Hali Charter in 13' Seas ... Would you go out?

BigWaterBigFish · 08-03-2006, 08:52 AM

When last our hero could fish for Halibut, charter out of Depo, it got called due to high winds and sloppy ocean. So when the offer was made to go this weekend, we jumped and got our $ in on a large boat (40'+) charter out of the Columbia. :smile: We are suppose to go tomorrow (Friday). The forecast is for 13' seas at 8 seconds. It's my guy feeling that we will find out why they call them "puker" boats.

So I called my friend who's setting this up to find out if it's called and he says, "No, the captain says we have to be on the dock at 5AM when he makes the call to go or not or we owe for the day anyway" :whazzup: ...
Curious what the "Dogs" experience with charters are of this size out of Columbia River ... if this indeed the forecast, will a 40' call it? I would appreciate anyone's comment or experience.
Thanks.

Hammer Down · 08-03-2006, 09:04 AM

13' swells huh?

Not much of a chance of catching a bottom fish (in my opinion) if your 3 or 4 lbs. of lead is raising and lowering 13' every 8 seconds.

That is one of the problems with (so very hard to describe publicly.....) charter boats. A good quality, independent, 6 pack type charter would never consider going on a day like this. A big (read: unemotional) type charter has to. They have payrolls, operating expenses and other costs that dictate they MUST work when they can SAFELY. Safe is not always conducive to catching of fish.

This kid would stay home, and next time spend my money with a smaller charter.

-John

Bendman · 08-03-2006, 09:04 AM

You don't get a refund for a called day? I don't have much experience with party boats but that sounds pretty fishy. Do they make it up at a later date? If not I think it would make it pretty easy for the Captain to call the trip if he gets his money either way.

weekender · 08-03-2006, 09:11 AM

13 foot at 8 seconds? Not fun. I cant imagine the fishing would be very good either.

royalfish · 08-03-2006, 09:19 AM

I have my wife's family in town and have a six pack hired for tomorrow. After a brief discussion this morning, my charter skipper and I called it due to rough water. It is no fun to be out in that, even on a 40'Delta.

I have fished the CR for a few years and know alot of the charters. Most of the skippers I know do not want to take a big group in rough water. They will normally cancell, reschedule, refund if needed. I have not heard of paying for a cancelled trip, but you learn something new everyday.

Call the charter office and ask them the question about refunds, cancellations etc. It is a pretty good group of guys down there and something smells stinky about paying for services not rendered.

The river is open, but most likely slow, so if he does cancell, you do have an option for recover some $$'s. $200.00 or so for hali vs $90.00 for salmon.

I will try another day if the family wants. Otherwise I can buy a heck of alot of Hali for the price of one trip.

Hoping to try Saturday for Halicore. Keeping the harry eyeball open.

Boatdog · 08-03-2006, 09:22 AM

This is the 'forecast' out of the CR:

FRI...N WIND 20 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 5 FT. NW SWELL 8 FT AT
8 SECONDS.

Sounds like there will be a pitching deck (from the 8 & 8), and that always makes it hard to keep your balance, plus it tires you out just trying to remain standing. The WW will probably build as the day wears on.

Not what I would call comfortable, but doable in a 40-footer charter.

Freakwater · 08-03-2006, 09:25 AM

I think he said that they would have to be present at the time the decision was made OR they would have to pay reguardless.... meaning it was the captain's call not theirs. Sounds like if everyone shows up and the captain pulls the plug, everyone would be refunded. Right?

Never heard of a charter not refunding for a cancelled trip.

Freakwater

BigWaterBigFish · 08-03-2006, 09:34 AM

Freakwater is right, we get full refund if the captain calls it tomorrow AM but if we're the ones that calls it or decline to show, then we are out at least the deposit, if not the full whack. (Second hand as I am not the one making the deal) ... depending on what it looks like, we might do the opt out and see if we can't get a deal on salmon fishing in the river as already there and don't have my boat with me ... we're already out accomidations money at this point and can at least enjoy the day at the coast with the girlfriend.

Chrome Bumper · 08-03-2006, 03:40 PM

I sure hope it isn't so lumpy when I get to go after albies.