FAQs

The captain works very hard to make sure he knows where the fish are. It is not uncommon to travel 2-15 miles away from shore. We do try to keep the travel time under one hour to maximize the fishing time. We sometimes fish in as deep as 120 feet or sometimes as little as 20 feet. These depths are sometimes relatively close to each other. We fish where the fish are.

Since we are bottom fishing, you can catch grunts, porgies, yellowtail snappers, mangrove snappers, mutton snappers, hogfish, red/black groupers, mackerel, and sharks. There is also a variety of exotic reef fish that we have been known to catch. Grouper fishing is closed from January 1 to May 1 every year.

For current conditions, Gulfstream provides each fisherman with a Penn Jig master 500 or an Okuma 320 with a 30-pound to 40-pound test line and 3/0-4/0 hooks as well as a mix of 2-4-ounce weights (egg sinkers). The crew keeps abreast of the Florida Fish and Wildlife size and possession limits for fish to ensure everyone knows how many fish you can keep if you choose—though the crew also promotes catch-and-release to conserve natural resources. If you choose to keep your catches, the crew keeps track of what you catch with a special marking system. After the trip, the fish are sorted and you can have them cleaned for about $0.50–$1 per fish.

Rental rods are available for $5.00

Cost varies by charter. Your booking includes:

• Tackle
• License
• Bait

Rods are available to rent for $5

It is customary to tip the crew 20%, providing you feel they did an outstanding job.  (The 20% is based on full fare, excluding discounts. We recommend $9-13 per person.)

 — FREE PARKING —

A majority of the local restaurants are happy to cook your fish for you.  Ask your crew what they recommend. You can also ship your frozen fish to any U.S. address. Supplies are available at all major grocery stores and shipping through FedEx, UPS, or USPS.

The galley is open one hour before departure and has a wide variety of affordable snacks and drinks available for purchase. You are more than welcome to bring your own small cooler (single handled, no wheels preferred).

Available for purchase:

• Snacks
• Soda/water/juice
• Hats/sunglasses/rain ponchos
• Anti-seasickness tablets
• Gulfstream IV logo shirts, tanks, & hoodies

Yes, we encourage you to bring your own gear, or you can rent our rods for a small fee.

Everyone has to learn sometime. Why not let us show you the ropes? Fishing on the Gulfstream Party Boat is a great introduction to the sport.

Unfortunately, you won’t find out until it’s too late. If you have any doubt about your ability to keep it down on the high seas, we recommend taking a seasick tablet the night before your trip. This will allow you to sleep through the drowsiness effect while preventing the dreaded over-the-rail bail.

This boat has seven stern spots (these are the seven fishing spots across the back of the boat). These spots are given out by order of reservation received. The reservations staff only takes the request and makes a note in your reservation. They do not confirm a stern reservation over the phone. There are certain times of the year when the stern is booked months in advance, and other times, there are no requests. You are not guaranteed to catch better fish, bigger fish, or more fish off the back of the boat.

*Please note: Season pass holders get preference as part of their season pass agreement. No one on the stern is ever “friends of the crew”, employees or free riders.

Every boat has their own system for what is allowed and what is not. Please do not board the boat without permission. Arriving early does not change anything. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. for the day trip and 6:30 p.m. for the night trip. Everyone boards at the same time. The best advice is to follow the process.