Party Boat Experience - What to expect
What the boat supplies:
1. Your fishing license. No need to obtain a Florida fishing license, your ticket includes your license.
2. Fishing rod and reel rigged with a 2 hook bottom
fishing rig (called a "chicken rig", a "porgy rig" or
"dropper" rig).
Most, if not all, party boats use a model of the Penn 113
4/0 Senator conventional reel, spooled with 60 lb
monofilament.
Most use the black model (113), with a few using the
red model (113H). If you have a choice, choose the
red reel. It has a higher retrieve ratio (3.3:1 red reel vs
2:1 black reel) which means you will do less cranking
with the red reel.
Most of the reels used on party boats have seen a lot of
use and some are not in very good condition, depending
on the boat. You are allowed to bring your own rod/reel
on all of the party boat, which I would suggest if you
can.
If you have never used a conventional bottom fishing
reel, you will need to learn the basics on it or you will
end up with a reel full of tangled line (called a "bird's
nest). The mates will normally have a mass meeting
during your trip out which they explain how to use the
reel. Just pay attention and keep your thumb on the
line as you let it out. For more information on how to
use a conventional saltwater bottom fishing rig, go to
HOW TO USE A CONVENTIONAL SALT WATER REEL
3. Bait. The mates will supply you with a bucket or
other device that has both cut squid and cut small fish.
4. A laundry basket to put your fish in. They will
periodically come around and collect your fish and
place them on ice. They have different ways of
marking your fish, but most use an aluminum spike
stringer with a number on it. Just remember your
number.
5. They will remove the fish from your hook for you and determine if it is of legal size or in season. If not, it goes back
over.
6. At the end of the trip, they will clean your fish (fillet)
and give them to you in a plastic bag. Some boats
charge extra for this. You do have the option of taking
them home and cleaning them yourself.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
1. Cooler with ice. The ones with wheels are the most
convenient.
2. Food, snacks, and beverages. You can bring beer, but
you need to bring plenty of water too as it is easy to
become dehydrated in the summer months.
3. Two small towels. Use one to hold the fish you catch
while you are removing the hook and the other, keep it wet
and put it around your neck, it will keep you a little cooler.
4. Whatever personal tackle: rod, reel, etc you would like to
use. Keep it compact.
5. Pair of needle nose wire pliars to help remove the fish
hook from the mouth of the fish. The mate will remove them,
but sometimes they are busy. If you do it, you can get your
line back down quicker.
6. Small knife.
7. Hat
8. Sun screen
9. Camera
DESTIN PARTY BOATS
Destin Party Boats -
A party boat is an excellent way to get on the water and get some fish at a reasonable price in Destin. There are
approximately 8 party boats calling the Destin Harbor their home that run anywhere from a 4 hour trip to over 16 hour trips,
with prices starting around $40.00 each. What is the difference between a Destin Private Charter boat and a Party boat?
CHARTER BOATS
The charter boats normally only take a small group of
fishermen (6). They have more freedom in determining
what fish they want to catch and what type of fishing they
will do, ie, trolling, bottom fishing.
There is normally one set fee for the whole boat, around
$ 160.00 to $170.00 and hour, with a 4 hour trip being the
minimum required.
PARTY BOATS
A party boat (sometimes called a "head boat" ) takes many
more fishermen, anywhere from 40 up to 80 fishermen.
They are "open boats" in that anyone can sign up. Each
fisherman pays a set fee for himself and, in return, is
allowed to pick one of the many fishing stations on the rail.
Party boats bottom fish only. They schedule different length
of trips, anywhere from 4 to 14 hour trips throughout the
week and you pick which trip you want to go on.
Trips start at 4 hours for around $ 45.00 per fisherman.
A party boat is an excellent way to get on the water and get some fish at a reasonable price in Destin. There are
approximately 8 party boats calling the Destin Harbor their home that run anywhere from a 4 hour trip to over 16 hour trips,
with prices starting around $40.00 each. What is the difference between a Destin Private Charter boat and a Party boat?
CHARTER BOATS
The charter boats normally only take a small group of
fishermen (6). They have more freedom in determining
what fish they want to catch and what type of fishing they
will do, ie, trolling, bottom fishing.
There is normally one set fee for the whole boat, around
$ 160.00 to $170.00 and hour, with a 4 hour trip being the
minimum required.
PARTY BOATS
A party boat (sometimes called a "head boat" ) takes many
more fishermen, anywhere from 40 up to 80 fishermen.
They are "open boats" in that anyone can sign up. Each
fisherman pays a set fee for himself and, in return, is
allowed to pick one of the many fishing stations on the rail.
Party boats bottom fish only. They schedule different length
of trips, anywhere from 4 to 14 hour trips throughout the
week and you pick which trip you want to go on.
Trips start at 4 hours for around $ 45.00 per fisherman.
THE PARTY BOAT EXPERIENCE - WHAT TO EXPECT |
| DESTIN PARTY BOATS There are nine party boats running out of the Destin Harbor currently. 1. FLORIDA GIRL Click below for more information 2. AMERICAN SPIRIT Click below for more information Legendary runs two party boats out of the Ledgendary docks just west of the Lucky Snapper restaurant, behind the Emerald Grande. 3. SWOOP I Click below for more information 4. SWOOP II The Destin Princess and Destiny are located behind the Fisherman's Wharf restaurant. 210 HARBOR BLVD Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-5088 5. DESTINY Click below for more information 5. DESTIN PRINCESS Click below for more information Olin Marler Charter Boat Service runs three party boats and are located just west of AJs restaurant. (850) 837-7095 6. TROPICAL WINDS Click below for more information 7. GENTLE WINDS Click below for more information 8. GULF WINDS Click below for more information 9. SWEET JODY Click below for more information |
TIPS FOR CATCHING FISH ON THE PARTY BOATS
With the current limits and short season on Red Snapper, the party boats have had to adjust and try to put you on fish you
can take home. Most will target Mingo Snapper (Vermillion Snapper) and White Snapper (Red Porgy)
MINGO SNAPPER WHITE SNAPPER
(Vermillion Snapper) (Red Porgy)
to start with and then move to their Red Snapper holes toward the end of the trip. The reason for this is that once the boat
limit is reached their red snapper (Two per paying fisherman), no more red snapper, extras must go back over.
.
The Mingo Snapper and White Snapper (not actually a Snapper, but a Porgy, but still good) usually are small (less than
14") and like squid for bait. The Red Snapper, while they will bite squid, usually prefer cut bait or live bait.
Most party boats supply you with a bait container of both cut squid and cut Boston Mackerel.
Cutting bait on the New Florida Girl
Their rod/reels are rigged with a 2 hook bottom rig, and most have gone to the smaller (#1) circle hooks. (You must use
circle hooks now in the gulf when fishing for reef fish). This will
allow you to catch the smaller mingos and white snapper, and
the red snapper. However, most fishermen around here prefer
a larger hook (#4 or # 5 circle) for Red Snapper. If you want to
target Grouper, you want to go with even a larger hook (say # 6
or larger circle hook).
Some points to remember on saltwater fishing and hook size:
The larger the bait, the larger the fish you will catch
Match the size of the hook to the size of the bait. (You
want the barb and hook showing, not hidden in the bait)
So, depending on what you are fishing for, mingos/white snapper, or bigger fish such as red snapper, grouper, you want to
adjust your bait, hook size, and presentation. For this reason, I recommend you bring your own tackle.
Penn 113h reel with boat rod, rigged with 40# braid or monofilament to a 100# swivel.
Prerigged leaders
- Use a 2 hook bottom rig with # 1 or #2 circle hooks if you want to catch Mingos, Porgies, or Triggerfish. Use cut
squid for bait.
- Use a 2 hook bottom rig or 1 hook fish finder rig with # 5 circle hooks if you want to catch larger Red Snapper,
Grouper, Amberjack. Use cut or whole bait fish (Cigar Minnows preferred) for bait.
- Use a 1 hook fish finder rig if you have live bait.
2. Bring your own bait, either frozen cigar minnows or live bait.
3. Try to fish toward on the back end.
4. You want to keep your lines tight the whole time. Slack lines drift and you will get tangled with other fishermen.
5. Use a larger weight than you would normally use to get your bait to the bottom quick and to keep your line tight.
Recommend at least 16 ounces.
to be continued - have to go to work
now
With the current limits and short season on Red Snapper, the party boats have had to adjust and try to put you on fish you
can take home. Most will target Mingo Snapper (Vermillion Snapper) and White Snapper (Red Porgy)
MINGO SNAPPER WHITE SNAPPER
(Vermillion Snapper) (Red Porgy)
to start with and then move to their Red Snapper holes toward the end of the trip. The reason for this is that once the boat
limit is reached their red snapper (Two per paying fisherman), no more red snapper, extras must go back over.
.
The Mingo Snapper and White Snapper (not actually a Snapper, but a Porgy, but still good) usually are small (less than
14") and like squid for bait. The Red Snapper, while they will bite squid, usually prefer cut bait or live bait.
Most party boats supply you with a bait container of both cut squid and cut Boston Mackerel.
Cutting bait on the New Florida Girl
Their rod/reels are rigged with a 2 hook bottom rig, and most have gone to the smaller (#1) circle hooks. (You must use
circle hooks now in the gulf when fishing for reef fish). This will
allow you to catch the smaller mingos and white snapper, and
the red snapper. However, most fishermen around here prefer
a larger hook (#4 or # 5 circle) for Red Snapper. If you want to
target Grouper, you want to go with even a larger hook (say # 6
or larger circle hook).
Some points to remember on saltwater fishing and hook size:
The larger the bait, the larger the fish you will catch
Match the size of the hook to the size of the bait. (You
want the barb and hook showing, not hidden in the bait)
So, depending on what you are fishing for, mingos/white snapper, or bigger fish such as red snapper, grouper, you want to
adjust your bait, hook size, and presentation. For this reason, I recommend you bring your own tackle.
Penn 113h reel with boat rod, rigged with 40# braid or monofilament to a 100# swivel.
Prerigged leaders
- Use a 2 hook bottom rig with # 1 or #2 circle hooks if you want to catch Mingos, Porgies, or Triggerfish. Use cut
squid for bait.
- Use a 2 hook bottom rig or 1 hook fish finder rig with # 5 circle hooks if you want to catch larger Red Snapper,
Grouper, Amberjack. Use cut or whole bait fish (Cigar Minnows preferred) for bait.
- Use a 1 hook fish finder rig if you have live bait.
2. Bring your own bait, either frozen cigar minnows or live bait.
3. Try to fish toward on the back end.
4. You want to keep your lines tight the whole time. Slack lines drift and you will get tangled with other fishermen.
5. Use a larger weight than you would normally use to get your bait to the bottom quick and to keep your line tight.
Recommend at least 16 ounces.
to be continued - have to go to work
now
