Tips for Fishing on Party Boats

Party boats are a great way for boatless anglers to get off the piers and beaches, and out on the water. Fishing from a party boat is not, however, anything like fishing from shore or even like fishing from a private boat. You’ll likely be packed in like sardines on sunny weekend days, tangles are common, and to land a large fish you’ll need assistance from the crew. Ready for some party boat adventure? Put these tips to work, and you may well be the highliner of the day.

1. Go on a weekday, if at all possible. Party boats can be elbow-to-elbow packed with people, especially on weekends when the weather is nice.
2. Choose your boat wisely. Ask around and peruse the internet for reviews. Some party boats have a captain and crew who work hard to put you on fish, while others seem like the could care less if you catch so much as a guppy. Note that this is particularly important in tourist towns, where boats cater to people on vacation as opposed to depending on repeat business.
3. Research the fishery, and bring your own gear if possible. Research is necessary because your usual gear may not be appropriate; for example, you may be fishing deeper than you’re used to, and need a rod that can take a lot more weight than you usually deal with. If your gear’s inappropriate don’t bring it. But if you have the right stuff, it’s bound to be in better shape than the boat gear – quite often party boat rods and reels are kept in service long past what most serious anglers would consider acceptable.
4. Bring some bait. Party boats generally supply the bait, but that means there are 100 hooks dangling down there with identical offerings. And often it will be the cheapest bait, not necessarily the most effective. Again, some research may be necessary but often you can out-catch the crowd by bringing fresh when the boat serves frozen, or by offering the fish something a bit more tempting than what everyone else is dropping down.
5. Grab a spot at the stern. On most boats the fishfinder transducer is located aft of the wheelhouse and forward of the prop(s). The captain will commonly try to park the boat right on top of the fish, so dropping your line near the area he’s “looking” from is a good move.