Kids with catches from The Finest Kind Charter Boat!
What are the benefits and reasons parents and grandparents should take children and grandchildren on deep sea fishing trips? Inside, we walk you through our ten best reasons why children and deep sea fishing are a favorable combination. Here we go!
1. Outdoor Experiences
Deep sea fishing for kids is an opportunity to get kids off the couch and away from their mobile screens. It is a sport that is very active and also rich in technology such as sonar and radar. So, it is an opportunity to teach kids about technology that is not on a phone or a table while giving them real-world experiences.
2. Memories
Memories of going fishing with dad or grandpa are things that ground us and enrich our lives. Learning to fish is a way of developing new tools and experiences and something that, for many adults, is a beautiful and almost spiritual experience that we carry forward from our childhood. Kid Friendly deep sea Fishing builds positive memories, and they are memories that many people can relate to over their lives.
3. Family Bonding
Family Fishing is something that a father or grandfather shared with their kids and grandkids. Today, women are just as big a part of fishing as are the guys. Fishing makes a beautiful family outing and is an activity that helps the whole family bond and grows as a unit. It is an activity that helps to breakdown barriers and encourages active parenting from both mom and dad.
4. Education about Marine Life
The ocean is so full of beautiful creatures from the big sharks and whales to the small shells that are a part of this beautiful world. Deep sea fishing for kids helps those kids understand things like recycling and responsible purchasing – garbage patch – to conservation for marine habitats and critters. It is also a way to learn more about the real world. For older kids, it can be a gateway to understanding broader concepts such as how weather works.
5. Hands-on Learning with Professional Guides
Being younger makes it easier to learn and understand fishing techniques, such as learning how to tie knots and rigging up a pole for different kinds of fishing. Because fishing charters have professional guides, the learning experience is akin to going to school, only this is hands-on learning, and that is something you can take with you throughout your whole life.
6. Character Building
Fishing is no always successful, even with a guide. Learning to deep sea fish is one way to teach kids valuable life lessons about how to apply knowledge to problem-solving. After all, the ocean is a massive vessel in which you must find the type of fish you want to target, fishing can be both a team sport or one that is all about the fisherman. It is you and a big fish, and it teaches you how to be humble and patient while still using your intelligence to create a winning situation.
7. Enhancing Confidence
With the right tools and knowledge, fishing is easy. Those combinations of traits help kids to understand that they can do something positive. There are rules and regulations, but also skills and techniques. If you learn them all, you are more successful as a fisher. If you don’t, then you struggle, and understanding the difference is a valuable life lesson.
8. Appreciation for the Environment
Deep sea fishing helps kids to appreciate the world around them. There are many life lessons in this sport. You get to see first hand how the oceans work and how little things can cause significant problems, such as pollution and how recycling and conversation at home add up to positive changes.
9. Stewardship Connection with the Gulf of Mexico
Conservation is a big deal in fishing and deep sea fishing; it helps kids connect the dots about how we all have to care for the environment. The positive benefits of fishing allow kids to become part of the solution. Through the joy of fishing, the education side of the sport is easy to pick up and take home with you.
10. Exploration Stimulation for Future Generation Leaders
Fishing is something that people become passionate about, and that is a beautiful thing to foster in a child. It is a life-long sport that sets up the building blocks for kids to grow into responsible parents who engage with their children.
What do you love about deep sea fishing and how does that translate into being a parent. There are so many excellent opportunities to expose a child to the positives of the world around them. Fishing and deep sea fishing, especially, is a gateway to learning, caring, and bonding. Learn more about booking a charter with your whole family.
Guests like to ask Destin charter boat captains, “how far does a deep sea fishing charter go out?” People usually only ask this question for one of two reasons. Either they are nervous about being out at sea and far from shore, or they’re excited about hitting the deeper waters that game fish call home. Most Destin fishing charter operators go at least fifteen miles out for a day of offshore fishing. Trips that last overnight or for multiple days typically go even further. However, after just one trip, anglers find the thrill and excitement of fishing deeper waters outweigh any concerns they have about being too far from land. No matter which category you fall into, here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about deep sea fishing out of Destin Harbor.
Could the Boat Sink?
A better question would be, “what are the chances that the boat will sink.” According to the American Boating Association, eighty-percent of boating accidents occurred with vessels of twenty-one feet or less. Operator inattention or inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use ranked as the top four causes for boating accidents. Destin fishing charters boast some of the world’s most experienced and professional captains and crews. Your chances of encountering any issue on a deep-sea charter fall below that of air travel, highway driving, or even bike riding.
What if I Get Seasick?
Only about five to ten percent of all people are considered “very sensitive” to motion sickness. However, if you have concerns about seasickness, there are several effective preventative measures that you can take.
Eat light and stay away from heavy, greasy, or acidic foods like pancakes, bacon, and orange juice, for example.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration leads to a variety of health problems, including confusion, headaches, and nausea.
Go easy on the alcohol the night before and during your trip. Deep-sea fishing and overindulging do not mix.
Get a good night’s sleep before your adventure. Feeling fresh will help prevent seasickness.
Avoid others who feel sick. Seeing people with motion sickness may actually cause you to feel nauseous, as well.
The Scopolamine Patch (prescription only), as well as the over-the-counter antihistamines like Dramamine or Bonine, have also been proven to be effective for preventing seasickness.
What if We Get Caught in a Storm?
Florida weather can be unpredictable, with popup storms happening almost daily in some areas. However, thanks to its modern salon and G&S hull design, charter boats like the luxury 53′ Sportfish boat – “The Finest Kind” – comfortably and safely handles whatever comes its way. In the event of severe storms in the forecast, call ahead to discuss your options. Finest Kind Charters always puts passenger safety first.
What if I Get Hurt Onboard?
The United States Coast Guard requires every charter boat captain to undergo training in an approved First Aid and CPR program. The Coast Guard also requires that charter vessels carry first aid equipment, one type 1 personal flotation device for each passenger on board, and a life raft. For communication, all boats must have at least 2 VHF-FM handheld radios onboard. If you have a heart condition, ask the captain if the ship has an AED on their emergency equipment list. Here’s a link to a checklist to the U.S. Coast Guard’s list of required equipment on every charter vessel.
How Long Do Offshore Fishing Trips Last?
Trip lengths vary with each charter boat, but, in general, offshore excursions run anywhere from eight to ten hours for three-quarter day trips to seventy-two hours for overnight charters. The Finest Kind offers trip lengths of 4,5,6,8,10,12,15,18 and 24-hours. Two and three-day excursions, as well as off-season Daytime Swordfishing runs may be available depending on the time of year.
Will I Catch a Trophy Fish Offshore?
Well, the bigger fish do live in, the deeper waters. No boat can guarantee a record-breaker, or even that you will catch anything noteworthy. But, a little due diligence can significantly increase your odds of pulling in a whopper. Look for a charter with good reviews and a captain that has been around for many years. Nothing beats experience when it comes to finding trophy fish.
What Type of Fish Will I Catch Offshore?
The Gulf Coast waters are teeming with Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Sailfish, Blue Marlin, and King Mackerel. Red Snappers seem to get bigger every year. The largest Red Snapper ever caught in Florida weighed in at over 46-pounds and was hooked right off Destin’s coast. Grouper come in a variety of species, including Black, Red, and Gag Grouper. The Destin waters also hold the records for the largest Gag (80-pounds, 6-ounces) and Warsaw Groupers (436-pounds, 12-ounces) ever reeled in. Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and various sharks also bring big-game fishermen to the Destin, Florida area.
Charter boat captains like Capt. Jason Mikel of The Finest Kind make passenger and crew safety a top priority. The Coast Guard also imposes strict requirements on all commercial vessels. For example, to get their license, your captain must be able to document 720-days of experience on a ship, 360 of which were on the ocean or near coastal waters. While catching a trophy-fish can never be guaranteed, safety, comfort, and excitement are always in-store on a Destin fishing charter.
Want to skip the long lines, expensive park tickets, and overpriced hotels on your next Florida vacation? Then check out Destin, Florida where there are plenty of things for kids to do. Destin’s sparkling green gulf water, powder-white sand beaches, and endless outdoor activities make it one of our country’s most popular vacation destinations for families with children. Here’s a rundown on the ten best things kids can do in Destin, Florida.
Take Kids Fishing on a Family Fishing Trip
What could be a better break from the long lines and big crowds at the amusement parks than to take the kids fishing. Do Destin boats offer fishing charters for kids, you ask? Yes they do.
Most area boats offer trips perfect for families of all sizes and with all aged members. They provide everything you need – the bait, the equipment, and the know-how – to have a relaxing and exciting adventure with the kids.
Think of the memories you’ll make and the fun the family will have on a deep-sea fishing charter. The kids will be talking about the crazy, floppy hat mom wore, or the teensy, little Redfish that dad pulled in, at every Thanksgiving dinner for the rest of their lives. Then again, someone in the family could just as easily land a trophy fish. Destin is known as “The World’s Luckiest Little Fishing Village thanks to record-sized catches in many species.”
Spend the Day at Big Kahuna’s Water Park
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park boasts over 40 different water rides, wave pools, several play areas, and slides for kids in all age groups. Their Adventure Park section has several dry thrill rides such as the Cyclone Twister and Sky Coaster. Three picturesque 18-hole miniature golf courses feature palm trees, waterfalls, tropical flora, and wooden bridges.
Henderson Beach State Park
No Florida vacation would be complete without spending a day at the beach. A gorgeous, mile-long stretch of shoreline with 30-foot tall, snow-white sand dunes and emerald green water makes Henderson Beach State Park one of Destin’s most popular spots to soak up the sun. The park has several shelters, picnic tables, and a concession stand with a gift shop and a snack bar. A boardwalk connects the beach, 60 campsites, and a nature trail that’s perfect for hiking, biking, and bird watching.
Spend a Day at Crab Island
Located in the harbor, just south of the Marler Bridge, one of Destin’s most popular attractions – Crab Island – is actually not an island. It’s a submerged sandbar with water depths that range from one to four-feet deep. Several floating food boats and even a restaurant anchor up at Crab Island. There’s also an inflatable water park, as well as live music on weekends. Crab Island draws everyone from families with little kids to twentysomething partygoers. You can get to Crab Island by boat, kayak, jet ski, and even by paddleboard. Just don’t try to swim. Strong currents have turned back many of the best swimmers over the years.
Take a Dolphin Cruise
As many as nine different types of dolphins populate Gulf Coast waters. Seeing dolphins in their natural habitat is much different and more exciting than viewing them in an aquarium. Destin’s most commonly spotted Dolphin – the Bottlenose – can grow up to 12-feet long. Their playful nature makes Bottlenose Dolphins a favorite at most dolphin shows (see the next activity). You might also catch a glimpse of the acrobatic Spinner Dolphin. Spinners put on quite a show as they leap from the surface and do as many as four spins before plunging back into the water.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Located on the beach in Fort Walton, the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park hosts daily shows featuring Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. As part of the fun, the kids, (and you too), can swim with, feed, and even pet the stars of the show. Park guests also get the chance to interact with Sea Lions, Penguins, freshwater turtles, and a variety of other marine life.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
One of the area’s most popular spots for go-kart racing – Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone – also has a 16,000-square foot arcade, a 60-foot high ropes-course, laser tag, and a 4D movie theater. Wild Willy’s Redemption Arcade features over 65 games that include Mach Storm – a first-person RPG flight simulator – Sonic Air Hockey, and Ski Ball. The Bumper Wars bumper boat ride is a great way to cool down on those hot Florida afternoons. Each boat has its own controls and powerful water cannon to douse your enemies and get even with those cranky family members, as well.
Gator Beach
Located at Fudpuckers, right in the heart of Destin, Gator Beach features over 100-gators, including an extremely rare Albino Alligator. The attraction charges no admission. Visitors are free to walk around, ask questions, and enjoy the many live shows. For a complete experience, however, check out their VIP packages. The package includes a private, behind the scenes tour of the park led by a professional Gator Handler.
Take a Drive
Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A runs for about 24-miles from Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to Panama City Beach. The ride offers gorgeous views of the teal-green waters and powder-white beaches that earned the Emerald Coast its name. Several small towns – each with their own charm and pristine beach – dot the route along the way. The little village of Seaside, for example, earned fame as the backdrop for Jim Carey’s 1998 film “The Truman Show.” At the east end of the drive, the tropical-themed Shipwreck Island Waterpark offers an alternative when Destin’s Big Kahuna gets too crowded.
Go Shopping
What vacation would be complete without a little shopping? Contrary to popular opinion, kids do enjoy shopping, as long as they get something out of the deal. Sometimes the simplest souvenir like a snow globe, a petrified starfish, or keyring will be what they cherish long after the memories have faded. Destin Commons features over 60 outlet stores, an Imax movie theater, and lots of places to grab a bite. For souvenirs, Destin’s Harborwalk Village has a unique mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. You can also book your fishing trip or rent kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis along the Harborwalk Village boardwalk.
Scientists estimate that over 20,000 different species of fish live in the world’s saline water bodies. Saltwater fish come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some live in shallow water near shore, and others can only be found at the deepest depths. Some fish prefer warm waters, while others thrive in icy cold temps.
When it comes to saltwater bait types, catching certain species requires specific equipment and bait, while others seem to jump at anything put in front of them. Sound overwhelming? Luckily, some baits have a universal appeal to almost every species of fish. Also, most baits are inexpensive, and easy to handle. Overall, saltwater fishing bait falls into one of three different categories – live bait, dead bait, and/or artificial bait. Here’s a rundown on each.
Live Baits
Cigar Minnows
Round Scad, more commonly known as Cigar Minnows, work well for trolling Sailfish, Barracuda, King Mackerel, and Bonito. Cigar Minnows typically come in lengths from six to nine inches but can grow as large as twelve inches at times. Area fishermen use dead Cigar Minnows when chasing Grouper and Snapper, as well.
Eels
Eels can be hard to handle, and many anglers prefer not to use them. But Eels work exceptionally well for a variety of big fish, especially Tuna.
Sand Fleas
Popular with surf fishermen, Sand Fleas work great for pompano, Redfish, croakers, and more. Also called Mole Crabs, Sand Fleas can be pulled out of the sand along the beach’s waterline by hand or with a rake.
Shrimp
Just about every type of saltwater fish likes Shrimp. When used for bottom-fishing, live Shrimp swim freely with the tide. As a dead bait, some people cut off the head and tail and use just the meat portion of the Shrimp. Among others, Redfish, Cobia, and Bonefish are only a few of the many Gulf Coast species that love Shrimp.
Sand Shrimp
Also known as Ghost Shrimp because of their translucent properties, these little baitfish actually live in the sand. Sand Shrimp attract all of the same fish as regular Shrimp. Sand Shrimp are also popular with freshwater anglers targeting Salmon and Steelhead.
Mullet
Gulf waters come alive with Mullet during the warm summer months. Mullets are easy to catch with a net and easy to keep alive. They make excellent bait, especially when used for bottom fishing. Anglers use larger Mullet offshore for Tarpon, Striped Bass, and Sharks. Smaller sized Finger Mullet work great for most inshore species, including the Gulf’s popular Redfish. Mullet can be purchased frozen and used to catch a wide variety of other fish, as well.
Pilchards
Fishermen use the small, oily Pilchards (Sardines) to target a variety of Gulf water fish, including Tuna, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel. Pilchards work best as live bait for bottom fishing or on a weightless rig. Some anglers also use them as cut bait on bottom rigs.
Pinfish
One of the Sunshine state’s most common baitfish, Pinfish, are easy to catch and popular with many different fish species. Most anglers use Pinfish on a fish finder rig, but any other live bait rig will work, as well. Tarpon, Grouper, and Redfish are just a few of the many Gulf Coast fish species that feed on Pinfish.
Crabs
Prized predators like Tarpon, Grouper, Snapper, and Cobia find Blue Crabs hard to resist. They are versatile and can be used inshore and offshore, as well as dead or alive. The slightly smaller variety, known as Pass Crab, works just as well for most species of Gulf water fish and exceptionally well for Tarpon.
Dead Baits
Ballyhoo
Charter boat fishing crews use Ballyhoo as cut bait and for trolling offshore. Ballyhoo works excellent for a range of the Gulf’s most popular big-game fish, such as Dolphin, Sailfish, and Tuna. Local bait and tackle shops even sell rigs explicitly made for trolling with Ballyhoo.
Squid
Squid is probably the most universal saltwater bait types available. Anglers all over the country use squid in one form or another to tempt a wide variety of fish species. Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Redfish find the whole squid hard to resist. Gulf Coast fishermen often use frozen squid, cut into long strips, to catch Tuna, sharks, mackerel, kingfish, and numerous other types of fish.
Menhaden
Menhaden (A.K.A. Peanut Porgy) work well in live form, cut into chunks, or as chum. East coast fishermen target Striped Bass, Bluefish, and large Fluke with live Menhaden. In the Gulf, Menhaden cut into chunks attract a wide variety of fish, including Redfish, Cobia, and Amberjacks.
Artificial Baits
Fishermen have used artificial baits for many years in the form of lures. More recently, bait look-alike products have also gained in popularity as saltwater fishing bait. While live bait works well in most situations, artificial baits do hold an edge in some ways. The right lure dangled in the middle of a school of fish may trigger a strike even when they aren’t biting. Also, anglers using artificial baits enjoy the convenience factor of always having bait on hand. On the downside, artificial rigs cost more upfront. Just like any other setup, losing them on the rocks or over wrecks can run into a few bucks. Here are six of the most popular artificial baits used to catch a wide variety of fish in various situations.
The Jig and Grub Combo
The jig and grub combination is versatile, economical, and yields excellent results just about anywhere. It consists of a lead head with a hook molded into it near the eye. The weight near the front causes the lure to hop and then fall in a jigging manner (thus the name). Jig heads come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes that suit almost any situation.
Bucktail Jigs
Bucktails work similarly to the Jig and Grub Combo. They have a small, painted lead head with a trailing molded-in hook. Attached deer hair flows behind the head and disguises the hook. Bucktail lures come in many colors and weights that correspond with the most commonly used sinkers. When used with braided line, a two-way swivel, and short leader, bucktails replace the hook and sinker on a traditional bottom rig. Straight bucktail rigs also provide exceptional feedback.
Gulp Baits
Some people swear by these soft plastic baits with a built-in scent. They can be purchased in bait shops, sporting goods stores, and even online. In Florida, fishermen use the 3-inch Gulp Shrimp on the shallow grass flats with great success. Gulp baits come in various colors and over one-hundred styles that mimic everything from Mullets to Peeler Crabs.
Shallow Diving Plugs
Usually made from molded or hollow plastic, shallow diving plugs come in styles that resemble many types of baitfish, as well as mice, insects, frogs. Their shape causes them to vibrate and wobble as they move through the water. To other fish, Shallow Diving Plugs appear as an injured bait and trigger the fish’s natural instinct to attack.
Spoons
Spoons have been around for many years. The simple, usually teardrop shaped piece of metal with a hook attached comes in a variety of metallic finishes such as gold, copper, silver, and brass. When jigged, they spin and flash, and attract all kinds of fish. Some anglers add natural bait to their hook to make the offering that much more enticing.
Topwater Plugs
Topwater Plugs float on the water’s surface and remain there while being retrieved. Typically made from plastic or Balsa wood, Topwater Plugs can draw sudden and explosive strikes. Topwater plugs come in several different styles including Walk-the-Dog, Poppers, and Prop baits.
So Which Bait for Which Fish?
With so many types of fish in the sea, that list could go on forever. Especially considering that some baits work better for the same species of fish based on location, the time of year, and even the angler’s technique. Here’s a list of some of the Gulf’s most popular fish and their favorite temptations:
Redfish – Crabs, Shrimp, and Sand Dollars in the Summer and Fall, and Menhaden, Pinfish, and Mullet in the Winter and Spring. Redfish Baits.
