Additional Anglers:
Florida Light Tackle Charter Rates are for up to two to six anglers. Please click
on the
captain's
individual web pages
for details.
Please add an
additional $25 to $50 (varies by location & boat) for each additional angler
above two to six. Depending on the vessel,
location, species being targeted and/or fishing method, FLTC will allow a
maximum of two to six anglers on it's boats. By standers will be
considered as an "Additional angler" Please visit the
Captain's
page
for the area you wish to fish, for more information.
Florida Light
Tackle Charters can accommodate an unlimited number of anglers in a party by
utilizing other boats (Buddy boats) and captains within and outside of the
Florida Light Tackle Charters fleet. Please see "Multiple Boats"
Boat &
Equipment: To insure our clients with the very best success,
Florida Light Tackle Charters Captains are equipped with the latest in boats, motors and fishing
equipment. Please click on our Captains
& Locations page for boat pictures and information on the equipment best
suited for their local waters.
Booking Tips: You can call us toll free at
1-866-4TARPON (482-7766). Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to
6:00PM and Saturday from 9AM to 1:00PM. If you call us during non business hours or during holidays, your
telephone call will be directed to our cell phone. Please leave your
name, a number where you can be reached, the size of your party, and the dates
you have available to fish; or you may complete our
Buddy
Boats: At any time,
Florida Light Tackle Charters can arrange a "Buddy Boat" trip
where an unlimited number of anglers in a party can spend the day fishing
together by utilizing other boats & captains. If
Florida Light Tackle Charters does not
have
another captain available, Florida Light Tackle Charters will arrange the additional boat(s)
through it's network. Florida Light Tackle Charters
takes pride in providing it's
clients with the very best, therefore, we are very careful with who we select to
utilize for Buddy Boat trips. In addition,
Florida Light
Tackle Charters can arrange for
friendly competition with the other anglers/boat, as seen here.
Can we keep the
fish we catch:
To help protect the excellent fishery in our waters,
Florida Light Tackle Charter
promotes catch & release of game fish. Certain species such as Snapper, Mackerel,
Gray Snapper and Grouper are excellent table fare and can sustain a larger "Take
Fishery".
- The guide's limit
is not counted in the charters "bag limit".
- We release the fish that
exceed the passenger limit.
- All Tarpon are released
Captains:
While our Captains try their best to perform every Charter they are scheduled
for, there are times when they cannot perform a charter for reasons unexpected.
This may occur as a result of boat or engine trouble, illness and/or
personal/family matters. To preserve the charter you have been anxiously
awaiting, Florida Light Tackle Charters, reserves the right to substitute
another Florida Light Tackle Charter Captain. In the event all of our
Charter Captains are booked, we will refund your deposit in it's entirety.
Departure
Time: Unless otherwise arranged, our morning backcountry charters depart at 8AM,
afternoon charters at 1PM and evening charters between 6pm and 8pm based on the
species targeted and time of year. Tarpon charters start as early as 6am for
morning trips and 3pm-4pm for evening.
Due to
inclement weather, special local events, tides and/or "Hot bites",
Florida Light Tackle Charters may suggest to change the departure time. Because of this,
Florida Light Tackle Charter Captains make it a practice to communicate with
their customers several
days prior to the charter date to confirm or recommend a change in departure time.
Equipment - the use of: Florida Light Tackle Charters will provide it’s customers the
very best and latest in rods, reels and equipment. The fishing rod & reel is in
the control of the angler all day. It is the angler’s responsibility to secure
it when not in use. The captain does watch out for things but cannot see
everything that is going on. An unsecured rod
with a live bait or lure dangling in the water is a temptation to fish at any
time. Insurance does not cover "mistakes" Even if it did, the
deductible would not even have been met. Equipment is in control of the
angler. Should such be lost or broken, it would be the angler’s
responsibility to pay for such losses.
Fly Fishing: Fly Fishing is an art in itself, which requires
tremendous skill in order to effectively present a fly to a game fish.
Florida Light Tackle Charters will do it’s best to teach you
the proper techniques. Windy conditions can often make the task almost
impossible, even for the most avid fly fisherman. Florida Light Tackle
Charters will position you for a reasonable shot at your target, however, we
cannot guarantee your success in fly placement, therefore we respectfully waive
our No Fish – No Pay obligation for full or partial Fly-Fishing Trips.
Liability: F.L.T.C. diligently
screens it's captains, and only employs captains with a proven track record of
providing a fun-filed and safe environment for customers. Even though we have
NEVER had any claims, there is always a possibility of an accident. An
accident that may be less probable to occur, than one that you may be in, by
simply driving down to the end of your driveway.
In our waters, there will always be other
boaters who are not as careful and who do not utilize the best judgment.
Our Captains are seasoned, and know to avoid careless boaters. In
addition, F.L.T.C. requires each Captain to maintain insurance on their vessels.
Each Captain is required to maintain a Liability Endorsement with a minimum
value of $300,000. Many of our Captains have chosen to increase their
coverage, with some maintaining policies as high as $1,000,000.
In the event, the unlikely should occur, claims
are to be forwarded to the individual captain's insurance carrier. FLTC and/or it's officers
WILL NOT be liable
for any mishaps or accidents, which may occur on the way to, during and/or after
a charter.
Licenses: Fishing
licenses are not required when you are fishing aboard a
Florida
Light Tackle Charter (Saltwater only).
You will be required to buy a Florida Fishing License if we fish in freshwater.
Live Bait: Whenever possible, live bait will be caught before the scheduled departure time. Many times our customers (Especially children) find
catching bait exciting and wish to join us. Please notify us in advance if
you wish to accompany us in the bait catching duties for the day.
For certain
species and certain fishing locations, Live Bait, at times can mean the
difference between catching a few fish and a lot of fish. There are times,
especially in the cooler months, or during cold fronts when bait becomes
difficult to locate. We will always try our best to locate the preferred
bait, even if it means delaying our charter by a few minutes or an hour.
Other guides will simply go out and perform the charter with less then positive
expectations. We will not. We would rather spend an extra hour on
the water locating the proper bait to help provide you with the best day
possible. This is particularly true in the Southwest and West Central
Florida region, where Live Pilchards, Sardines and Herring are the baits of
choice.
There may be times
when buying or catching live bait is just not possible. This can be the
result of a recent front, recent heavy rains, etc. This does not mean
however, the fish will also be gone. It just means FLTC Captains will have
to adjust to the conditions. While we will invest the extra time into
locating the proper baits, when we cannot, we respectfully reserve the right to utilize other methods to
provide you and your guests a fun filled day. These other methods can
include Artificial Bait & Lures and Dead Bait.
No Fish – No Pay Guarantee:
Please click
HERE.
Payment:
Florida Light Tackle Charters accepts Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express
and Cash. The only time you may pay by cash, is to pay the remainder of the
trip balance upon trip completion. The balance is payable upon the
completion of a charter. For multiple day charters, the daily balance is
payable at the end of each day. Regular, Group or Corporate Charters requiring
three or more boats - Full Balance/Payment is required 7days prior departure.
Personal Belongings:
Florida Light Tackle Charters and it's Captains will try our best to keep
your personal belongings safe from the elements, however we cannot guarantee,
nor will we be responsible for the safety of such. Our boats are equipped
with dry storage, however, there is always a possibility of damage due to moisture and/or
spray to camera equipment and other misc. electronic equipment is always a
possibility. We ask you please take the responsibility for your belongings
and bring with you a waterproof bag to store your valuables.
Pickup &
Drop-off Locations: Should good weather prevail, our Captains can pick you
up and drop you off anywhere within their coverage area. In windy
conditions, we will require you meet us as close to the fishing grounds as
possible. Please click on the Captains you wish to book, for a listing of
their preferred ports. Waterfront Pickups may require an additional charge
(Varies per captain and per area).
Please note; there may be an additional charge for an "On the water pickup
& drop off" in the Sanibel, North Captiva, Captiva, Cayo Costa, Gasparilla,
Little Gasparilla, Palm Island, Pine Island, Cabbage Key and Useppa area of SW
Florida.
Private Long Rage Offshore Trips:
Please our Special Promotions page for information on any current Private Long
Range Offshore Trips.
Reservation Deposits: Regular,
Group/Corporate & Shared Charters:
*Regular
Charters - Florida Light Tackle Charters will
require a
$100 advance deposit per boat per day to reserve a charter date & time
slot.
*Shared
Charters-
require full payment in advance.
Deposits may
be made by *check (received 14-days prior departure date) or major
credit card.
*Group
& Corporate Charters require 50% down deposit at time of
booking with the balance paid no later than 10 days prior departure.
Cash/Check/Credit Card excepted.
*Deposits
are only refundable with 60 days advance
cancellation notice (In writing or email) & 30 days advance notice for
Group & Corporate Charters. We collect the $100 deposit (Regular
Charters) to reserve your date and time slot. This $100 deposit per
boat per day is
NON-Refundable
unless the fishing trip is cancelled by the Captain/FLTC due to bad
weather or unforeseen problems/vessel. This cancellation is made at the
dock or via phone on the day of or day prior the trip, only at the
Captain's/FLTC discretion. Our policy is to meet at the boat or
pickup location at the agreed time on the day of the trip. If the
fishing trip is cancelled by the Captain due to due to hazardous weather
conditions, we will try to re-book the charter if your schedule allows,
otherwise we will cheerfully refund your entire deposit.
*Cancellations
by customers/clients with less than a 36-hour phone call
notice and/or no shows at the dock by customers on the day of the
fishing trip will be charged to their credit card
the full
amount length of charter slot they have reserved
as per your above “Contract For Services”. When you
reserve a fishing trip, we do not book anyone else for that time slot.
No shows leave the captain and deckhand standing at the fully set up
boat wondering where their charter is.
*Per
your Voice Recorded/Written Authorization, we have charged a charter reservation
deposit to
your
account. Please contact FLTC when you arrive in town; or two days prior
to the charter date, whichever comes first,
We cannot confirm
your charter without this contact to our office!
Private Long Range Charter Deposits
- Florida Light Tackle Charters will require a non-refundable 50% deposit at
time of booking with the remaining balance to be paid within 60 days of the trip
date. All deposits are NON-Refundable, unless the trip is canceled by
Florida Light Tackle Charters due to weather conditions.
Multiple
Boats - Deposits:
Florida Light
Tackle Charters can accommodate an unlimited number of anglers in a party by
utilizing other boats (Buddy boats) and captains within and outside of the
Florida Light Tackle Charters umbrella. Florida Light Tackle Charter will treat
each boat as separate charter, and each charter will require it's own
reservation deposit. In the event an angler or party decides to cancel a
boat (after the 60 day notice) and the remaining angler(s), if any, choose to join another party on
another boat , the reservation deposit for
the original boat WILL BE FORFEITED.
Any cancelled boat/s
or charter with less than a 36-hour phone call notice and/or no shows at
the dock by customers on the day of the fishing trip will be charged to their
credit card the full amount length of charter slot they have reserved.
(When you reserve a
fishing trip, we do not book anyone else for that time slot thus the Captain/s
will be paid for such cancellations)
Seasickness:
The major part of
our fishing is done in less than six feet of water and as shallow as a foot.
We fish mostly protected waters. We are rarely out of sight of land.
Here, big fish, including Giant Tarpon live in shallow water.
Tipping: Captain -
Although tipping is not required, our captains work very hard to insure you an
exciting and successful fishing day, and with the Florida Light Tackle Charters “No Fish No Pay
Guarantee”, we sometimes absorb the cost of the charter, for reasons out of the
control of Florida Light Tackle Charters (Weather condition, freak tides, etc.). Judge the
quality of your trip, whether with Florida Light Tackle Charters , or another organization, by
how hard your guide works for you. Most of the time we can perform our magic,
however, sometimes no matter how hard we work, we cannot get the fish to
cooperate. If your guide worked hard, is courteous, took the time to teach you,
and you had a good time, then by all means, it is proper to leave him/her a
gratuity of 15% to 20% or the charter rate. Some clients do not tip simply because they do not know
it is customary practice in the charter industry to tip the captain, or in some
cases the mate, which is why we choose to mention tipping standards on our site.
Mate - It is customary to tip a mate. Only a small hand full of our 50+
boats run mates. We do not increase our charter rates for the few boats
that do run mates. The majority of a mate's income derives from
gratuities. Mates are an integral part of certain boats. From the
hours of preparation and cleaning before and after a charter to helping the
anglers with all of the fish duties throughout the day. Mates will bait
your hooks, help land your trophy fish, photograph your catch, clean and bag
your catch and even hand you a cold beverage; needless to say, our mates work
very hard to earn your appreciation, please keep this in mind while you enjoy a
worry-free "Fishing Adventure".
Tournament Charters: Florida Light
Tackle Charter Captains, are available for Tournament Charters. Please contact
Capt
Derrick Jacobsen to discuss tournament rates; or a tournament charter
with any member of the FLTC Dream Team.
Weather: In the case of inclement weather conditions, Florida Light
Tackle Charters
will require the charter to be completed targeting other game fish in protected
waters, such as protected back bays, coves, rivers & creeks, canals, etc.
Should the charter be canceled due to unsafe conditions, the charter time
will be cut short and the charter price prorated accordingly.
What’s Included: Fishing
licenses, live bait (If needed), bait, ice, water, tackle, rods & reels, fish
cleaning & bagging and a professional and friendly attitude. Polarized
sunglasses may also be available for use. Please notify us in advance should you
wish to borrower a pair of polarized sunglasses.
What Not to
Bring: Illegal Drugs or Paraphernalia, Firearms, GPS and/or Loran
Equipment. We WILL NOT allow you or your party to board our vessel with
any of the aforementioned items. Should you be in possession of any
firearm or illegal substance while underway,
Florida Light Tackle
Charter Captains are instructed to turn
back toward port and radio the Coast Guard and local authorities. In
addition, our captains Will Not allow any
passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol to board their vessels.
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY DO NOT BRING BANANAS ON OUR BOATS!
What should I bring:
- White cotton shirts are most
comfortable or long sleeve fishing shirts.
- A long billed cap or a wide
rim hat, to reduce glare off your face and ears.
- Light colored sole, tennis
shoes or deck shoes (no dark soled shoes allowed.)
- Sunscreen with a SPF of at
least 30. (no "Sprayable" sunscreens allowed please)
- Food
and drink. We ask that you bring your food to the boat in bags.
- Beer and wine are acceptable.
- Cameras and recording
equipment are welcome
- No Cigars UNLESS you bring
one for the captain.
-
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY DO NOT
BRING BANANAS ON OUR BOATS!
** Florida Light Tackle
Charters reserves the right to change its policies at any time without notice.
Please check back regularly for updates to our Charter Policies. |