Skunked? When to find a new charter...?

[rwp2101]

Go with your gut, especially if you have experience with charters. So many factors involved that there is no hard and fast rule.

That said, everyone has a different style. What is the right boat for one may not be for another.

[bunker dunker]

was always taught its the captains job to get you there and your job to catch the fish.

[RAMMFISH66]

I chartered for my company for many years on the SAME boat and it was the best. The capt tried his best and everyone had more than their limits. We did three(3) trips each year and the capt was more than happy to have us aboard.

[Detour66]

The charter captains I deal don't get skunked unless they are just targeting one species and don't change up. This is the results I have had with the few charter boats that I go with. It may not be a killer day but at least we catch something!

[Chrisper4694]

fishing is fishing, getting skunked or not shouldn't weigh into the choice. I can tell immediately if a captain is putting in the effort and knows what he's doing. I can tell when they're being lazy, trying to save gas, etc. I can tell when they care if you catch fish or not. and i can obviously tell if they're a pita to fish with and just rude or condescending the whole time.

so as long as they're putting in the effort, knowledgeable, good company, and just plain care about you catching fish then getting skunked a few times even in a row doesn't matter. It's fishing, getting skunked sucks but it happens and if you get a string of bad luck that's it.

I've been on boats that caught fish that i'll never go back on and i've been on boats that i got skunked that i would go back on. Hell, i won't name any obviously but some very very popular captains that have great reputations for catching fish...I would never go out with again.

[O'Man]

A skunking, or few, is not enough for me to change if I believe the captain & crew made an honest effort.

[slammer]

If your doing offshore tuna trips finding the right boat is key.If the captain and crew arent giving 100% the whole time and willing to change things up Id try another boat.Offshore fishing is very difficult to be consistent you will get skunked i have quite a few times,but ive also had some killer trips with multiple species.tunas,swords,sharks and mahi.I fished on the sea devil with captain bob pennington for over 30yrs until he sold the boat.That was my go to tuna party boat.I would try another charter and find one that works for you.Good luck and tight lines.

[Pennsy Guy]

As has been said above, it has more to do with effort rather than getting the skunk for me. Haven't gotten the skunk out of the box sometimes but would/will/do go out on the boat again, regardless. Then again, even with fish in the box, wouldn't ever go out on the boat again. For me, it's attitude and effort. It's not hard to figure the Capt. & crew's attitude. Not catching is a bummer but it is called fishing, not catching...

[Castaway]

Everybody has a bad day from time to time, but if the other boats at the dock are using the fillet table and your boat isn’t, then it’s time to find a new boat!

[captmark]

Great topic guys, I am surprised that no charter boat captains had anything to say, I know Capt Ron has had some tough days but has been able to put something together. I have been on both sides of the coin, been skunked myself on vacation and had trips out that the gods were not with me. If you have an honest Capt watch how frustrated he gets? does he have a plan B or even C. Does the Capt offer something when you return? Its tough somedays and the clients expect a hail mary pass that they can catch. We have had some that we never see again and some come right back. Don't be so quick to judge the capt unless he just sits their and says "wow I cant believe this they were biting here yesterday" and he doesn't switch tatics and or uses plan b or c. I know most of you would just like to bend a rod on an off day and bring home at least dinner. But honestly great topic!