braided line to keep from breaking off in the Lily Pads. If you got young ones with you they will have a blast. Just ignore the alligators, they are everywhere.

Skeetbum, thanks for the reply and info I will report how everything went, My Sister has owned this place for 6 yrs now, and this is the first year we could make the trip, Shes a great girl, but a fishermen no. My Wife has issues with sea sickness, My Brother in law does fish but mainly wades and bank fishes, He mentioned they catch drum, stingray, and shark. I am going to see if everyone wants to go on a boat, but I am guessing in may just be Me and My Brother in law. You guys mentioned asking questions on the charter services, besides the obvious, whats biting, where will we fish etc.. is there any other things I could ask? I understand having a note pad ready and plan on it, My memory is in the CRS stages now.
As of today its been 3 weeks since I've have been able to wet a line, which is the longest I've gone without in all of 2015' so I am rarein to fish again, who knows maybe I can talk the wife into staying another week and fishing Crappie on Okeechobee!:crazy:

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

? Hoping to make it down to the everglades for a day too. Really wish I had time for Ochachobee.

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If you make it to the glades here is my first trip in 2014: http://www.crappie.com/crappie/south...florida-ruint/

My post from 2015 reads the same. We are headed down first of April. I can't tell you how much fun the Oscars are. They are like catching a 5# Bluegill and on my 10 ft crappie rods they were a blast. I had to use braided line to keep from breaking off in the Lily Pads. If you got young ones with you they will have a blast. Just ignore the alligators, they are everywhere.[/QUOTE]


Hold on did You say ignore the alligators? will they ignore Me? Lol

Yes for the most part if you are in a boat of any size....14 ft. Jon boat for instance. I would not want to kayak among them simply because if I fell in I would fear the thrashing to get back in would attract too much of their attention. The big difference in the Alligators was the first year we put in at Holiday Park and there were dozens of Airboats taking tourist through the canals so the gators kept their distance.


Here is my post from 2105.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/south...rida-revisted/

In 2015 we put in at one of the I75 rest stop exits which has boat ramps(yep, an interstate rest stop with boat ramps, gotta love Florida) and we saw almost no boats so the gators were much more prevalent.

Well We had our first taste of Winter here in the Buckeye state today, 45mph winds 2" snow and it will be 8 degrees when We head to south Florida in the Morning, You know I could get used to being a snow bird!

How long in business? Start time? If bait is involved, who pays. How long for how much? Can I extend if we do good and how much would the extra be? What kind of gear will we be using? Quality or low end? Snacks and drinks? Supplied or do I bring? In the conversation you'll get a feel for his overall attitude. A real plus as you'll be spending your hard earned and be in the boat all day with him. Does he clean your catch or do you need to come prepared to do so. What are you allowed to keep of what species? These and others will be going through your head while you think it over, write em down. After 3 or 4 contacts I think you'll know who you'll use. And going by yourself can be a real plus too. You'll learn so much and maybe get him do go out of the normal day if something comes up in conversation that catches your interest. Brother and I went and the day slowed for reds, Trout would have been a major relocation and he knew where some good black drum were, so off we went. Call one and get your feet wet and you'll see what I mean.

Thanks again Skeetbum, thoughs are a few things I would'nt have thought to ask. Looking forward to sunny Florida.

The biggest thing is the guide should also be asking questions from you. I used to have tons of people that would show up at the dock with a family wanting to "troll for Marlin" or "heavy grouper fishing." It was clear they needed direction to ensure the whole family had the best time. While I love spending all day looking for Mr. big, a family needs to see cool barracudas, Kings, jacks, and Bonitas.

The weather will also dictate your activities for the day. If a captain has no problem beating the hell out of his boat and you as well, you probably need to find another guide.

Go go have fun and don't overthink it. Shouldn't be a chore...

Excellant thought JJsMarlin

Having a good time on the fishing excursion is what it is all about.
If the guide does not want to back away because of possible weather
problems - he might loose his fee -
You are paying a good price for this fun day..........

I always ask a lot of questions of my clients prior to excepting charter.
I want to know what they want -what they like - and what they are looking
for .....
Its not all about money..............
Making a friendship - a good chance of repeat business, and referrals are.

Update from chilly Florida: I found a reasonably priced charter that went 20 miles off shore, and with the unseasonable weather down here, I schedulaed it for what seemed like the best day, Tuesday morning (Today), unfortunatly a tornado hit just North of here this week and another the week before, so the Captain cancelled the trip due to rough seas. We where able to fish off the sea wall here and caught many small Lane Snappers and a couple keeper size Sheepheads, also made a trip to a public beach called Tiger tail and surf fished, the gulf was rough due to the recent weather but We did catch a half a dozen Catfish, although My Brother in law got stung by a cat when a strong wave took him under, I lost my Cdc hat and pair of pliers trying to keep him above water. We called it a day a took him home to tend to his wound.
We are hoping to come back down next Winter, hopefully the weather will be better. Thanks again guys for the help.