Orlando Charter?

We have 3 children with us, ages 9-12, anyone recommend a good charter out on the big water @ a reasonable rate? Maybe not even the big water, something local would work too. Thanks in advance!

Critter getter fleet out of daytona.

Just fished with Captain Mike from Contagious Fishing Charters (www.flfishin.com) last week. We had 4 kids (ages 7,8,11&14) and did a half day charter. We caught quite a few snapper and grouper but most were small. Part of it had to do with the storm that blew through and part of it had to do with only going on a 1/2 day charter, as he didn’t have time to go way out were the bite was better. The 8 year old caught a 6′ shark. If you can do an entire day charter you will have better luck as they will go out further to the better fishing. I believe the rates are $500/half (4 hours), $700/6 hours and $900/8 hours. Bait, tackle and license are included. Mike was a great guy and really helped the kids. They are about an hour and 30 minutes west of Orlando. The gulf side (west coast) is usually calmer water. Don’t forget to tip the deck hand as tips is all they work for.

I agree that getting farther off the coast gets you bigger fish. The few trips I took we were 50 miles out. Thats a heck of a boat ride in a big boat. Took several days before we could even go due to the waves out there. Guess that off shore current is very strong in that area and creates some huge waves. Our charters were running $1500 for a day and this was before gas prices went up. Think that was 8 or 10hrs which included about 4 hrs of travel time getting to the spots and back. A lot different fishing than anything I have found around here.

The Critter Gitter Fleet does bigger party fishing boats that don’t travel as far off shore. Might be fishing with 20 to 50 other people on the boat. Prices might be more reasonable than trying to charter a smaller private boat.

For inshore fishing or near shore fishing check out Fred Roberts. Fishingguy.com I think is his website out of Daytona. Great guide. Put me on some huge red fish. He also gets into the very big tarpon during the right time of year. If he cant accommodate the type of fishing you are looking to do he might have a good recommendation. If you want a chance at a world class red fish this is the guy to go with. Here is a photo from his facebook page that he posted yesterday.