Frequently Asked Questions
HOW AND WHEN DO YOU BOOK YOUR TRIP?
It is recommended that you book your trip as far in advance as possible, so you have a good chance of booking your preferred dates. The Bounty Hunter Fleet is usually booked as far as three months in advance during the busy season. Occasionally we are able to accommodate a last minute trip. Please feel free to inquire about a trip via email or phone.
WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL?
If you need to cancel, we ask that you do so no later than thirty days before your trip in order to receive a credit of your deposit. Your credit is valid up to one year from your original booked date. If you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances such as a death in the family, accident or injury, please let us know and we will try to get you rescheduled as quickly as possible. No-shows will be charged for the entire cost of the trip.
DO YOU RESERVE SPECIFIC SPOTS( EX. BOW OR STERN) ON THE BOUNTY HUNTER?
The Limited Load Bounty Hunter is boarded in order of the date reservations where made. It is encouraged to book your trips as early as possible in order to be one of the first onboard.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO BOOK A TRIP?
Timing of your trip will depend of the type of fish you wish to catch. With our vast experience on the water, we set up the yearly schedule to coincide with prime times for specific species. Our fleet fishes from April through late December.
WHAT DO WE PROVIDE?
We provide clean, fast and safe boats outfitted with the latest in fish finding technology. We have some of the best captains in the region for available for your fishing trip. We only use FOOD QUALITY bait. Also included in your charter is the use of high quality rods and reels, if necessary. All your terminal tackle, including high quality custom tied rigs with fluorocarbon and super sharp Japanese hooks are provided. Due to the extremely wide range of personal preferences, we do not currently supply fly rods, reels or tackle.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
You should bring the following: rain gear, hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, shoes with non-marking soles, fishing boots and foul weather gear if you have them. You should dress in layers so you can adjust your comfort to the temperature on the water. Also, as some clothing may get wet, you can remove the wet layer. Pack any beverages that you enjoy. Snacks, lunch (full day trip), camera, and any rods and reels you may want to use. Please do not bring any coolers larger than 60 quarts. We provide stowage for the fish, please leave your fish coolers in the car.
IS THERE ANY COMMON ETIQUETTE YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF?
Please be on time for departure and wear non-marking sole shoes. Be respectful of the boat, gear and your captain. In return your captain will be friendly, courteous, helpful, and put you on to some great fishing. Ask many questions. If you are unsure about what to do or how to do something, please feel free to ask. If there is anything your Captain can do to make your trip more enjoyable or make you more comfortable, please let him know right away and he will be sure to do what he can to accommodate your request. The most important piece of boating and fishing etiquette is to always HAVE FUN!
GRATUITIES
The crew of a for-hire fishing vessel depend on tips for a majority of their income. They are similar to waitresses or bartenders, except they are there assisting and serving you for the entire duration of your trip. It is customary to tip the crew 18-20% of the trips cost for there services. Fish cleaning services are available from the crew on the ride back to the dock, these services can be extra, depending on the type of trip.
On Private Charters aboard the Bounty Hunter Express, the Captain usually works alone without a mate. This provides more room in the cockpit and cabin for the clients. Since the Captain is also the mate on these trips, it is customary to tip the Captain 18-20 % of the trip’s cost.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
Illegal drugs are PROHIBITED aboard any Bounty Hunter vessel. This INCLUDES MARIJUANA, although many states including the ones we operate out of, have legalized recreational use. Our vessels are FEDERALLY Documented; therefore, we operate under FEDERAL jurisdiction when it pertains to Marijuana. Alcohol can be consumed in moderation, please refrain from glass containers and hard liquor aboard the vessel. Intoxication will not be tolerated, unruly behavior toward other passengers or the crew will result in an early ride home via local law enforcement or the Coast Guard.
CAN YOU BRING YOUR OWN GEAR?
Yes, you may bring any gear you like. The boat will be fully equipped with only the finest rods, reels, bait and tackle available. If there is anything you would like us to include that we have not mentioned, feel free to drop us a line before your trip and we will be happy to try to accommodate you.
WHAT WILL YOU FISH FOR?
This is determined by your preference and/or the particular season and weather patterns. As a general rule we will fish for the species of your choice. An exception would be an offshore trip that is cancelled due to weather and had to be changed to an inshore trip. The rate for the trip will be adjusted.
WHERE WILL YOU FISH?
This depends primarily on the type of trip you book, your target fish, and the current weather conditions. Bounty Hunter Charter Captains always go where the fish are, regardless of where your departure location may be. If you have any particular requests or suggestion regarding our fishing area, we would be more than happy to try to accommodate you. For inshore trips, expect a run fifteen to forty-five minutes each way depending on the day’s chosen locale. We fish from the northern tip of Stellwagon Bank to Block Island Sound to the west, including all the water in between which includes Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound, Rhode Island Sound, and near shore ledges, wrecks and structures. On our offshore trips we will travel forty to one hundred miles offshore to various wrecks and bottom features.
WHAT FISH CAN YOU KEEP?
One of the great things about fishing in Southeast New England is the different types of fish which can be eaten and what a wonderful meal they make. You have Cod, Haddock, Fluke, Blackfish, Scup, Tuna, and Black Sea Bass. There are minimum and maximum size limits which will apply to your catch, as well as some fish that cannot be kept due to regulations. We follow all applicable local, state, federal, and National Marine Fisheries Service laws. In addition, conservation is of the highest priority for Bounty Hunter Charters. For this reason you will be encouraged to release any inedible sharks, blue and white marlin unless it is identified as a potential world record fish.
CAN YOU EXTEND YOUR TRIP WHILE WE ARE OUT?
Having such a productive day that you don’t want to get off the water is a frequent occurrence with our Captains at the helm. This question comes up frequently. If there is not another trip scheduled for the second half of the day, and your schedule allows, we will be glad to extend your trip. If you feel like you want to stay out and keep on top of the action, just ask your Captain and he will do his best to accommodate you.
IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR MULTI-DAY BOOKINGS?
Multi-day bookings are a common occurrence, especially during peak seasons. We only offer discounts for multi-day bookings on the LIMITED LOAD Bounty Hunter. When you book consecutive trips you will receive a 10% discount on each day.
The Freezer Filler special on the Private Charter Bounty Hunter Express. Is an afternoon trip followed by a morning trip the next day. This allows you to LIMIT OUT TWICE. The Freezer Filler is a big hit with customers who travel over one hundred miles to fish. These trips are for weekdays only, and we offer a $60 per trip discount.
DO WE OFFER DIVE CHARTERS AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN WE ACCOMMODATE?
We do dive trips on both the Bounty Hunter and the Bounty Hunter Express. We offer wreck, lobster, scallop and many other types of dive trips. Please inquire directly for charter pricing and availability.
WHAT IS OUR POLICY ON TAKING CHILDREN FISHING AND DO WE OFFER ANY SPECIALS?
At Bounty Hunter, we love to take children fishing. We believe that the love of fishing helps children develop an interest in the ocean, teaches them conservation, responsibility, and a love for all the ocean has to offer. We have designed a special family trip for late afternoon outings. These outings often end up supplying a fresh fish dinner for the family that evening.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
As the Bounty Hunter fleet expands, we are always looking for some dedicated crew members. Any Captains or Mates interested in working for the Bounty Hunter fleet should email an up to date resume with copies of all relevant licenses, references, and salary expectations to Captain Eric Morrow ([email protected]). We are looking for candidates with a commitment to the saltwater lifestyle along with excellent customer service skills. For the right candidates advanced training will be provided.