Does anyone have a recommendation for a fishing charter on a fairly short notice? I thought there was a sponsor on here at one time.

Tom Ard. Fairwater II, Boll Wevil and Water Dog out of Zekes

(251) 979-2682

Yep, Going out with Tom's bunch next Saturday, great crew!

Look him up on Facebook. Lots of pics.

Its dauphin island not orange beach but with the ferry its nothing to go between. Captain Mike Thierry and ; crew does several a day great folks and great rates. Me my fil and my son just went on july 3rd was a birthday present from our ladies we all Have mid july bdays. His crew was awesome we limited on red snapper and got several 10lb plus and one 16 pounder. Can't recommend them enough

Do ya'll know what normal rates are for a trip? I know absolutely zero about this kind of deal. I'll be in Orange beach all of next week and would be interested in finding a trip.

Pricing for Toms big boat:

www.fairwaterfishing.com/faiwaterII.html

Mid sized boat:

www.fairwaterfishing.com/bollweevil.html

If you can't get on Tom's boats, check out Jim Stone on the Emerald Coast out of Perdido Key.

Tom Ard is baddass.. He'll even bring hookers if the money is right...

But you didn't hear that from me..

Try the crowd pleaser out of zekes they used to be jam up.

I had the worst charter experience I've ever had on the Boll Weevil 10 or so years back. We ran out of bait...not because we got so many bites, either. We had a 6 person, 6 or 8 hour charter (can't remember which) and when we got on the boat, they were loading the bait (squid). They put a little in the bait bin...that was it. I even casually mentioned to the deckhand if that was enough bait, and he assured me that we'd stop at the jetties and catch some live bait to use as well. Well, he's the expert, I thought. Problem is, they couldn't catch any. We ran out of squid on about our 3rd stop. Tried some cut bait...not nearly as effective. Worst charter trip ever from a fishing standpoint.

Now, if I remember correctly, there was an older gentleman that normally ran the boat, and he was sick or something and his deckhand was the one that was running the boat...so maybe that had a lot to do with it. But, we weren't happy campers at all.

If your up for the trip to the island Mike Thierry is 6 hours and 125 per person plus gratuities. Check them out on fb or online at captainmikeonline.com

I will contact these suggestions and see if they have any available. Speaking of gratuities, What would be an expected tip?

I'm not certain about a standard tip, but on my last charter trip I tipped right at 20%. That was to the Capt. There was no deckhand.

Mine was 20% expected but to the deckhands not the captain.

Tom runs a good operation.

Tips average 10-20% depending on how well the deck hands work. Most of the summer deck hands you will fish with are good workers and earn their 20% tip.

15-20% to the deckhands. I deckhanded on a charter boat and that was customary. If you want to ensure super good service, give them a little money before you leave the dock, and they will bust their butt keeping you happy all day.

I had a professional drag racer give me a $100 bill after I untied our dock lines and he said, "take care of me and my family and there will be more where that came from." I took REAL good care of his family and he tipped me a total of $400 for 4 people, which was about 75% tip.

Thanks for the help. This will be a family trip. We rarely go anywhere and I want to make the best of it.

I'd go with Tom then. Let him know you're on Aldeer.
Aldeer folks take care of Aldeer folks.