Aqua Safari Charters - Need to Know

Need to Know

Below are our policies, reservations, and service details.

Reservations		Fishing License
Reservations are recommended on all trips. Please call 409-795-7480 to make a reservation. Walk-ins are welcome on public trips, but guaranteed reservations receive priority over walk-ins. Private charters can be taken on short notice subject to availability.		The state of Texas now requires a salt water fishing license for ALL trips, including deep sea trips. The only exceptions are for anyone under 17 years old or anyone born before 9/1/1930. Everyone else must have their license with them. Also, be sure that the license includes the red drum tag.

On Private Charters		On Public Trips
A 50% deposit is required and is due within 7 days of booking to confirm your reservation. Private charter deposits are non-refundable unless cancellation notice is received 21 days from the departure date. Moving your departure date less than 21 days from the original departure date is considered a cancellation without refund of deposit. Customer cancellation notice given within our policy terms will result in your deposit being applied to another reservation date or your deposit refunded in full at your request. Please ask for a customer cancellation confirmation number in the event of a refund due.		A deposit of the full amount is required to confirm your reservation due to the low number of our average passenger load (about 12 persons) and to assure the minimum number of passengers necessary to make the trip. Your credit card number can be used to pay your reservation via phone order. A full refund on public trips can be assured by giving at least 5 week days notice on cancellation (for example, a reservation for a Monday trip would require cancellation by 5 p.m. the previous Sunday). Please ask for a customer cancellation confirmation number in the event of a refund due.

Payment & Fees		Fishing Trips Include
Full payment is due prior to departure. Trips can be prepaid in advance of departure date. We accept cash, check, traveler's checks, money order, our gift certificate and major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). All trip prices do not include customary crew gratuity of 15 - 20% or fish cleaning services which average about $10 per angler.		Rod and reel, tackle, bait, chum, and ice for your catch. You are welcome to bring your own rod and reel. We only ask that it be in good condition so "that the big one doesn't get away". We promote light tackle, fly-fishing, and catch and release. Our crew is available for assistance and we are happy to teach fishing and give helpful instruction upon request.

What to Bring		Restrictions
Your food and drink iced down in a small cooler. For groups we suggest consolidating about 4 persons to one 48 quart size cooler. Individuals should bring nothing larger than a one handed cooler. Comfortable clothes (jeans, shorts, swimsuit, beach towel). You may want to dress in layers during the cooler months. Soft sole shoes Protection from sun and motion sickness Polarized Sunglasses Camera and film Ziploc bags for bagging fish Fish cooler with ice (leave in car) Funds for any trip balances including gratuity, fish cleaning, and parking @ $5.00 per car		No glass containers No hard liquor or wine. Beer is permitted in moderation (cans only) No beer kegs No firearms or explosives No chairs (wheelchairs are ok) No GPS or LORANS allowed on board No live wells without Captain's advance permission Zero Tolerance for Drugs No empty coolers (leave in car) or coolers with wheels No fishing rods greater than 7 1/2 ft. No cigars or pipes

Gratuity		Fish Cleaning
15 - 20% gratuity is customary for the Crew (Captain and First-Mate)		Performed by our First Mate for a fee upon return to our dock.

Parking
Arrive to park approximately 30 minutes prior to your trip departure time. There is a pay parking lot within the Pier 19 area. Place bills in the box according to your numbered parking space. The parking spaces directly behind the boat slips are for tenant permit parking only between 4:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Weather and the Galveston Advantage
All trips are subject to and affected by weather. In the event of a weather cancellation by our Captain, Aqua Safari Charters can apply your deposit to a future trip or refund the full amount at your request. Unlike some deep sea fishing ports which only offer deep sea fishing, Galveston also offers Galveston Bay and Jetty fishing in protected waters. We call this the Galveston Advantage. As an alternative to deep sea fishing or when a weather cancellation by the Captain prohibits deep sea fishing, or when deep sea fishing weather is marginal, we have the preferred option of bay and jetty fishing. Galveston bay and jetty fishing offers several advantages over deep sea fishing. Weather is less of a factor, protected waters, less wind, wave motion, etc. Bay and jetty trips are rarely cancelled due to weather on our 42 foot boat "Island Girl" • Often times we catch bigger fish (over 20 lbs.) on bay and jetty trips (i.e., bull redfish, black drum, shark, etc.) • The ability to fish comfortably on the day of your reservation • A much shorter boat ride, more fishing • No fishery closure by the Federal government as we are fishing Texas state waters open year round in all waters for all species. (Note: We do fish year round in all waters for all species and practice catch and release for a particular species during any temporary Federal closure) • A shorter relaxed trip, great for business meetings, children's groups, expectant mothers, etc.