You’ve planned your vacation for months or even years, saved your money, done some research, and booked what you think is the perfect Destin fishing trip. You’ve already cleared out space in your freezer for fillets, or perhaps a space above the mantel for your trophy replica. Then, when the long-awaited day finally arrives, you get nailed by the old bait and switch.
Look, tough fishing happens. There are days when the conditions are unfavorable, or the fish just aren’t biting. We’re not talking about that. We’re talking about situations where you’re promised one thing and delivered another – or delivered nothing at all.
These charter fishing scams are dream-killers. They’re vacation killers. And they reflect especially poorly on what is otherwise an upstanding charter industry that works exceptionally hard to deliver your bucket list experience.
Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous operators throughout the vacation industry, perpetrating scams on people who don’t know better. The fishing industry is not immune to such chicanery. They particularly prey on beginning or novice saltwater anglers and people seeking luxury experiences for their families, but even experienced traveling anglers can get hooked if they’re not careful.
It’s miserable to save and wait, and then pay for what amounts to an expensive boat ride, but you can minimize or possibly even eliminate the risk of such disappointment if you watch out for certain telltale signs.
So, what is the “bait and switch” when it comes to actual fishing?
Well, in the billfish world, “bait and switch” is a carefully orchestrated dance where teasers, often without hooks, are set out in an array behind the boat and trolled into likely areas. Their action and flash attract fish into the spread of baitfish imitators. Then you quickly reel the teaser forward to get the fish hot and force him to chase. As he comes toward the boat and gets ready to strike, you replace the hookless lure with a hooked bait and drop it right in his face. He bites and the fight is on!
Unfortunately, this same strategy can apply to anglers themselves. When someone gets you moving toward a “lure” that seems too good to be true that often turns out to be the case – and you don’t want to end up hooked, because there’s no catch and release in the real world. You’re going to be someone’s unwitting trophy.
That’s the bottom line. If it looks too good to be true it probably is. Unfortunately, when you’re in “vacation mode,” and you’ve already spent a ton on a rental house or hotel, various other activities, and new gear for the trip, it’s easy to be seduced by the flash of a false bargain. Here are some of the most common vacation fishing scams to watch out for:
Fake Charter Fishing Operators – This is the worst of the worst of the scams: Fortunately, fairly infrequent but possibly the most painful. Scammers create fake websites or social media profiles for charter fishing services, often offering deals that seem too good to be true. After booking and paying a deposit, the tourist finds out there is no actual charter service. There’s another offshoot of this in the form of a guy at the dock or marina who promises to broker a trip for you and when you show up there’s no boat, no captain, and no sign of your new acquaintance.
“Too-Good-To-Be-True” Fishing Packages – If someone offers a trip for substantially less than the general range offered by other charters. Yes, there are some operators who can or do charge less than most others, but typically there’s a reason, some sort of cost-cutting that is likely to negatively impact your trip. Make sure you know what you’re getting before you make your choice. Is there an upcharge for live bait? Is fish cleaning included? What about water, ice and food? Some fisheries do have add-ons, like various taxes or upgrades, but you need to know about these in advance, so you don’t end up on the short end of the stick.
Unlicensed Fishing Guides – A captain or charter operation that doesn’t have the proper permits and licenses can of course operate at a lower rate than those who follow the rules, but if they operate outside the law in that sphere, who knows where else they’re likely to cut corners? Do they follow fish and game regulations? If not, YOU could end up with a costly fine. Even worse, they may not have proper safety equipment onboard, or have gone through required training and maintenance, which can result in great risk to you and your loved ones.
Who Gets the Fish? – If you’re expecting to make a meal – or a series of meals – out of your catch, you may be disappointed when the boat’s crew grabs them for their own kitchen, or to sell illicitly. Or there may be fish cleaning or processing fees. The latter are not necessarily illegitimate, as they require quite a bit of work, but you should know about them in advance.
Trophy Fees – Some captains and outfitters have deals with taxidermists. They’ll tell you that your latest catch is a true trophy, one that needs to be memorialized, and that if you “act now” they’ll cut you a tremendous deal on a replica for your home or office. There are, of course, catches. First, the fish may not be a true trophy, although you might not care. Second, they are of course taking a cut, so you might be able to get a better deal by talking to the taxidermist yourself, or shopping around. Finally, make sure that they really are middlemen. Once you’ve given over that deposit, it’s miserable to reach out to the taxidermist months later and realize you were scammed.
Equipment Scams – When you hook into that fish of a lifetime, you want to make sure that the rod, reel and line are up to the task. Ask what kind of gear they use ahead of time. Websites are not always accurate and it’s miserable to show up expecting “tournament grade” tackle only to end up with gear that would’ve been outdated and in poor condition 50 years ago. Sometimes they’ll even try to get you to pay an upgrade fee or a rental fee to use the good stuff – another example of the bait and switch.
Overpriced Fishing License Scams – Some third-party websites sell fishing licenses at exorbitant prices, often double or triple the cost, with hidden fees. Purchase fishing licenses only from official state websites or authorized retailers. The best charters, like Destin Florida’s Finest Kind, have NO additional licensing fees as that’s taken care of by the captain and included in the charter.
Fake Fish Cleaning and Shipping Services – As with the fish replica scams detailed above, what happens if you seemingly contract to get your fish cleaned and shipped but they never arrive, or they’re spoiled upon receipt? Sorry, you’re out of luck. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. You can’t go back in time.
We’ve all been conditioned to look out for “phishing” scams in our everyday life, but unfortunately “fishing” scams are prevalent, too. You may not lose your identity or your passwords, but they’re able to compromise your expected day or days of fun on the water.
Do your internet research and ask around before booking any charters. Only go with established, well-regarded outfitters, ideally with recommendations from unbiased parties. And ask questions! This is your trip, and particularly if you’re a beginner or an infrequent angler, you might not know that terminology or the most common practices. Most importantly, remember that if something sounds too good to be true, or doesn’t jibe with others’ experiences or expectations, be skeptical.
While this may come off as overly negative, it’s purely meant to help ensure that your Emerald Coast fishing trip has a maximum chance of success. Unscrupulous outfitters make the great ones look bad by association, but there are honest anglers and captains out there. Find one who wants to make your dream trip come true.
Book your Destin fishing trip on a fully licensed luxury charter boat with a captain with over 30 years’ experience!