Although I do like Offshore fishing, it can be “uncomfortable” and “no fun” if the weather picks up and the fish don’t want to bite. Therefore, you would be taking a “chance” booking an Offshore trip in March.

A chance on the weather, waves and the Captain, (Sitting on a rolling boat in 3-4FT swells can be “inconvient” at best!)

Personally, I’m a little more “picky” when I choose a charter for Offshore fishing. When your Offshore you want to be confident that El Captain is a “safe” and “smart” Captain with a good sense of humor.

I’ve spent too many trips with either “mouthy, arrogant, Captains” or capt’s who “can’t find or catch fish” or have little to NO personality.

Whatever you do; THOUROUGHLY interview your Capt LONG before your scheduled trip. The demeanor of your Capt is important!

Ask him, (in a nice way)-

1.) How many years have you had your Capt’s license? (If he’s only been a Capt for a couple years be leery !)

2.)Whats your favorite fish to angle for? (This gives you an idea of what YOU will probably be fishing for.)

3.) Ask him about a “fishless day” (or “no catch” day) and if he can give you an extra half-day or lower the price on the charter?( Giving the Capt SOME money for a no fish day charter is mandatory. BUT, if you have a fishless day ALL DAY and he wants full-price plus tip, tell him where he can GO!)

4.) What kind of BOAT does he charter?( If he has a small boat (say under 20FT), understand that the bigger the boat the better the ride, (Offshore). Plus, when your Offshore the smaller the boat the more “pandemonium” occurs and possbile “safety issues” arise when you hook into a potentionally LARGE, “green”, bluewater, fish.)

To sum up: Unless your Dad is an Offshore fisherman and KNOWS what to expect, I’d pass on the Offshore Charter idea.

Why is Inshore saltwater any different?

Pro’s- Your not traveling offshore 2-3 miles;(and in most cases can be back to the boat ramp within 20-30 minutes!); if some weather brews-up you can escape it quickly or hide from it under one of the local small bridges; you can always catch “something” inshore and (in most cases) a wide variety of fish; you get to see some primo beaches/property while inshore fishing that you would never normally see, (VS a rolling ocean offshore).

This would be the guide I would choose if I was getting a charter for my Dad:

(Tell them you want to fish “light tackle” for Reds/Trout/Flounder/Sheephead/Pomps and Spanish Macks. Flyfishing is an option but I would stick to Light Tackle Spinning unless your Dad likes Flyfishing.)

This guide has great gear, fantastic boat (Hewes!!), and an apparent good attitude, (and sponsorship!). His prices are comparable with most inshore guides in Pensacola.

If after “interviewing” him he does not “work out” try calling Bass Pro Shops in Destin. BPS usually has a good handle on guide service situations.

If for some reason you decide a charter is too expensive:

Go to the Fishing Bridge and do some night fishing for Sand Trout, Spec Trout, Sheephead, Etc. The Sand Trout fishing at night can be fast and furious.

OR

Rent a canoe and paddle the Blackwater State Park. You may be able to charter a boat??…. (I once rented a flat-bottom Jon Boat with a 20HP motor for $75 for the day in the town of Milton)…the Bass and Redfishing can be EXCELLENT on the BW and it is a very scenic “swamp” trip. Try looking for a charter around Milton.

Call Bitco Bait & Tackle (859-626-3688) and ask them about any guide services off the Blackwater.

The cool thing about fishing the BW is you can go for freshwater (Bass, Bluegill, Cats, Etc) as well as “brackish” water fish (like Reds, Flounder, Trout, Etc). This opens up many options!

Hope this helps ya? Good luck!

(Thumbs to Brandon W.)

Inshore game fish guide- Trout, Redfish, Spanish Macs. 2-4 people on a small flats boat using light tackle of fly tackle.

Shark Fishing- Inshore catch and release on med Tackle (some people do it)

Near Shore- short boat ride out to catch some Grouper, snapper, cobia ect.

Offshore- Long boat ride to catch the big boys

I would suggest Inshore or Nearshore that time of year.