Can I bring a child on a party boat - we need more tog chowder?
 

OK, my entire family is addicted to the "drunken blackfish chowder" recipe that DZ posted for me. I made 2 gallons of that magical stuff Monday night, and if you looked at the pot right now, a forensic scientist could never determine that there had ever been soup in there. The pot looks like it was dipped in an acid bath. They are begging for more, more, more! I gave some to my neighbor, an hour later, my neighborhood looked like a scene from the Walking Dead, as dozens of blood chowder-thirsty neighbors were staggering aimlessly towards our house.

I don't have the $$ to do a 6-pack trip. Was thinking of bringing my 9 year-old on one of the party boats out of either Niantic, CT or Pt Judith. My question is, is it OK to bring an inexperienced 9 year-old on a trip like that? If he does something wrong, and maybe tangles someone's line, are they going to scream at him?

If it's geared more towards serious fisherman, I don't want to disrupt that. I'm guessing it's geared to families?

Can't see that being a problem....

if they start screaming at a kid I wouldn't use those guys again

Thanks. I'm not as worried about the crew, as I am about others around me. If a guy is there because he wants to put meat in his freezer, and he has a few beers, and if the kid next to him is acting in a way that he perceives as getting in his way...I just don't want to bring him where he doesn't really belong.

By the same token, passnegers on a party boat need to understand that they don't pick who is around them, if they want a guarantee that no one will disturb them, they can book an entire 6-pack boat with people of their choice. It requires some accommodations from both sides.

i would think kids are encouraged.

Just make sure you bring enough warm clothes for him and a big thermos full of hot chocolate to keep him comfortable.

I would say depends on age of child.....when on a boat some children lose interest quickly and there is no place on a boat that they can go to play and they want to go home....when I charted I finally set a rule of children w/o another parent 12 and older were welcomed....chilren under 12 had to have two adults so one could control the child.....sorry but most parents R into fishing instead of watching their children.....I even had one parent rip the rod out of sons hand to reel the fish in....the kid could handle the fish but the father wanted an ego trip.....a lot of kids behave very well

probably best to take him out on a short local trip of 4hrs or less to see how he reacts to the experience.also have you taken him just fishing at the local beaches or ponds? how does he react to that and how long does he last during those trips?

Jim, are you the one who took his son out with Mike Roy? If he could handle that small boat, I think he would be good on a party boat. Fish next to him, go early and grab a corner.Most guys will cut a kid slack, and frankly adults tangle up too - it's usually more about paying attention. I know some of the Niantic fleet is targeting seabass and porgies, so check what the program is, but then that would make good chowda too.

i bet if you called around for a private charter you could get a pretty a good deal. I know some guys that are trying to get in some last minute trips. Specially if its just you and your son.

I would check w/the boat first and then decide. If you're willing to keep an eye on him but be willing to sit him down for whatever reason he should be fine. Your asking the question seems to indicate you're aware that could happen. Have him bring a book or a game in case that happens.

yes, that was us. He has done 4 or 5 charter trips, never on a party boat though, only on boats where we book the whole boat. He has a few 20-pound stripers under his belt. I'm not worried about him getting bored, or cold, or unhappy. More concerned that he has never bottom fished all day, shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. What if the guy next to him hooks a huge fish, and my son's line gets tangled with him, I don't want anyone yelling at him. That kind of thing.

"grab a corner"

Are corners the best place to be? Or just so he won't have someone on the other side of him?.

"targeting seabass and porgies, so check what the program is, but then that would make good chowda too"

I bet you're right!!

Very sensible post. I don't think he would get bored (but would bring his ipod, ipad, whatever, in case he gets cold). Again, I'm more worried that others would perceive he's a nuisance. Just wondering if kids that age are common on these trips.

Any time when more than a few people are together, there always seems to be at least one A-Hole in the group. I definitely wouldn't worry about them. He sounds like an accomplished fisherman for a young man of his age, so, if you think he would have fun, then take him. It's all about you and him. Try to spot the guys that seem uptight jerks and pick a spot away from them. I bet this will end up another fun fishing trip with Dad for him.

I like taking kids out on my charters but there is a limit.
8-10 years old probably the limit.

I had a woman who wanted to book a trip with me this summer for her family (husband & 4 kids)
She asked me if she could bring a crib for the baby :-)
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i guess as someone who started fishing on party boats with my dad at 6 years old,i would say don't hesitate.your son has some expierience on the water so as long as you feel he will be comfortable don't worry about others on the boat.what i would suggest is pull your son out of school midweek when the boats aren't that crowded,i missed school more than once to go fishing.

I'm not sure how concerned you are about this....but I wouldn't expect anyone to curb their language while out there.

Some people have no respect when around children....although nowadays it seems like a common thing.....I'm one of those guys who doesn't want people cursing around my child. I don't keep him in a bubble, but I do have my limitations when heading into those types of environments. (Don't get me wrong, I don't fault them <<the paying fishermen>> nor do I expect them to change their habits, I just make an assessment of the situation and then decide on whether or not it's a suitable place for my son, while we're together).

"What? you don't think your child heard anyone swear before?"
I'm sure he has, but he's not going to see me condone it by bringing him into a situation where it's openly used and abused.
Call me old fashioned, but it is what it is.

Other than that.....your son will be a paying customer. He has the same right to tangle as some other inexperienced adult going out for the first time. I wouldn't worry about offending anyone else....just be a responsible parent.

That's a good point. My kids have never, nor will they ever, hear me use the f-bomb for example. But when I fish with my 9 year-old, if I lose a big fish for example, I might say "aw, sh*t". He knows that he may hear more colorful language on the boat, and he also knows that his mother doesn't need to know anything about this.

I also don't expect any paying customers to act differently. If someone lost a good fish and dropped the f-bomb right next to him, I wouldn't say anything. In any event, my wife was captain of her college rugby team, and knows a lot more swear words than I ever will, and I suspect she's not as careful around them during the day, as I am when I'm home.

Thanks guys! The Blackhawk out of Niantic is going out to Block for tog/cod/scup/sea bass, that's likely the winner, unlless I ante up and do a 6-pack charter.

Hey I'm not judging....to each their own.
I just thought I'd toss that out there as it hadn't been mentioned.

Good Luck, and take plenty of photos.

The island current out of Pt Jud has been slaying them, limiting out and back early most days. Been on that boat for cod and it's fine for kids who are into fishing. Probably not too long a steam, not sure how it compares to the Conn steam.
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Cod are still hot
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Do the island current and I will trade a glass blowing class for a Blackfish. I'll teach your son to make an ornament
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Don't worry about tangled lines it happens every day on party boats, its expected....where I fish in florida on a party boat sometimes there R 4-5 tangled lines together...just need patience....the F bomb is used more then any other words in the american vocabulary and your son may have heard it in school

I am thinking the day after Thanksgiving. If we fish on a RI boat, I will let you know, if we catch more than 4 or 5 between the 2 of us, happy to give you a fish!

I never heard of the Island Currnet, just saw their website, if his reports are accurate, he says the boat is limiting out by 9 AM.

Hopefully going Sunday... if we do OK I'll text you and trade for a beer or two.

I use the Blackhawk out of Niantic a number of times, as recently as two weeks ago, and there were kids and adults, and a lot of the adults get schooled if they are not paying attention. There are all kinds of googans on the boat, but they really help the kids. Your boy has some experience, so he would do fine. Tangles are tangles.... they are killing the black sea bass right now...long trip, but worth it. I think they kicked up the rates too, but that boat really goes out of their way for kids.

Sweet thanks mang.
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Yeah, their website says that the sea bass and scup have moved ou of inshore waters, so they are going south of Block for cod/tog/scup/sea bass. They increased their rates, which is fair because of gas. Hopefully they continue to do well out there.

Jim
I have fished almost all the party boats in CT and RI . There are jerks and drunk idiots on most boats . The Hel-cat out of Groton has the least amount of tolerance for drunks . They dont let alcohol to be brought on board . I dont know what their schedule is but i think they are on charters right now for Cod or will be soon . Worth a shot ? The Blackhawk is an awesome choice for a CT boat going out for Tog and Sea Bass . Captain Greg is a great guy and loves having kids aboard . He encourages it all the time . Check their web page for information . Some may may let loose with F-bombs on occasion but most fisherman respect the kids on board . I even watch my mouth around young kids . Most boats encourage kids depending on seas . Have seen kids younger than 9 on party boats many times , tangles are part of the game on a party boats .

These are boats I have fished most for many years . Check their web pages for more info . They all have good Captains and crews from my times on these boats .

Ct Boats
Blackhawk
Mijoy
Hel-Cat
Sunbeam

RI Baots
Francis Fleet ( multiple boats )
Seven B's

I would go out on the Blackhawk without hesitation with kids in Ct !

Hel Cat website says they are done until spring. It will probably be either the Blackhawk, of to RI on the Frances Fleet or Island Current has unbelievable reports on their tog trips.