Not All Gold Coast Fishing Charters Are Equal
This article will help you decide which Gold Coast fishing charter company to choose from, from those available. These guidelines whilst specific for the Gold Coast area, can be helpful generally across Australia, aside from Gold Coast fishing charters.
Before divulging the differences between Gold Coast fishing charter operators, let's be clear about what is common amongst them all. Charters are available every day of the week in the form of full day (nine hours) and half day ( five hours) offshore fishing experiences. They usually leave early in the morning but are also available in the afternoons. All the equipment including bait is provided as well as food and beverages.
When inquiring about a Gold Coast fishing charter, two key questions should be asked which will greatly impact your experience. Firstly, what type of boat will be used? and secondly, what style of fishing will be undertaken?
Gold Coast fishing charter options vary between the larger fiberglass boats that have a mono hull (single hull), catamarans (dual hulled) and smaller aluminum boats.
As a general rule, a Gold Coast fishing charter utilizing a larger mono hulled boat, delivers more comfort since they are more stable and better equipped to handle heavy seas. Whilst some catamarans and aluminum boats may be faster, they are more taxing on the body. This is especially the case when facing less than perfect weather and sea conditions.
A Gold Coast fishing charter operator may offer a speedy trip and more actual fishing time. However, whats the point if ones body is aching or the skipper has limited knowledge of where to go to catch fish.
A Gold Coast fishing charter operator may promise to get you out to the destination fishing reefs in record breaking time. However he probably would not be saying to you that the destination is some, close by, unproductive reefs. In the back of his mind could be thoughts of how much he can save in terms of his fuel bill.
It's good to realise that the Gold Coast fishing charter companies, attract mainly tourists who happen to be novice people in terms of fishing. If you are an experienced fisherman, you may need to look elsewhere or simply change your expectations.
If it's at all possible, book a full day Gold Coast fishing charter since this enables the skipper to provide more fishing options to customers. With more time, it is possible to travel to those more distant places that haven't been fished to death.
Better still is to make an exclusive boat booking since you can then discuss your expectations with your skipper so as to tailor your Gold Coast fishing charter to suit your group.
As a final point, know that most Gold Coast fishing charters are reputable and professional in their conduct. But be warned that the industry does have a history of 'fly by night' operators coming and going and ripping off customers. The best option is to check out which Gold Coast fishing charter skippers have worked the same charter for a number of years and who therefore know where the fish are and who know their boats.