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First, do your research. What you want to catch dictates were you want to go and fish. Once you decide where you want to go, find out what charter boats are in the area. Read magazines, get on line and put some time in to find out all you can about your options. When you have a couple of possibilities, call them up, drop them an email, ask them questions, not just “how much is it?” but “what is the best time to come? What fish are in season? What type of tackle do you have on board and in what classes? Can the weather stop you going out? Do you fish under IGFA Rules? Is the skipper an IGFA Certified Captain? What about beginners? Can you put me in touch with a couple of previous clients? What types of fishing can you offer?

Try to find out if they are a serious charter boat with good equipment, a good crew and they know what they are doing!

If you can, talk to the skipper before you go out. Tell him/her what you would like to catch, your level of experience and if you would prefer calmer waters or are happy to corkscrew all day if the fish are there.

You are out there to have fun, not sit in a corner looking green and feeling miserable. If you start to feel unwell, tell the crew ! Here in Kadavu, we can always move to calmer waters.

A good charter boat will take your wishes into consideration when deciding how and where to fish.

When You Step Aboard

Listen to the safety briefing. It’s not just done to fulfil Maritime Safety regulations, it will also give you information about that particular boat, where emergency items are stored, where you can sit and where you should not go or sit during cruising for safety reasons.

Be prepared. Talk to the skipper or deckie. Ask questions like “what do I do when a rod goes off? And how do I do it?” We always establish the experience of our guests and we tell you what to do and show you how to do it. The last thing the deckie or the skipper wants is to lose a fish because of simple confusion on the deck.

I once watched 3 anglers begin, and continue with, a lengthy discussion on who should pick up a screaming rod whilst a nice sailfish of about 100lbs tail walked away from the boat. Despite us backing down, the sail took over 700 yards of 30lb mono and spooled the angler just as he finally reached for the rod.

Don’t fiddle with the equipment, even if you are experienced and understand its operation. Lever Drag Gamefishing reels have their drag settings carefully tested and set to a drag setting appropriate to the type of fishing you are doing and the fish you expect to catch. If you accidentally bump a reel setting – tell the crew. The crew should be more than happy to explain the use of any piece of equipment and why it is set as it is.

On a Game boat, everything has a place. The crew may need to get something quickly so be careful not to move things around. Don’t rummage through tackle drawers or pull out equipment and toss it back in a mess. At best, you will annoy the crew (who will have to sort it all out again and at worst, you may get a hook through your hand.

When the deckie takes a leader or gaff in hand, stay well back. Only the angler and the deckie should be at the back of the boat. It you are there too, you are in the way. If you are marlin fishing, this is positively dangerous. Crowding the deckie not only blocks the skipper’s view, it endangers the life of both you and the deckie. You and he could be pulled overboard if a hand or foot gets tangled in the leader. If the deckie is tracing a big marlin and you get in the way – it’s a tense and potentially dangerous moment. Don’t be offended by the stream of loud four letter words directing you to move back.

You will get your chance to take close up pictures when the fish is tagged and under control.

When a fish comes aboard, stand well back and listen to the deckie’s instructions. They are for his safety as well as yours. Most lures used have 2 or more hooks. One may be in the fish’s mouth, the other may be swinging free – just waiting to catch you.
A good charter boat will do everything it can to ensure you have an action packed, fun filled day of fishing. It is, after all, in their best interests that you go home and tell all your friends how good the fishing was and what fun you had. If you are out there flogging a dead horse (its rare but it does happen)….don’t blame the crew….they will be even more frustrated than you are!

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

* Take a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. You will get a lot of glare reflected off the sea, even on cloudy days.
* Take a camera.
* Wear non marking soft soled shoes.
* Ask if you are fishing under IGFA Rules – You just might catch a World Record!
* Ask, if you want to come up and see the bridge.
* Eat your catch – you won’t ever eat a fresher tastier fish than one that you just landed.
* Respect the boat. Don’t trash it. Rubbish makes its way to the bilge and can block bilge pumps.
* Enjoy the whole day’s experience, not just the fishing!

Don’t:

* Brag before you go about how many fish you are going to catch. It’s bound to blank your day.
* Step on board wearing high heels or shoes that may damage or mark the deck.
* Play with fishing equipment settings. (Even if you do know what you are doing)
* Put a rod butt down on a teak deck – It will damage the teak. All rods go in rod holders.
* Crowd round the deckie with a camera when he is tracing or gaffing a fish. STAY WELL BACK.
* Bring a hand held GPS. If the skipper sees it, you won’t be going to any of his secret hot spots.
* Access the foredeck or engine room. They are out of bounds unless the skipper specifically tells you otherwise.
* Litter. Never throw any type of rubbish (including cigarette butts) overboard. Turtles eat butts and die.
* March up to the bridge, plonk yourself down in the deckie’s seat and put your feet up on the console. Unless you want a swim.

And you think that owning one is possible for you considering that you have the financial resources and you believe that you could count on a yacht as a very good property or investment. If you think what you have is not that sufficient, you could always have the other option which is to rent a yacht instead.

There is a wide market for yacht selling and renting but how would you know that you are buying it from a reliable source? What are the considerations that you are going to buy it from that of good quality?

Since yachts are included in the family of boats, it would be better if the sources would be narrowed down. From the World Wide Web, there are sites you could visit that would lead you to better options in order for you to weigh choices and make the best decision. Having these purchased or rented, you would surely be glad and satisfied, realize how much fun travel could be.

The following are the sites you could navigate through:

This is the most reliable source of all the lists you need. This site has a lot of features that makes it as then best, most updated, most reliable source for your yacht information. It has this section which shows the latest models and creations of boats such as fishing boats, water sports, sailing boats and so forth.

This also includes pontoon, pleasure boating and of course, yachting. These  categories are also broken down to more specific sub-categories like manufacturers’ listings. These listings include the details about the manufacturer. Moreover, photos of the products are also shown.

This site also sells second-hand boats.

Searay.com-

Rangerboats.com- these are all other sites where you could navigate and look for the

Regalboats.com-    boat you want to have. These websites have updated information,

Larsonboats.com-   photos, reviews and price comparisons as well. This is of very big help to you since you will not only get to know the product but as well as how is it doing in the market.

Ebay.com- the best auction site in the world, it would respond to your needs of looking for used yachts. This site offers products not only in a state or country but in all parts of the world.

With these sites to visit to, what are you waiting for? This would mean making your mind-boggling task a bit easier and it is just right on you fingertips.