What makes for a good charter trip?

I'm considering going out on one since I don't know how to fish for anything bigger than rock fish off the breakwater or trout in the stocked lakes. I tend to sell my boats before they ever get into the salt water. So a charter or a rented boat might be my best bet.

What kind of questions should I ask to find out if the company I choose is the best value?

I've seen charters from $120 to $2000 for 3 people to go out.

Thanks

Hey Purrnak,

if I remember correctly you are out Victoria right? If Victoria is where you want to go out then $100/hour is the going rate, although winter rates might be a little less. This by no means a complete list or ranking but you can't go wrong with any of the companies listed below.

Beasley's
Island Outfitters (ask to fish with Rob or Elliot both great guys)
Foghorn
No Bananas (not sure if he's fishing out Victoria this winter)

If you want to go out in sooke there's:
Vicious Fish Charters (One of the best guides on the whole island)
Tailspin
Last Chance
bluewolf


if you want to learn and not just reel in fish ask if the guide is willing to teach you about how and where they are fishing - not all guides like to teach, while other's like myself find it a lot of fun.

The biggest factor in having a great day is having a guide with an easy going personality that meshes with your own. 5-8 hours is a long time to spend in close quarters with a stranger so having a personable guide makes time go by quick.

Full disclosure: I work for Beasley's but only in the summer.


If you're struggling to catch fish on your own spending the money on a guided trip will pay off huge with your catch rates if you pay attention.

Good luck and have fun!

very nice reply--I have gone out a couple of times with Cheech in Nanaimo and enjoyed operating the boat and watching and learning what he did...I didn't need the fish, but sure needed the instruction..

What MM? Cause Lewis isn't on the boards you don't mention him

I got to go on a freebie that he gave up for the SSES derby and had a blast.

And pretty sure that Lastchance isn't throwing the boat in this winter either but a call would rule that one.

What makes a good guide trip is questions like this Purr... Most know how to catch fish and if they weren't personable they wouldn't be in the biz.

Most have websites... pick a nice boat and go for a ride

my .25

Lol - Actual to be perfectly honest I forgot to include him, he should be on the list as well.


Most of the guides out there are great guys that love sharing the ocean with newbies and pros alike - but there are more then a couple grumpy old men still guiding long after they should have retired.

Also I should add, if you want to have a beer or smoke you should ask ahead of time. Most guys are easy going with this as long as you're behaved and respectful but some don't allow either - could be a bummer if you head out for a day with the boys and the captain makes you leave the cooler on the dock.

I might add that if you don't smoke you might ask if the guide is a smoker. I went on an 8 hr charter and it got pretty rough, I was fine with the swells but the guides smoking almost had me hanging over the rails.

that's a good point, if it was raining you wouldn't want to be stuck under the canvas second hand smoking a pack of cigarettes with your guide if smoke bugs you.

Fun makes a good charter....

If you get stuck with one of these "I was macho before macho was cool" types...they aren't fun.
They're really boring.

You don't pay to go out there and listen to their macho horsesh*t/attitude all day.
You go out to have fun.
And...you go out to catch fish.

It pays to check the track record of a charter operator in terms of fish-catching.
Some guides do way better than other guides on all species.

Cheers All,

The best way to choose a guide is to use the experience of others who have
been in your position and, through either hard work or referals, have found
one they like. If you know of people who have taken charters then ask them
and, if not, ask for references.

We are blessed in BC to have some of the best fishing in the world and, as
a natural extension of that, we have some of the best guides in the word too.
I have been privlidged to have met and fished with many guides and one would
have difficulty imagining just how good they are. Having said that I know -
sadly - of far too many "less than satisfactory" guides and that concerns me.

A guided trip is an experience we all should be blessed to have taken part in. Ensure your experience meets your expectations and do your homework. In
fact many reputable guides will help point you in the right direction. Every year
I send almost as many charters to other guides as I do myself simply due to their requiring a trip that requires specific requirements that I cannot provide but
I know of great guides who can meet those requirements.