There is barely a day that goes by that we don’t get a call for someone looking for a head boat and not a charter boat. However, there is a very big difference between the two that most people don’t understand. A head boat is much like taking a bus leaving and returning at a special time each day. On a head boat you pay by the head (per person) a fare and ride and fish with other people who also pay there fare.
This has some benifits and some downsides; the benifits are the cost you pay on average is about $65 per person and you don’t need a reservation. This is only the real benifit to a head boat. Some of the downsides to a head boat are it can be over crowded, no personal service, some cases you never see your captain, you have to pay to rent a rod, and have to pay to have your fish cleaned. When chartering a boat; however it costs slightly more if you have 6 people.
We get $550 for the day that averages out to $90 per person, you don’t have to pay to rent a rod, and you get your fish cleaned for free. Some other advantages of a charter boat are you can leave and return on a schedule that is suitable to you and your crew. You also have your own personal service by both the Captain and the mate.
You can also set the tone for the day, it may be funny to you if one of your friends has been drinking all day and is loud; but it may not be funny to you if your stuck next to some guy that you don’t even know all day that has been drinking and is loud. On a head boat you have know choice as to where you are going, on the Tara Anne(charter boat) we discuss this with most charters, to see what is best for them.
Sometimes the wind direction may have the Ocean ruff and the Delaware Bay calm or visversa, this maybe important to some one that is prone to seasickness. There have been times we left a spot due to the wind and tie conditions to look for calmer water, and sometimes cut the charter short if the charter choices to do so. On a head boat even if 99% of the people are sick and there is still people fishing and time left they are going to stay on schedule.
Call Capt Joe for dates available or if you have any questions don’t hesitate to call.
Capt. Joe 1 856 304 3293