There are some major advantages to using a charter service for your fishing needs, especially when away from home. Chartered boats were always viewed as expensive, but that really isn’t the case in many instances. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages, to better understand if these services are for you!
One of the biggest reasons that many people fish is to – catch fish. When vacationing in a place that one might not be familiar with, the angler is relying on word-of-mouth locations and hotspots, or even worse, internet recommendations for information. Many of the spots will not be available without access to some type of boat, whether it is a rental or the angler owns and transports a vessel. The use of a chartered service eliminates many of these issues, as there is nothing to bring or rent, and furthermore, as a passenger, you are not required to do anything except fish. The convenience of showing up on the dock and jumping in the boat, rather than the alternative is a nice way to enhance the fishing experience and focus on the fishing.
One of the other advantages to the use of a local charter service is the knowledge of the area. It is virtually guaranteed that you will catch fish, especially when using a local captain that has been fishing the area for years. Accessing local spots that you would have missed can drastically increase your catch. The use of a larger, chartered boat can allow access to offshore locations that may have been inaccessible from a small craft. The knowledge of local hot spots can be the difference between everyone on board catching fish and having a great time, or not catching fish.
The charter experience can also provide some benefits that the angler might not think about, such as intimate knowledge of local laws and regulations regarding conservation. You are also gaining a better understanding of the local habitat, taught to you by someone with a vested interest in making sure that all the laws of the land and ideas regarding conservation are followed. The captain will have stories and great conversation along with all of the gear and knowledge of where to fish that will make your experience on the boat enjoyable. This is a great opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert! Everything from technique to bait choice to equipment usage is up for discussion when you charter, and this can make for some great learning experiences for every level of angler.
The captain will have insight into what fish are in season and what can be caught at the time, allowing you as the customer to choose your target and go after fish that you want, targeting their habitat and what bait they take. This eliminates much of the guess work in fishing and allows you to go after the specific sport fish you are interested in catching.
Vacationing in Orange Beach this time of year also offers the fact that it is the off-season and our rates here at Class Act Charters are lower and the weather is cooler. Give us a call today to book your excursion while you’re spending time here on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast! Book your trip with us - http://www.classactfishing.net/.
Taking a deep sea fishing charter is a very exciting experience for young and old alike. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first timer, we hope this article will help you make the most out of your fishing trip. When taking a charter boat from our lovely Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama areas, keep in mind how long your trip will be. Even the four hour trip requires a little planning.
What to bring from home:
We highly recommend that you take Dramamine (or other sea sickness medication) both the evening before your charter and again the morning of your trip, especially if you are worried about getting sea sick.
Alcohol is permitted onboard, and we only ask that you drink in moderation. Captain’s advice: Don’t drink much alcohol the night before, if any at all.
What we provide
We provide all the fishing equipment and bait needed for your trip but you are welcome to bring your own tackle if you choose, although we will not be responsible for any damages to your equipment.
We also suggest you bring your own cooler to take the fish filets home after the deck mate cleans your fish. We have a fish box on board for your fish during the trip.
We have refrigerators on each vessel for you to store any food you may bring. If you want to bring burgers or hot dogs to eat on the trip both vessels have a grill aboard.
Amenities on board
We offer two sized charter boats to choose from depending on the size of your party. Both are very roomy, spacious, and clean.
On our 52’ Class Act (for groups 7-20): • Full air-conditioned cabin • Green Egg grill • 40” flat screen satellite tv (local channels included) • PS3 player
On our 38’ Daddy’s Baby (for groups up to 6 people): • Full air-conditioned cabin • Radio • Mp3 Player • Green Egg Grill
Children We encourage you to bring your children and all ages are welcome. We do suggest that you double the amount of snacks you’d bring for yourself if you’re bringing little ones aboard. They tend to like to snack the entire length of the trip! You may also want to bring an extra change of clothes for the kids too. It’s pretty easy for children to find a way to get wet while on board.
Clothing Depending on the season and the weather, it’s usually a good idea to bring layers like a light jacket and wear breathable quick-dry attire.
Lastly, wear a pair of non-marking, non-slip boat shoes or sandals, as bare feet are not permitted for safety reasons.
Fish cleaning We will clean your fish for free on the 4-6 hour trips. We charge $0.30/lb for fish cleaning on longer trips. On all the trips we will keep your fish on ice during the trip and supply you with Ziploc bags to take them home with.
Deck mates Along with your captain, each trip will be accompanied by an experienced deck mate. The deck mate is there to assist throughout the entire trip and works for tips (typically 18-20% of the total cost of the trip).
Insurance We are fully insured.
Catering If you’d like to have food for your trip catered, we can help find catering options for you for an additional fee to include the food costs.
Taxidermy We can refer you to a skilled and reputable taxidermist.
Extensions If there is not another trip scheduled after yours, you can extend the trip if you want to once we’re out on the water.
Cancellations The captains may cancel the trip due to weather or sea conditions, but not just for rain. We will not fish if the conditions are too bad. Once you are on the trip, if you are not comfortable with the conditions, we can elect to shorten and prorate the trip.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for the rest of his life.” Deep sea fishing is an exhilarating experience and a survival skill that creates memories to last a lifetime.
Be sure to contact Dale Woodruff before your trip if you have any questions or concerns about the weather or what to bring. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
By the time spring break comes around, you are ready to take a much-needed vacation. A great way to bring your family together during this time is to plan a trip full of adventure and relaxation, with a little something for everyone.
When you reserve a deep sea fishing charter trip with Class Act Charters, you can rest assured that we handle the planning and make sure your family has a great time. Plus, you have the chance to catch game fish that you might otherwise not have the time or tools to reel in.
A few reasons spring break is the best time to plan a trip with us…
Your Family Already Has Time Off
The days of an electronic-free family dinner table in the evenings are long gone. Most of the time your family spends together is accompanied by small glowing screens while your family half-listens to the details of your day.
Spend some quality time with your family on the water with one of Class Act Charters’ two boats and it brings the opportunity for great bonding with your otherwise distracted family members. Imagine a relaxing afternoon on the water as your take in the sights and try your hand at fishing. Enjoy watching your family learn new fishing techniques and catch something unique to tell their friends about.
Fishing is a Great Way to Soak Up the Sun
During the year, your children and teens sit in school while you sit behind a desk in a boring office under fluorescent lights. Get out on the water and take in the sun and salt air with a deep sea fishing trip.
Our boats are equipped for both beginner and expert fishing. Sit on the deck with your fishing rod enjoying the warmer weather and family time. We’ll take care of the rest!
Spring Break is Perfect Timing for Fishing
There is less fishing in the winter months so it often causes fishing in the spring to be better and more plentiful. Your family will enjoy all the opportunities to catch a variety of fish in our local waters and take in the sights near Orange Beach.
Deep sea fishing always offers an offshore adventure and the different types of fish available during spring break is some of the best of the year. What can you catch? Well, there’s grouper, mahi mahi, snapper, swordfish and sailfish to name a few. Bring your fish aboard for photos or even have it mounted to show to your friends and family. There are a plenty of ways to create memories this time of year and deep sea fishing is an adventure not soon forgotten.
Book your trip today and ask about our Spring Break Specials! 251.391.0935 Our prices during this season are better than any other time of the year!
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Make the Most of Your Time by Hiring a Charter
You might be wondering how another 365 days came and went so quickly. We are about to start a New Year and many of us make resolutions for our personal and professional lives. Did you get out on the water to fish as much as you hoped in 2017? If not, why? If you did, what did you learn as a result of your time on the water?
Here are 5 fishing resolutions to set as goals for your favorite sport in the New Year:
Read and practice twelve new fishing tips and tricks in the coming year. If you break it down, it’s pretty simple. Just research and read one new fishing tip or trick per month throughout the year. Need some help finding information? We have some helpful information to get you started.
Resolve to teach a kid to fish. A day on the water can provide a great opportunity to teach kids about the outdoors while they learn new fishing and boating skills. If you teach a kid to fish, you can also incorporate educational activities or related hobbies like a trip to a local aquarium or fish hatchery.
Pick one fish species you want to learn more about and become a species “expert”. One of the best ways to experience greater success when fishing is to learn as much as you can about fish anatomy and behavior. Understanding more about how and why fish behave the way they do will help you increase your catch rate. For example, knowing that Spanish Mackerel prefer temps above 68 degrees and mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep sea grass beds and reefs, will help you find them.
Stop making excuses and fish more often. We all make time for the things in life that we thoroughly enjoy. If you enjoy fishing, stop making excuses and just simply do it more often. Team up with a fishing buddy and add one or two dates to your calendar now.
Find and try out a new fishing spot each month and if you don’t have the time to research, hire a fishing charter like Class Act to show you various types of habitat and structure that will encourage you to be a better, more versatile angler. Learn how to fish in various areas and climates throughout the year.
If you have other fishing resolutions that you plan to add to your list, share it with us on our Facebook page! Happy New Year fishing fans!
Book your trip for the New Year with us now.
Football and hunting seasons reign supreme during the fall, causing many anglers to spend less time on the water. But fall is actually one of the best times for deep sea fishing! From cooler weather to fewer boats on the water, there are some great reasons that you shouldn’t hang up your line come September - or ever! The Gulf of Mexico has some of the best deep sea fishing in the ocean year-round, and the latter months provide their own unique fishing experience. And, Class Act Charters can make your fall fishing trip experience a memorable and cherished one.
Here are 6 reasons that fall is a great time to fish the Gulf of Mexico with Class Act Charters.
1. The Weather is Fine
Fall brings with it the end of the summer - and that means cooler weather. It’s a pleasant change to spend several hours on the open sea without fighting the blistering heat of the summer sun. Plus, less sweaty hands means a tighter grip on your fishing pole.
2. Less Intense Sunshine
Speaking of the summer sun, it can be intense. But during the fall the sun shines lower in the sky, making its impact a bit less intrusive. This can also cut down on glare in the water, making it easier to see and follow fish.
3. The Gulf Is Yours
The water traffic during the fall and winter is considerably less than in other months. That means that the Gulf is yours for the taking! Enjoy prime spots and less competition when you fish the Gulf of Mexico during the fall.
4. Plenty of Fish
During the fall you can still catch plenty of fish in the Gulf of Mexico! Amberjack, grouper, wahoos, and king mackerel are common catches during the fall and early winter. Each of these puts up a good fight and tastes delicious on your plate fried or grilled. Amberjack takes a little more effort to season to perfection.
5. A Bigger Catch
Speaking of great catches, fall is the best time to catch the biggest fish of the year. That’s because large predators begin to gorge on baitfish that are moving inland into warmer waters. By searching for foraging birds on the water, we’re able to find large schools of fish and that’s when the hunters become the hunted.
6. You Can Still Catch The Game
We know that football is a fall staple. We love it, too! That’s why The Class Act - our large namesake vessel - has satellite TV with local channels so you never have to miss a play. Plus, there’s a grill on board so that you can cook your famous football BBQ while you fish! It’s the best of both worlds!
Spring and summer are the most popular times for deep sea fishing - but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the best! There’s lots of fun to be had out on the water year-round, and especially during the latter months. Let Class Act Charters man the wheel as you spend a cool autumn day fishing the wide-open Gulf of Mexico. Book your trip today before the season is over!
Once the summer is winding down, you may think it's too late to book a charter fishing boat for your autumn or winter trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Fortunately, that's not so! Class Act Charters offers Gulf Shores fishing charters for fall and winter deep sea fishing. Our winters are mild, and we enjoy going out fishing all year long, season after season. If you're planning to visit South Alabama in autumn or winter instead of summer, you can still have a great time deep sea fishing. Class Act Charters hosts off-season charter fishing for families, business trips, and anyone else who doesn't want to wait until summer for some exciting deep sea fishing.
Summer is our busy season in Gulf Shores, primarily because that's when most people tend to vacation on Alabama's Gulf Coast. There's no denying our summer fishing is amazing-- red snapper season, anyone?-- but that doesn't mean you can't also have a fantastic fishing experience in September, October, November, December, through to spring. The people who live here, including the captains and crew at Class Act Charters, know that there's not a bad season for fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, as long as the weather permits.
There's plenty of fun to be had and fish to be caught in the Gulf Coast's cooler so-called "off-season". It's a unique experience and a breath of fresh air to tide you over until spring. Hooking a fish on a bright winter's day in Gulf Shores is especially sweet when you consider that if you were home, you'd probably be stuck indoors, avoiding the freezing weather!
Interested in doing a little fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast this autumn or winter? Class Act Charters would love to welcome you aboard for some exciting off-season angling! Boo now or give us a call to discuss how we can accommodate you.
It's not too early to start planning what you'll do for Spring Break 2023! It'll be here before you know it, and the sooner you book, the more options are available. Whether you're a parent taking your kids to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a fun spring vacation— or a college student hoping to enjoy some well-earned down-time on the Alabama beaches for Spring Break 2023— consider kicking your trip up a notch with a thrilling deep sea fishing adventure. Class Act Charters welcomes you to come fishing with us on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!
The Alabama Gulf Coast has a lot to offer to Spring Breakers. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, have pristine white-sand beaches, a friendly, small town vibe, amazing fresh seafood, and a wide range of activities suitable for visitors of all ages. And while much of the country is still shivering in March and April, we typically enjoy warm, short-sleeve weather in spring! Spring Break 2023 is the perfect time to beat the summer rush and take advantage of everything our beach community has to offer.
While you're in the area, don't miss out on the opportunity to take an exciting charter fishing trip!
Who doesn't love the beach? Between the sunny skies, sea breeze, waves, sandcastles, and seashells, who could ask for anything more? But after a day or two in the sand and surf, you may be ready for some variety in your spring break vacation.
Did you know that Gulf Shores has world-class fishing? It's true; the Alabama Gulf Coast can offer you an amazing charter fishing experience, just a short boat-ride from the beach. If you want to do something truly memorable with your family or friends during Spring Break 2023, there's nothing like a deep sea fishing charter to put a little extra excitement into your vacation!
Spring is a great time to go fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Gulf is beginning to warm up by late March and April. Warmer water means more active fish— and there are more fish out there, too, since fewer people have been fishing during the cool winter months. There are plenty of types of interesting fish to try and catch in the Gulf during the Spring Break season— including speckled trout, pompano, cobias, gray triggerfish, amberjack, and more!
Whether you want a relaxing trip with your young kids or a heart-pounding sport-fishing adventure with your friends or older children, we can help you find the right trip for your group, from a 4- or 6-hour "half-day" fishing excursion up to fishing trips that last a full day or more.
We are happy to host fishing parties that include children of all ages. Fishing is an activity that anyone of any age can enjoy, and our friendly captains and crew love introducing children to the fun and excitement of deep sea fishing. If you're considering taking your kids on their first fishing excursion during Spring Break 2023, check out our tips for deep sea fishing with kids.
If you're ready to book your charter right away, give us a call or book online. For more information about the fishing trips available at Class Act Charters, read about the types of fishing trips we host. If you have any questions, we're happy to answer them. We also offer customized trips, if you have something particular in mind for your up-coming visit to Gulf Shores, AL.