Hello all,

My husband and kids love fishing and my husband has been wanting to take our kids (three teenagers 13,14,18) fishing offshore since we moved to virginia beach, but the only thing is the cost is just so high. So our anniversary is coming up this month and I would just love to find a great deal for them all to go out and fish for the big stuff, so anyone have any suggestions.

Kelly

Im not sure what your looking for, a charter?

I think they are mostly the same price, I might be wrong, but they all pay the same price for gas.

I have a contact out of Hatteras that will do offshore for about $750 -- works out to about $125 per person -- we are going to Nags Head this week coming up and would have two people to help make a full trip if your interested. They leave Teach's Lair about 5:30 am and get back about 5 pm - not the prettiest boat in the fleet but its seaworthy and the captian is an old fisherman (very knowledgeable).

When date are you going out? Myself and a buddy may be interested. What size boat is it?

The boat is called the Sea Bear -- its a 41' Doesnt have the tuna tower and all the extras -- has a HELL OF A LOT of FISHING ROOM in the stern area as well as two fighting chairs. Unless you gotta have a floating palace id say it works just fine.

VaMom, most of the charter boats charge about the same rate, with smaller, slower boats being cheaper. This is also a sensative subject for some people. Please don't mistake our recreational fishing efforts for charters. Most of us are not licensed to take passengers for hire, but we are allowed to split expenses. So taking out a charter would not only be illegal, but unethical as well. Most of the charter captains are our friends, with whom we share information and swap lies and taking a charter from them would be like taking food off their tables. No can do. I hope this helps you understand the delicate balance between us, the weekend warriors, and the professionals, who do this for a living. Check the ads at the bottom of this page. There are some excellent boats and crews there. Good luck.

Sea Bear IS a liscensed charter out of Teach's Lair -- yes it is cheaper because the boat is a little slower and not as highbrow as others. Capt. Eddie may not have Penn International reels but his equipment functions properly and he has the know how to catch fish as "Short Comings" (Kieth) can atest to. On our last trip out we caught just as much as anyone else in the fleet. If you wanna spend the money for a fancy boat Id go for the Point Runner out of OIFC -- but if you wanna go on a budget Hatteras is going to be cheaper and unless you need all the frills of a Sportfish the Sea Bear will do just fine.

James

Hey James, is my old time buddy throwing you kickbacks now or what? (just kidding) Sure he will be happy to hear of all the publicity being thrown his way though.

I can attest. My family and I have been doing charters with Capt.Ed for about 4 or 5 years now appox 8 -12 times a year. We have never been skunked and have always matched the catches of all the other boats. We will fish the way you want to fish and for what you want to target. Otherwise, he will use his knowledge of the area to do what he feels will make you a happy customer with a cooler full of fish. He does charge $750 for a full day of offshore fishing and he does everything himself so there is no need for an additional couple hundred dollars to tip a mate. If interested, his number is 252-986-2695

I wasn't referring to Sea Bear or any other charter boat. I was explaining the difference between a charter and a recreational trip and why recreational boats can't take a charter. I'm sure Sea Bear is a fine boat and the captain a capable sailor.

Hey Frank ...... I mean Keith,
Nope no kickbacks yet .... but we may see what he has lined up for next week as we will be down there for vacation and my wifes friends from Missouri may be interested. If that is the case though we may need to get a couple more people to fill the boat. You free any next week? BTW good job with the fishing -- seems like Captain Eddie has turned you into a pretty good mate. Guess you will be ready by the time he gets the bridge ready on the boat and retires.

James

he wants a little too much money for that boat for me, I have shared my ideas with him for expanding the interior to boost it's appearance and provide an interior area for the charters but I think he's afraid of getting too much business since this is pretty much his retirement. Don't think he really wants to fish every day. I am off next Tues and Wed. Let me know. I may be able to work something out but not positive yet.

That would be the 17th and 18th -- I know I can count my friend from Missouri in for one and myself. That would leave us needing three more. Possibly might be able to get my step son to go but he may want to hang with his friends from Missouri on the beach. Don't think that will be putting Eddie to close to a real job if we go out mid week do you? And since you have the golden horseshoe for hooking up it would be good to have you on the boat

James

[quote=Jamoe22560,Jul 11 2007, 01:39 PM][quote=short comings,Jul 11 2007, 01:09 PM]he wants a little too much money for that boat for me, I have shared my ideas with him for expanding the interior to boost it's appearance and provide an interior area for the charters but I think he's afraid of getting too much business since this is pretty much his retirement. Don't think he really wants to fish every day. I am off next Tues and Wed. Let me know. I may be able to work something out but not positive yet.
[/quote]


That would be the 17th and 18th -- I know I can count my friend from Missouri in for one and myself. That would leave us needing three more. Possibly might be able to get my step son to go but he may want to hang with his friends from Missouri on the beach. Don't think that will be putting Eddie to close to a real job if we go out mid week do you? And since you have the golden horseshoe for hooking up it would be good to have you on the boat

James

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let me look into my schedule and budget and get back with you.

[quote=short comings,Jul 11 2007, 03:56 PM][quote=Jamoe22560,Jul 11 2007, 01:39 PM][quote=short comings,Jul 11 2007, 01:09 PM]he wants a little too much money for that boat for me, I have shared my ideas with him for expanding the interior to boost it's appearance and provide an interior area for the charters but I think he's afraid of getting too much business since this is pretty much his retirement. Don't think he really wants to fish every day. I am off next Tues and Wed. Let me know. I may be able to work something out but not positive yet.
[/quote]


That would be the 17th and 18th -- I know I can count my friend from Missouri in for one and myself. That would leave us needing three more. Possibly might be able to get my step son to go but he may want to hang with his friends from Missouri on the beach. Don't think that will be putting Eddie to close to a real job if we go out mid week do you? And since you have the golden horseshoe for hooking up it would be good to have you on the boat

James

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let me look into my schedule and budget and get back with you.

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Schedule & Budget ......... when it comes to fishing off shore id consider selling my wife to fit it in the budget ....LOL ..... dont tell her that though she may not think its funny. Just kidding -- let me know.

Call Hatteras Harbor Marina also.....they let their captains set their own rates (unlike some other marinas in VB area) and there are a few boats around $800 dollars a day......all with good equipment.

You'll find your best rates out of Hatteras Inlet as "the rockpile" and other good bluewater hot spots are ~20 miles offshore requiring 1/3rd of the fuel that the VB boats have to burn.

You should be able to get a makeup charter out of HH also. Good luck and what a great thought for your boys.

Well we really like Teach's Lair and Capt Eddie on the Sea Bear -- but thanks for the info. I have fished the Lucky Chip out of Hatteras Harbor.

thanks.
James

Oh yes you were george !! You were talkin about his momma !!! And said he fished like a girl ! Sinner.

normally I would sell the wife to go offshore but I have been out three times in the last week already, have the bluewater classic next month, and a week vacation in hatteras with 2 more days of offshore fishing next month. All this on top of trying to by a new boat within the next year.

I do however know just where you are coming from

Ok just let me know -- hey just a thought but ....... if there was no wife it would be a lot easier to work the boat into the budget

lol but then again youd have to spend money on dinner, movies, etc to make up for the loss of lovin shes giving ya.

James