How to Get The Most Out of Your Charter

Fishing Charters – How to get the most out of your experience.

There are some major advantages to using a commercial charter boat for your fishing requirements. Especially when travelling long distances away from home. You will find most charters, while fairly priced, will still cost you a reasonable sum of money. It is critical that you make the most of your time onboard the boat. Unfortunately, some fishing charter customers don’t get as much value, or as many fish as they possibly could. Read on for some great advice on how to get the most out of your charter.

The Captain and Crew

A big part of what you get for your money is the experience and local knowledge of your captain and his deck hand. Therefore, you should pay close attention to all the briefings and the valuable advice that the crew offer to you. Furthermore, most charter captains know the local area and fishing techniques like the back of their hand. Thus, by listening to your crew and paying careful attention to their demonstrations, your fishing technique will improve. If you are unsure of anything, don’t be afraid to ask questions either. Your crew will be happy to help.

Sit or Stand on Your Charter

kingfish caught off the gold coastDeep sea fishing charters are most suitable for those who are in fairly good physical shape. In other words, you really need the ability to be able to stand up and fish on a boat that is constantly rocking with the waves. Indeed, most good fishing charter operators will still happily accommodate the less able and find them a comfortable spot to sit. Nevertheless, those who are standing up with their rod tips closer to the water, tend to have a faster reaction to bites and a more consistent hook up rate.

In short if you are physically able to stand and concentrate on watching and feeling for bites. You will vastly improve your chances of achieving a good catch. While this may be true, those who do need to sit and fish can still achieve reasonable results. Provided they are holding the rod and concentrating. Bottom fishing rods that are left in rod holders unattended don’t catch fish and generally just create tangles. Usually resulting in you upsetting other fisho’s on board. Holding your rod and paying attention is the key to success.

Sea Sickness

In a nutshell a bout of sea sickness can and will ruin your day! While this doesn’t sound pleasant, there areSpanish mackerel caught on the Gold coast a few simple steps that one can take to avoid this scenario. First and foremost, it is highly advisable not to hit the town and drink excessively the night before your scheduled departure. Copious amounts of alcohol and the open ocean are a recipe for disaster. Consequently, if you turn up drunk, you most likely won’t be permitted to board the boat. We recommend you get a good few hours’ sleep and have a healthy breakfast before boarding.

If you have never been out on the ocean before, and are unsure if you will suffer from seasickness, it is advisable to visit your local pharmacist. Importantly they will be able advise what is best for you. Most reputable chemists stock a variety of motion sickness preventatives. Accordingly, it’s better to invest a few dollars to prevent sea sickness to make your day a more enjoyable one.

Weather Considerations. Hot or Cold

Gold coast tuskfishAnother extremely important aspect to consider is the local weather conditions, it is important to dress appropriately to suit the season. For example, if rain is forecast its advisable to bring along a spray jacket, if it’s hot dress comfortably but take along a jumper or jacket just in case the conditions change. Suitable nonslip shoes are also advisable. Finally, you don’t want to wear your best clothes, fishing can be messy, and you don’t want to ruin your favourite outfit.

Make it a Day to Remember.

To sum up, if you heed the important advice we have provided in this article, it’s guaranteed that you will have a far more enjoyable offshore fishing trip. Being prepared and knowing what to bring and what to expect will enrich your overall experience. Being sick or cold isn’t nice and is easily avoidable. You have paid good money to have fun, be sure to get the absolute best value for money out of your day out on the ocean.

 

Pearl Perch Gold Coast Deep Sea Fishing

Pearl Perch Gold Coast.

Chasing Pearl perch off the Gold coast can be a very rewarding experience. Pearlies as they are commonlypearl perch called, can be found along the east coast between Port Macquarie in NSW and as far north aspearl perch off the Gold coast Rockhampton in Qld. Pearl perch are a demersal bottom dwelling fish species that inhabit the local reef systems. They prefer deeper water, and you’re most likely to find them in 40-100 metres.

Your best chance to get on the pearlies is to chase them in deep water. They prefer rugged lumpy reef structure and they also seem to like to man-made reefs and ship wrecks.
A quality depth sounder and the know to use and read it accurately is critical. Pearlies form tight schools and tend to stack up on one on another.

Gold Coast Pearl Perch – Suitable baits.

Pearlies are not particularly fussy eaters they will happily devour most flesh baits, pilchards or squid. The key is to make sure its fresh and in good condition. Similarly they also respond well to nicely presented live baits such as Yellowtail scad or Slimy mackerel. However if you cant get hold of quality bait. Or don’t have time to waste catching live bait, these quality table fish will also take knife and soft plastics jigs too.

Deep Sea Fishing Tackle and rigs for Pearlies.

pearl gold coastAlthough one doesn’t need super heavy tackle to catch Pearlies. One should keep in mind that other larger species such as Cobia, Kingfish, Amberjack, Cod and Sambos. Also tend to inhabit the same areas as pearl perch. In other words a good quality overhead or spinning reel loaded with a minimum 15kg line will get the job done.

A simple paternoster rig with circle hooks and a snapper lead attached is a tried and proven method for catching these deep dwelling fish. However, if you prefer to fish light. When wind and current permit. Lighter ball sinkers with a snelled rig will allow you to slowly sink a bait to them. As a bonus you may pick up Snapper and other species as the bait slowly sinks through the water column.

Fishing The Gold Coast.

Pearl perch can be caught off the Gold coast year round, but tend to be more prolific through the cooler months. The 50 fathom grounds are the most productive for pearlies, but reasonable numbers also come off the 36 fathom reefs too. And to a lesser extent they are also sometimes known to show up in closer in depths of 24 fathoms, but they tend to be smaller specimans.

A safe reliable boat is your only option to get to these fish. For instance a boat of 6 metres or above with quality engines. If you don’t own a seaworthy boat. Another great option is to gather up a bunch of family and friends and charter a fishing boat for a full day trip. for more information

please call our friendly staff on 07 55109622