saltwater charters... You cant go wrong. In perth he works hard and usually leave with a good fish. Abrohlos wel he just knows the place like the back of his hand. Just got back and whenit was to windy to fish hefound us dhufish trout and snapper in 8m of water.

bad experience is mills charters booked me and dad on for a days fishing way back when got the confirmation the day before got all the way to hillaries only to be told the skipper was sick even though i saw him in his car. Still waiting for a refund... 6 years later

you can attackme for naming and shaming but at the end of the day i get hold accountable for my work so shoukd they 

Only ever been on 2 charters.
Reefwalker out of Kalbarri. Rough as guts weather. Was plenty of fish caught and got my share.
Chartered whole boat for a day out of Port Douglas. Day out for family before his wedding. Weather was bad again. Raining on and off. Skipper went straight out to the closest and most obvious spot on the chart. Did well that time too surprisingly.

Got a week with Peak chasing Blues in a few weeks. Im sure I wont be disappointed with that either.

 Enchanter.... 3, three kings trips in a year

highlights

125 kg Stiped Marlin on Jig

18 hour 20 min battle against a sword...for the hooks to pull

Headed out with Rick from Pt Samson years back & brained it both times. Macks, Reds trout etc. The days all but paid for themselves when fillets are $40/kg+. TGC to Abrolhos topped it 3 yrs ago, hopefully not to disappoint in 3 weeks.

Fozz

 Went with Bluejuice for a week long live-aboard trip to the Montelbello islands, 10 of us in total......Avoid at all costs! Total dickhead cowboys. When the crew werent stoned or pissed we had to convince them to head out and have a fish. No gear provided that was advertised as provided, outboard on the tender was broken, didnt even get our bag limit after 7 days. 

 Id go with craig from saltwater charters just to eat the food he serves lol. awesome skipper tries his best and usually produces. Then theres whitey from seasport. absolute legend. he knows his stuff. if only he werent so far away now :( cant do my usual one day trips. been out with the whole bluejuice/mills.... not the same vibe.

Only ever been on one charter Whitey out of Kalbarri in January
Can't speak more highly of his outfit. Great day out, good catch and learnt heaps from a very informative crew.
Would go out again without a second thought.

I forgot one, out of Jurien late 90's with a good mate. Old bloke was running a small Ali centre console, was six on board, me and my mate, two other young blokes and an older couple, we travelled for the first hour before pulling up for a drop, id been on the squirt heavy the night before but was feeling great, the lady didn't last long before her break fast come up in a big volcano like explosion, she asked to go back in for which the skippered replied...im sorry but cant turn back now....I lasted another 5min after that before all hell broke lose.....I was sick for the next five hours, sleeping in-between curled up under the small bit of shade up front, yellow vile was the end result...phuk I was sick!! mate bagged out on a few snapper, baldie and a good size dhue...others only caught sambos from memory, two other blokes wanted to swap a sambo for a snapper...mate tried not to laugh but said fish were already accounted for. Glad I've got my sea legs now.....can drink piss in any swell as long as I have a rod in my hand.

Went on a charter out of Darwin, advertised all gear and food,drink supplied. After being out all morning only 2 fish where caught, both black jews, good size though.
Comes lunch time plenty of soft drink (which was good) as the skipper already looked under the weather) and the deckie looked quile embarrassed.

Lunch served up beautiful big fresh bread fish sandwiches and salad.

When we get back to the wharf the two guys that caught the black jews asked for their fish, all was quiet for a noticeable period.

Deckies' face was as red as tomato, skipper then piped up that is what we had for lunch. This is the "normal" practice as usually there is enough good fish to do that as the deckie catches the lunch fish but in this case that didn't happen. "Well we had to have something for lunch didn't we."

The conversation on board then descended into a shouting threatening season.

End result, that's the way it is people suck it up.

 on a surf charter in indo and my mate hooked a spaniard and bought it in. Not having a knife handy he proceeded to bash it over the head with a coke bottle. The chef on the boat come flying out of the kitchen screaming abuse about ruining the best part (head). He grabs the Coke bottle of my mate, grabs the Mackie spins it around just in time for it to chomp down on his big toe. Took about a cm of skin off the end, dispatches fish, straps up toe and back into work. Never missed a beat whilst we were pissing ourselves at him

 Ningaloo Pearls (Exy) - whole day was a nightmare -  weather, alleged supplied gear ( non existant) , alleged food / drink ( non existant) just goes on and on and have never met a skipper / owner so disinterested and so unhelpful.... crap operation.

 Chris from too ezy charters our of hillaries. Ive had two great experiences with him on the small boat, awsome boat and he put us onto the fish. The smaller boat lets you get to know and have a yarn with him and the other on the boat. Had some dramas over the crissy break with the bigger boat but id reccomend the small if you got a small group (6 ppl) and you wanna head out for a casual fish, top bloke.

Went out on one from Mindari about 25 years ago.
Was on the grog all night with a couple of mates I hadn't seen for many years, and the missus dropped mate and I off at 0600, full as a boot. Once on the boat fell asleep and slept till we got to where ever we were going, had a great spew and went back to sleep again.
Never dropped a line or even remember who the charter operator was.

Mate runs High Calibre Charters out of Bouvard, he has some great stories of those who don't quite make the grade.

 loved it. Done a alot of research on Fishwrecked and armed with my new found knowledge I had a brilliant day out. The other fisho's would not say the same tough as they caught stuff all. I took my  own everything, all they had to do was put me onto the fish. I went home with A blakarse and 6kg pinkie. Also left left 2or 3 fish on the boat. I was happy. Well done skipper.

 Did a few trips off Dampier with Colin? Years and with Rick off Pt Samson.  Great days out. Best though was with Aldo on Top Gun at the Montes. Amazing place and the fishing was second to none. 

 I've worked for bluejuice, mills and now eco abroholos. I didn't do the montebello trips though and from what you guys have mentioned is pretty accurate. My favourite charters I've been on are both out of coral bay seaports and mahi mahi 3 with burney and both companies my partner and I got our bag limit and broke pbs. I think alot of people have the wrong idea about fishing charters like I've paid $200 plus for a metro charter now I want that many fillets worth. It's the wrong attitude 

 Years ago my mate ran charters out of Two Rocks. I used to tag along as the second deckie to get a free fish in.

One of the days the boat was booked for a private charter with a group of 6 young blokes on a boys day out. 5 turned up in high spirits early and the the 6'th was running a bit late. When he got there he had his girlfiend in tow. The other 5 went off at him but the final call was he couldnt go unless the girl went as well. They agreed but didnt want her to influence the trip in any way. So off we went.

The day's weather was average at best and the wind was picking up slowly all day but we were on the fish and the guys were having a ball. The chick on the other hand was looking a bit green when we hit the first drift and was providing the burley within the hour. She got sicker and sicker as the day wore on and there was no sympathy at all coming from the guys, i think they stayed out an hour or two longer than they normally would have. By the time we started to head in she was laying on the deck, curled in a fetal ball, pissed herself and shat her pants, moaning that she was going to die. 

I can guarantee that she will never insist on joining a boys day out again for the rest of her life.

 Only ever been on 1 charter out from Broome,cant remember who they were now , but it was exclusively for sailfish which i had never caught up until then. Ended up catching 4 for the day and the other 2 guys on the charter got 5 each. The skipper had stuffed up the bookings and was 3 punters short but went anyway (top bloke) had a great day out all gear supplied and lunch all i took was a carton that i shared with the crew. Dont think i would go on another charter unless it was for some kind of game fish as i havent the gear or any idea how to catch them better to rely on their expierience.

Only places I go on charters now days are Coral bay- Seaforce, Darwin- Arafura both great

Mills:- not impressed, booked a day charter, left 30 mins late,waiting on crew, did a lot of cruising arround, 3 drifts  and the skipper got bored and had us back in by 13:45. $250 for 4 hours on the water effectively. Now I recon $250 is a fair price and I dont mind not catching fish, but I do except the skipper to show some interest and ellict some advice to the guys fishing. I tried to have a conversation with him a couple of times, best response I got was a suggestion I talk to the decky, who's only contribution was to giving me a small bucket of sliced squid, and he went back to fishing.

Definately wont go near them again.

been out as a decky with mates on thier boats, chip in for fuel, saamies and help clean up. By far the best option. Golden rule - Just respect thier spots and dont share them.

Recently went with some workmates out of Freo for a morning charter with Jazz chasing pinkies on soft plastics. Great morning with plenty caught, and I reckon good value for $150.

Went on one out of Freo many years ago, was just a fishing trip for the skipper and his mates and the punters paying their fuel. When the mulies ran out and I asked if there were any more the deckie respoded with “F#%ked if I know mate, have a look”.

We went home with nothing.

Jaws Charters out of Hillaries years ago, top day with plenty caught, and same again on Port bouvard Charters after the missus won a voucher and did the right thing by giving it to me !

Four in total with only one shocker

I used to be a frequent punter on Mills Charters in the late 80s and early 90s.  This was when it was owned and operated by Bill Mills prior to him selling the business.  One of the regular skippers, Graham Olsen was his name I think was a very keen and competent fisho and he would always fish himself in the port side rear corner, a practice that would probably be frowned upon these days, but I cannot recall anyone ever complaining about it then.  Anyway Graham would always catch heaps of fish and I think he may have been selling some of his catch fresh to one of the local restaurants to supplement his income.  The secret I felt was to make sure you were on the boat Graham was skippering as he had not only a keen interest in fishing but there was a cash incentive for him to put fish in the box as well.  No disrespect to the other skippers but I felt Graham would just go that extra yard to put you onto fish.

I'm booked on Makaira out of Broome in June - anyone have any experience with them?

Good or bad?

I stayed at Eco Beach just South of Broome just after it reopened some years back. The charter operator wanted $900 to go out for the day and no takers. Last day so I said screw it Ill pay the $900 lets go. Two more punters then put there hand up for $150 each so its $600 for me. We get out to the fishing grounds and I get miserably sea sick and spent the day laying on the deck. The two cheap skate punters had a great day and caught heaps of red emperor. I can smile about it now but it took a while for that to happen!

The Bad- I jumped on a Charter off Dunk Island QLD about 19 years ago, on the promise of a few Sails and Macks.

19-20ft C/Console, just me, the missus, another punter and the Skipper.

The Skipper had a vasectomy the day before and was a quivering mess. Didnt go anywhere near swell, wouldnt do more than 4 knots, and refused to move from the wheel except to lay down for a few hours sleep on the fish box. I spent most of the time tying knots and catching bait and baiting hooks for the other punter who was as green as.

He parked us in the gap, and left us to our own devices. Caught nothing decent, saw nothing decent  and ran out of his bait after an hour (didnt have time to prep apparently) $600 for the two of us.

The Good- Ive never been on one of his boats, but Eddy Lawler on Pelagic Hooker would be one of the hardest working charter skippers I have seen from a distance. Awesome setup, and really knows his shit.

But charter out of Exxy. 10 paying customers including myself and the Mrs. Crap weather +++.
There would have been no chance off me taking the boat out if it was there. I thought he would pull the pin but stated it would be OK at the Murions. Bloody wrong.
before the first drop 3 punters including a young boy about 13 already burleying. This sent others green. At the end I was the only one left standing, albeit feeling green because of the smell of 9 others chucking. Even the sea legged Mrs was adding to the burley.
Only 3 fishers even made it to dropping a line. Caught a few flag and red throat, and best fish for the day was a bluelined emperor. No Reds, Rankins or trout. Decision made early to pull the pin and head home about 3 hrs short off the normal duration.
At the jetty the skipper was just a prick when people were asking about discounts and refunds. I couldn't be shagged argueing, but made it pretty clear he was mud in my eyes.
Never go on that one again, and didn't want to, but the other choice was fully booked.

Back in the 90's I was invited along to a marlin fishing tournament with a well known Trucking Company fishing out of Bermagui on the NSW South Coast, airfares, accommodation food, booze, boats and gear all supplied. 3 days fishing across 3 different chartered marlin boats.

Weather was shit and half the team puked their rings up for 3 days but the fishing was absolutely mindblowing with our boat tagging 17 marlin on the last day. I was fortunate enough to land the trifecta. A black, a blue and a striped in one day, tagging 5 fish in all that day and 7 for the comp. Fish were all 120 - 150kgs taken on 37kg gear from a chair. Needless to say our team won the day and the Comp with yours truly winning the Comp overall. This resulted in me defending my title the following year. Unfortunately, I only made runner up !

I cant understand why I haven't been invited back since !

Charter was pretty good, deckies were friendly and enjoyed a laugh.
Skipper was doing well on the demersals and was catching quite a few fish, unbeknown to the us - the paying customer, his catch was being added to the total catch.
So by lunchtime the skipper has caught quite a few and the deckie yells out " righto boys that's it quota full ".
I looked at the deckie and said wtf ! I have only caught two undersize fish and everybody else has caught f-all " He replies " that's ok, skip caught all the fish for you "
UNFUKNBELIEVABLE !
What made it worse was the stinking hour and a half ride back to Kalbarri.
I asked the skipper if we could troll for pelagics, he says " nah, im mapping the area for new ground and don't want to stop ".
Long way to drive for no fish, should have gone with the charter that's been there for a long time in Kalbarri and has the reputation i guess.

have done a few in recent years when I only had a couple of average charters.

Blue juice out of Hillaries a few years ago - only managed a couple of small and under size fish, and I think there was only one snapper caught. Weather was terrible as well, I had never seen anyone use an electric reel before until this trip, was a Japanese fellow, thought it was a bit pointless as we were only in 40 odd metres, but each to their own I guess

Mills, Abrolhos - won a trip at a boat show, Caught plenty of fish between everyone, plastics worked the best, most people took their own gear. The crew was helpful and happy the owner was on board as welll, was a trip when Steve Starling was on ....no complaints from me on that trip, managed plenty of fish in the esky at the end.

Kalbarri, I think Reef Walker - bagged out in the first couple of hours, the wife was happy as she caught the biggest and most. The skipper and crew were also friendly and helpful on this trip.

one out of Exxy, the name escapes me. But the weather was terrible and we still went out hoping to find somewhere to get us on the fish, half hour into it the skipper made the call it was too bad, when back was offered either another charter or full refund. Skipper was very apologetic about not being able to get onto any fish

one out of Mandurah, name also escapes me, was a small cat about 8m I think, only 4 of us onboard, got us onto a heap of sambo's, was hoping for demersals, but oh well. The skipper was friendly and helpful

 Heading out to the Abrolhos in 3 weeks with Blue Juice, Are they any Good?

Cheers

Eco Beach (Barraddict) been out 3 times. Two times were sensational, once was ok. Still got lots of fish (117cm Mulla) just not the massive variety.

Arafura in Darwin - 16 people for a half day, only 4 fish caught on the whole boat. No keepers.....

Shakiri - 5 fish landed between 7 people. Skipper was pretty rude. A Fishermans charter, not a 'show me how to do it' charter. Went out for a targeted species and landed it.

 Been to the Monties with Top Gun and Aldo. Top skipper tried his best in shit weather still got our share. Trying to organise to go to the Abrolhos with him in the future.

Some of you guys have seen my reports on Abrolhos with Saltwater Charters on here before. Craig caters for everyone out there, young and old, guy and girl, everyone has a ball!

 Was on Big Rons charter.... If you're on the big boat don't take the top bow bunk on the starboard side. The deck leaked and I got to sleep in a bunk that smelt like a wet dog...... Yipe yipe yipe. Fished in some pretty shocking conditions too. Total shit fight the whole trip. Had to borrow a car and go source 10 foam eskies for trip home after being told that they would be supplied.Never again.. Same trip three of us stayed on for three extra days and fished with Eddy Lawler.... Holy fucking shit.... That donut munching crazy haired funny as all hell guy asked us what we wanted and he delivered . Two tagged blacks and some of the best fishing I've ever encountered...Almost shat myself when he started backing down on a Marlin , could have sworn the outboard cowling so were under water...... Awesome boat.. 42 knots coming back through the north passage hanging on for dear life.... Can't wait to repeat it

 Back when I was a crayfishermen, I'd see the charter boats heading out into absolutely shit conditions, and think " good luck with that" Days that start foul can come good, if you cancel you are a pr*ck, if you go out in bad weather you are a pr*ck. And no matter how hard you fish, sometimes it just won't happen. So  many punters, and I've seen a few on here make the comment, that they don't consider it " value" if they can't catch the equivilant value of fish to the charter cost. FFS. I remember one operator up here switch more to whale ( in season) and dolphin watching, totally different vibe on board, people are just happy to be out there and over the moon if they see a pod of bloody dolphins. Grumpy whinging customers, know everything, can't handle gear for sh*t, deckie spends all day untangling their f*ups, and then they come in looking for a refund if they don't consider they've caught enough.

Two sides ( at least) to every story.

 Stick with it. There are some excellent operators out there, who will do their best for you--but the ocean is the ocean, fish are fish, and the weather cares for no man's agenda 

 forgot to mention 

Shikari ---- Big Al Bevan

Good Lad, Amazing Skip!

 Oh yep. I did do a trip with al bevan once too. Prob 2002 or so. Just as the sambos were being exploited at their fullest.

 Oh yep. I did do a trip with al bevan once too. Prob 2002 or so. Just as the sambos were being exploited at their fullest.

 So Al Bevan is one of the blokes responsible for bringing sharks to the wrecks......