Gulf Shores

Our trip wasn't good.
My son books a trip for monday morning for the 2 of us. At 7:30 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
My son books a trip for tuesday morning for the 3 of us. At 7 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
My son books a trip for wednesday morning for the 3 of us. At 6:45 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
My son books a trip for thursday morning for the 3 of us. At 6:30 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
My son books a trip for friday morning for the 3 of us. At 6:30 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
My son books a trip for saturday morning for the 2 of us. At 6:30 am after waiting in line to finalize the day trip at 8 am we find that the boat is filled.
Our mornings were spent at the bay bridge catching bait and big head cats which we didn't keep.
Some of our evenings were spent at the lagoon pass, no keepers caught there either.

Oh wow....... That's tuff

How do you book a trip, and not have a spot? That really sux

Hate to hear that Jimmy, what good is a reservation if not honored especially 6 times in a row! Was this a walk on boat that took loose "reservations" but still went by first come, first aboard? Wonder what time that line starts to form?

If I booked a trip and then did not have one I sure would not book a second one with that outfit.
Just saying......6 times.....wow
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Yep, got some planning to do ifn we head south next year, I'd be bent pretty good the first day much less the sixth!!!!!

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Originally Posted by "G"

If I booked a trip and then did not have one I sure would not book a second one with that outfit.
Just saying......6 times.....wow
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does sound like someone is a bit of a slow learner... just saying.

I've been told by many deck hands, if you don't book the whole charter, it's pretty much a boat ride. They want that charter group to come back again so they work harder to get your business for next year. Walk-on's, they may never see then again and they treat you like it too.
I'm told Dauphin Island charters are more serious about you catching fish.

If I had a trip booked and they left me on the dock, they wouldn't be worried with me the second day.

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Originally Posted by jay the baptist

I've been told by many deck hands, if you don't book the whole charter, it's pretty much a boat ride. They want that charter group to come back again so they work harder to get your business for next year. Walk-on's, they may never see then again and they treat you like it too.
I'm told Dauphin Island charters are more serious about you catching fish.

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Some of us have been tossing around the idea of going next summer, sounds like booking the boat is the way to go. I do not intend to be left on the dock, no way no fashion. Heck, I don't like driving more than 30 miles or so to fish much less 300, I drive that far I'm feshing!!!!

Wow that su***! Sorry you all were treated like that!


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If they didn't want my money the first time, they wouldn't get another chance.


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What the heck does BOOK A TRIP really mean? "Here's a Book, now Wait for a Trip"?????

I woulda been STEAMED!!!!! But ONLY once!!!


BRM

I was under the impression charter boats were so numerous fishing would never be a problem.

There are only a few good captains down there. Captain Walker of the Summer Breeze is the best I've ever met. You need to reserve him 1 year in advance.
I've been out enough for a life time on the gulf. I want to go inshore fishing for red fish and speckled trout next.

We thought that when we booked a trip with a credit card we would have a spot on the boat. Nope, you're in line to get on the boat, but have to be there first to use your card before someone else uses theirs. We tried other marinas for a last minute walk up, but they were filled too. These were walk on trips that could handle 20 to 30 people for a 6 hour trip. Prices were $79 to $130 per person on different boats. Some of the boats offered an afternoon trolling trip for $45 and up. They want you to tip the crew and some charge per pound for the filleted catch.
Walk ons and charter boats are different. A walk on carry you out and stop for deep water bottom fishing. The charters will do deep water or troll, price for 1 to 8 people was $3,000.

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Originally Posted by canebreaker

We thought that when we booked a trip with a credit card we would have a spot on the boat. Nope, you're in line to get on the boat, but have to be there first to use your card before someone else uses theirs. We tried other marinas for a last minute walk up, but they were filled too. These were walk on trips that could handle 20 to 30 people for a 6 hour trip. Prices were $79 to $130 per person on different boats. Some of the boats offered an afternoon trolling trip for $45 and up. They want you to tip the crew and some charge per pound for the filleted catch.
Walk ons and charter boats are different. A walk on carry you out and stop for deep water bottom fishing. The charters will do deep water or troll, price for 1 to 8 people was $3,000.

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I've never heard of that. Every time I've gone we had to pay in advance and if the trip is canceled due to weather a refund. Would make no sense to bump someone that already paid. All the one's in Destin I've been on require payment up front. Maybe IF a spot they might let you walk up and pay the day of. Take you a hot chick next time. It might help. :)

We book out of orange beach a year in advance . My dad used his grandfather 50 yrs. ago . never a hiccup . I am with "g" . Shame me once ,shame on you . Shame me twice shame on me . :juggle

When my daughter lived in Dothan, Al, my son and I would book a trip a day in advance out of Panama City. Back then it was $350 for half a day for the two of us on a private charter. We could get on one of the "cattle boats" for $35 each. I preferred to have a boat to ourselves.


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You get what you pay for.


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Originally Posted by 27458

I've never heard of that. Every time I've gone we had to pay in advance and if the trip is canceled due to weather a refund. Would make no sense to bump someone that already paid. All the one's in Destin I've been on require payment up front. Maybe IF a spot they might let you walk up and pay the day of. Take you a hot chick next time. It might help. :)

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What's that all about? It sounds familiar but I don't remember.

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Originally Posted by feelay

You get what you pay for.

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Yep!

That's whyI always book a smaller boat. Have it all to myself. That or I take my own boat which is what I am doing in September for Bay st Louis

Sounds like a poorly run head boat operation. Sadly, if your going for red snapper, then a head boat is almost the way to go. Since the Feds slashed the limit to two, and especially now that they have put a season on amberjack, and triggerfish, and they made it so they are not in season together.

Head boats operate much different than charters and with the way the Feds have designated the seasons, they only care about maxing the boat out every trip. This is when they make their money for the year. If you call ahead early, tell them that you want to go ahead and pay.

You can call the marinas and ask if any private charters are looking for walk on guests to fill up their boat, too. Most parties are doing this now to offset cost of catching two fish. Most boats out of Mississippi and Alabama will only go after multi-species(grouper etc) if you book a ten hour trip. Florida and Venice, LA are much closer to deep water and can offer that in an eight hour trip or less sometimes. I know most of the blue water guys over there from when I ran my charter boat out of Destin if I can be of any help.




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Originally Posted by MidMsAngler

You can call the marinas and ask if any private charters are looking for walk on guests to fill up their boat, too. Most parties are doing this now to offset cost of catching two fish. Most boats out of Mississippi and Alabama will only go after multi-species(grouper etc) if you book a ten hour trip. Florida and Venice, LA are much closer to deep water and can offer that in an eight hour trip or less sometimes. I know most of the blue water guys over there from when I ran my charter boat out of Destin if I can be of any help.




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I got on stand-by lists several times at Fort Myers and the only times I ever got calls back were days after we returned home. I couldn't afford to book the charter by myself and most of my wife's family think great seafood is Capt.Ds.

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Originally Posted by mrdux

most of my wife's family think great seafood is Capt.Ds.

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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I resemble that remark. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji476]


BRM

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I resemble that remark. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji476]


BRM

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Sad but true when the wife and I have to sneak off to Pincher's in Fort Myers Beach to get something other than Shrimp Shack.

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Originally Posted by mrdux

I got on stand-by lists several times at Fort Myers and the only times I ever got calls back were days after we returned home. I couldn't afford to book the charter by myself and most of my wife's family think great seafood is Capt.Ds.

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hahahaha, i would be embarrassed to admit that :Rofl

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Originally Posted by mrdux

I got on stand-by lists several times at Fort Myers and the only times I ever got calls back were days after we returned home. I couldn't afford to book the charter by myself and most of my wife's family think great seafood is Capt.Ds.

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After a bad tourney showing I always say- "I couldn't Buy a danged Fish. Captain D's only had Chicken left when I stopped by to get some". [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


BRM

Capt.Ds is pretty dang good!!!! No shame in eating there!

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Originally Posted by 27458

Capt.Ds is pretty dang good!!!! No shame in eating there!

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Not my point at all. I eat there occasionally. My point is comparing Capt.Ds to real, fresh gulf seafood is comparing an apple to a watermelon.

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Originally Posted by 27458

Capt.Ds is pretty dang good!!!! No shame in eating there!

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[emoji573]


BRM

Not me..Got food poisoning, and went to ER because of eating at the one in Booneville

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Originally Posted by KnightShadow10

Not me..Got food poisoning, and went to ER because of eating at the one in Booneville

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That was your breakfast! Just took it a minute to kick in.

If youre ever down there again, i have some recommendations. We have a house in gulf shores, and fish down there 6-7 times a year. Have had luck surf fishing the last couple years after kinda learning the ins and outs. Be glad to help if anyone needed it.

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