Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Book (6)

Do you offer split charters?

We do not offer split charters. Our trips are the same price no matter the group size. We stick to private charters because we believe it adds value to the experience.

How Many People Can We Bring?

The maximum number of passengers that are welcome on a charter is 6 for deep-sea fishing. This is a Coast Guard limitation for private charters and has nothing to do with the size of the boat. If you have more than 6 people in your group we can arrange for a multiple boat outing. 

Should we be worried about seasickness?

Seasickness is always a possibility while deep-sea fishing. Unfortunately the weather is outside of our control and everyone has a unique threshold of tolerance for bumpy seas. Some people get seasick in 1-2 foot waves while others are fine in a 6-8 foot sea. 

The best way to approach seasickness is to be prepared and understand that it is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you are unsure of your tolerance for motion sickness, It helps to take over the counter seasick medication such as Dramamine. These remedies are best if taken the night before and morning of the charter. If you feel seasick, it is too late to take a pill. In addition, one of the best remedies is the seasick patch. Unfortunately this is only available with a doctor’s prescription. If possible, talk to your doctor before heading on a cruise or deep-sea fishing about possible remedies. 

Are fish guaranteed?

We have over 40 rods onboard and have a variety of different techniques we use based on the conditions and the time of year. In addition, we fish on a daily basis so we always know where the fish are or aren’t. Regardless, there is still only so much we can control and some days are slower than others. During 2018 for example, we ran 303 charters and got “skunked” (didn’t catch anything) on 2 trips. This is less than a 1% chance that we will have a completely unproductive trip. It’s called fishing, not catching but we do everything in our power to stay catching during every charter.

How do we book the trip?

Bookings should be placed through our online booking system here: https://www.fishmiamicharters.com/booking Simply choose the date and place the deposit to lock in the trip. You'll then receive a confirmation email with all the details.

What is the deposit policy?

A $500 deposit is required for deep sea trips and a $200 deposit is required for inshore trips. 

Deposits are nonrefundable within 30 days of the trip with the exception of unsafe weather. 

In the event of unsafe weather, we will make an attempt to reschedule depending on your availability. If you are unable to reschedule, we will refund the deposit. Weather-related cancellations are up to the captain's discretion ONLY. 

Trips can be rescheduled up to 48 hours in advance. If you would like to reschedule your trip, you can do so on your own by selecting "Change Booking" in your confirmation email. 


After You Book (5)

Where do we meet?

For offshore trips we leave from Dinner Key Marina located at 3400 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133. Please arrive 15 minutes before the departure time. You should park in lot 62 which is pay by phone parking.

For inshore trips we offer several locations for pickup. Locations and exact times will be discussed and verified during booking.

How do we pay?

Payment is due at the end of the day after the charter. We accept cash and all major credit cards. We do not keep credit cards on file. Gratuity of 15-20% is also appreciated for the mate. Our crew never demands gratuity, but it is a nice reminder of a job well done.

What do we bring?

We provide most of the necessities for a safe and productive day on the water. Bait, tackle, safety equipment, licensing, insurance, and more are all included. However, we do not include food or drinks. 

It is recommended that your party bring food and drinks for the day, sunscreen, and sunglasses. We have a cooler with ice for drinks and a refrigerator for food on board.

Is alcohol allowed on board?

Yes, alcohol is allowed but please keep the drinking under control. 

What happens with the fish?

All of the fish we catch is yours to keep. Many charters keep half the fish to sell. This is illegal in the state of Florida. We will filet and bag any fish you would like to take home. On many occasions, our clients choose to take fish to a restaurant nearby and have it cooked after the charter. We will fillet the fish and point you in the right direction if you would like to go this route. 

Sometimes we have a large amount of meat at the end of the trip. If you would like to take the fish home, the most cost effective method is to use a bag style cooler and check it onto the plane with dry ice. Be sure to check with your carrier about baggage fees and the amount of dry ice allowed. You can bring a cooler bag down with you or buy one nearby after the charter.

Shipping the fish home is not cost-effective. We do not have commercial fish processing and shipping plants that are common in Alaska for example so FedEx is our only option. We do not recommend this approach because the more fish you ship, the bigger the bill.