Charter boat captains and guides are professionals.
They know the local waters, keep up with
new fishing techniques, and know what fish are
available and where to catch them. Many
professional
skippers and top local anglers have gotten
their starts by working
as mates on charter boats
during the summer months.
A good way to learn the basic
angling techniques
for catching certain species of fish is to
charter a boat or
hire a guide to take you fishing.
For example, if you want to learn how to catch
marlin,
tuna, and dolphin, charter a boat for an
offshore fishing trip out of Rudee Inlet in Virginia
Beach
or Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore.
Pay attention to how the mate rigs the baits, prepares
the
terminal tackle and how the baits are
fished. Most mates and charter boat skippers do
not
mind answering your questions or showing
you what they have learned over the years.
The
best way to approach the day is to be
observant.
Many top saltwater anglers charter
boats on a
regular basis. Sometimes they want to pursue a
type of fishing their
boats and equipment are not
prepared to handle or they just want to enjoy a
day
of fishing, without the hassles of preparing
baits and tackle, navigating a boat, and cleaning
up after the trip is over. Most charter boats welcome
experienced anglers and are willing
to allow them a greater role in the fishing experience.
Of course, this should be discussed
with
the captain prior to leaving the dock.
More than 200 charter boats and head-boats
operate in Virginia waters, and they
pursue every type of fish that visits local
waters.