| Fishing charters or fishing trips have made fishing a | | | | range in size, you can fish on a boat as large as 21 |
| sports craze from coast to coast. From the Outer | | | | feet or even larger. Fishing charters are great fun for |
| banks to Seattle, from Cape Cod to the Florida keys | | | | the whole family especially on larger vessels to |
| -fishing has become the newest American past time. | | | | accommodate the entire family comfortably. |
| Charters are done either offshore or inshore and even | | | | There are many tournaments in charter fishing each |
| out on the Gulf Stream. Fishing charters offer | | | | year. The tournament is based on the fisherman who |
| deep-sea fishing for avid fishermen. Water | | | | catches the biggest fish. The winner has the "King |
| temperatures, tide patterns and the weather play an | | | | Fisherman" title along with bragging rights the whole |
| important role in charter fishing. With good weather, | | | | season. Competition can be rather fierce but with the |
| fishermen catch more fish -that of course depends on | | | | proper equipment, you can stand out from the rest of |
| how cold or warm the water is -the warmer the | | | | the gang. Equipment required is rods, reels, baits and |
| water, the more fish to catch. | | | | tackles. |
| Safety is also of priority when participating in a fishing | | | | If you are planning an excursion for the whole day, be |
| charter. Check the captain's qualifications before | | | | sure to bring food, water and sunscreen. On some |
| booking. Fishing charters are a lot of fun but it is | | | | charters however, refreshments are supplied. Be sure |
| dangerous to join one if the captain is inexperienced. | | | | that you have a fishing license because some states |
| Do your homework, ask for your captain's references | | | | require one while out on a fishing charter. The charter |
| with Better Business Bureau and also try to check if | | | | sometimes, covers that part of the things-to-do. |
| your captain has a USCG license and check for | | | | For most fishermen, the trophy in the tournament is not |
| insurance as well. | | | | the main prize. The fish caught makes any tournament |
| Rates depend on where you are going fishing; more | | | | exciting to watch. Fish usually sought after during |
| popular destinations require a higher price. Most of the | | | | fishing charters are wahoo, tune, king mackerel, |
| time though, trips range from $600 up. Charter boats | | | | dolphins, billfish, barracudas and even sharks. |