Article by Sue Foster
“I want to go fishing on a party boat!”
Going out on a party boat is a great way to get offshore without spending a bundle. Many people start asking about chartering boats and have no idea what they want to do. There’s a big difference in price between going out on a party boat and going out on a charter boat. Charter boats take a group of approximately 6 people at a set boat price. A party boat (in the old days they called them “head boats”) takes 25 to 80 people out at a time, for a certain price per person. Full days on a party boat generally cost somewhere between $60 and $100. Half days cost less.
“Where do the boats go?”
The party boats out of Ocean City go to wrecks and Artificial Reef Sites, 8 to 30 miles offshore. Generally they go to a different spot every day so as not to put too much pressure on the same fishing grounds. There are lots of artificial reef sites offshore, and more artificial reef materials are going in every year!
“What do they fish for? What are we going to catch?”
In the summer season the most sought after fish is the sea bass. Sea bass average 1/2 to 3 lbs. with an 8 pounder being the state record. A “keeper” sea bass is 12 1/2 inches this year, which will run a little over a pound. An 18 to 20-inch fish weighs about 3 lbs. Black sea bass are stout, chunky fish with a rounded tail that sometimes has a long streamer trailing out from the top edge. Each gill cover has a flat spine near the outer edge so be careful when handling sea bass. Their teeth won’t get you, but the gill plates and spines on their backs will!
Sea bass are good fighters, but not necessarily considered a big game fish. They are wonderful to eat and even if you just get enough fish for dinner, you will be pleased with the pure white meat. Since the size limit has been increased you will generally catch 10 sea bass to get a “keeper” so with that in mind, just remember that fishing is fishing and the days of catching enough fish to freeze and feed the whole neighborhood as well are basically over. The limit for sea bass in 2009 is 25 per person, so there is the opportunity to get a limit, just not always the probability.
BUT, it has been done! Some of the party boats are offering 12 hour trips once a week, so if you are after quantity or quality (bigger fish) you can pay extra and go out on one of these extended trips. The boats can travel out further and stay longer. Some days it pays off with more and bigger fish, and some days it just turns into a longer day of fishing and an extended boat ride, which is fun in itself! If you are a fishhead like me who never gets tired of fishing, it’s worth doing!
“I hear I might catch a tautog?”
There are varieties of other fish in the sea you may catch including tautog. The half-day boats in particular are likely candidates to catch a tautog, as tautog frequent inshore wrecks and artificial structure. These fish can get large! The state record is over 20 lbs! Tautogs generally take sand crabs, green crab, or clam, but sometimes they will grab squid. Depending upon the time of year, the creel limit in Maryland varies. In the summer of 2009 the creel limit is two. But two big tautogs can give you several dinners!
“What else might we catch?”
Bluefish, sharks, codfish, triggerfish, red hake, porgy, flounder, croaker, cunners, spade fish, drum and sheepshead. Occasionally, in the summer, full day party boats have even been known to cast to a dolphin!
“How long is full day?”
Usually a full day trip runs from 7 A.M. until 3 P.M. Part of these hours will be traveling to and from the fishing grounds, which may take anywhere from one to two hours. That’s what is fun about a party boat. You’ll have plenty time to chit chat, tell fish stories with others, and enjoy the ride. Be sure to take some food and something to drink. You can expect to see dolphins, sea turtles, and even a whale. Sometimes you can see fish jumping out of the water. Be sure to take sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a rag and shoes that will not slip on a boat. Check the weather, and if there’s a chance of rain, a lightweight raincoat may be part of your attire. I use mine as a windbreaker as well. Sometimes it is hot on the water, and sometimes it can be cool. I always “layer” so that I can “take off” or “put back on.”
It’s generally a rule of thumb to get to the boat a half hour before they depart. If you do not have reservations, I would get there an hour before departure if it is a busy weekend and you like a certain spot on the boat.
“How do I catch a sea bass and tautog?”
Your best bet is to let the mate rig up your line for you if you are inexperienced. Basically, what the mate will do is tie a monofilament leader material of 30 or 40 lb. test into your line, make two dropper loops, and insert two Kahle styled size 3/0 to 4/0 hooks into the loops. He will make another dropper loop at the bottom of the rig and insert a 6 to 8 oz. bank sinker. It’s a simple rig that works! It also does not snarl up too badly if you tangle with your neighbor.
Party boats generally fish with squid and clam. Sometimes they have sand fleas or green crab for tautog. Bait up with a good size piece of bait and keep your bait on your hook full and fresh. Clam is messy, but the fish really like it. Pierce it thru the hard part, then run it on the hook two or three times, with the black or dark brown yucky stuff draped right over the point of the hook.
Let your line down to the bottom. As soon as you feel the bottom, reel up until your line is taut but still on or close to the bottom. Generally you get a bite right away when the boat first stops. Set the hook and bring in the fish. Sea bass pretty much hook themselves. Tautog, you want to put your bait on the bottom and try to keep your bait as still as possible. Point the rod towards the water and don’t let your sinker move. When you feel a tap, tap, tap…. slowly raise your rod tip and see if the weight of the fish is there. A large tautog will actually SLAM your bait sometimes. Get it up quick before it gets snagged in the bottom. Big fish will go for cover immediately when they realize they are hooked. The faster you get a fish off the bottom, the more likely you will get it in!
“I don’t know if I should go on a “full day” trip or a “half day” trip?”
I would always suggest a full day trip if you are a serious fisherman. The boats can go further, fish longer, and the angler has more of a chance to catch some “keepers” for dinner. For half day party boat trips I would suggest for the following: First time ocean anglers who suspect they might get sea sick and are not sure if they are going to like it in the ocean or not. Anglers with young children who want to give them a fishing experience but don’t want them to get bored. Anglers who are fishing with a spouse or girlfriend that wants to “try it” but are not absolutely “enthused!” Vacationers that want a boat ride and the experience of an hour or so of fishing. And of course, the angler that only has a half day to go fishing or who has gotten up late and missed the early morning departures!
“Where can I find the listings for party boats?”
In this paper of course!
“Why are some boats more expensive than others?”
Party boats like the “Morning Star” limit the number of anglers onboard, so there is always plenty of elbow room. Rigs and sinkers are part of the deal as well.
“Should we rent or bring our own equipment?”
If you have rods and reels that will handle at least 6 oz. of sinker weight, bring them along. If not, go for the rental rods.
“What else should we know?”
Bring a cooler with ice, tip the mate, don’t be hung over, watch and listen to the captain and mate, watch the marine weather and if the seas are going to be over 5 feet consider another day, and above all, bring a good attitude. Enjoy the day! The ocean is a beautiful place.
God’s earth.
Good fishing…
Sue Foster is an outdoor writer and co-owner of Oyster Bay Tackle in Ocean City, MD and Fenwick Tackle in Fenwick, DE.
