A FISHING VACATION, “GONE FISHING”
BY CLAY LARROY
We lead
such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different
activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do
not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did
today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with
each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations
together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel
can be a most rewarding experience. When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!
There are also excellent
"Learn to Fish" opportunities. Many equipment and gear companies, as
well as local guides and charter companies will take complete novices and teach
the skills necessary to become an accomplished angler. Whether fly-fishing is
your sport of choice, or if you have decided that you would like to give
deepsea fishing a try, you will almost certainly find either formal training or
expert coaching from willing guides and charter companies.
If fishing from a raft or a
boat is a part of your trip, the type and size of the vessel used by your guide
or charter company is a very important consideration. Boat balance and design
play a big role, not only regarding comfort, but also for fishing performance.
Your charter company should be able to describe their vessels and offer a solid
rationale for why the type of boat used is adequate for the experience. In some
instances, larger boats offer air conditioning and private bathroom facilities.
In others, the boat is purely a method of transportation. In either event,
ample room for all to fish, relax and fish some more is an absolute.
If you are traveling with a
group, make sure everyone agrees on the daily pace of the fishing excursions
and opportunities, or that the charter company offers alternative activities
for those wishing to opt out or cut short their days of fishing. If traveling
with only one or two people, you may find yourself paired with another fishing
party. Ask your tour operator about their clientele and the others who will be
fishing with you to ensure your compatibility.
Fishing as a family can be a
real memory-making experience for children. The close, outdoor activity and
skill-building associated with fishing comprise many of our own childhood
experiences. If traveling with children, ask about age limits the tour operator
may impose, and design a trip that allows the younger members of your party
with a more limited attention span to drift to other activities. Combined with
a lodge stay or a fishing camp, children could remember this trip for the rest
of their lives.
No doubt your charter company
will provide a list of recommended gear to pack, rent, or buy. Many fishers
like to bring their own gear, so this is something you should determine early.
For inshore flats or bay fishing, the guide usually lets you bring your own
gear, fly rod, light tackle or other equipment. Big offshore boats, however,
usually prefer to supply all the rods and reels, tackle, bait and other gear.
Boat rules vary, so inquire early in your planning stages about what you can
bring with you.
For deep sea fishing,
excitement is plentiful, and the list of species you may encounter sounds like
an other-worldly menagerie: bonita, yellow-fin, amberjack, roosterfish,
barracuda, wahoo, dorado, snook, snapper, longjaw, bobo, palomito, jewfish,
machaca, roncador, mojarra, tepemachin, tigerfish and so on. However, weather
and sea conditions can have a real impact on your trip. It’s a good idea to eat
a good meal and get plenty of rest the night before your excursion. Hangovers,
direct sun heat, and/or semi-rough seas can make for a very long day. Similar
to other types of fishing, you should bring your food, sunscreen, hand towels
and comfortable deck shoes. If you have never been deep sea fishing before, it
is a good idea not to touch or handle a fish that you are not familiar with and
let the boat’s experienced mates assist you with landing the catch.
An option you might want to
consider in deep sea fishing is a "shared" trip. Shares are designed
for anglers who don’t have the inclination to book a private charter and would
like to go fishing without paying several hundred dollars. The advantage, of
course, is lower cost, but there are disadvantages as well. Share trips
generally do not go unless the boat is able to get a stated minimum number of
passengers. So, if you are on a tight schedule, there is a possibility the trip
might not happen at all. It’s also difficult to go on the specific boat
you want, because private charters tend to take priority. When fishing is slow,
there are times when only one or two lines are hooked up. With rotational
watches on the rods, it may mean you won’t get to fight the giant Marlin, for
example, or other huge fish that strike the lures, and you may feel left out if
this happens. Lastly, personalities at sea tend to differ greatly. Some people
may become ill and want to go home just as the fish start biting, creating a
tension on board between those who want to stay out and those who want to go
home.
Food and beverage, both on and
off the water, is another key consideration. Find out what types of food and
preparation are available to you and your companions during your trip. Most
charter companies can accommodate special needs and requests if made early
enough in the planning process.
Charter guides offer not only
instruction in catching the fish, but also what to do with your catch. Often,
the crew will unload the catch and clean your fish. Some operators will arrange
to have your trophy catch mounted and shipped. It’s likely the captain/crew
will have a readily available price list and any necessary paperwork to have
mounting done. Some charters will also fillet portions of the catch to take
home for dinner.
So does your guide guarantee
fish? Sorry, Charlie. That’s why they call it fishing and not "catching
fish." Some days the fish just don’t want to bite. And operators can’t
guarantee success, but by carefully selecting your guide, you give yourself the
best chance of not letting the big one get away.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
There are always new places
to go fishing. For any fisherman,
there's always a new place, always a new
horizon.
Jack Nicklaus
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