Florida Fishing Charters
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Bounty Hunter Florida fishing charters offer light tackle and flyfishing trips on the premiere saltwater flats and backcountry waters of the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Boca Grande, and Tarpon Springs area of Florida. Enjoy a Florida fishing charter stalking GIANT tarpon, snook, redfish, trout and 20 other Florida tropical and sub-tropical fish, with IGFA world record breaker and tournament champion fishing guide, Capt. Robert McCue. From novice to expert, individual to family and groups, our Florida fishing charters offer enjoyment for all.
Choosing a Florida fishing guide or charter captain is a big decision and should not be based on advertising alone. This original site is designed to make your choice a little easier. We've kept all the bells and whistles off this FAQ page to make down loading and answering the questions people most often have fast and easy. For a more in depth look at our services simply follow the links starting at home.
What We Are Not
We are not a virtual company doing business as a brokerage or a booking agent for any and all people claiming to be/posing as a full time fishing guide in state of Florida for a commission, finders fee, or other similar "kick back". I do not work for hotels, resorts, marinas or other well established or long time fishing guide "services".
While I am a closely held corporation, there is only one major stockholder and employee-Capt. Robert McCue (that is me!). When you hire my company, or myself, I am what you get. I do not play the game of "bait and switch" (attract your attention on my credentials and then pass you off to "someone" else).
On the occasions that I cannot personally accommodate you, I will offer you information on where else to inquire for other guides I have worked with or have known for decades. In many instances in the past 20 years, I have personally started some of the guides found on the Net or in some cases, even built their websites. However, there can only be one original. References are of similar fishing caliber, equipment, and persona. If I cannot help you with the services of these few individuals, I will simply state that I can not, unfortunately, help you per your request. In those cases, we invite you to try us again in the future.
My business is built on one thing. Reputation. I will not risk it for a commission, finder's fees, or "kick backs" with a "fly by night" or a "wanna be" guide. Whether the fish bite or not, it is my mission to give you what you pay for. That includes an honest attempt to make your expectations become reality with state of the art equipment, a pleasant personality and atmosphere for your enjoyment, and near two decades of full-time expert satisfaction.
How do I contact you?
Toll Free: 800 833-0489 We utilize call forwarding from our office to the captain's cell phone making us virtually and personally available to you even while we are on the water. As to be courteous and focused in our undivided attention to our guest while on a trip, we attempt to keep business brief while under hire. During periods of high call volume, your call will be forwarded to our voicemail system. You will not spend a day fishing with us with cell phone call interruptions. We will treat you equally as well and with the same respect. Naturally, there are times when we can not personally answer your call. We offer fully functional and reliable voice mail. We request that if you do not reach us personally, to please leave us a message that includes your daytime and evening phone numbers. All messages are promptly and personally returned. We are on United States Eastern Time or minus 5 hours Greenwich Mean Time. The country code for international calls to the United States is (01). We too may receive faxes at this number but it is not a dedicated FAX line.
Email: capt@gianttarpon.com We check our mail on a daily basis. We reply personally per your request on the same daily basis. Please keep in mind that the Internet is subject to many variables including downed servers, software bugs, or possible "in house" situations. Our site is one of the oldest Florida fishing websites on the Net. That has given "spammers" plenty of time to acquire our mailing address. We now use a "spam blocker" filter/software to separate legitimate mail from spam. Please put words relating to fishing in your subject line to be certain we do not accidentally overpass your message. If you have not received a reply on the same day, it is likely we are experiencing one of these type of pitfalls. In such cases, we apologize in advance for any delays and request you give us a call.
US Mail: Our central corporate mailing location for deposits and other "snail mail" matters is:
Bounty Hunter Sport Fishing
Guide Service Inc.
PO BOX 1768
New Port Richey, Florida 34656-1768
What is Florida flats, backcountry and near shore fishing?
What
kind of boat do you have?
* The Dorado 23 is the professional's creme de la creme of Florida Gulf Coast guide boats. Like top professional full time fishing guides, Dorado earned their reputation over decades of honing their products to virtual perfection. Remarkably, there are actually websites claiming to fish the Dorado 23, yet they do not own or run one. You deserve what you pay for!
Scaled Sardines:
Success in catching many
species is obtained by the use of live, scaled sardines. The bait itself was
once the secret of commercial fisherman and guides, but not any longer. The bait
is so effective! It has essentially created an entire new fishery; a complete
community of "new" fishing guides, boats and tackle.
The only way to properly
fish the "crickets" is to secure them fresh on a daily basis (seasonal
availability) and in massive quantities. They cannot be bought. We start
to collect them in the pre dawn darkness throwing a 12-foot cast net. While all
bait is included in the trips and artificial baits can be stocked on the boat
prior to departure, we must personally catch these live sardines and we do so
as a service to our clients that is part of your trip.
Scaled sardines are
premium baits and a fishery unto itself. Due in part to the length of time we
have been fishing them, acquiring them in quality and quantity has earned us a
reputation of excellence in this area. On the rare occasion where excessive time
is spent acquiring them (i.e. over an hour) that time will be split evenly
between us (the captain and the clients). Inside of that time allotment, we
absorb the time catching your staple sardines. We are not and never have been
"clock watchers". I do not believe fish (to include the baitfish) bite on a
time clock. Our goal is to get the job done to your complete satisfaction within
the scheduled amount of time. The sardines are a part of that equation in all
aspects. Your guide is confident on fish locations and the sardines are your
insurance policy to capture them. Sardines are "white magic" to our elite
gamefishes, and we hope you will understand and appreciate
how "making premium bait" is
"made" for your fishing trip. Good things come to those with great bait!
For those who are
interested, I can usually accommodate you if you wish to see how this is done
and what exactly is involved during this daily ritual. This is often an advantage
as we can start fishing directly from the bait location on the water. For the
not so hardcore, we will arrange a time to meet allowing time for obtaining the
minnows and according to your availability/ schedule.
Do
we need to be expert fishing people to fish with you?
Hardly!
While we do specialize in the elite species and sometimes use advance techniques...we
fish many novices. Families, kids and women are more than welcome. We are
pleased to offer kind and friendly instruction. An open mind and the ability
to follow a
little advice is all that is needed. We use a mild mannered approach, and I am
one who doesn't use the "barking" program. We are very well established.
You catching each and every fish is not as important to us as you having a good
time. We do appreciate being recognized for the opportunities we provide. Remember
that no matter who or where you choose a fishing charter...nobody wants you
to catch fish more than your fishing guide. Some of the elite species are difficult
in that they
are very
temperamental or very strong. We suggest that when inquiring about a specific
target, ask particular questions on what to expect in hunting and catching
these species.
I
get sea sick easy...are your waters often rough?
No.
In fact the majority of our fishing is done in less than six feet of water and
as shallow as a foot. Our fishing is nearly "weather proof" as we
fish mostly protected water. We are rarely out of sight of land.
On our coast
you need not go miles and miles offshore to catch big fish. Here, big fish live in skinny water.
Can
I bring my own tackle?
Sure.
We suggest that you express your intentions in advance so we can advise you if
it is adequate. We provide and feature all top of the line tackle for your use.
We take all responsibility for it during its proper use. We are not responsible for
neglect and/ or abuse. All baits, lures and flies are too included.
What do we need to bring on our Florida fishing charter?
Do
we need a Florida fishing license?
No.
We purchase an annual umbrella fishing license that covers your party at no
additional fee. Everything is covered in the charter fee, except food and drink.
Can
we keep our catch?
You
are welcome to keep whatever you wish under the state of Florida's strict
guidelines. The guide's limit is not to be counted in the charters "bag
limit". Most often...I release the fish that exceed the passenger limit.
All tarpon are released except under special circumstances. Under these
circumstances, a $51 tarpon tag must be attached to the fish (state statue).
Often, we
have tags on board and are additional costs to your party.
How
many people can you accommodate?
We
can fish a maximum of four adults on one vessel and can accommodate a party of
any size. We are very comfortable with two per vessel. When fly fishing we allow
only one person to wave the wand at a time, unless we are fishing outside the
boat wading (optional). Groups and large parties are accommodated by the means
of multiple boats. Over the past few years this has become a favorite of those
engaged in business meetings. We utilize a few hand picked fishing guides as
partners. We work very closely together( via vhf radio/cellular phone) to insure
equality of guest satisfaction. However, some like to put all the marbles on the
table and compete in mini tournaments between the boats. This makes group
charters a great time, just remember to take it easy on the boss.
Deposits
A 50% deposit is required to hold your
reservation. Deposits are refundable with a 30 day notice (60 days on giant tarpon),
or
inclement weather (declared by the captain). Dates are held in good faith pending the receiving of the deposit when
a date (s) has been verbally contracted for 5 mailing days. With deposit
confirmation, your date is protected per these terms. Your trip is private to
your party and custom per the captain's lifelong knowledge on how best to make
it successful. You must phone in the day or evening before your slated trip(s) to confirm the weather, departure
location, start time and any other final details. While we have never
personally been in the situation, please keep in mind that verbal
contracts are valid in the state of Florida. We reserve the right to pursue breached
contracts, court costs, and attorney fees at our discretion and when applicable. Please do
not make reservations you are not sure you can keep. While we will always consider
exceptions to this rule, "games" are not tolerated.
"Acts of God":
Being that I am one person, with one boat and with fully booked seasons, events outside my control happen on rare occasion that prevent my personal availability. These events are rare but often without warning (just as in any small business or in life). In such events the following professional protocol will be followed as Bounty Hunter Sport Fishing Guide Service Inc. policy for "Acts of God".
There are so many Florida fishing guides listed on the NET, what should I look for?
Unfortunately, there are many ads on the Net that are in direct violation of the Federal Trade Commission's laws of "truth-in-advertising". The best advise is to use common sense. Beware of claims like these top favorites:
1. "Giant Tarpon" and
other advertising deception/content rip-off
...we are one of the Internet's
first Florida fishing charter sites. Many sites have illegally and/or unethically
copied our content, slogans,
layout and design. There is no short cut to becoming a well known, reputable
and long time established guide. As in all other professions, it does take a
lifetime of dedication and hard work to become successful. Unfortunately, the
Net leaves some room for those who are flying below the radar and passing
themselves off as something they really are not. As when retaining any other
professional service, read carefully, look for a long time span of credentials, and
lots of "non stock" images of big fish! Avoid sites that are not
"fresh" or those that do not contain recently updated
information. Often this is a sign that this "guide" is not working
the business. Good grammar and spelling are certain indications of ones that pay
attention to detail. A good guide/hunter has a sharp memory and is constantly
making mental observations. "Detail" is his middle name.
2. Full time fishing guide
and/or "fishing 250 days a year" (or similar number roughly equating
to 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year)
...sometime
during your trip you will find the truth to this claim, whether the fish are
biting or not . Look for credentials, achievements, fresh website content and several quality fish
photos throughout websites....if they got em' they will tell/show you. Trust
me. Unfortunately, I can personally attest to several guides on the Net advertising "full
time" who are actually policemen, land surveyors, fireman, software operators, painters,
boat builders etc. If a cloaked individual has another career, how can they
possibly be on the water 250 days (5 days a week) a year? Would you retain Sherlock Holmes as your neurosurgeon? A
full time guide is looking to satisfy you so that you return and or spread the
word to others. This is his true secret of success. A part time guide is looking
for you to make his boat or mortgage payment this month and for someone else to
do it for him next month.
3. "Winner of several
fishing tournaments"
...really, which ones?
Pro division or amateur? Adult World Records or "open" junior world
records? Mom and pop events or accredited/sanctioned events? Verified specific tournament
wins and IGFA World Records are important. This gives you an idea on what to
expect from a guide during sanctioned competition, which is exactly what YOUR
Florida fishing charter is. Fishing under tight rules, regulations and the same
(and often difficult) fishing conditions can be a lot different than what some
say they caught yesterday.
4. "Born and raised here,
native"
...good, how long have you been a full
time fishing guide? Even better yet, how long have you been fishing
professionally?
5.
#1 Fishing Guide
.. We know
of 4 guides who claim #1 in Tampa Bay on their ads... how can 4 people be #1?
The best fishing guides are almost always 1 thru 10. The "best"
fishing guides are #1 in only one thing, consistency. Every day. Every week.
Every year. Every decade. Their name is always "there" and they have a
well established long following and on the water "network".
6. While researching, beware
of fees below the "going rate".
This is often a dead giveaway
of a part time guide. In the end...you may regret spending a few extra dollars
(which is often the "going rate") on someone who knows what it costs to run a
legal, full time, first class, operation.
As in other aspects of life...you get what you pay for. True full time
guides are not receiving pensions from previous employment, are not stock brokers,
beneficiaries of million dollar trusts, looking to kill spare time, or have a full time jobs on
land. They are nothing more than glorified fish farmers that do not receive federal aide.
7. You get the idea. There
are some hoax fishing guides spamming the NET
get their credentials and ask
questions. While none of these points should exclude a charter guide, hiring
based on these spam merits is not suggested. Hiring a guide should not be
based on advertisement alone, look for extensive photo catalogs and credentials
that all point to long time Career Fishing Guide. We will put our guide services
up against any of them. Whether you decide to fish with us or not.......please
protect your hard earned money, your valued leisure time, our families and our trade. Our livelihood and being on
your fish day in and day out depends on it. Thank You!
Please feel free to e-mail us, or give us a call toll free. We are pleased to answer any questions about our Florida fishing charters and guide services on an individual basis.
Send E-Mail
or call Toll Free
(800) 833-0489
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Last Update 26AUG07
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Hunter Sport Fishing Charters & Guide Service
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