Key West Fishing FAQS
Question: What
if my reservations agent isn't familiar with Almost There Charters?
Answer: They don't know about fishing in
Key West! Almost
There Charters is the largest charter fishing company in the Florida
Keys. We own and operate all 12 boats in our company fleet. Our guides
are customer service professionals that work under our strict guidelines.
We are first call with all of the top quality reservation agencies throughout
the country.
Question: What
types of fishing do you offer?
Answer: Almost
There! Charters does it all...the right way! We are the only company
to offer all the different types of fishing enjoyed in our local waters...Flats,
Backcountry, Reef, Wreck, Offshore, Tarpon, and Shark. We also specialize
in evening trips for shark and tarpon (in season).
Question: Do
you offer custom trips to meet our specific needs?
Answer: Every trip is a custom, private charter. We
offer trips that will delight the seasoned veteran or instruct our
first time friends. We also provide tailored trips for those that would
like to do a little fishing, snorkeling, or sightseeing. These are
your trips. Just let us know what you want!
Question: What
types of boats and equipment can we expect?
Answer: We offer 12 new, state-of-the-art boats and
motors, all equipped with the industry's finest equipment well suited
for the job at hand... catching fish!
Question: Are
you equipped to handle groups and company outings?
Answer: Yes we are. Our Group & Events
Staff can handle all your needs, from fishing tournaments with
catered awards banquets to simple family outings. Feel free to talk
with our Director of Marketing for references.
Question: What
is included in the trips?
Answer: All bait, tackle, licenses, and a cooler with
ice for your drinks and food. We operate out of the Cow Key Marina
which has all these items readily available. We do suggest that you
bring along your favorite hat and a pair of polarized sunglasses.
Question: Can
you keep your catch?
Answer: The short answer is YES! We encourage catch
and release fishing with our customers. This puts less strain on our
fishery and will greatly insure our future success in fishing. However,
we will let you know which fish are good table fare and will certainly
allow you to take edible fish home if that is your desire. We leave
commercial fishing to those who choose to make their living as commercial
fishermen... We are professional fishing guides, we don’t sell
your catch to anyone.
Question: Is
the quoted price per person?
Answer: No. The prices quoted are for the private
charter of the entire boat for you and your guests.
Question: What
is the standard gratuity for a fishing trip?
Answer: Generally, Gratuities are similar to restaurants,
15%-20% for excellent service.
Question: How
many people can fish on a boat?
Answer: Good question, Our Flats boats can accommodate
1 or 2 anglers. Back Country Boats can take up to 3 or 4 guests comfortably.
Our Offshore reef and wreck boats are licensed for up to 6 guests, however
it is recommended to not exceed four guest for the best trip possible.
Question: What
is the difference between flats and back country fishing?
Answer: Flats and Back Country fishing both take place
in the shallow, protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary. The difference is in the style of fishing. Flats fishing
boats have poling platforms and anglers (2 or less) make precision
casts to fish in extremely shallow water. Back Country fishing utilizes
slightly larger boats without poling platforms and anglers (4 or less)
fish along the edges of channels at “ambush points”. Remember
a Flats boat can accomplish both styles of fishing with less guests
but a back country boat, while allowing more guests onboard, is not
the right choice for flats fishing.
How do you choose the right guide on the internet?
Knowing the right questions to ask makes all the difference in the world. Here is a list of things I ask when I book fishing trips around the world.
1) Are you directly
involved with the services you are selling?
So many people are “appearing” on the internet
representing themselves as your Guide or experts in the field when in
fact they are only booking trips for a commission. We suggest you ask
for verifiable references from past customers or consumer oriented agencies
(Key West Chamber of Commerce, Key West Attractions Association, Florida
Guides Association, etc.)
2) Will I be
fishing with you?
Several area Fishing Guides have apparently decided
that it is too much “work” to actually fish. Their answer
is to book trips in their name and collect commissions from other fishing
Guides that do not have a good customer base. We only fish our guests
on our boats with our staff, no exceptions.
3) Beware of
gimmicks such as “guaranteed catch.”
A quick word on “guaranteed catch”... While
the fishing in Key West is outstanding, we only guarantee fish at the
supermarket. Ask those that choose to use this ploy if you will be able
to take that “free trip” the next day or will you have to
wait until your next trip (boat availability will probably come into
play as well, Humm?? We choose to let you know what you can reasonably
expect on each and every trip and work very hard to make sure you are
not disappointed. In the rare instances when fishing is slow you’ll
find that we work that much harder to ensure your success.
4) Why should
you trust us with your business?
Internet claims in the fishing business are pretty
much the same. Backing those claims up is where you’ll loose a
majority of the “guide services”. Rest assured we
are who we say we are and we can back it up! We are in this
business full time, year-round because we love to guide anglers to great
memories that they will have forever. If you put your heart and soul
into fishing, the rewards come on their own.
Almost
There Charters, Inc.
5001 5th Avenue
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 295-9444
(800) 795-9448
(305) 293-0069
Fax (305) 292-9111
