Why Booking Early Matters for Summer Fishing Charters

Is booking a summer charter fishing trip on your back burner? You may still be wearing sweaters where you live, but woe is you if you postpone booking until the spring thaw. You’ll have fewer options with each passing day. You’ll probably have to settle for less and pay more to boot.

In other words, booking early is kind of a big deal.

What’s All the Rush?

Louisiana is not a “best-kept secret” by any means. It’s one of the top spots in the country to fish, and everybody knows it. 

We’ve got more than 400 lakes, rivers and bayous — and those are just the ones with official names. Our rivers meander seemingly forever, and direct access to the Gulf stretches for 397 scenic miles.

There are plenty of fish in the sea around here, but there are also plenty of enthusiastic anglers. As with any kind of vacation, hot spots book up fast.

Decisions, Decisions

We get it. Life is busy. There are dinners to cook, clothes to wash and grass to cut. Oh, and texts from your mother don’t answer themselves.

However, if you’ve got your heart set on a summer fishing charter, you’ve got bigger fish to fry right now. There are decisions to make about where to go, what kind of fishing to do, where to stay, and who to hire to drive the boat. Why settle for your second, third or tenth choice? You can have your first choice in everything by booking now.

First Choice of Destinations

Fishing destinations are as diverse as the fish themselves. Freshwater fishing in Toledo Bend is nothing like deepwater fishing in Venice. Hooking a catfish is nothing like hooking a marlin.

It’s not just about your experience on the boat. Fishing “villages,” whether large towns or small hamlets, have distinct personalities that are reflected in their restaurants, shops and overall vibe. From crawfish to redfish to big bass, you’ll find tournaments, festivals or rodeos (yes, rodeos) that celebrate regional species and local culture.

In fact, starting with fish you like to eat can inform your decisions. If you’re craving grilled speckled trout, say, you’ll appreciate a charter captain who doubles as a speckled-trout whisperer. Grand Isle and Delacroix, teeming with speckled trout, are ideal destinations. 

Of course, there are more than 200 species in these parts. You could pick a destination by eeny, meeny, miny, moe and have countless fish to choose from.

Consider the overall experience too. Would you like fishing near a popular beach or on a quiet, secluded lake? Are you into scenery and unusual wildlife? Are you teaching kids to fish or looking to hone your own skills?

These are strong considerations, but taking your sweet time may force you to compromise.

First Choice of Accommodations

No matter how good the fishing is, your trip can go south if you’re not happy with your accommodations. Jot down a list of what’s important to you. Is the place remote and private or smack in the middle of the action? How clean and convenient are the grilling stations and picnic tables? If eating out is more your style, are there good restaurants — with sunset views — nearby? 

Whether you plan to camp, stay in a motel, do the bed-and-breakfast thing, or spring for a private villa, nobody’s going to hold a spot just for you. Nine out of 10 anglers probably have the same preferences you do. You’d better get cracking if you want the first dibs — and the coldest AC.

First Choice of Fishing Charters

Teaching kids to fish for crappie should be low-pressure and fun. Wrangling a swordfish should be the thrill of a lifetime. That’s why many charter captains specialize in certain species or types of fishing. They know exactly where redfish, flounder or wahoo hang out. They stock their boats with every kind of gear and bait you need to land your dream fish.

That’s all well and good unless your dream fish happens to be a lot of other people’s dream fish. There are only so many charter captains to go around.

Not only that, but captains pride themselves on getting to know their customers in advance and designing the kind of trip they’re looking for. Some folks want a raucous experience while others crave a little peace and quiet. Some want to be entertained while the charter captain does most of the fishing. Still others are looking to win a trophy or do something truly insane, like propose marriage on the boat.

In creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, great captains take all this to heart. That kind of planning and attention to detail takes time. Even in communities with sizable charter fleets, customized trips are best booked in early spring.

Fishing for Excuses? You Could Be Fishing

Procrastinating wouldn’t be such a problem if LCBA captains weren’t so popular. But they are. 

That’s because they’re smart. They’re experienced. Their licensing is current, and their boats and equipment are in good repair. When it comes to fish, they’re practically geniuses. When it comes to passenger safety, they don’t cut corners. Plus, their capacity for fun knows no bounds.

Call us crazy, but we don’t recommend settling for a second- or third-rate captain. Same goes for a second- or third-rate trip. So book that summer charter now. Dream destinations are calling your name, and the best captains in the country are booking up fast!