Open Boat 6 Pack?

[PeteyHD]

Forgive my ignorance but I see many 6 pack boats offering open trips. I think this is great for the guys who cant always fill a 6 pack boat and I am looking into trying this out for blackfish next month.

Question.... Do I keep my fish separate or am I forced to put my fish together with 5 other strangers? Also do I bring my fish cooler aboard or just a little one for food and drinks?

Also curious to know how some of these boats fill 10, 12 and even 14 guys on these trips!

Never done this before and looking for very basic advice. I usually charter with my crew but they aren't into the toggin, so sorry to sound like a NEWBY

[BOOMER43]

Some boats will combine the catch and split them evenly. Some boats will mark your fish and put them in the fish box. Some boats will let you bring a cooler onboard. I guess it depends on what the captain likes to do. Some of these boats don't really have the room to have 6 coolers on board. Best thing to do is ask when you make your reservation.

[tropics]

You will probably get a dozen different answers to this. My experience I have seen guys keep there catch separate as well as pool all the fish.

[GDubya07]

It all depends what boat you fish on

Always ask the policy before you get on an open boat , then ask again when you get on the boat

I have done both

Make sure you know before you send the boat your money

Good Luck - Gbdubs

[Harpoon]

Mixing fish with other strangers? After a day on the water with a 6 pack they are no longer strangers...they are your friends! Some you might even fish with again.

6 pack is a 6 man licensed limit, not a 10, 12, 14 etc.... There are some larger charter boats like the Mimi that can hold (and are licensed) for more then 6 passengers and will advertise open boats as they have them. I have found on the larger boats you fill your own cooler.

I like to eat my catch...and sometimes I don't have great days on the water. Going with a six pack that shares the catch (which I think a good amount do) is always more preferable to me for that reason. I've also had days where I'm high hook but took home less then I caught....what comes around goes around. If you are an angler that doesn't like to eat fish then this policy may not mean much to you.
As someone else said...ask before booking.

Look around on the open boat forum here and you will see some good boats to fish with. If you are looking for Tog then stick with the captains that generally fish for them on a daily basis...same thing with stripers. You will have a better chance of getting on the meat with them vs a boat who switches it up all the time.

Good luck...have fun!

[PeteyHD]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Mixing fish with other strangers? After a day on the water with a 6 pack they are no longer strangers...they are your friends! Some you might even fish with again.

This is a very good point. Great way to meet and greet!

[Gerry Zagorski]

6 pack boats can only take 6 people plus captain and crew. Any boat that wants to carry more then 6 passengers (certain charter boats and all party boats) has to be specially licensed and inspected by coast guard. Based on the boat and how it's built and equipped they assign a number of how many people they can take.

[Fin Reaper]

I like the community cooler method. Everyone works as a team and most of the time (on the boats I frequent) if the Capt. and mate see the crew struggling to put a catch together they will pitch in to help.

[PeteyHD]

Every time I charter a 6 pack my crew puts the catch together and splits it. Some of us have better days than others but we all fish hard and go home with equal bags. The only problem I have with pooling the fish on an open boat is you don't really know the skill level or experience of the people who you are fishing with. I'm not saying I'm a perfect fisherman but I fish hard and we all know we have our days, but what happens when a few people in your group get seasick or are just learning how to tog for the first season?

Are these 6 pack open trips usually seasoned regulars since the cost is more than a headboat? Nothing is a guarantee but if your on a team and don't know your teammates capabilities there's a little hesitation.

[Harpoon]

Who says that the seasoned veterans will do well that day...read BulletBobs post from yesterday and all the comment to go with it.

I can't tell you how many times I've been on board with first timers and they clean up...sometimes even taking the pool fish.

You pay for the captains and mate service along with having a reliable faster boat then a head boat. Most times you will get more fishing time, all terminal tackle including sinkers and green crab/white leggers. You can pick up different skills from the captain/mates/fares too in order to put more fish in the box. There is a reason you pay more for these trips and it's not just for the crew you are fishing with.

And Yes I would say the casual angler stays home once the weather hits below 50 but you just never know. Don't over analize!