Page 134 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2026

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Booking a Charter Could Actually Save Anglers Money
Not everyone can afford to own or operate a boat, but sportsmen who only fish a few times a year could save money when one considers the cost of buying, insuring and maintaining a boat, not to mention fuel, bait and other costs. A person could buy several charter trips each year and still save money.
Many people book charters because they never fished before or they want to try something different. Most charter captains or their mates gladly give personalized instructions to their clients.
“The main goal of a captain is for the client to catch fish,” explains Sonny Schindler with Shore Thing Fishing Charters in Bay St. Louis. “Some captains only want people to pay for their fishing. Most customers would rather come back with 10 fish they caught, which might be the most they’ve ever caught in their lives, than 30 fish caught by the captain.”
With so many great charter services available on the Mississippi Coast, how does one know which one to choose? It all comes down to research and communications! Before spending big bucks, do the homework. How long has that captain been
in business? Does the captain have the required licenses and safety equipment? What kind of reputation does that captain have?
“I encourage everyone to talk to the actual
captain,” Schindler advises. “The captain knows what he or she can do on the boat. If the potential customer has a bad experience talking with the captain on the phone or in person, that person will not have a pleasant trip on the boat.”
Don’t hesitate to ask the captain questions. Ask about the boat and equipment. What does the captain provide? What should the guest bring? Inquire about any extra fees such as fish cleaning services and tips.
Let the captain know how many people will get on the boat and a little information about them.
If the party includes young children, how does the captain feel about that?
Some captains cater to family groups and welcome youngsters. Others only want adults. Don’t surprise the captain by booking a trip for four people and showing up unexpectedly with one adult and three young children.
Captains and customers also need to discuss what the party really wants to do on the water. Some people only want to fish a special way or catch a specific species. Others just want to relax, enjoy the day and don’t care what they catch. If Plan A isn’t working, the captain might suggest a backup plan.
“It all comes down to communication,” Schindler emphasizes. “The captain needs to know what the client really wants to do and the client needs to know what the captain can do at that time.”
134 | June 2026
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story and photos by John N. Felsher