What kind of fish do you catch?
Since we are bottom fishing, you will catch grunts, porgies, yellow tail snapper, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, hog fish, red/black grouper, mackerel and shark. There are also a variety of exotic reef fish that we have been known to catch. Grouper fishing is closed from Jan 1 -May 1 every year.
What fishing gear do I need for the trip?
For current conditions, Gulfstream Fishing provides each fisherman with a Penn Jig master 500 or an Okuma 320 with 30lb to 40lb test line and 3/0-4/0 hooks as well as a mix of 2-4oz weights (egg sinkers). The crew keeps abreast of the Florida Fish and Wildlife size and possession limits for fish to ensure everyone knows how many fish they can keep if they choose—though the crew also promotes catch-and-release to conserve natural resources. If guests choose to keep their catches, the crew will keep track of what you catch with our special marking system. After the trip, the fish are sorted and you can have them cleaned for about $0.50–$1 per fish.
Tickets includes:
Tackle
License
Bait
It is customary to tip the crew 20%, providing you feel they did an outstanding job. (The 20% is based on full fare, excluding discounts. We recommend $9.00-13.00 per person.)
-- FREE PARKING --
$5.00 ROD RENTAL FEE
What do I do with the fish after I catch it?
A majority of the local restaurants will cook your fish for you. Ask your crew what they recommend.
You can also ship your frozen fish to any US address. Supplies are available at all major grocery stores and shipping through FedEx, UPS or USPS.
Food and drinks?
The galley is open one hour before departure and has a wide variety of affordable snacks and drinks available for purchase. You are more than welcome to bring your own small cooler. Single handled, no wheels preferred.
Available for purchase:
Snacks
Soda/Water/Juice
Hats/Sunglasses/ rain ponchos
Anti-seasickness tablets
Gulfstream IV logo shirts, tanks & hoodies
Can I bring my own rod and tackle box?
Yes, we encourage you to bring your own gear or you can rent our rods for $5.00
What if I don't know how to fish?
Everyone has to learn sometime, why not let us show you the ropes. Fishing on the Gulfstream Party Boat is a great introduction to the sport.
Will I get seasick?
Unfortunately, you won't find out until it's too late. If you have any doubt about your ability to keep it down on the high seas, we recommend taking a seasick tablet the night before your trip. This will allow you to sleep through the drowsiness effect while preventing the dreaded over-the-rail-bail.
What's the deal with the stern?
This boat has 7 stern spots. (This is the 7 fishing spots across the back of the boat.) These spots are given out by order of reservation recieved. The reservations staff will only take the request and make a note in your reservation. They will not confirm a stern reservation over the phone. There are certain times of the year that the stern is booked months in advance and other times, there are no requests. You wont catch better fish, bigger fish or more fish off the back of the boat.
Season pass holders have priority for stern reservations. If you want a stern seat, ask the Reservationist at the time of the booking or respond to the email confirmation with the request.
11. What if I show up early or I am the first one there?
Every boat has their own system for what is allowed and what is not. Please do not board the boat without permission. Arriving early does not change anything. Check-in begins at 9:30am for the day trip and 6:30pm for the night trip. Everyone boards at the same time. The best advice is to follow the process.
