Let’s tell it like it is: Deep sea fishing is a rich man’s game. That’s not to say there aren’t places to catch giant tuna within reach of your buddy’s single-engine, 22-foot center console boat, but by and large, catching these fish is expensive. You either need a big, powerful boat equipped to go long distances, or you need to hire a charter captain to take you to the tuna grounds. The latter option isn’t cheap, especially as fuel prices continue to rise. A private deep sea tuna charter can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on the size of the boat and your location. For many people who dream of catching these brutal fish — and enjoying fresh, never frozen tuna at home — cost is a barrier. But party boats make the dream of catching a cooler full of tuna a reality for much less money (in many cases, less than $500), and even if you’ve never spent a day at sea in your life, anglers of all experience levels can make some serious money on the deck of one of these massive vessels.
Party boats that offer overnight offshore trips are most common in Northeastern and Southern California. Captain Darren Dorris, who now runs a private sportfishing yacht and competes in tournaments all over the Atlantic coast and the Bahamas, started out as a mate on a party boat many years ago. He has also fished on these boats for years, taking members of the fishing club he started at the high school in New Jersey, where he teaches “overnight trips” every fall. While Dorris agrees that party boat fishing is a great option for novice tuna fishers on a budget, there are a few things for beginners to know before the trip to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.
I recently had Dorris on the Quick Strike Podcast to discuss how you can get into the tuna business without breaking your bank.
Beat seasickness
The biggest difference between party boat fishing and private boat fishing is the lack of control. Whether you’re with friends or on a private charter boat, anglers ultimately decide when to return to the dock if someone isn’t feeling well. On a party boat, however, you’re obligated. Some people find the idea of being stuck out there daunting, but Dorris says with a little planning before the trip, you can alleviate a lot of anxiety.
“If you’ve never been on a party boat offshore, you should definitely see your doctor first,” Dorris advises. “Not because it’s dangerous, but because once you’re on the boat, you’re going. These boats are big, so even if the waves are 6-15 feet, the captain is unlikely to cancel the trip. So, even if you’ve never been seasick, get a prescription for a transscopolamine patch.”
Dorris says over-the-counter motion sickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine aren’t nearly as effective as prescription transscopolamine, which is taken the day before travel so it has time to get into your body. “Maybe you’ve never gotten sick during the day, but when the sun goes down, it’s dark outside, you’re traveling, the lights on the boat can affect you, and you can’t go home if you don’t feel well. Trust me, just get it.”
Carry a small stick
Photo by Jimmy Fee
The beauty of a party boat is that you don’t have to bring your own equipment. From rental rods to hooks, leaders and weights to jigs and bait, these companies offer a full service. What they can’t give you, however, is the equipment you need to cash in on some of the side games that are available offshore.
“Is the rental gear on a party boat the best in the world? Usually not,” says Dorris. “It gets beat season after season, but it gets the job done. If you don’t have gear that’s suitable for tuna fishing, that’s OK. You don’t have to run out and buy one if you’re a first-time fisherman, but you should definitely bring your own, lighter rod.”
Read more: The best saltwater rods
Dorris pointed out that while deep-sea fish like tuna and swordfish are the main targets, there are often a variety of smaller (and very tasty) species offshore. In the Northeast, dolphinfish are one of the main species, and it’s not uncommon for the captain to spend time searching for them in the morning after a night fishing trip. During the night, a lighter fishing rod can also come in handy for catching squid as fresh bait. He recommends bringing a medium-weight spinning rod and a reel with 20-pound braid line, because if you rely solely on the rented tuna rod, your cooler might be too small.
Bring the right equipment
Photo by Jimmy Fee
It may sound obvious, but the worst thing you can do on an offshore trip is to wear too few clothes. Even the change in temperature from a still boat to a moving one can quickly make you uncomfortable, which can start a spiral of discomfort that ruins your trip. Although it seems so obvious that you should dress properly, this rule is often broken.
“I’ve seen so many people just not bring enough clothes,” says Dorris. “In the Northeast, it can be 80 degrees in October when you leave the harbor. You have a wonderful ride in a T-shirt and shorts, and then the sun goes down and it gets cold. Or it’s rough and the boat is splashing, or your buddies are spraying the deck and suddenly you’re wet.”
The two most important items of clothing, Dorris says, are a good pair of rubber boots that you can comfortably stand in all night, and a good pair of PVC raincoats. Neither of these things needs to be the most expensive on the market—the yellow ones from Wal-Mart will do—but most importantly, you need to stay dry. You should also dress in layers to keep up with the temperature changes at sea.
Dorris’ final tip? “I always tell people to bring clean clothes for the ride home. There are no showers out there and there’s nothing better than walking home after a good night of fishing in clean clothes that aren’t covered in blood and goo.”
